November 5 Morning Edition

BRUCE RAUNER
— GOTV RALLY Our Home, Our Fight, Our Vote Join Governor Bruce Rauner for a get out the vote rally tonight!
https://mailchi.mp/dupagegop/raunerrally-829221

 

CHICAGO CITY WIRE
— How will Illinois’ political journalists vote on Tuesday? We have a guess. – LGIS News Service (DIERSEN: LGIS News Service DOES NOT CONSIDER ME TO BE A POLITICAL JOURNALIST.  My GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails drive lots of traffic to websites owned by LGIS News Service. I have been the GOPUSA Illinois Editor since 2000. Since 2004, I have sent out a GOPUSA ILLINOIS email each and every morning. Since 2015, I have also sent out a GOPUSA ILLINOIS email each and every evening. Since 2004, those emails have included links to more than 317,000 articles and information about many upcoming events. What do you say to my critics/opponents who state that they are religious, conservative, and/or Republican, but who hint/imply/argue/shout that I AM NOT A POLITICAL JOURNALIST? Most commonly, to discredit me and to discredit my emails, they stress that no one pays me for what I do as the GOPUSA Illinois Editor, that GOPUSA ILLINOIS email subscriptions are free, that the emails contain no advertising or pictures, that I am a Republican Precinct Committeeman, and that I do not have a degree in journalism. I should write a book about my critics/opponents. They a) reject planks in the Republican Party platform and/or the Illinois Republican Party platform, most commonly, the traditional family, right to life, immigration, illegal drugs, Second Amendment, and equal opportunity (no race or gender based preference giving) planks, and work against those like me who support those planks, b) reject the Milton Township Republican Central Committee resolution against video gambling and work against those like me who support that resolution, c) focus on destroying those like me who they cannot manipulate/dominate, d) were defendants in lawsuits that I have filed, and/or e) are operatives or dupes for the aforesaid.)
https://chicagocitywire.com/stories/511621503-how-will-illinois-political-journalists-vote-on-tuesday-we-have-a-guess
(FROM THE ARTICLE: If Illinois’ political journalists were the only ones voting on Tuesday, J.B. Pritzker, Mike Madigan and the rest of the state’s Democrats would win in a landslide. Chicago City Wire analysis of the primary voting records of 100 leading Illinois political journalists found that 93 percent of the primary votes they’ve collectively cast have been for Democrats, versus just seven percent for Republicans. All told, out of 424 total primary votes recorded by the Illinois State Board of Elections (ISBE), 395 of them were for Democrats. In the March 2018 primary, 57 of the 100 journalists reviewed voted in the Democrat primary. One, Fox 32 Political Editor Mike Flannery, voted in the Republican one. Of the 100 journalist voting records analyzed, 79 had cast more Democrat ballots than Republican ones and 18 recorded no primary votes. One journalist cast an equal number of Democrat and Republican ballots, and two cast more ballots for Republicans than Democrats. Those two are Capitol Fax’s Rich Miller (5 GOP / 4 DEM) and Doug Finke, a veteran reporter of the Springfield State Journal-Register (1/0). Miller, who founded the popular Capitol Fax newsletter in 1993, voted in Democrat primaries in 1994, 1996 and 1998, then Republican ones in 2000, 2010, 2012, 2014, and 2016 before pulling a Democrat primary ballot again this past March. Finke has cast one primary ballot since 1992, in a four-way 2006 Republican primary that included State Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka, Jim Oberweis, Bill Brady and Ron Gidwitz. Topinka won 38 percent of the primary vote before falling to incumbent Democrat Rod Blagojevich in the general election. . .How do your favorite Illinois political journalists vote in primary elections? Chicago City Wire analyzed the voting records of 100 of the state’s top politics and government journalists to test the conventional wisdom. Are they really Democrat-leaning?)

 

ABC7
— Former President Barack Obama campaigns in Chicago, Gary; Rauner and GOP rally voters in suburbs – Craig Wall and John Garcia
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/barack-obama-campaigns-in-chicago-gary;-rauner-and-gop-rally-voters-in-suburbs-/4616861/

 

WGN RADIO
— Governor Rauner: “Democracy doesn’t work unless citizen get involved.” – MARY SANDBERG BOYLE
https://wgnradio.com/2018/11/05/governor-rauner-democracy-doesnt-work-unless-citizen-get-involved/
— The Race for Illinois Governor with Chicago Tribune Columnist John Kass: Why a Vote for Pritzker is a Vote for Madigan – CURTIS KOCH
https://wgnradio.com/2018/11/04/the-race-for-illinois-governor-with-chicago-tribune-columnist-john-kass-why-a-vote-for-pritzker-is-a-vote-for-madigan-to-raise-property-taxes-corrupt-the-system-and-bankrupt-illinois-future/

 

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Rauner blasts unfavorable polls as ‘baloney’ on road for GOP candidates – Tina Sfondeles (DIERSEN: Are you a member of the Republican voter base? I have always been a member of the Republican voter base. In the 2016 general election, members of the Republican voter base voted for Trump. How strong is the Republican voter base in your precinct? Tragically, in 2016, in my precinct, only 137 voted for Trump while 211 voted for Clinton.)
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/bruce-rauner-blasts-unfavorable-polls-baloney-road-gop-candidates-election/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: Rauner bucked a campaign tradition of visiting churches the Sunday before Election Day, choosing instead to target his voter base elsewhere. . .Combating the Democratic get-out-the-vote rally, Rauner’s campaign on Sunday evening announced the Republican ticket will hold a rally Monday evening at Benedictine University in Lisle.)
— Is Kwame Raoul’s AG bid in trouble? Abortion rights group is worried – Michael Sneed
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/michael-sneed-kwame-raoul-abortion-rights-personal-pac-erika-harold/
— Hillary Clinton remains the Democrats best chance to defeat Trump in 2020 – Laura Washington
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/hillary-clinton-2020-presidential-election-elizabeth-warren-bernie-sanders-democratic-party/

 

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Busy pre-election weekend sees heavy early voting turnout in Chicago, Cook County
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-morning-spin-monday-20181104-story.html
— As more voters trust the Postal Service, here’s how mail ballots get counted — and what keeps people from voting 3 times – Katie Galioto
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/elections/ct-met-illinois-early-voting-counting-20181102-story.html
— Make it to your polling place on Election Day and get told you can’t vote? Here’s what to do – Ese Olumhense
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/elections/ct-met-know-your-voter-rights-20181104-story.html
— Talking politics at work Sharing opinions can be dicey – Todd Nordstrom (DIERSEN: While I worked for the Democrats who ran the Post Office 1966-1969, IRS 1971-1980, and GAO 1980-1997, my Democrat superiors, Democrat supervisors, Democrat coworkers, and Democrat subordinates often asked me about my political opinions. Of course, their purpose to get information a) to justify their wasting my career, b) to justify their taking adverse actions against me, and c) to justify forcing me to take their early retirement “offer.” They most frequently asked me questions to confirm my support for the traditional family, right to life, immigration, illegal drugs, Second Amendment, and equal opportunity (no race or gender based preference giving) planks in the Republican Party platform.)
https://www.pressreader.com/usa/chicago-tribune/20181105/281874414416534

 

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Really want to help Chicago? Give up on that ‘mansion tax.’ In an era when partisans on the left and the right are embracing populism as a way to win, let’s remember that soak-the-rich policies have a cost—one Chicago can no longer afford to pay. – Editorial
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/opinion/really-want-help-chicago-give-mansion-tax

 

DAILY HERALD
— FRONT PAGE TOP OF FOLD WITH COLOR PICTURE: DuPage County’s hot races: Sheriff, chairman, clerk, more – Robert Sanchez
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20181105/dupage-countys-hot-races-sheriff-chairman-clerk-more
— Kane County’s hot races: Sheriff, home rule, more – Elena Ferrarin
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20181105/kane-countys-hot-races-sheriff-home-rule-more
— Lake County’s hot races: Lots of mudslinging — and cash – Russell Lissau
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20181105/lake-countys-hot-races-lots-of-mudslinging-x2014-and-cash
— Suburban Cook’s hot races: Heated state seats, school money questions – Bob Susnjara
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20181105/suburban-cooks-hot-races-heated-state-seats-school-money-questions

 

CHAMPAIGN/URBANA NEWS GAZETTE
— Madigan doesn’t get mad — he gets even – Jim Dey
http://www.news-gazette.com/opinion/columns/2018-11-04/jim-dey-madigan-doesnt-get-mad-%E2%80%94-he-gets-even.html

 

WTTW
— Obama Stumps for Pritzker, Democrats in Chicago – Amanda Vinicky
https://news.wttw.com/2018/11/04/obama-stumps-pritzker-democrats-chicago

 

WGN TV
— Conservative Party candidate Sam McCann on why he’s opposing Gov. Rauner (DIERSEN: What if Rauner had set up someone like McCann to siphon off votes from Pritzker?)
https://wgntv.com/2018/11/04/conservative-party-candidate-sam-mccann-on-why-hes-opposing-gov-rauner/

 

HERALD NEWS
— Rauner makes stop in Morris Sunday Polls show governor down, but he’s optimistic 2 days before election – KEVIN SOLARI
https://www.theherald-news.com/2018/11/02/rauner-makes-stop-in-morris-sunday/a4xdgwj/

 

HERALD & REVIEW
— Rauner smiles past the poll numbers in Decatur campaign stop 2 days before election – TONY REID
https://herald-review.com/news/local/rauner-smiles-past-the-poll-numbers-in-decatur-campaign-stop/article_abc5d1df-1d28-5d2d-8a00-7fd76d2e6966.html

 

EFFINGHAM DAILY NEWS
— Second Amendment activists speak at town hall meeting – Charles Mills (DIERSEN: Who promotes Second Amendment rights in your precinct, in your municipality, in your township/ward, in your county, and in Illinois?)
https://www.effinghamdailynews.com/news/lifestyles/second-amendment-activists-speak-at-town-hall-meeting/article_0e4dc711-0d4d-5bfd-8655-9665cdba2216.html

 

  1. LOUIS RECORD
    — Judge allows fired junior high teacher’s age discrimination case to proceed – Sam Knef (DIERSEN: The more of the following that you are, the more likely that you are/will be a victim of age discrimination: older, Republican, White, male, non-veteran, government employee, and non-poor.)
    https://stlrecord.com/stories/511620773-judge-allows-fired-junior-high-teacher-s-age-discrimination-case-to-proceed

 

WGLT
— Campaigns Ramp Up ‘Get Out The Vote’ Efforts Before Election Day – ERIC STOCK
http://www.wglt.org/post/campaigns-ramp-get-out-vote-efforts-election-day#stream/0

 

VANDALIA RADIO
— Rauner blasts Pritzker as he makes last minute bus tour around southern Illinois – Todd Stapleton
https://www.vandaliaradio.com/2018/11/05/gov-rauner-blasts-pritzker-as-he-makes-last-minute-bus-tour-around-southern-illinois/

 

NPR ILLINOIS
— Joining The Poll Worker Army On Election Day’s Front Lines – PAM FESSLER
http://www.nprillinois.org/post/joining-poll-worker-army-election-days-front-lines#stream/0

 

SUBURBAN PATCH
— Voting Machine Glitch Switched Votes In DuPage County: Report The election commission reportedly said the faulty machines have been switched out. – Lisa Marie Farver
https://patch.com/illinois/woodridge/voting-machine-glitch-switched-votes-dupage-county-report

 

JEANNE IVES
— Mike Madigan is waging a war on women. So Send a Woman to Springfield who isn’t afraid of him and his cronies
https://mailchi.mp/16a77fb5f315/heres-the-real-war-on-women-from-madigan

 

MCHENRY COUNTY BLOG
— Casten Talking about his Tweets – Cal Skinner
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2018/11/03/casten-talking-about-his-tweets/
— Reapportionment the Best Reason to Re-Elect Bruce Rauner – Cal Skinner
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2018/11/05/the-best-reason-to-re-elect-bruce-rauner-copy/
— Opponents to McHenry Township road District Consolidation Run Half Page Ad in NWH – Cal Skinner
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2018/11/04/opponents-to-mchenry-township-road-district-consolidation-run-half-page-ad-in-nwh/
— McHenry Subdivision Sends Mail Asking for No Votes on McHenry Township Road District Consolidation Referendum – Cal Skinner
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2018/11/03/mchenry-subdivision-sends-mail-asking-for-no-votes-on-mchenry-township-road-district-consolidation-referendum/

 

ILLINOIS NEWS NETWORK
— Retiring Calumet City school superintendent Troy Paraday fired for allegedly trying to fraudulently spike pay by $1.7 million – Cole Lauterbach
https://www.ilnews.org/news/schools/retiring-superintendent-fired-for-allegedly-trying-to-fraudulently-spike-pay/article_9b379006-ded2-11e8-ac48-cbb944223aa8.html

 

REPUBLICAN NEWS WATCH
— Bye Bye Bruce – DOUG E. IBENDAHL
http://republicannewswatch.com/wp/?p=14594

 

ILLINOIS REVIEW
— PLANNED PARENTHOOD ‘WEAPONIZING’ TAXPAYER DOLLARS FOR PRO-ABORTION CANDIDATES
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2018/11/planned-parenthood-weaponizing-taxpayer-dollars-for-pro-abortion-candidates.html
— ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION: IT’S ABOUT POWER
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2018/11/illegal-immigration-its-about-power.html

 

GOPUSA
— Leftist Race Slander Could Backfire – David Limbaugh
http://www.gopusa.com/?p=58321

CAPITOL FAX
— Watch the vote by mail numbers
https://capitolfax.com/2018/11/05/watch-the-vbm-numbers/
— Poll: Hultgren trailing by 6 into the home stretch
https://capitolfax.com/2018/11/05/poll-hultgren-trailing-by-6-into-the-home-stretch/

 

FEDERALIST
— How The Central American Caravan Could Lead To A U.S. Refugee Crisis Like Europe’s While the encroaching caravan south of our border may seem miniscule in comparison, the mass exodus of migrants to Europe did not transpire overnight either. – Edward Cindric (DIERSEN: Democrats have and Democrats will use immigrants to get rid of Republicans, and especially to get rid of Republicans who are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German American, draft avoiders, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
http://thefederalist.com/2018/11/05/central-american-caravan-lead-u-s-refugee-crisis-like-europes/

 

WORLD NET DAILY
— WHITE HOUSE STATEMENT ADVANCES TRUMP’S PRO-LIFE CAMPAIGN Declares November National Adoption Month (DIERSEN: Those claim to be religious, conservative, and/or Republican who focus on promoting abortion have always worked extremely hard against me. I should write a book about them.)
https://www.wnd.com/2018/11/white-house-statement-advances-trumps-pro-life-campaign/

 

NEWS BUSTERS
— CNN’s Cuomo Claims Illegals Commit Less Crime Than Legal Immigrants – Brad Wilmouth
https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/brad-wilmouth/2018/11/05/cnns-cuomo-claims-illegals-commit-less-crime-illegal-immigrants

 

AMERICAN THINKER
— Underwood v. Hultgren: Dem candidate for Congress busted for lies about being a nurse – Thomas Lifson
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2018/11/dem_candidate_for_congress_busted_for_lies_about_being_a_nurse.html
— The left doesn’t care – Patricia McCarthy
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2018/11/the_left_doesnt_care.html

 

WASHINGTON FREE BEACON
— Ellison Questioned Journalist’s Motives – Todd Shepherd (DIERSEN: I have served as your GOPUSA Illinois Editor since 2000. I should write a book about those who have questioned my motives and my judgment. They blame me and blame my GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails for their problems, for your problems, for my problems, and for everyone’s problems. Of course, they will blame me and my GOPUSA Illinois emails for all the losses that Republican candidates in Illinois will suffer on November 6, 2018. They will specifically blame me and blame my GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails for all the losses that Republican candidates on the ballot in my precinct will suffer.)
https://freebeacon.com/politics/ellison-report-questioned-journalists-motives-reported-jesse-jackson-remark/
— Breadwinners – Charles Fain Lehman (DIERSEN: Are/were you a breadwinner? One could argue that once you retire, you are no longer a breadwinner. In 1997, when I was 49 years old, my Democrat GAO superiors succeeded in forcing me to take their early retirement “offer.” Of course, ever since then, my critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes have used that against me.)
https://freebeacon.com/culture/review-once-and-future-worker-oren-cass/

 

THE HILL
— Huge turnout raises Dem hopes for a wave – REID WILSON
https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/414832-huge-turnout-raises-dem-hopes-for-a-wave

 

NEW YORK TIMES
— Did You Vote? Now Your Friends May Know (and Nag You) – Natasha Singer (DIERSEN: How bad are your demographics? What do you say to Republican candidates who do NOT want Republican Precinct Committeemen like me who have “bad demographics” to campaign for them? My demographics are very bad. I am a Trump supporter, Protestant (baptized, raised, and confirmed as a Missouri Synod Lutheran), conservative, patriotic, Republican, American, White, male, old (70), non-poor, gun owner, draft avoider, 100% German American, my ancestors have been in America since 1844, union member for almost 12 years, federal employee for almost 30 years, federal retiree for more than 21 years, childless, pet-less, American nameplate car owner, etc. The aforesaid Republican candidates want those with the following demographics to campaign for them: anti-Trump, minority, female, attractive, young, and recent immigrant.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/04/us/politics/apps-public-voting-record.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Trump-haters promote hatred of Trump.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/04/opinion/midterms-election-vote.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/04/opinion/hungary-orban-republican-party-trump.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/01/opinion/donald-trump-reagan-nixon-midterms.html
— HARDCOPY ARTICLE TITLE: Reporter Gets Trump Scoops, and Criticism – Michael Grynbaum (DIERSEN: My critics/opponents have made it very clear that they will viciously destroy any activist, any candidate, any elected official, any party leader, any major donor, any political consultant, any etc. who gives me “scoop.” My critics/opponents are extremely vicious and they have lots of religious, government, political, and/or financial clout in Wheaton, in Glen Ellyn, in Milton Township, in DuPage County, and in Illinois. I should write a book about them.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/04/business/media/jonathan-swan-axios-profile.html

 

WASHINGTON POST
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Ever-increasingly, to get more of the anti-White vote, anti-Trumps paint themselves as being more anti-White.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/midterms-test-whether-republicans-not-named-trump-can-win-by-stoking-racial-animosity/2018/11/04/bb5f00ac-e059-11e8-ab2c-b31dcd53ca6b_story.html
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Trump-haters promote hatred of Trump.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/full-trumpism-the-presidents-apocalyptic-attacks-reach-a-new-level-of-falsity/2018/11/04/8e4fb87e-e043-11e8-b759-3d88a5ce9e19_story.html
— Democrats will have to contend with immigration eventually – Reihan Salam (DIERSEN: Democrats have and Democrats will use immigrants to get rid of Republicans, and especially to get rid of Republicans who are Trump supporters, Protestant, conservative, patriotic, White, male, older, rich, gun owners, German American, draft avoiders, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/democrats-will-have-to-contend-with-immigration-eventually/2018/11/04/49f89554-de06-11e8-85df-7a6b4d25cfbb_story.html

 

BOSTON HERALD
— Obama given pass on stirring up bias – Larry Elder
http://www.bostonherald.com/opinion/op_ed/2018/11/obama_given_pass_on_stirring_up_bias

 

LOS ANGELES TIMES
— To measure the real base of California’s Republican support, look no further than Trump’s approval numbers – John Myers (DIERSEN: What are Trump’s approval numbers in your precinct, in your municipality, in your township/ward, in your county, and in Illinois? What do you say to Republican candidates in districts that have low Trump approval numbers a) who dump Trump to get elected/reelected and b) who dump Trump supporters like me to get elected/reelected?)
http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-pol-ca-california-republicans-2018-election-analysis-20181105-story.html
(FROM THE ARTICLE: To calculate the size of the Republican base, just look at the president’s job-approval number. Find that loyal Trump supporter, goes the logic, and you’re looking at a voter who will stick with Republican candidates through hell or high water. That number, according to a recent poll, is about 39% of statewide likely voters. The nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California found that this core group of GOP voters is centered among the ranks of white male voters. Many live near San Diego or in the Central Valley. Most are registered Republicans, though some are unaffiliated “independent” voters. Many attended college but didn’t leave with a degree. Given the animus of the state’s elected officials toward Trump’s policies, 39% support for the president among likely California voters is a reasonably strong showing. (And it’s worth noting that the president’s job approval is much lower among all adults — another example of how the electorate doesn’t accurately reflect the state as a whole.) It’s less uplifting, though, for a Republican who’s trying to win statewide office. Trump may have helped reveal the contours of the party’s base, but his reputation could also create a shatterproof ceiling come election day.)

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— BEYOND DISGUSTING, BEYOND TRAGIC: Pot pushing Boehner pushes pot.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/washington-needs-to-legalize-cannabis-1541361855?mod=searchresults&page=1&pos=1
— The Problem of Being Overcommitted in Retirement – Glenn Ruffenach (DIERSEN: If you are retired, what do you spend your time on? I spend 10+ hours each and every day putting GOPUSA ILLINOIS together and sending them out. I should write a book about those who viciously demonize me, viciously denigrate me, and viciously condemn me for doing that. They talk and/or act like they have been promised a new home, a new car, lots of money, a sweetheart job, a sweetheart contract, favorable legislation, and/or much more if they succeed in getting to stop putting GOPUSA ILLINOIS email together and sending them out.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-problem-of-being-overcommitted-in-retirement-1541172905
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Anti-Americans a) glorify and praise citizens of foreign countries and b) demonize, denigrate, and condemn citizens of America.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/immigrants-are-the-best-tenants-1541361836
— ‘Where Did You Get This Number?’ Review: Counting the Vote Ahead of Time Changing technology has made political polling easier and more accurate, but challenges remain, including, at times, unreliable exit polls. Michael Barone reviews “Where Did You Get This Number?” by Anthony Salvanto.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/where-did-you-get-this-number-review-counting-the-vote-ahead-of-time-1541361737

 

JACKSON HERALD TODAY
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Trump-haters promote hatred of Trump.
http://www.jacksonheraldtoday.com/archives/15166-Political-climate-filled-with-hate.html

 

NEW YORK MAGAZINE
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: An anti-Trump says “Congress Thinks Voters Are Way More Conservative Than They Actually Are.”
http://nymag.com/intelligencer/2018/11/study-congress-overestimates-the-publics-conservatism.html

 

ATLANTIC
— Does the U.S. Still Have a ‘Middle Class’? White-collar work today is fundamentally insecure. – Caitlin Zaloom
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2018/11/what-does-middle-class-really-mean/574534/

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.