Upstream Ideas

Steve Moore is as confident as ever with the hopes of passing tax reform after meeting with GOP Senators on the fence such as Flake, Corker, and Johnson. Are the same politicians that are now concerned about the deficit the same ones that are increasing the caps? How can the Democrats justify their stance against repealing the Obamacare mandate when the average income of those paying the penalty is $35,000? Can the failed coup of the CFPB lead to the reduction of more wasteful government agencies? CNN Senior Economist and former adviser to Trump, Steve Moore joins Dan and Amy to discuss.

Are our options limited or are we staying the course with extra sanctions and UN Security Council meetings in regards to North Korea’s latest missile launch? Are Russia and China willing to step up to the table? Should the focus be on missile defense? Former Joint Chiefs of Staff and National Security Council member, Colonel Cedric Leighton joins Dan and Amy to discuss.

Senate GOP inches closer to deal on tax reform. What material changes are being made and what are the remaining hurdles? Where is the inequity when the top 1% of income earners pay the same percentage in taxes as the entire bottom 95% of Americans? Do Republicans need to stop apologizing and start talking about growth? President of the National Taxpayers Union, Pete Sepp joins Dan and Amy to discuss.

“Let’s build so much missile defense that the bar is so high that the North Koreans can never dream in their lifetimes of ever actually having a credible threat that they could reach the United States.” Should Kim Jong-un's quarterly missile test change U.S. strategy? Does it change the geopolitical dynamics with our South Korean and Japanese allies? Vice President of Foreign Policy and National Security at The Heritage Foundation, James Carafano joins Dan and Amy to discuss.

Bret Weinstein, the Evergreen State professor who was bullied by students, argues the end of academic freedom is near per the strategic genius of the postmodernists. Should we be deeply worried about our education system that is indoctrinating students with a single world view that America is the enemy? Do teachers deserve more of the blame? Should the government take any steps to protect speech on campuses? Columnist, author and Senior Fellow for the Hoover Institution, Peter Berkowitz joins Dan and Amy to discuss.

Trump roils DC press corps by lampooning Sen. Fauxcohontas. Where do things stand in the Republican Party with the pick up of Rand Paul’s vote in moving tax reform? It’s a sad day for the identity politics’ obsessed as El Gallito unexpectedly announces his retirement. Are we going to see the sexual harassment settlements unearthed? Senior Editor for HotAir.com and columnist for The Week, Ed Morrissey joins Dan and Amy to discuss.

Are F1 VISA international students crowding out Illinois kids at state colleges and universities? (https://prairiestatewire.com/stories/511268774-analysis-university-of-illinois-is-top-choice-for-international-students-attending-public-illinois-universities)Illinois is already lagging behind only New Jersey in college-bound out-migration. Should there be a prioritization for families of students who are paying taxes in Illinois? Are universities in Illinois able to offer any incentives for excellent students here in our own state? Dan and Amy discuss the future of Illinois universities and how they have not been inclusive to Illinois residents.

Although he’s no longer a member of the Chicago Teacher’s Union, Joseph Ocol has made tremendous strides for his students through his chess program. Not only are student test scores up at Earle STEM Academy in the southside Englewood neighborhood, but the school also has a near perfect attendance record. Ocol says, “My main goal is to make them better persons so that they can contribute to the world.” Joseph Ocol joins Dan and Amy to discuss the successes of his students and what resources they still need.

Is Franken already back? Is the "iconic" (per Nancy Pelosi) Conyers on his way out? How are certain people in the journalism world getting promotions when they are now getting accused of harassment and “were known” to engage in sexual misconduct? Investigative Journalist and author of “The Smear: How Shady Political Operatives and Fake News Control What You See, What You Think and How You Vote,” Sharyl Attkisson joins Dan and Amy to discuss.

Does the GOP have a marketing problem? Would they be more successful leading the charge with talking points such as “tax simplification reduces big government?” Are they having trouble selling a traditional conservative tax plan to a nationalist and populist executive administration? Besides the sexual harassment allegations, should Conyers’ mental state force him to resign? Associate Editor for Commentary Magazine, Noah Rothman joins Dan and Amy to discuss.

We are approaching the filing deadline for candidates for office in 2018, which will likely include state Rep. Jeanne Ives, R-Wheaton, mounting a primary challenge against incumbent Gov. Bruce Rauner. On this edition of Illinois Rising, Dan Proft and Pat Hughes talk to Ives about her race and the case she is making to voters. Proft and Hughes also discuss the range of new taxes Chicagoans are going to see next year, and they discuss the race for Cook County board president, which now includes a familiar face in former board President Todd Stroger.

Identity Politics At An Evanston School

Todd Stroger Returns

How Conservatives Are Treated On College Campuses

“We aren’t going to be talked down to by people who have ideas that fall on others and not themselves and their immediate circle.” Is Trump more similar to Reagan than establishment Republicans want you to think? Was Trump’s success amongst the “deplorables” due to his exploitation of the Republican party for moving to the center? Has mainstream culture conflated the true meaning of sexual harassment and assault? National Review columnist and Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Victor Davis Hanson joins Dan and Amy to discuss.