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:
Major tax cuts and reforms are coming at the federal level, with a lot debate on what their impact will be. On this edition of Illinois Rising, Dan Proft and Pat Hughes get the perspective from an Illinois business owner on how tax cuts will help businesses and individuals and spur economic growth. They also talk to former state Rep. Rich Morthland, who is running for lieutenant governor on Jeanne Ives' ticket, about his race. And Proft and Hughes discuss the sudden announced departure of Luis Gutierrez from Congress.
Gov. Rauner says he's not in charge so his failure is not his fault. Why run for reelection if he’s not able to do anything? Rauner’s campaign message is vote for me because I’m not Madigan since he has no record of his own to run on. Running mate of GOP primary opponent (Jeanne Ives) and former state legislator, Rich Morthland joins Dan and Amy with his reaction to Rauner’s abysmal lack of leadership and the attitudes of fed up voters outside of the Chicagoland area.
POTUS is not immune from obstruction of justice charges and the FBI is not immune from using the law to serve partisan and/or other parochial interests. There should be checks on both. Can the FBI return to its once coveted reputation? Former Chief Assistant U.S. Attorney and Contributing Editor at National Review, Andrew McCarthy joins Dan and Amy to discuss his reaction to the Flynn charges.
Democrats go full "people will die" in response to GOP's competing tax cut plans. If Trump has already taken care of regulations, why do corporations need a tax break? Is slow economic growth one of the root problems of division in this country? Illegal crossings have plunged at the border under Trump but what should be his next move with DACA? Fox News Contributor and former member of Donald Trump Hispanic Advisory Council, Steve Cortes joins Dan and Amy to discuss.
Is POTUS justified in saying that the FBI's reputation is in tatters? Has the Mueller investigation proven to be non partisan or purely political? Should we be expecting more information forthcoming from the investigation or is the media’s analysis merely speculation? Why is Trump’s lawyer interjecting himself in Trump’s tweets? Former U.S. Attorney General, former Counsel to the President, Dean of Belmont University School of Law, and author of “True Faith & Allegiance,” Alberto Gonzales joins Dan and Amy to discuss.
“You can’t indict the president with obstruction of justice for simply exercising their constitutional authority.” Does Gen. Flynn's plea agreement signal the weakness of Mueller's case rather than the strength of it? Anti-trump texter on Mueller team furthers the political nature of the investigation. Why is the media and those on the left perpetuated on elevating hope rather than reality? Former Professor at Harvard Law School and author of “Trumped Up: How Criminalization of Political Differences Endangers Democracy,” Alan Dershowitz joins Dan and Amy to discuss.
"We were promised a conservative reform governor. Instead, we got an Ivy League gender studies professor." State Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) formally announced her primary challenge to Governor Rauner last night. Ives said Rauner has already beat himself and is not going to be able to buy back his voters. Ives joins Dan and Amy to discuss her campaign platform and how she is going to save Illinois from further ruin. For more information on the campaign, visit ivesforillinois.com (https://ivesforillinois.com/).
Did the politics of immigration policy factor into the Kate Steinle jury verdict? It was Chicago and Illinois politics as usual after Gov. Rauner promised, on national television, to meet with Brian McCann and his organization to discuss their point of view on sanctuary state legislation but never actually reached out to them. Brian McCann, brother of Dennis McCann who was killed in Chicago by an illegal immigrant and a member of Advocates for Victims of Illegal Alien Crime, joins Dan and Amy to discuss the Steinle verdict and Illinois’ sanctuary state designation.
Is Trump succeeding in drawing attention to a policy issue where he wants people to focus even if it’s provocative? As the media is deliberating the appropriateness of Trump’s current tweets, he is already a step ahead with more tweets to change the conversation. Even though Trump may be the most effective tweeter in the world, does he also tweet with the same norms and mishaps of a regular user? Dan and Amy try to understand Trump's Twitter habits with Dilbert cartoonist and “Trump Whisperer,” Scott Adams.
Does the Senate GOP's delay mean tax cuts will be denied? Are Corker and Flake genuinely concerned about the deficit or are they holding their personal grudges against Trump? What are the some of the most important victories in the tax bill if passed? Is Roy Moore’s liberal opponent the reason for his good polling? Editor of the Washington Free Beacon and contributing editor to The Weekly Standard, Matthew Continetti lays it all out for Dan and Amy.
Looking for suggestions for Christmas decor at your home or business? Park Ridge interior designer said her own spiritual journey led her to the White House to be part of the team of 70 volunteers to bring First Lady Melania Trump’s vision to life. Kim Eggert joins Dan and Amy to discuss the stunning designs and intricate planning it took to decorate the White House this Christmas.
Who knew Matt Lauer was such a sleaze? NBC. That's who. Which news celebrity, politician celebrity or Hollywood celebrity is next? What is Nancy Pelosi to do when gender runs into race? Are we done being lectured about morals by these Hollywood stars yet? Screenwriter, essayist, and author of The Great Good Thing: A Secular Jew Comes to Faith in Christ, Andrew Klavan joins Dan and Amy to discuss.
How do the House and the Senate balance the goal of growth and delivering tax cuts to the middle class? Are we moving from a reckoning of bad actors to a mania of baseless allegations? Media and big corporations have been self-accountable, but what about those in government? Who fires them? Writer at National Review, Constitutional lawyer, bestselling author, and veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, David French joins Dan and Amy to discuss.
Dan and Amy speak with a couple who built a hospital in Haiti that is in conjunction with AM 560's 2017 campaign to feed 3,000 Haitian children for a year and provide them water for life this Christmas season. Florette and Andy Sokulski discuss the relationships they have made through the organization Food For The Poor and how they look forward to their trip to Haiti to see the progress that has been made.
Are Trump's tweets destabilizing the planet? What is Congress doing to protect due process of members accused without funneling taxpayer money to cover these allegations up? Maybe Springfield should follow suit. Should we be expecting a Christmas gift of tax cuts? Congressman Adam Kinzinger of the 16th District joins Dan and Amy to discuss.
