February 24 Morning Edition

WGN TV
— Trump to CPAC: ‘I called the fake news the enemy of the people and they are’
http://wgntv.com/2017/02/24/trump-to-cpac-i-called-the-fake-news-the-enemy-of-the-people-and-they-are/

 

ASSOCIATED PRESS
— ‘NO ANONYMOUS SOURCES,’ TRUMP SCOLDS AT CPAC
http://abc7ny.com/politics/no-anonymous-sources-trump-scolds-at-cpac/1771007/

 

NEWSMAX
— Trump Slams ‘Phony,’ ‘Dishonest’ Media at CPAC – Bill Hoffmann
http://www.newsmax.com/Politics/donald-trump-cpac-speech-media/2017/02/24/id/775398/

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— The spirited debate at New Trier: Civil rights awareness or ‘indoctrination day’? – Editorial
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-new-trier-racism-civil-rights-seminars-edit-0223-20170222-story.html
— Rauner calls his demands on Senate budget plan ‘reasonable’ – Monique Garcia
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-bruce-rauner-illinois-senate-met-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Democrats and RINOs encourage people to come to America illegally, to stay in America illegally, and to bring others to America illegally. These Democrats and RINOs put the children who come alone into “Chicago shelters.”
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-immigrant-juvenile-detention-center-met-20170223-story.html
— Hate crimes rising since Trump’s election, activists tell AG Lisa Madigan – Marwa Eltagouri (DIERSEN: What do Trump, Pence, Bost, Davis, Hultgren, Kinzinger, LaHood, Roskam, Shimkus, Rauner, Sanguinetti, Radogno, Durkin, Schneider, DeMonte, and Porter have to say about this?  Democrats run Chicago, Cook County, and Illinois, but Democrats blame Republicans for hate crimes in Chicago, in Cook County, and in Illinois.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-madigan-immigration-hate-crimes-summit-20170223-story.html
— The American commute is worse today than it’s ever been – Christopher Ingraham  (DIERSEN: While I rode Metra in 1971, 1973-1974, and 1978-1997, I read newspapers or textbooks for night classes that I took at Loyola, DePaul, Roosevelt, and IIT.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-american-commute-study-20170223-story.html
— Civility has its nose buried in a smartphone – Stephen L. Carter
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-political-discourse-civility-phones-20170223-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, anti-Trumps glorify and praise those who come to America illegally, who stay in America illegally, and who bring others to America illegally.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-immigrant-families-strength-trump-perspec-0224-20170223-story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps run Illinois, Cook County, Chicago, etc.  Never-the-less, ever-increasingly, these anti-Trumps blame Trump for everything that is bad, including racism, sexism, and bigotry.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/glanton/ct-trump-jews-glanton-20170222-story.html

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, anti-Trumps make it clear that they are full of hatred and that they especially hate those who are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German American, draft avoiders, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America longer than their ancestors.
http://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/steinberg-who-do-bullies-bully-whoever-bullies-can/
— ALL OF THE FRONT PAGE: FOP chief, city IG slam quiet change to police merit promotions – Frank Main and Fran Spielman (DIERSEN: Since the 1960s, one of the federal government’s top priorities has been to promote its employees who are Democrat, minority, female, and/or younger.)
http://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/fop-chief-city-ig-slam-quiet-change-to-police-merit-promotions/
— Rahm ally’s drug pricing a bitter pill to swallow – Dan Mihalopoulos
http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/mihalopoulos-rahm-allys-drug-pricing-a-bitter-pill-to-swallow/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, Democrats promote LGBTQ activity.
http://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/editorial-the-shame-of-trumps-betrayal-of-transgender-kids/

 

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— My grandparents were immigrants – GREG HINZ  (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, if you are a Republican, the longer that your ancestors have been in America, the more that Democrats blame you for the problems that immigrants have and for the problems that members of the following groups have: those who are anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, anti-draft avoiders, and anti-those whose ancestors have been in America longer than their ancestors.)
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20170224/ISSUE05/170229932
— Retiring in their 30s. Yep, they’re doing it. – DANIELLE BRAFF  (DIERSEN: Needless-to-say, since 1997, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes in Wheaton, in Glen Ellyn, in Milton Township, in DuPage County, and in Illinois have been beyond furious that my wife and I could “afford” to lose $72,135 a year in today’s dollars ($122,991 salary minus $50,856 pension) by my taking my Democrat GAO superiors’ early retirement “offer” in 1997 when I was 49 years old. They hint/imply/argue/shout that we could do that only a) because I avoided the draft, b) because we gave up trying to have children, we did not adopt, and we did not become foster parents, c) because the federal government grossly overpaid me, d) because my Civil Service Retirement System pension is too generous, and e) because my federal health, dental, and vision insurance subsidy (currently $17,288) is too generous.)
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20170223/ISSUE03/170229947/joining-the-fire-financially-independent-retiring-early

 

DAILY HERALD
— Rauner right to rip AFSCME strike threat – Editorial
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20170223/discuss/170229412/

 

ABC7
— TRANS TEEN, LOCAL GROUPS REACT TO TRUMP REVOKING TRANSGENDER BATHROOM RULE – Leah Hope  (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, Democrats encourage LGBTQ activity.)
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/trans-teen-local-groups-react-to-trump-revoking-transgender-bathroom-rule/1769258/

 

CBS2
— ACLU Saw Membership Surge In Illinois After Trump’s Election  (DIERSEN: To join the ACLU is to shout that you are anti-Trump, anti-Protestant, anti-conservative, anti-Republican, anti-American, anti-White, anti-male, anti-older people, anti-rich people, anti-gun owners, anti-German Americans, anti-draft avoiders, and/or anti-those whose ancestors have been in America longer than your ancestors.)
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2017/02/24/aclu-saw-membership-surge-in-illinois-after-trumps-election/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Outstanding: “The state purchased a new $54,000 Ford Expedition for the governor.”
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2017/02/23/democrats-slam-hypocritical-rauner-for-gop-attacks-on-comptroller/

 

BELOIT TIMES
— TRUMP PUTS MODERATE GOP GOVERNORS IN AWKWARD SPOT – AP  (DIERSEN: Of course, anti-Trumps want Rauner to dump all individuals, organizations, companies, and governments in Illinois that are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German American, draft avoiders, and those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.  Anti-Trumps certainly want Rauner to dump Dave Diersen and his GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails.  Increasingly, anti-Thumps make that clear at public events in Wheaton.)
http://www.beloitdailynews.com/article/20170224/AP/302249938
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Republican governors who face re-election next year in states that voted for Clinton are Charlie Baker of Massachusetts, Larry Hogan of Maryland, Bruce Rauner of Illinois, Phil Scott of Vermont and Chris Sununu of New Hampshire. Four other states that voted for Clinton have governors who will be forced out by term limits: Chris Christie in New Jersey; Paul LePage in Maine; Susana Martinez in New Mexico; and Brian Sandoval in Nevada. . .As with the other governors, Rauner in Illinois said he is focusing on his state — or at least he’s trying to. He went to great lengths not to stake a clear position on Trump during the campaign — refusing to comment on the race, who he was voting for or even to say Trump’s name. Since the election, he has continued to avoid taking a clear position on the administration’s policies. His strategy is clearly intended to avoid alienating voters in Chicago, the suburbs and other urban areas who supported Hillary Clinton in November, or those in rural counties that went overwhelmingly for Trump. But avoidance also comes with some peril: Democrats, who control the Illinois Legislature, called the Republican governor cowardly for meeting with billionaire donors out of state while refugees were stranded at Chicago’s O’Hare airport after the president’s travel-banning executive order. Rauner already has a slim margin for error after a two-year budget stalemate has tanked his approval ratings.)

 

WBEZ
— Seminar For High School Students Raises Allegation Of Leaning Liberal
https://www.wbez.org/shows/morning-shift/seminar-for-high-school-students-raises-allegation-of-leaning-liberal/028a59eb-a355-479c-b3f8-09b17882e159

 

DNA INFO
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, anti-Trumps, that is, Democrats and RINOs, treasonously do everything that they can to a) encourage people to come to America illegally, b) encourage people to stay in America illegally, and c) encourage people to bring other people to America illegally.
https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20170223/downtown/cps-students-undocumented-immigrants-deportation-raids-president-donald-trump-immigration-policies

 

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL REGISTER
— AFSCME authorizes strike, but still wants to bargain with Rauner – Doug Finke
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20170223/afscme-authorizes-strike-but-still-wants-to-bargain-with-rauner
— More ambiguity than Illinois can afford – Ralph Martire
http://www.sj-r.com/opinion/20170223/ralph-martire-more-ambiguity-than-illinois-can-afford

 

JOURNAL TOPICS
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps promote protestors at Roskam’s office in Barrington
http://www.journal-topics.com/news/article_e0e7cf9a-fa08-11e6-a320-6f7708b005c4.html

 

FOX ILLINOIS
— (ANTI-TRUMP) Protesters Ask For Public Meeting With LaHood – Esther Kwon  (DIERSEN: Should Trump supporters ask for public meetings with Democrat Congressmen and Congresswomen?)
http://foxillinois.com/news/local/protesters-ask-for-public-meeting-with-lahood

 

TIMES
— Demonstrators: ‘Where is Adam?’ – David Giuliani
http://www.mywebtimes.com/news/local/demonstrators-where-is-adam-with-video/article_3f1afb9a-b9f9-5be6-8950-519f3941b29c.html

 

WJDB
— OUTSTANDING: White House: Expect ‘greater enforcement’ of marijuana laws
http://www.wjbdradio.com/politics/2017/02/23/white-house-expect-greater-enforcement-of-marijuana-laws

 

CHICAGO CITY WIRE
— Church of Christian Liberty pastor urges Rauner not to support abortion funding bill if passed – Vimbai Chikomo
http://chicagocitywire.com/stories/511084100-church-of-christian-liberty-pastor-urges-rauner-not-to-support-abortion-funding-bill-if-passed

 

SANGAMON SUN
— Illinois GOP issues statement on Kennedy’s email fundraiser – Ruth de Jauregui
http://sangamonsun.com/stories/511081569-illinois-gop-issues-statement-on-kennedy-s-email-fundraiser

 

ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE
— AFSCME’S SWEETHEART DEAL  Public-sector unions enjoy perks and privileges that are foreign to union and nonunion workers in the private sector. – Diana Rickert
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/afscmes-sweetheart-deal/?linkId=34819187

 

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— 80 PERCENT OF REGISTERED VOTERS REJECT SANCTUARY CITIES, NEW POLL SAYS
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/02/80-percent-of-registered-voters-reject-sanctuary-cities-new-poll-says.html

 

CNS NEWS
— Priebus ‘Hoping’ Media Coverage Will Change; Bannon: ‘It’s Going to Get Worse Every Day’ – Susan Jones
http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/susan-jones/priebus-hoping-media-coverage-will-change-bannon-its-going-get-worse-every

 

REAL CLEAR POLITICS
— Illinois exit: Time to Pull the Plug on a Failed State – Tom Bevan  (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, the Democrats who run Illinois make it clear that they want individuals, organizations, and companies that are a member of one or more of the following groups TO LEAVE ILLINOIS IMMEDIATELY: Trump supporter, Protestant, conservative, Republican, American, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German American, draft avoider, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2017/02/24/ilexit_time_to_pull_the_plug_on_a_failed_state_133181.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Illinois is a different story. I’ve spent most of my adult life here; for more than 25 years I’ve called Chicagoland home. I started a business and raised my family here. But the more I’ve watched the city of Chicago and the state flail about in the last few years, unable to protect its citizens and unwilling to put its fiscal house in order, the more convinced I’ve become that maybe it’s time for Illinois to leave the Union – as a favor to the rest of America. I’m joking about “ILexit,” but less than you might think. In the city of Chicago, the carnage – and, yes, I use that Trumpian phrase on purpose – continues unabated.  Six people were shot dead on Wednesday, including a pregnant woman in her 20s, making it the deadliest single day in the city since eight people were killed on Christmas.  So far this year, homicides are outpacing last year’s obscene total of 762, a 55 percent increase from 2015 and the highest number of murders the city has seen since 1996. Decades of mismanagement, lavish spending programs, and kowtowing to public employee unions have left the city’s finances in shambles. Taxes and fees in the city are skyrocketing, while its bond status has been reduced to junk. Despite all this, voters have continued to reward just one party with power. Democrats have run the city of Chicago since before Franklin Roosevelt was president. Outside of Chicago, things are no better, even if they’re a bit more bipartisan. Of Illinois’ last four governors, two (Republican George Ryan and Democrat Rod Blagojevich) went to prison. (Two others, Otto Kerner and Dan Walker, both Democrats, also spent time in the slammer.))

 

WASHINGTON TIMES
— CPAC expels ‘alt-right’ leader, declares war on movement – Alex Swoyer and David Sherfinski (DIERSEN: Of course, anti-Whites love this.  Anti-Whites will use this to further demonize all Whites, to further denigrate all Whites, and to further condemn all Whites.  They will shout that EVEN WHITES HATE WHITES.)
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/feb/23/alt-right-ethno-nationalists-tossed-from-cpac-boun/

 

WORLD NET DAILY
— RELIGIOUS LEADERS CREATING ‘UNDERGROUND RAILROAD’ TO HIDE ILLEGALS  ‘We’re trusting in God that He would help us, guide us to make the right decision’ – CHERYL CHUMLEY (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, anti-Americans use “religious leaders” as their operatives and as their dupes.
http://www.wnd.com/2017/02/religious-leaders-creating-underground-railroad-to-hide-illegals/
— AMERICA’S HOPE IS IN GOD — NOT A DEMAGOGUE  Alan Keyes warns of leaders who identify some as ‘enemies of the people’  (DIERSEN: My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes paint me as being an enemy of “the people.” My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes paint themselves as being spokespersons for “the people.”)
http://www.wnd.com/2017/02/americas-hope-is-in-god-not-a-demagogue/

 

GOPUSA
— Trump Eviscerates the Liberal Media and it’s so Overdue
http://www.gopusa.com/trump-eviscerates-the-liberal-media-and-its-so-overdue/
— What kinds of aid does the US give Mexico?
http://www.gopusa.com/what-kinds-of-aid-does-the-us-give-mexico/
— CNN’s Wolf Blitzer Receives Some Unwelcome Answers
http://www.gopusa.com/cnns-wolf-blitzer-receives-some-unwelcome-answers/

 

CONSERVATIVE HQ
— What’s Missing From CPAC – George Rasley
http://www.conservativehq.com/node/25169

 

FREEDOM’S JOURNAL
— WHY IS PRESIDENT TRUMP’S ONLY SENIOR BLACK STAFFER A DEMOCRAT? – Raynard Jackson
https://freedomsjournalinstitute.org/latest-news/opinion/why-is-president-trumps-only-senior-black-staffer-a-democrat/

 

WASHINGTON FREE BEACON
— National Treasury Employees Union  Urges Employees to Rally on Capitol Hill for ‘Respect’  ‘Now, more than ever it’s important that EPA employees stand together’ – Elizabeth Harrington
http://freebeacon.com/issues/epa-union-urges-employees-rally-capitol-hill-respect/
— Trump Supporters Covered by Obamacare Overwhelmed by Out-of-Pocket Costs, High Deductibles  For marketplace participants, top priority for reform was improving affordability – Ali Meyer
http://freebeacon.com/issues/trump-supporters-covered-obamacare-overwhelmed-pocket-costs-high-deductibles/
— Trump and the Media Trash Each Other for 75 Seconds – David Rutz
http://freebeacon.com/politics/trump-media-trash-each-other-seconds/
— The New Nationalism in America  How conservatism is changing in the Trump era – Matthew Continetti
http://freebeacon.com/columns/new-nationalism-america/

 

POLITICO
— Chief digital officer Gerrit Lansing steps down from White House job over background check – TARA PALMERI and DANIEL LIPPMAN (DIERSEN: Can you past a background check?  I did in 1966 for my Post Office job, in 1971 for my IRS job, and in 1980 for my GAO job.  Many millions do not seek jobs with the federal government because they know that they cannot pass a background check.  I wonder how many of my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes in Wheaton, in Glen Ellyn, in DuPage County, and in Illinois cannot pass a pack ground check.  I wonder how many of them employ/employed illegals.  I wonder how many of them use/used illegal drugs.)
http://www.politico.com/blogs/donald-trump-administration/2017/02/gerrit-lansing-trump-digital-chief-ousted-235268
(FROM THE ARTICLE: White House Chief Digital Officer Gerrit Lansing was among the six staffers who were dismissed from the White House last week after being unable to pass an FBI background check, according to sources. A source close to Lansing said the issue with the background check was over investments. Lansing previously led the digital department for the Republican National Committee. The background check, security questionnaire SF86, must be completed by White House staffers for positions that cover national security. President Donald Trump’s director of scheduling, Caroline Wiles, was also among the six staffers who did not pass the intensive FBI screening. She is the daughter of Susan Wiles, Trump’s Florida campaign director. Caroline Wiles resigned Friday before the background check was completed. She was appointed deputy assistant secretary before the inauguration in January. Two sources close to Wiles said she will get another job in the Treasury Department. Lansing left Feb. 9; his official file says he left on his accord. The intensive background check includes questions on the applicant’s credit score, substance use and other personal subjects.)
— OUTSTANDING: Spicer: Expect to see ‘greater enforcement’ of federal marijuana law – MADELINE CONWAY
http://www.politico.com/story/2017/02/federal-marijuana-enforcement-sean-spicer-235318

 

THE HILL
— Conquering Trump returns to conservative summit – ALEXANDER BOLTON
http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/320929-conquering-trump-returns-to-conservative-summit

 

NEW YORK TIMES
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: Weakened Democrats Bow to Voters, Opting for Total War on Trump – JONATHAN MARTIN and ALEXANDER BURNS (DIERSEN: Needless-to-say, the anti-Trumps will lose.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/23/us/democrats-dnc-chairman-trump-keith-ellison-tom-perez.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, Democrats promote LGBTQ activity.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/23/opinion/president-trump-breaks-a-promise-on-transgender-rights.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/23/opinion/janet-mock-young-people-get-trans-rights-its-adults-who-dont.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/23/opinion/trump-will-lose-the-fight-over-bathrooms-for-transgender-students.html
— Law-Abiding but Illegal, and Fearing the New Trump Rules – JIM DWYER  (DIERSEN: By definition, if you are in America illegally, you are NOT law-abiding.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/23/nyregion/new-york-immigrants-catholic-charities-clinic.html
— Cadillac Ad Tries to Bridge Nation’s Chasm, Without Falling In – JAMES B. STEWART
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/23/business/cadillac-oscars-advertising.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: An anti-Trump says “Sure the Media Is Biased. But the Enemy? Not Quite.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/24/business/media/sure-the-media-is-biased-but-the-enemy-not-quite.html

 

WASHINGTON POST
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps say “As Trumpism coopts CPAC, the Reagan era ends.”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/paloma/daily-202/2017/02/24/daily-202-as-trumpism-coopts-cpac-the-reagan-era-ends/58af8869e9b69b1406c75cf0/

 

USA TODAY
— Pope denounces Catholics who lead a ‘double life’ – Doug Stanglin  (DIERSEN: I should write a book about my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes in Wheaton, in Glen Ellyn, in Milton Township, in DuPage County, and in Illinois who say that they are Catholic, but who focus on destroying me.  They would love it.)
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2017/02/23/pope-denounces-catholics-who-lead-double-life/98298868/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, Democrats promote LGBTQ activity.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2017/02/23/trump-fears-come-true-lgbtq-column/98199952/
— OUSTANDING: Cannabis industry roiled by White House comments on enforcement – Trevor Hughes
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2017/02/23/cannabis-industry-roiled-white-house-comments-enforcement/98323774/

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: An anti-Trump says “Fellow Democrats, Your Effort to Destroy the President Is Abnormal. ‘How Can We Get Rid of Trump?’ asks one headline. You can’t—except by defeating him in 2020.”
https://www.wsj.com/articles/fellow-democrats-your-effort-to-destroy-the-president-is-abnormal-1487894450

 

FORBES
— Business Strategy Can Protect Against Trump’s Stepped Up Immigration Enforcement – Bill Conerly  (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, Forbes makes it clear that its advertisers want cheap labor.)
https://www.forbes.com/sites/billconerly/2017/02/24/business-strategy-can-protect-against-trumps-stepped-up-immigration-enforcement/

 

INSIDE HIGHER EDUCATION
— Democrats Ask GAO to Assess Hunger on Campuses – Andrew Kreighbaum
https://www.insidehighered.com/quicktakes/2017/02/24/democrats-ask-gao-assess-hunger-campuses

 

RELIGIOUS DISPATCHES
— CPAC 2017: HYPOCRITES ON PARADE – SUNNIVIE BRYDUM  (DIERSEN: More and more and more anti-Trumps claim to be religious.)
http://religiondispatches.org/cpac-2017-hypocrites-on-parade/

 

RASMUSSEN REPORTS
— Most Favor Trump’s Litmus Test for Potential Immigrants
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/current_events/immigration/february_2017/most_favor_trump_s_litmus_test_for_potential_immigrants
— Is Secession a Solution to Cultural War? – Patrick J. Buchanan
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/political_commentary/commentary_by_pat_buchanan/is_secession_a_solution_to_cultural_war

Author: David Diersen

The opinions that I express in GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails are based on experience that I have gained doing many things since 1948. I base my opinions on what I learned a) working for the federal government for almost 30 years -- Post Office 1966-1969, IRS 1971-1980, and GAO 1980-1997, serving on the Executive Committee of the Association of Government Accountants Chicago Chapter 1983-1996, and being a union member while I worked for the Post Office and IRS; b) earning an MBA from Loyola in 1976, a masters degree in accounting from DePaul in 1980, and a masters degree in financial markets and trading from IIT in 1997; c) passing the CPA examination on my first attempt in 1979 and passing the Certified Internal Auditor examination on my first attempt in 1981; c) serving as a Republican Precinct Committeeman since 1999, the GOPUSA Illinois Editor since 2000, the TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois Chairman 2005-2012, a member of the 2008 Illinois Republican Party (IRP) Platform and Resolutions Committee, a Wheaton Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee member 2003-2011, the Milton Township Republican Central Committee webmaster 2008-2010 and 2000-2004, an Illinois Center Right Coalition Steering Committee member 2003-2007, and an American Association of Political Consultants Midwest Chapter board member 2001-2004; d) attending the 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2016 IRP State Conventions as a delegate; e) being the subject of a nasty 4-page article in the February 1978 issue of Money Magazine; f) pursing litigation including Diersen v. GAO and Diersen v. Chicago Car Exchange; g) being married since 1978; h) living in Crete 1948-1972, in University Park 1972-1976, in Chicago 1976-1978, and in DuPage County, Milton Township, and Wheaton since 1978; and i) being baptized, raised, and confirmed as a Missouri Synod Lutheran.