Upstream Ideas

Is there more backstory we should be exploring regarding the Khashoggi disappearance/murder?  What about his ties with the Muslim Brotherhood and Bin Laden? What should be the U.S.’ response to the Saudi’s for their involvement? Former Trump aide, Sebastian Gorka joins Dan and Amy to discuss.

Was Pastor Brunson’s prayer with President Trump a refreshing expression of faith rarely seen in today’s politics? Is there a fear of growing cynicism in the country? Why are cases of sexual assault seen as a public relations issue? Why are men and women on the left suggesting men should “take one for the team” and not fight back when they’re falsely accused of sexual assault? President of The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, Dr. Russell Moore joins Dan and Amy to discuss.

Illinois' high property taxes are crushing middle and lower income earners. But the problem is even creeping into affluent areas, too, and more and more homeowners are looking for an exit and seeing their home values destroyed – like, say, NBA Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen. On this edition of Illinois Rising, Dan Proft and Wirepoints' President Ted Dabrowski discuss how the state's high property taxes are affecting all homeowners – rich, poor, middle class, famous and not. And they discuss the political status quo that wants to keep it this way.

Is there such a thing as too much law? Are there two systems of justice depending where you land on the political spectrum? Can democracy also die in a fully lit courtroom? Foundation Professor at George Mason University’s Scalia School of Law, FH Buckley joins Dan to discuss.

Are you planning on “movin’ out” of Illinois? There’s a new song for you to listen to while packing up. Tim O’Donnell from West Chicago joins Dan in studio to debut his new hit single, “Movin’ Out,” an Illinois inspired parody.

Despite the market downturn is it still good to be us? Are liberals still not getting in the market because of their dislike of Trump? Is the social media part of the tech sector going to take a hit? Is it worse for the stock market to go up for no reason but better to go down for a few good reasons? Fox Business Contributor, Scott "The Cow Guy" Shellady joins Dan and Kristen McQueary to discuss the market pullback.

Does the left’s treatment of Kanye expose how they really feel about people who don’t think like them? Is the right to defend yourself and your property the key to all other rights? Are people’s views on gun control reflective of their views of freedom in general? Senior editor at TheFederalist.com (https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2FTheFederalist.com%2F&h=AT1QRTVfft0cIYhUs9dVknEyzthJJvx4okr0MqgQWPUTYqPXHu0gbn3uQblh3GCZ2Gal4fOVnymcJ9v3p_5_FuxdaP7k8-hbGnqNTU-pRdClxRz-zGH9MOkYzO45-SGGi5tqSs2Ue7RZn7yhraVbexokO-7YUE1CiWXGkUEg), David Harsanyi joins Dan and Shaun to discuss.

Was it a good move for the White House to have Melania do an open ended interview with ABC? Are there too many factions within the Republican Party? Is there an appetite in the party for limiting the size and scope of government? Has the argument against socialism for Republicans become less of a fiscal argument but a cultural one? Senior political correspondent at the Washington Examiner, David Drucker joins Dan and Shaun to discuss.

Is Rauner going to drag down all Republicans on the ballot? Is he closing the gap at all? Were all Rauner’s political defeats self-inflicted wounds? Did Rauner discount what he was up against and then decide to surrender instead of fight? Dan and Kristen McQueary discuss the future of Illinois and the governor’s race.

Will #MeToo encourage more false allegations? If men are "toxic" then why shouldn't women be able to falsely accuse them since they're intrinsically bad? What about teaching your children about the presumption of innocence? Are women led to believe the pains of regret are equal to rape? Why are campuses obsessed with teaching students to see themselves as victims? Contributing editor at City Journal, Heather MacDonald joins Dan and Kristen McQueary to discuss.

Will Trump’s supporters out live his presidency and continue supporting Republicans? Will the country be recognizable if the Socialist Democrats are able to take over? Did people gravitate to the right after the Kavanaugh hearings? Are white women gender traitors? Diamond Silk join Dan and Shaun to discuss these topics and their new movie “Dummycrats” in theaters October 15.

Political rhetoric nationally is heated, divisive and becoming personal. But it's happening locally, too – from the vandalism of a Republican Party office in Rockford to a state senator accosting a constituent in the north shore. Why is it getting to that point? On this installment of Illinois Rising, Dan Proft and Illinois Policy writer Joe Kaiser discuss intensifying political rhetoric and how it doesn't get to the core of policy issues. They also discuss the continued distorted political attacks from House Speaker Mike Madigan's political operation, lying about conservative reform candidates' records.

Illinoisans pay some of the highest property taxes in the nation. How much is that burden motivating them to vote out the offending pols in the 2018 Midterms? Upstream Ideas went to Glen Ellyn to see if voters could Follow the Logic.

How the state’s political culture impacted voters faith in politicians? How has machine politics affected the way in which political messages are received? Upstream Ideas asked voters in Elmhurst to Follow the Logic.

Has Nikki Haley been one of the few stars in the Trump administration? How was her tenure in the hotbed of anti-Americanism otherwise known as the UN? Who has the diplomatic chops to replace her? After the Kavanaugh hearing, who is going to want to go through a nomination process? Former Pentagon official, Jed Babbin joins Dan and Lauren Cohn to discuss.