Upstream Ideas
Summary: "He who seeks to improve conditions must propagate a new mentality, not merely a new institution." — Ludwig von Mises Our aim at Upstream Ideas is to do just as Mises suggested by turning the dial on how you look at the political and policy issues facing Illinois, Chicago and our nation. We present new ideas that inform salient policy decisions, start new conversations and move beyond partisan politics all while challenging the status quo. Dan Proft along with distinguished guests and contributors lay out in-depth issues in a digestible way to better understand why conditions are what they are and how they could be improved. We produce content in a variety of formats including long-form interviews, multiple segment radio shows and mini-monologues. We arm you with new information and fresh perspectives with the goal of making Illinois and the United States of America a bit more free, a bit more just and a bit more civilized.
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Podcasts:
Does the left not just disagree with Trump but see the need for him and his ideas to be destroyed? Does the extension of the Mueller investigation benefit Trump? Does the Trump winning, drive his opponents more and more crazy? Editor of The New Criterion and columnist for PJ Media, Roger Kimball joins Dan and Amy to discuss.
Is the new NAFTA a success in game theory but not in free market economics? Is Trump a protectionist or using those threats to get to free trade agreements? What is the market looking for in renegotiations in NAFTA? CNBC Contributor, Jim Iuorio joins Dan and Amy to discuss.
I Have A Bean, a coffee company in Wheaton, has a mission to employ men and women who have been in prison. Illinois has the second highest recidivism rate in the nation, but I Have A Bean’s employees have a rate of less than 4%. Founder, Pete Leonard joins Dan and Amy to discuss where he came up with the idea and how his faith has shaped his new found mission.
Has the confusion of Trump’s payment to Stormy Daniels’ helped bring a discussion of current campaign finance laws to the forefront? Should the hush money be considered a campaign contribution? Is the law written narrowly enough to distinguish what money is used for influencing a campaign? Former FEC Chairman, Bradley Smith joins Dan and Amy to discuss.
Should Pope Francis resign in the wake of the Vigano testimony? Why is Pope Francis not addressing the allegations directly? What did he know and when did he know it? Should conservative Catholics step up and call for a purge of the hierarchy of the Church before it’s too late? Mary FioRito, former top aide to Francis Cardinal George, joins Dan and Amy to discuss.
How should we remember John McCain? Can we separate his military service from his political career? When the left slanders Republicans is it just “politics"? Who and what can save Chicago? Is it a coincidence how everyone associated with Trump is getting shaken down while the Clintons continue to get a pass? Diamond and Silk join Dan and Amy to discuss.
Should Republicans take Chuck Todd’s advice and begin the orderly surrender? Is there even enough on the table for Democrats to even want to begin impeachment? Is Sessions gone after the midterms? Will Trump ever back down from his definition of fake news? Anchor of Special Report on Fox News, Bret Baier joins Dan and Kristen McQueary to discuss.
What’s the stark difference between the D.C. press corps’ narrative of the Trump Administration vs. the real life economic benefits being enjoyed by Americans? The explosion of small business optimism may not be glamorous but is what we should be talking about? What should Americans brace for if Democrats take the House? CNN Contributor, Steve Cortes joins Dan and Kristen McQueary to discuss.
Is the public okay with a slush fund paid by taxpayers for settlements involving elected officials but not okay with Trump using his own money? Is the FBI/DOJ on a different page than the FEC? Has the Mueller investigation shifted to obstruction rather than collusion? Should Trump be getting worried? Columnist at National Review and former U.S. Attorney, Andrew McCarthy joins Dan and Kristen McQueary to discuss.
Is Lanny Davis going on television to line his own pockets? Should Trump no longer worry about Russian collusion, but is he now vulnerable to the Feds combing through his financial records? What did Elizabeth Warren have to say about “some girl” in Iowa that Fox News is obsessed with? Who really gave up their principles Never Trumpers or his supporters? Mike Gallagher joins Dan and Kristen McQueary to discuss.
Did Trump's fixer neuter his Presidency? Why are conservatives boxed in with the choice of the Left, who associate conservatives with the likes of Hitler, or supporting a man with a sleazy background that everyone has known about all along? Hollywood screenwriter, Andrew Klavan joins Dan and Shaun Thompson to discuss all of the legal and political angles and implications of the recent Cohen charges.
How are vulnerable Democrats like Heidi Heitkamp going to appease their constituents after every single Democrat voted against the tax cut? What happened to draining the swamp in D.C.? If Democrats want to guarantee a Trump victory in 2020, should they proceed with an impeachment trial if they take control of the House? Chief Economist for CNN, Steve Moore joins Dan and Shaun Thompson to discuss.
Is Illinois’ Political Ruling Class doing their best to prop up Obamacare? Why do big government Republicans continue to do the bidding for the other side that despises them? Why are millions of people using plans to escape Obamacare having increased premiums of more than 200%? HeathInsuranceMentors.com (http://heathinsurancementors.com/)'s CS Tucker joins Dan and Shaun Thompson to discuss.
“The best thing they can do is to find a way to get out.” 80% of the victims of the violence in Chicago have been black men, but has it always been this way? How do you teach someone to value someone else’s life when they don’t even value their own? George Mason University Economics Professor, Walter Williams joins Dan and Shaun Thompson to discuss Chicago's street violence.
Do Trump and Cuomo both think America isn’t that great unless they are in charge? Republicans talk about defeating what Democrats want to do, but what is their conservative policy agenda? Does that include pushing off border security funding? Associate Editor for Commentary Magazine, Noah Rothman joins Dan and Shaun Thompson to discuss.
