Today, it took me quite a while to figure out what to write. There's so much to choose.
The media is filled with articles about the Trump Administration's  struggle to at least appear to be leading our nation. And while that goes on, President Trump continues to surprise us with his apparent ignorance in important areas of knowledge, such as American history. (Maybe  Lance Priebus should give his boss one of those timeline charts so he can visualize when people such as Andrew Jackson or Frederick Douglas lived or when the Civil War occurred. - Some data on how many slaves were shipped into America over the Middle Passage might also enlighten Mr. Trump on the scale of that human trafficking.)
Another subject that has been filling a lot of media space is Trump's failures to further his promised agenda in his first 100 days. This has led voices from the right to begin spinning reality, pushing back to reassure Trump's voter base that everything is going swimmingly. Sometimes their language is really over the top.
In a recent Tribune article, Taylor Budowich, Executive director  of Tea Party Express stated that "Liberals and Democrats have retreated to the two coasts, while heartland America has seen historic growth among conservatives." Funny, I hadn't noticed this mass migration. Budowich also praised Trump's flattened tax rate proposal and his desire for the "repeal of more than a trillion dollars of Affordable Care Act taxes to boot." I wish he'd been more specific about what that huge number represents (if it's real). Some of his Tea Party followers might not like what it defunds.
In another Tribune op-ed, Marc A. Thiessen, a fellow with the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) provided readers with his  personal analysis of what is in the minds of all of us Democrats. "...Democrats have made clear their deep-seated contempt for the values of working class, socially conservative Democrats..." Gee, thanks Mr. Thiessen. Coming from a working class family, I didn't realize I, and all the millions of other Democrats in America, felt that way.
The AEI's Thiessen also commented on DNC Chairman Tom Perez's statement that "... Every Democrat, like every American, should support a woman's right to make her own choices about her body and her health."... To which Thiessen said, "Hear that, Middle America? Get with the baby-killing Program." He then told Trump supporters that Democrats "... loathe your president and all of you who put him in office." If the Tribune or Sun Times gave op-ed space to a liberal writer who characterized Trump voters with that same level of exaggeration and mischaracterization, they would be condemned as unhinged extremists.
The fact that those last quotes came from a fellow with the American Enterprise Institute leads me to believe they were made solely to fire up the Trump base and not to present any factual information. It's impossible to think that anyone educated enough to  become an AEI fellow could seriously spew out so many generalizations as fact. (Interestingly, the AEI's pronouncements have been a guiding light for an enthusiastic conservative group right here in New Trier. I wonder if those North Shore neighbors view us Democrats as part of a baby-killing program?
But national issues aren't the only subjects I could explore. Our state's financial state continues its plunge toward bankruptcy. And each day, more Illinois residents are severely harmed by the disappearance of funding for things such as health care, protective  services for the most vulnerable, and shelter for homeless veterans or runaway children. Governor Rauner's apparent obsession with become a national Republican hero has played a big role in this disastrous standoff that, for some, has now become a matter of life and death.
But then, I could also comment on the Democratic Party's role in this mess. Undeniably, back in Junuary 2014, during the state legislature's "lame duck session," departing Governor Pat Quinn  and House Leader Mike Madigan could have renewed the "temporary" income tax increase that had at least slowed down the state's financial crisis. Our party leaders chose to let the temp increase die, and dumped any new tax decision on the new Governor's lap.
If that 5% tax had been extended, it is likely that Bruce Rauner would now be campaigning for reelection with a pledge to get rid of such an onerous tax burden. Ironically, Rauner would also probably be campaigning in a state facing a much smaller financial crisis than today's nearly unfathomable reality. And, he'd likely be taking credit for any improvement in Illinois' debt situation. - But, we'll never know.
So, now that I've mulled over what I could be writing about - I guess  I'm done writing. There's plenty enough to cover again in the future. And I didn't even get into the recent news items about Hillary Clinton's explanations for her Election Day loss (or the advisability of her participation in next year's campaigns). -- Our Democratic party's many  gubernatorial candidates is also a fascinating subject that is sure to keep our attention for months to come.
To sum things up in the words of that great political observer Roseanne Rosannadana, "It's always something."
Nels Howard
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The New Trier Dems need an Office Manager.
Here is an excellent opportunity for someone interested in strengthening progressive politics in New Trier.
It's a salaried job that will put the person who gets it in the middle of the NTDO's operations. If you or someone you know meets the qualifications and time requirements listed below, contact the NTDO by email.
Job: NTDO Office Manager
Salary: $13.00 per hour
Time required: 9 hours a week (generally)
Additional hours as needed during elections and major NTDO events
Qualifications: Computer literate
Light bookkeeping skills
Comfortable dealing with the public,
face-to-face and on the phone
Other preferred (but not essential) experience: An interest in political issues and current events
A belief in the importance of voter engagement
Past participation in grassroots political activities
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Have you visited Senator Biss' website "The Road Back" --
click on the link to his video -- then, throughout the summer follow his plan's development on the website.
Daniel explains a lot about how Illinois got where it is today and how we can begin the journey on the road back toward achieving our state's tremendous economic potential.
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Other upcoming events and news items:
This Friday, May 5 at noon in Chicago - Jan Schakowsky's Ultimate Women's Power Lunch in Chicago.
 When:
Friday, May 5, at 12:00 noon
Where:
Chicago Hilton, 720 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago
What:
Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky hosts the 2017 Ultimate Women's Power Lunch. Keynote speaker: Gina McCarthy, head of the EPA under President Obama. Special guest: Tamika Mallory, Co-Chair of the Women's March on Washington.
This Friday, May 5 at 5:30 in Chicago - Nasty Women Art Exhibition to Support Planned Parenthood.
 When:
Friday, May 5, from 5:30 - 10:30pm
Where:
Moonlight Studios, 1446 W. Kinzie St., Chicago
What:
A one-night exhibition and fundraiser to hear and support the voices of artists identifying as Nasty Women. This is a free event open to all ages that will sell artist submissions and include food and drink, music, speakers, and more.
All profits from the sale of artwork will benefit Planned Parenthood of Illinois.
Saturday, May 6 in Ravinia -
A Safe Place Hosts Wine, Women & Shoes
When:
Saturday, May 6, 2017 at 5:30pm
Where:
Ravinia Festival, Highland Park
What:
An opportunity to sip fine wines in support of A Safe Place, providing lifesaving services for survivors and children of domestic violence as they transform their lives.
For additional information or to RSVP,
Thursday, May 11 in Lake Forest - The League of Women Voters Presents "Money in Politics: an Evening with Trevor Potter."
When:
Thursday, May 11, at 7:30pm
Where:
Lily Reid Holt Chapel, Lake Forest College,
555 N. Sheridan Rd., Lake Forest
What:
League of Women Voters - Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Area sponsors Trevor Potter, a former Chairman of the Federal Election Commission. He will talk about dark money, conflicts of interest, election spending and campaign finance reform. For additional information, visit the League of Women Voters website.
Friday, May 12 in Chicago -- Deputy Voter Registrar Training.
When:
Friday, May 12, at 12:00 noon
Where:
Office of DeBofsky Sherman & Casciari P.C., 11th Floor Conference Room, 200 W. Madison St., Chicago
What:
A training for Deputy Voter Registrars will be held. Participants must be at least 18 years of age and registered to vote in Cook County. The event is open only to Cook County residents who are interested in helping register new voters. Deputy Registrars must be trained in the county in which they live, but once trained, can register voters anywhere in Illinois.
Training takes less than an hour.
This training is being held through the County Clerk's Office and is free of charge.
For additional information or to RSVP online click here or call 847-266-VOTE (8683).
Sunday, May 21 in Mettawa - The General Consul of China Presents "The Sino-U.S. Relationship in a New Era."
When:
Sunday, May 21, at 2:00pm
Where:
The Stevenson Center on Democracy, 25200 N. St. Mary's Rd., Mettawa (Libertyville)
What:
The Stevenson Center on Democracy presents Hong Lei, Consul General of China at Chicago, speaking on The Sino-U.S. Relationship in the New Era. Coffee and conversation will follow the presentation.
Monday, May 22 in Chicago -- The Asian American Festival
When:
Monday, May 22.
The Festival continues through Friday, May 26th.
Where:
Richard J. Daley Plaza, 50 W. Washington St., Chicago
What: The Asian American Coalition of Chicago sponsors its 16th Annual Asian American Festival, this year hosted by the Pakistani American Community. The festival, with the theme "One World, Our World," offers entertainment, arts and crafts booths and colorful harmony.
Friday, June 9 in Chicago --
The People's Summit with Senator Bernie Sanders.
 When:
Where:
McCormick Place
What:
People's Summit 2.0. A gathering of several thousand progressive activists with the theme, "Beyond Resistance: A People's Movement for a Just World." Keynote speaker: Senator Bernie Sanders. The event continues through Sunday, June 11.
For additional information or to register online, visit the People's Summit website.
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Your Legislators:
 Democratic Legislators
who represent New Trier Township in
Washington, Springfield and Cook County
You'll be hearing a lot from these exceptional public servants. --
And they want to be hearing a lot from you.
The fact is, they need to hear from you and want to hear from you in order to represent you most effectively. So, the first thing you can do is get to know who these people are. The links below to their campaign websites are a good place to start.
Jan Schakowsky
, 9th U.S. Congressional District Representative
and Chief Deputy House Democratic Whip. The new Ninth District boundaries include all of New Trier except for Glencoe.
Brad Schneider
, 10th U.S. Congressional District Representative which includes a number of precincts in Glencoe.
Daniel Biss,
State Senator for Illinois' 9th State Senate District.The Ninth District includes all of New Trier Township.
Julie Morrison, State Senator for Illinois' 29th State Senate District. The district includes New Trier's northernmost precincts.
Robyn Gabel,
IL 18th District State Representative. The 18th District includes much of New Trier up to Hazel Avenue and Dundee Road.
Laura Fine
, IL 17th District State Representative.
The 17th District includes the East Glenview and West Wilmette areas of New Trier Township.
Scott Drury
,
IL 58th District State Representative.
The 58th District includes the northernmost precincts in Glencoe.
Larry Suffredin, Cook County 13th District Commissioner. The 13th District includes all of New Trier, Evanston and Niles Townships.
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| Dear Fellow Democrats, If you are not already an NTDO member, and enjoy our Newsletter, we hope you consider joining us as a dues-paying member. NTDO is a not-for-profit political action organization. We depend on our membership dues to support our Democratic causes and candidates. There are two options for dues payments: by check or credit card. By Check: Make check payable to NTDO and mail to our office: NTDO 800 Oak St., Suite 112 Winnetka, IL 60093 OR By Credit Card: visit our website by clicking here Click on the "Get Involved" tab
Find the link for "contribute with ActBlue"
or go directly there by clicking here.
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Still not a member of the New Trier Dems? Your participation in grassroots political action will make a difference. -- Come join us.
 When you're a member of the New Trier Democratic Organization, you have an active role in affecting the political process; participating in grassroots campaigns, staying in touch with elected officials, playing a role in deciding which candidates are endorsed. You'll also gain free admission to select forums and events throughout the year.
Come be a part of New Trier's grassroots political community.
About Us:
The New Trier Democratic Organization is made up of hundreds of grassroots volunteers dedicated to advancing progressive ideals through the political process. We welcome your participation.
Sincerely,
Dean T. Maragos, Committeeman New Trier Township
We are located at 800 Oak Street in Winnetka, IL. Ph: 847-446-8030
Contact: newtrierdemocrats@gmail.com.
*This Internet communication paid for by the New Trier Democratic Organization and not authorized by any federal or state candidate or campaign committee. A copy of our report filed with the State Board of Elections is available for purchase from the State Board of Elections in Springfield, Illinois.
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