Hey, you were just being rude. People relied to you are all from top linguistics PhD programs. We are trying to tell you the truth that it is impossible to quantify "difficulty/easiness" of Linguistics PhD programs. A university can not get lots of financial benefits from theoretical linguistics program, not like business, law program. I have to say those schools have linguistics program and fund students are no way easy to get in.
I am not trying to be judgmental. But, from your conversation with other people, I could tell you are not fit for PhD program. What do you mean by "I should be a professor" or "I am supposed to do a PhD otherwise I will lose my job". Are you sure you can get back your job after leaving the position for more than 5 years? Do you think international students can have part-time study in the U.S? Are you sure you could be a professor after 5 years' "easy" PhD training? I didn't see any passion from you about linguistics despite your repeated statements of "I love linguistics" "I want to do Phonology". My suggestion: if you do want to get in PhD Program and you do love linguistics, prepare yourself well, Do your current research in phonology, Talk to the professors you would like to work with. Prepare an excellent writing sample in your specialty, FORGET "easy", "less difficult" stuff.
Best of luck