June 13 Evening Edition

GOPUSA ILLINOIS
— PLEASE CONSIDER HELPING SPONSOR WHEATON’S INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE! So far, $1,550 has been pledged, but $950 more is needed. Illinois Republican Party leader and Bolingbrook Mayor Roger Claar has pledged $500 and Judge Jeff MacKay has pledged $250. Bob Berlin, Tim Elliott, Amy Grant, Paul Hinds, Marty Keller, Dave Molitor, Peter Roskam, and Darlene Ruscitti have made $100 pledges.

 

As a $2,500 Star sponsor, DuPage County Republicans will get credit for sponsoring the Tunes of Glory bagpipers and the Wheaton North and South High School bands. DuPage Republicans will again have a booth at the fireworks the evening before the parade. I will again hand deliver a flyer to all the residences and businesses on the parade route that lists the sponsors and the amount that they contributed. Please phone me at 630-653-0462 about sponsorship and mail a check made out to the Wheaton Park District for $100 or more to me ASAP at 915 Cove Court, Wheaton, Illinois 60189-6326.

 

So far, Republican entries in the parade are Peter Roskam, Peter Breen/Amy Grant, Paul Hinds, James Mendrick, Grant Eckhoff/Tim Elloitt/Chris Zaruba, Jeff McKay, Karen Wilson, and Milton Township Republican Central Committee. Please help me encourage Republican candidates on November 6, 2018 ballots in Wheaton a) to have an entry in Wheaton’s Independence Day parade and b) to help sponsor the parade. Those candidates include Bruce Rauner and Evelyn Sanguinetti, Erika Harold, Jason Helland, Darlene Senger, Jim Dodge, Mike Connelly, Chris Nybo, Darlene Ruscitti, Dan Cronin, Gwen Henry, Kevin Wiley, Jim Zay, Al Murphy, and Joseph Cantore. The deadline for parade entries has been extended to June 20, 2018 and the cost is $180. SEE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/july-2018-independence-day-celebration-parade-entry-tickets-43661232923?aff=es2 Thanks. – Dave Diersen
http://www.gopillinois.com

 

ABC7
— Judge hears arguments in lawsuit by Alaina Hampton, former campaign aide for House Speaker Michael Madigan, alleging retaliation – Craig Wall
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/judge-hears-arguments-in-lawsuit-by-former-madigan-campaign-aide-alleging-retaliation/3598175/
— Deerfield assault-weapons ban blocked by judge – Megan Hickey
http://abc7chicago.com/politics/deerfield-gun-ban-blocked-by-judge/3597699/

 

NBC5
— Ex-Madigan Aide Releases 14-Page Document Addressing Harassment Allegations
https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/kevin-quinn-the-truth-report-alaina-hampton-485395391.html
https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/read-the-truth-kevin-quinn-alaina-hampton-485397111.html
— Judge Blocks Chicago Suburb’s Semi-Automatic Weapons Ban Deerfield officials say they are reviewing the judge’s ruling and will consider an appeal
https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Judge-Blocks-Chicago-Suburbs-Semi-Automatic-Weapons-Ban-485397681.html

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Ex-Madigan aide answers woman’s harassment allegations: I was never her boss – Tina Sfondeles
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/ex-madigan-aide-answers-womans-harassment-allegations-i-was-never-her-boss/
— Ken Dunkin, sexual harassment and proportionate justice – Editorial
https://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/sexual-harassment-ken-dunkin-editorial/

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Madigan aide ousted in sexual harassment texting scandal responds to woman who made the accusations – Stacy St. Clair and Christy Gutowski
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-kevin-quinn-sexual-harassment-madigan-hampton-20180613-story.html
— Why haven’t Chicago Board of Education, CEO Jackson resigned over sexual abuse scandal? It’s the Chicago Way. – John Kass
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/kass/ct-met-troy-laraviere-kass-20180612-story.html

 

DAILY HERALD
— Suburban businesses plan to lay off 558 workers – Kim Mikus
http://www.dailyherald.com/business/20180613/suburban-businesses-plan-to-lay-off-558-workers
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Aurora promotes LGBTQ activity. What does your municipality promote?
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180613/auroras-first-gay-pride-parade-to-celebrate-everyone
— Former Aurora alderwoman Lynne Johnson pleads guilty to stealing from Meijer – Justin Kmitch
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180613/former-aurora-alderwoman-pleads-guilty-to-stealing-from-meijer

 

NPR ILLINOIS
— Abortion Opponents Back In Courtroom, Fighting Funding Law – DAISY CONTRERAS
http://nprillinois.org/post/abortion-opponents-back-courtroom-fighting-funding-law#stream/0
— Republicans Who Distance Themselves From Trump Struggle In Primaries – KELSEY SNELL
https://www.npr.org/2018/06/13/619447112/republicans-who-distance-themselves-from-trump-struggle-in-primaries

 

NORTH COOK NEWS
— Sexual harassment scandal in Springfield highlights need for new leadership, Smolenski says – Karen Kidd
https://northcooknews.com/stories/511456086-sexual-harassment-scandal-in-springfield-highlights-need-for-new-leadership-smolenski-says

 

DUPAGE POLICY JOURNAL
— Roskam slams potential plans to pardon Blagojevich – Robert Hadley
https://dupagepolicyjournal.com/stories/511454953-roskam-slams-potential-plans-to-pardon-blagojevich

 

ILLINOIS NEWS NETWORK
— Raises should be based on merit, not ‘steps’ – Dan McCaleb (DIERSEN: Step increases recognize the work experience that you gain. The more step increases that you get, the more that is expected of you.)
https://www.ilnews.org/opinion/op-ed-raises-should-be-based-on-merit-not-steps/article_9e25f3e4-6ec9-11e8-9013-cb1f51230d16.html

 

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— WALSH RESIGNS FROM TURNING POINT USA’S ADVISORY BOARD OVER LEADERSHIP’S DEVOTION TO TRUMP
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/06/walsh-resigns-from-turning-point-usas-advisory-board-over-leaderships-devotion-to-trump.html
— AS CALIFORNIA CONSIDERS DIVIDING INTO 3 STATES, COULD ILLINOIS CONSIDER DIVIDING, TOO?
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2018/06/as-california-considers-dividing-into-3-states-could-illinois-consider-dividing-too-.html

 

CAPITOL FAX
— President Trump is 22 points underwater in Illinois poll
https://capitolfax.com/2018/06/13/president-trump-is-22-points-underwater-in-illinois-poll/

 

WASHINGTON FREE BEACON
— California GOP Gubernatorial Nominee Embraces Trump John Cox says the president will campaign for him – Haris Alic (DIERSEN: Will Republican candidates in Illinois embrace Trump? Will Trump campaign for Republican candidates in Illinois?)
http://freebeacon.com/politics/california-gop-gubernatorial-nominee-embraces-trump/

 

GOPUSA
— Twitter CEO apologizes to leftists for eating at Chick-fil-A
http://www.gopusa.com/twitter-ceo-apologizes-to-leftists-for-eating-at-chick-fil-a/

 

AMERICAN THINKER
— IL GOP asks Trump not to pardon former Gov. Blagojevich – Rick Moran
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2018/06/il_gop_asks_trump_not_to_pardon_former_gov_blagojevich.html

 

LIFE SITE NEWS
— Pentagon brass influenced by Trump admin refuse to honor LGBT ‘pride month’ – Doug Mainwaring
https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/pentagon-brass-influenced-by-trump-admin-refuse-to-honor-lgbt-pride-month

 

NATIONAL REVIEW
— America’s Entitlement Crisis Just Keeps Growing – MICHAEL TANNER
https://www.nationalreview.com/2018/06/entitlement-crisis-social-security-medicare-outlook-worsens/

 

MSN
— Rep. Brat Says E-Verify Is Important Element of Immigration Reform
https://www.msn.com/da-dk/video/spil/rep-brat-says-e-verify-is-important-element-of-immigration-reform/vp-AAyB7BW

 

NEW YORK TIMES
— New York Times Examines Work History of Reporter in Leak Case – Michael M. Grynbaum (DIERSEN: If the New York Times examined my work history, what would it find? I have worked as the GOPUSA Illinois Editor since 2000. I worked for GAO 1980-1997, for IRS 1971-1980, for Firestone Stores 1970-1972, for the Post Office 1966-1969, etc.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/12/business/media/ali-watkins-leaks.html
— HARDCOPY ARTICLE TITLE: Do You Feel More Secure? – Thomas L. Friedman (DIERSEN: Yes!)
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/12/opinion/trump-kim-north-korea-allies.html

 

LOS ANGELES TIMES
— Trump puts stranglehold on GOP — and woe to any Republican who objects – Mark Z. Barabak
http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-pol-trump-sanford-republicans-20180613-story.html

 

WASHINGTON POST
— Mark Sanford’s primary loss shows the peril of crossing Trump – James Hohmann
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/paloma/daily-202/2018/06/13/daily-202-mark-sanford-s-primary-loss-shows-the-peril-of-crossing-trump/5b20522d30fb04775d8813d9/
— If Pruitt won’t resign and Trump won’t fire him, what penalty could he face? – Philip Bump (DIERSEN: What unjustified adverse actions have your employers taken against you? My Democrat GAO superiors forced me to retire in 1997 when I was 49 years old, gave me unfair performance expectations and appraisals, always ranked me in the bottom half of my coworkers for pay-for-performance purposes, did not promote me beyond GS-13, got rid of my mentor in 1987, kept me off audits of IRS for all but 3 of the almost 18 years that I worked for GAO, and forced me to take an $19,203 pay cut in today’s dollars to transfer from IRS to GAO in 1980. My Democrat IRS superiors did not promote me beyond GS-12, disallowed my education deductions in 1978, got rid of my mentor in 1975, and disallowed my partial day per diem claims in 1974. My Firestone Stores boss fired me when I told him that I had accepted a job offer from Oldsmobile in 1971. My Democrat Post Office superiors forced me resign in 1969 and disallowed my sick leave requests in 1969 and 1968.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/politics/wp/2018/06/13/if-pruitt-wont-resign-and-trump-wont-fire-him-what-penalty-could-he-face/

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Starting Law Firm Associate Salaries Hit $190,000 New York firm Milbank Tweed bumps starting annual pay, other firms slowly follow its lead – Sara Randazzo
https://www.wsj.com/articles/starting-law-firm-associate-salaries-hit-190-000-1528813210
— Vietnam Tightens Grip on Internet – James Hookway (DIERSEN: Of course, my critics/opponents are beyond furious that they do not have a “grip” on me. Short of killing me, they cannot take my Civil Service Retirement System pension or my Social Security away from me.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/vietnam-tightens-grip-on-internet-with-data-storage-law-1528799753

 

FORBES
— The Job Description Is Obsolete – Marissa Peretz (DIERSEN: I should post my job descriptions and when I worked under them: GAO Band II Analyst 1989-1997, GAO GS-13 Analyst 1986-1989, GAO GS-12 Analyst 1982-1986, GAO GS-11 Analyst 1981-1982, GAO GS-9 Analyst 1980-1981, GS-12 IRS Revenue Office 1974-1980, GS-11 IRS Revenue Officer 1973-1974, GS-9 IRS Revenue Officer 1972-1973, GS-7 IRS Revenue Officer 1971-1972, Firestone Stores Retail Sales Manager 1970-1971, and GS-4 Post Office Substitute Carrier/Clerk 1966-1969.)
https://www.forbes.com/sites/marissaperetz/2018/06/13/the-job-description-is-obsolete/#6f55bc6775b8
(FROM THE ARTICLE: These written statements of the responsibilities, duties, required qualifications and reporting relationships of a position are ineffective.)

 

STATE FARM
— Green Driving: Get Behind the Wheel Less and Do Good (DIERSEN: What have you done to drive less? Things that I have done include a) using public transportation to get to/from work and/or school in 1971, 1973, 1974, and 1978-1997; b) walking to/from work and school 1974-1978; c) buying a home in walking distance to public transportation in 1978; and d) having a home built in walking distance from public transportation in 1984.)
https://www.statefarm.com/simple-insights/auto-and-vehicles/green-driving-get-behind-the-wheel-less-and-do-good
— A Timeline: How to Prepare for College (DIERSEN: Are/were you “college material?” While I attended Crete-Monee High School 1962-1966, I took college preparatory courses notwithstanding the fact that many, if not most, if not virtually everyone at the time viewed me as NOT being “college material.” Neither of my parents had attended college. My father was the first of his ancestors to earn a high school diploma. My mother never attended high school. I spent my junior and senior years and the summer in between washing dishes for the minimum wage in the basement of the S.S. Kresges in Chicago Heights. I just barely made into the upper 20% of my class, my ACT score was only 24, I was draft bait, my eyesight could not be corrected to 20/20, I had partial red/green color blindness, and I had Osgood-Schlatter disease (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osgood%E2%80%93Schlatter_disease).)
https://www.statefarm.com/simple-insights/college/a-timeline-how-to-prepare-for-college

 

ACCOUNTING TODAY
— IRS private debt collectors target low-income taxpayers – Michael Cohn
https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/irs-private-debt-collectors-target-low-income-taxpayers-below-poverty-line

 

FEDERAL TIMES
— 21 Republicans to Trump: axe fed-targeting executive orders – Jessie Bur (DIERSEN: The 21 include Mike Bost and Rodney Davis. I was a federal employee for almost 30 years and I have been a federal retiree for almost 21 years. My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupe’s hint/imply/argue/shout that past and present Republican U.S. Senators and Republican U.S. Representatives have thrown me under the bus and flushed me down the toilet.)
https://www.federaltimes.com/federal-oversight/congress/2018/06/13/republicans-to-trump-axe-fed-targeting-executive-orders/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Members of President Donald Trump’s own party called out recent executive orders targeting federal employee unions, due process and official time use as an attempt to undermine existing law. The executive orders, signed May 25, make it easier for agencies to fire federal employees under investigation for misconduct while calling for the renegotiation of agency contracts with employee unions. They also limit the use of official time, which allows federal employees to conduct union activities such as representing employees in disputes and negotiating contracts with the agency, to no more than 25 percent of an employees work time. “We are concerned that the recent executive orders embark on a path that will undo many of the long-standing principles protected by law, which establish checks and balances not only in the federal workplace but for the American public,” wrote 21 Republican members of the House in a letter to the president. “We believe that the three executive orders undermine existing labor laws and we ask that you rescind them.” The representatives’ open opposition to the executive orders is significant, as House Democrats have already expressed strong opposition to the infringement on the collective bargaining and official time use of federal employees. The new letter marks a solid bipartisan opposition to the new executive orders. Many of the letter’s signers represent federal employee-dense districts and face reelection in November 2018. “As members representing a significant number of hard-working federal employees and retirees, we urge you to uphold the current law and long-standing federal labor statutes that protect America’s civil service from discrimination, unfair treatment and sexual harassment,” the representatives wrote. The legality of the executive orders has already been challenged in court by federal employee unions, and the letter’s assertion that the orders undermine labor laws provides support for that case. J. David Cox Sr., national president of the American Federation of Government Employees, which filed the May 30 suit, applauded the letter, saying: “We are heartened by this showing of support for our members and all federal employees. Everyone benefits when management and bargaining unit employees can work together effectively and efficiently, something President Trump’s executive orders undermine. This administration’s attempt to silence the voice of veterans, law enforcement officers and all hardworking federal employees is not just deplorable, it is illegal. The EOs are a direct rebuke to the checks and balances in our Constitution and comes dangerously close to encroaching on the rights of Congress to legislate.”)

 

GOVERNMENT EXECUTIVE
— Federal Employees Last Year Broke Record for Proving Retaliation By Managers – Eric Katz (DIERSEN: If I had not been denied my 7th Amendment rights in Diersen v. GAO, I would have proved retaliation by my GAO superiors.)
https://www.govexec.com/oversight/2018/06/federal-employees-last-year-broke-record-proving-retaliation-against-them/148987/?oref=river
— Debt-Free College for Future Federal Employees – Erich Wagner (DIERSEN: Non-veteran White males who are seeking a job with the federal government should be advised that with only rare exceptions, a) the longer that you are a federal employee, the less likely that private sector employers will hire you, b) your career will be wasted and you will be gotten rid of if you do not make GS-13 (currently $96,403) by age 25, GS-14 (currently $113,920) by age 30, GS-15 (currently $134,000) by age 35, and Senior Executive Service (currently $164,200) by age 40, c) you will be expected to help your superiors and supervisors get rid of their employees who are Republican, White, male, older, and/or non-veteran, and d) virtually everyone despises if not hates federal employees, former federal employees, and federal retirees.)
https://www.govexec.com/pay-benefits/pay-benefits-watch/2018/06/expanding-military-parental-leave-debt-free-college-and-more/148975/

(FROM THE ARTICLE: A Democratic senator introduced a bill last month that would allow students to graduate from college debt-free, provided they enter public service. The Strengthening American Communities Act (S. 2984), introduced in May by Sen. Ben Cardin of Maryland but announced last week, would establish a National Public Service Education Grant program, which would pay a significant portion of students’ tuition, provided that they agree to work for at least three years in public service. The program could remove many students’ reliance on student loans to pay for post-secondary education, and allow graduates to enter the workforce debt free. And those already working in positions eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, which offers to erase debt after a decade of work in public service, would see relief after only three years.)

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.