March 9 Morning Edition

CBS2
— Kankakee County Sheriff’s Trump And Obama Meme Sparks Outrage – Bernie Tafoya
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2017/03/09/kankakee-county-sheriffs-trump-and-obama-meme-sparks-outrage/

 

ABC7
— LAURA BUSH APPEARS WITH RAHM, RAUNER AT HOLOCAUST MUSEUM AWARDS  (DIERSEN: Trump supporters are pro-Israel, so it must be anti-Trumps who hate Jews.  Republicans are pro-Israel, so it must be anti-Republicans who hate Jews. Protestants are pro-Israel, so it must be anti-Protestants who hate Jews. Citizens of America are pro-Israel, so it must be illegals and refugees who hate Jews.)
http://abc7chicago.com/society/laura-bush-appears-with-rahm-rauner-at-holocaust-museum-awards/1791887/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Former first lady Laura Bush spoke out against hate in Chicago Wednesday nights at the Illinois Holocaust Museum’s Humanitarian Awards dinner downtown. The evening raised funds for the educational mission of the museum, which is based in northwest suburban Skokie. “All we know we have is the time we have right now, so take advantage of your life as it is and walk on a beach every chance you get,” Bush said. Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Governor Bruce Rauner both spoke at the event. The governor urged all residents to speak out against hate and outlined a series of objectives aimed.)

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Rauner compares state government to last-place 2013 Cubs – Haley BeMiller)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-bruce-rauner-tom-ricketts-cubs-budget-impasse-story.html
— Negative stories about Cubs owner Joe Ricketts disappear from website he bought – Kim Janssen
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chicagoinc/ct-chicagoist-deletes-joe-ricketts-stories-0310-chicago-inc-20170309-story.html
— Chicago man freed from prison, given $25 million. He spent his second chance rebuilding his old gang – Jason Meisner
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-gang-leader-multimillion-dollar-settlement-met-20170308-story.html
— Skokie Village Board approve change to human relations code supporting immigrant rights – Mike Isaacs  (DIERSEN: As everyone knows, “Welcoming City” is code for “Sanctuary City,” that is, it is code for a city that says individuals, organizations, and companies that are members of the following groups are NOT WELCOME: Trump supporters, Protestants, conservatives, Republicans, Americans, Whites, males, older people, rich people, gun owners, German Americans, draft avoiders (except Bill Clinton), and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/niles/news/ct-skr-skokie-welcoming-legislation-tl-0316-20170308-story.html
— Conservative group leaders meet with Trump, who hints that GOP ACA fix could drift further right – David Weigel, Sean Sullivan  (DIERSEN: What are the conservative groups in your municipality, in your township/ward, in your county, and in Illinois and who leads them? Conservative groups promote the rule of law (no illegal immigration), individual responsibility (no promotion of booze, pot, gambling, or other vices), the traditional family (no promotion of LGBTQ activity), right to life (no promotion of abortion), equal opportunity (no race or gender based preference giving and no age discrimination), the First and Second Amendments, etc.  Conservative groups promote the Republican Party platform, the Illinois Republican Party platform, and the Milton Township Republican Central Committee resolution against video gambling.  Anti-conservatives, Democrat plants, Libertarian plants, Green plants, and RINOs in Wheaton, in Glen Ellyn, in Milton Township, in DuPage County, and in Illinois crow over their success in destroying TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois in 2012.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-conservative-group-leaders-health-care-trump-20170308-story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Leaders of the Club for Growth, the Heritage Foundation, Heritage Action for America, Americans for Prosperity, Tea Party Patriots, and FreedomWorks all participated in the meeting, joined by White House chief of staff Reince Priebus, White House Budget Director Mick Mulvaney, chief strategist Stephen Bannon, senior adviser Kellyanne Conway and legislative affairs director Marc Short. And after the meeting, Trump’s social media manager tweeted out a black-and-white photo of the meeting.)
— Comptroller Mendoza is no independent voice – Kristen McQueary
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-susana-mendoza-dirty-politics-munger-perspec-0309-20170308-story.html
— HARDCOPY ARTICLE TITLE: Girl statute faces down bull in push for diversity – Jena McGregor  (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, anti-Trumps encourage women to hate men.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-wall-street-fearless-girl-statue-20170308-story.html
— Women across country skip work, join ‘Day Without a Woman’ protest – AP (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, anti-Trumps encourage women to hate men.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-womens-day-20170308-story.html
— On ‘A Day Without a Woman,’ Chicago activists and businesses show their solidarity – Angie Leventis Lourgos (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, anti-Trumps encourage women to hate men.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-day-without-a-woman-met-20170308-story.html
— HARDCOPY ARTICLE TITLE: Rauner rallies officials to combat (anti-Semitic) hate crimes – Elyssa Cherney  (DIERSEN: Trump supporters are pro-Israel, so it must be anti-Trumps who hate Jews.  Republicans are pro-Israel, so it must be anti-Republicans who hate Jews. Protestants are pro-Israel, so it must be anti-Protestants who hate Jews. Citizens of America are pro-Israel, so it must be illegals and refugees who hate Jews.)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-bruce-rauner-hate-crime-proposal-met-20170308-story.html

 

DAILY HERALD
— Does GOP use of Elgin Township offices run afoul of ethics ordinance? – Kerry Lester
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20170309/news/170308901/
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Concerning Trump’s claim that Obama wiretapped his communications, anti-Trump Kerry Lester gets Roskam to say “I’ve seen no evidence of what President Trump is talking about.”
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20170309/news/170308901/
— HARDCOPY ARTICLE TITLE: Permission to speak freely – Georgie Anne Geyer  (DIERSEN: My critics/opponents have always made it clear that if I said or did anything without their permission, they would have their operatives and their dupes destroy me.  I should write a book about my critics/opponents in Wheaton, in Glen Ellyn, in Milton Township, in DuPage County, and in Illinois.  They have lots of religious, government, political, and/or financial clout.  They pride themselves in having their operatives and their dupes destroy individuals, destroy organizations, destroy companies, destroy governments, etc.)
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20170309/discuss/170308985/
— A grim look at future of ever-expanding government – George Will
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20170309/discuss/170308958/
— Endorsements: Ericksen, Hanlon, Mathieson and Paulsen for Wheaton Warrenville Unit District 200
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20170309/discuss/170308948/

 

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— The 5 most profitable places (Avondale, Forest Park, Sauganash, Wheaton, and Wilmette) to flip a house – DENNIS RODKIN
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/realestate/20170309/CRED0701/170309871

 

WTTW
— Democrats Call Rauner’s Conspiracy Theory ‘Delusional Babble’ – Amanda Vinicky
http://chicagotonight.wttw.com/2017/03/08/democrats-call-rauner-s-conspiracy-theory-delusional-babble

 

WBEZ
— Quiet Shift In Deportation Centers Alarms Local Attorneys, Families – Odette Yousef
https://www.wbez.org/shows/wbez-news/quiet-shift-in-deportation-centers-alarms-local-attorneys-families/dc6f478f-a02c-43f6-b78c-53e25f2240c1

 

SPRINGFIELD STATE REGISTER
— Rauner talks up higher ed, but has cut funding – Bernard Schoenburg  (DIERSEN: Democrats always argue for higher taxes and for bigger government spending. Constructively, if not literally, Democrats argue for socialism, if for not communism.)
http://www.sj-r.com/opinion/20170308/bernard-schoenburg-rauner-talks-up-higher-ed-but-has-cut-funding
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Rauners put all their eggs in the Chance the Rapper basket. Anti-Rauners glorify and praise Chance the Rapper.  Will the anti-Rauners get Chance the Rapper to run against Rauner in 2018?  Its seems that members of the following groups support Chance the Rapper: anti-Rauner, 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 their ancestors.
http://www.sj-r.com/opinion/20170308/our-view-chance-rapper-brings-much-needed-attention-to-state-of-illinois-finances

 

FOX ILLINOIS
— Illinois To Provide $1M For Migrant Student Summer Programs  (DIERSEN: Of course, this encourages people to bring children to Illinois illegally.)
http://foxillinois.com/news/local/illinois-to-provide-1m-for-migrant-student-summer-programs-03-09-2017

 

ILLINOIS TIMES
— Lawmakers try to consolidate local governments – Debby Hernandez
http://illinoistimes.com/article-18394-lawmakers-try-to-consolidate-local-governments.html

 

PEORIA JOURNAL STAR
— As Cat turns uglier, what does Peoria look like? – Phil Luciano
http://www.pjstar.com/news/20170308/luciano-as-cat-turns-uglier-what-does-peoria-look-like

 

JOURNAL TOPICS
— Biss ‘Connects Dots’ Between Rauner, Trump  State Senator Introduces Budget Fix Proposal, Continues To Hint At Run For Governor – TOM ROBB (DIERSEN: But wait, the public record is full of Rauner demonizing, denigrating, and condemning Trump.)
http://www.journal-topics.com/news/article_d74fa696-0418-11e7-8f3a-df0e63c9003e.html

 

WSIL
— Trump on charm offensive with former rivals – AP  (DIERSEN: Who are your “rivals” and are they “on a charm offensive” against you?  My “rivals” have never started any kind of “charm offensive” against me. They continue to blame me and my GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails for all of their problems, for all of your problems, for all of my problems, and for all of everyone’s problems. They continue to demonize me, to denigrate me, and to condemn me and my GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails. They continue to hint/imply/argue/shout that I am a racist, a sexist, a bigot, and even worse things. They continue to stress that I am a Trump supporter, that I was baptized, raised, and confirmed as a Missouri Synod Lutheran, and that I am conservative, Republican, American, White, male, older (68), non-poor, a gun owner, 100% German American, draft avoider, and that my ancestors have been in America since the 1840s. They continue to stress that I was a federal employee for almost 30 years, that the federal government wasted my career and forced me to retire in 1997 when I was 49 years old, that I have been a federal retiree for more than 19 years, that my Civil Service Retirement System pension is $50,856/year), that my wife and I have subsidized health, dental, and vision insurance for life (that subsidy is currently $17,288/year), that my wife and I are childless and petless, that we have lived in Wheaton only since 1978, that we never attended any schools in Wheaton, and that I am not a member of any church.  What negatives do your “rivals” use against you?)
http://www.wsiltv.com/story/34703912/trump-on-charm-offensive-with-former-rivals

 

WSIU
— Gov. Rauner and Rep. Shimkus Have Different Views of Obamacare Replacement – BRAD PALMER
http://news.wsiu.org/post/gov-rauner-and-rep-shimkus-have-different-views-obamacare-replacement#stream/0

 

SKOKIE PATCH
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps say “Skokie City Council Finalizes Immigrant Rights Measures  Skokie affirms human rights of immigrants with multi-part “comprehensive immigrants’ rights action.”  Democrats crow over their success using Jews to promote Islam.  How soon will Islam be the official religion of Skokie?)
http://patch.com/illinois/skokie/skokie-city-council-finalizes-immigrant-rights-measures

 

CHICAGO READER
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps say “Rauner doesn’t think the GOP’s Obamacare replacement plan will work in Illinois.” Rauner runs the Illinois Republican Party (IRP). Ever-increasingly, anti-Trumps love Rauner.  How soon, if not already, will the anti-Trumps call for Rauner to banish all Trump supporters from the IRP?  How soon, if not already, will the anti-Trumps call for Rauner to banish all Republicans from the IRP?
http://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2017/03/08/rauner-doesnt-think-the-gops-obamacare-replacement-plan-will-work-in-illinois-and-other-chicago-news

 

DUPAGE POLICY JOURNAL
— In Glen Ellyn, a school district asks taxpayers for more money. Out of thin air.
http://dupagepolicyjournal.com/stories/511088413-in-glen-ellyn-a-school-district-asks-taxpayers-for-more-money-out-of-thin-air

 

NPR ILLINOIS
— Illinois Issues: What The Governor Isn’t Saying  Gov. Bruce Rauner has little to say to journalists, and that’s not just a problem for reporters.- KEVIN MCDERMOTT  (DIERSEN: Overwhelmingly, “journalists” and “reporters” talk, act, and write like they are operatives or dupes for the Democrat Party. Voter backlash against that is a major reason why Trump won and why Clinton lost.)
http://nprillinois.org/post/illinois-issues-what-governor-isnt-saying#stream/0

 

ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE
— RIVIAN AUTOMOTIVE GETS $49.5 MILLION IN STATE TAX CREDITS FOR 1,000 JOBS OVER 10 YEARS – Brendan Bakala
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/rivian-automotive-gets-49-5-million-in-state-tax-credits-for-1000-jobs-over-10-years/

 

ILLINOIS FAMILY INSTITUTE
— Femosquitos and “A Day Without a Woman” – Laurie Higgins
https://illinoisfamily.org/life/femosquitos-day-without-woman/

 

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO PROPOSES “FREE SPEECH DEANS” TO PREVENT DISRUPTIVE CONDUCT
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/03/university-of-chicago-proposes-free-speech-deans-to-prevent-disruptive-conduct.html
— ROSKAM’S TOWN HALL AVOIDANCE – CHICAGO’S HOTTEST NEWS STORY?
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2017/03/roskams-town-hall-avoidance-chicagos-hottest-news-story.html

 

WASHINGTON TIMES
— Democrats mount fierce opposition to GOP health care plan  Committees refuse to delay markups, turn back Democratic attacks – Stephen Dinan and Tom Howell Jr.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/mar/8/gop-leaders-urge-troops-heed-trump-back-obamacare-/

 

GOPUSA
— How Taxpayers Fund Anti-Trump Protests
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=21690
— A Day Without American Tech Workers
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=21637
— White House condemns escalating anti-Semitic threats across U.S. (DIERSEN: Republicans are pro-Israel, so non-Republicans must be making these threats. Protestants are pro-Israel, so non-Protestants must be making these threats. Citizens of America are pro-Israel, so illegals and refugees must be making these threats.)
http://www.gopusa.com/white-house-condemns-escalating-anti-semitic-threats-across-u-s/

 

FREEDOM’S JOURNAL
— OBAMACARE CAN’T BE ‘FIXED’ – Larry Elder
https://freedomsjournalinstitute.org/latest-news/opinion/obamacare-cant-be-fixed/

 

LIFEZETTE
— A Day Without Whiny Women in America  Unlike those ‘striking’ today, responsible women are winners, not whiners — leaders, not followers — and they show up for work – Nina May
http://www.lifezette.com/momzette/day-without-whiny-women-america/

 

CONSERVATIVE HQ
— President Trump: Remember The Snake – George Rasley
http://www.conservativehq.com/node/25244

 

BLAZE
— ‘Day Without a Woman’ ignores real problems, focuses on invented grievances – Glenn Beck
http://www.theblaze.com/video/from-glenns-think-tank-day-without-a-woman-ignores-real-problems-focuses-on-invented-grievances/
— Thank God my wife is too mature and responsible for this ‘Day Without A Woman’ silliness – Matt Walsh
http://www.theblaze.com/contributions/matt-walsh-thank-god-my-wife-is-too-mature-and-responsible-for-this-day-without-a-woman-silliness/

 

WASHINGTON FREE BEACON
— First Women’s Day Was Organized by Socialists  Women’s March organizer: ‘Any feminism that doesn’t challenge capitalism feels, by definition, inadequate’ – Elizabeth Harrington
http://freebeacon.com/issues/first-womens-day-organized-socialists/
— Here’s Who Will Benefit Most From the GOP Replacement Plan for Obamacare  Act strips ACA’s employer mandate making it easier to hire employees and drive down costs – Ali Meyer
http://freebeacon.com/issues/heres-will-benefit-gop-replacement-plan-obamacare/
— Here is definitive proof that reporters are the laziest people on the planet – Matthew Walther
http://freebeacon.com/blog/here-is-definitive-proof-that-reporters-are-the-laziest-people-on-the-planet/

 

HUFFINGTON POST
— It’s critical to think locally about resistance – Edwin Yohnka, Director of Communications and Public Policy at the ACLU of Illinois  (DIERSEN: As everyone knows, “Welcoming City” is code for “Sanctuary City,” that is, it is code for a city that says individuals, organizations, and companies that are members of the following groups are NOT WELCOME: Trump supporters, Protestants, conservatives, Republicans, Americans, Whites, males, older people, rich people, gun owners, German Americans, draft avoiders (except Bill Clinton), and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/its-critical-to-think-locally-about-resistance_us_58c02587e4b0a797c1d3978a
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Since the election, ACLU staff have heard one question more than any other: what can I do to protect fundamental freedoms threatened by policies from Washington? Our collective answer largely has been the same – stay informed, stay connected to groups like the ACLU and stay active. People are paying attention and making their voices heard. We hear reports every week about events being planned and executed across the state. People have been gathering and protesting each week in Bloomington-Normal and Evanston, using their voices to affect change in Peoria and Springfield. We see the wave of activism spreading from Rockford to Carbondale, touching everywhere in between. It is critical to recall that many of the issues we are facing at the state and federal level also are playing out at the local level. And, because there are so many of these issues happening locally throughout the state, we rely on members and activists to get involved and stay vigilant. And, there is so much happening at the local level that deserves your attention. Many communities are considering resolutions or ordinances that designate the municipality as a “welcoming city.” Oak Park adopted one of the best such resolutions earlier this year. And, in the western part of Illinois, nearly 100 residents showed up at Galena’s City Council meeting just last week to support an effort to advance a welcoming city resolution. Perhaps this is something that you and others in your local community can initiate. Even if you never get to a successful local vote, it sparks discussion and debate about important and critical issues. Another local activity is to find out what role your municipal police force will play in immigration enforcement. Local matters here as well. Last month, at a League of Women’s Voters forum in Naperville, the community’s police chief made clear that his officers do not assist ICE in immigration enforcement actions. If your community does not have a current policy, they might feel compelled to adopt a non-participation program based on a group of residents raising the question. Local activity also is going to matter is in the area of protecting students who are transgender, and their ability to use the appropriate restroom and locker room – consistent with their gender identity. This will be a key issue in the school board elections in at least two suburban school districts – U46 and D211 – in the ballot set for Tuesday, April 4th. If you live in these school districts – or any other – find out what the candidates think about these issues; a few votes will decide local school board races. We all need to stay tuned to the policies coming from Washington and Springfield. Often, however, the most direct action we can take is on the local level. We must not miss that opportunity to speak out and be heard. There are many people in your community waiting to hear from you about these issues – keep speaking out!)

 

CNN
— Durbin: Trump’s Twitter usage ‘destroying’ credibility of office of the President – Eugene Scott (DIERSEN: Mayors destroy their credibility when they publicly insult people, for example, when they publicly insult people at chamber of commerce events.  Mayors destroy their credibility when they threaten people, for example, when they threaten people at fundraisers.)
http://www.cnn.com/2017/03/07/politics/donald-trump-dick-durbin-twitter-cnntv/

 

NEW YORK TIMES
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Trumps falsely say “Options for Sanctuary in U.S. Dwindle.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/07/world/americas/trump-refugee-ban-children-central-america.html
— HARDCOPY ARTICLE TITLE: More Work for Less Pay – PATRICIA COHEN  (DIERSEN: What do you say to those who shout that government workers are overpaid, but they never shout that private sector workers are underpaid?  Virtually none of my critics/opponents, their operatives, or their dupes hint/imply/argue/shout that private sector employees are underpaid.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/08/business/economy/labor-share-economic-output.html
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: A Girl Stands Firm on Wall Street – Gail Collins (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, anti-Trumps encourage women to hate men.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/08/opinion/little-girl-statue-wall-street-bull.html
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: ‘Day Without a Woman’ Protest Tests a Movement’s Staying Power – SUSAN CHIRA, RACHEL ABRAMS and KATIE ROGERS  (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, anti-Trumps encourage women to hate men.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/08/us/a-day-without-a-woman.html

 

LOS ANGELES TIMES
— San Francisco asks federal judge to block Trump order penalizing ‘sanctuary’ cities – Maura Dolan  (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, Democrats put foreign countries and their citizens ahead of America and ahead of its citizens.  Ever-increasingly, anti-Trumps want to be viewed as being anti-American.)
http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-sanctuary-suit-20170308-story.html

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— The Hoosier Jobs Experiment  Indiana tries to certify skills rather than a college degree. – Editorial  (DIERSEN: Because it frustrated their efforts to paint me as being lazy and stupid, my Democrat superiors, supervisors, coworkers, and subordinates in the federal government were furious when I earned a) a job-related bachelor’s degree when I was 21 and job-related master’s degrees when I was 27, 31, and 48, b) job-related professional certifications when I was 30, 32, 41, 45, 47, and 48, and c) a job-related professional license when I was 33.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-hoosier-jobs-experiment-1489017231
— FRONT PAGE: Stocks Have Tripled Since Crisis, but Low Rates Are Still Squeezing Savers  Some retirees opt for higher-risk investment strategies to make sure they are OK for their remaining years – CORRIE DRIEBUSCH and AARON KURILOFF  (DIERSEN: Inflation continues to far exceed interest rates and COLAs.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/stocks-have-tripled-since-crisis-but-low-rates-are-still-squeezing-savers-1488969009

 

USA TODAY
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD: ‘A Day Without a Woman’: Strikes, rallies, political action – Doug Stanglin  (DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, anti-Trumps encourage women to hate men.)
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2017/03/08/day-without-women-aims-show-female-impact-economy-society/98892938/

 

ARIZONA CENTRAL
— Sen. Jeff Flake’s bill would let Border Patrol waive lie-detector tests for some recruits  Under Arizona senator’s bill, job applicants with law-enforcement or military experience would not need to take polygraph. – Dan Nowicki and Daniel González  (DIERSEN: Could you pass a lie-detector test?  My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes paint themselves as being extremely efficient and extremely effective liers.)
http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/border-issues/2017/03/08/arizona-jeff-flake-bill-would-let-border-patrol-waive-lie-detector-tests-hiring/98930298/

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.