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:
It's one thing to lose an underdog race for governor. It's another thing to go from a House of Delegates super majority to minority as the Virginia GOP appears to have done yesterday. Did Gillespie’s one foot in Trump land and other foot in with the Republican Establishment cost him the election? Was this a Trump backlash? Will it continue into the mid terms? Former Howard Dean campaign manager and author of “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised,” Joe Trippi joins Dan and Amy to discuss.
Graduating from high school, not committing a crime, and having kids after marriage almost guarantees that a person will never live a life in poverty. Counter to the hyper-sexualized media narrative, 70% of high school students are not sexually active. Shouldn’t students at least have the opportunity to see the benefits of marriage and family? If kids aren’t rejecting the message, where does the miscommunication lie? Executive Director at Abstinence and Marriage Education Partnership, Scott Phelps joins Dan and Amy to discuss.
Dan Proft did not sugar coat the reality of lying Illinois politicians and their failed policies that are steadily driving the state into the ground. But it’s no longer a question of politics as usual – it’s now a question of our moral responsibility to change the status quo. The policies in this state have real consequences and our most vulnerable are getting hurt, while many others are moving out in droves. Listen to Dan as he speaks at the City Club of Chicago, where he not only lays out how the political ruling class in Illinois and Chicago got us into this mess, but also challenges us to put our morals where our mouths are by voting to enact real change. We can only blame ourselves for allowing the state to continue to sink.
Modern liberalism is an idea claiming that America is evil. Therefore, according to liberal ideologues, it is virtuous to distrust all American authority. If someone doesn’t get on board with that idea, then they too are evil. Steele sees modern liberalism taking place in Chicago, a city that had over 4,000 people shot last year. The mayor chooses not to tackle the root problems of the violence, but, instead, declares Chicago a sanctuary city. Dan and Kristen discuss Shelby Steele’s explanation of modern liberalism and its two effects: bad faith and the loss of moral authority.
A former NRA Instructor was willing to risk his life for people he didn’t even know. Had the good guys in Texas been “gun controlled,” what would the already horrific tragedy have looked like? Is the policy answer to this tragedy more armed security in places like churches and schools? Friends said of that they weren’t surprised by his actions. What happened to “see something, say something?” Fox News Contributor and former Donald Trump Hispanic Advisory Council member, Steve Cortes joins Dan and Kristen to discuss.
Will the House GOP tax reform plan pass? Should it pass? Is it going to increase the deficit? SocialistChina has a corporate tax rate of 25%. So, why are businesses in the US taxed at 35%? Are there more tax cuts on the horizon? President of Americans for Tax Reform, Grover Norquist joins Dan and Kristen to discuss.
The Texas man who pursued the First Baptist Church shooter last Sunday does not call himself a hero. He wishes he could have gotten to the shooter faster. Are the gun-banning politicians going to line up to thank the former NRA instructor and owner of an AR-15 for his heroism in Sutherland Springs? The Air Force failed to report the shooter's court martial. Did the Air Force also fail when they allowed him to enlist? President of the Crime Prevention Research Center and author of “The War on Guns” and “More Guns, Less Crime," John Lott, Jr. joins Dan and Kristen to discuss.
Why should Trump holster his Twitter account on the subject of criminal sentencing? Is Flynn the next to be arrested? Should the Manafort indictment cause more relief than concern for the Trump camp? Collusion has been the big media narrative, but is it even a prosecutable offense? Former Chief Assistant U.S. Attorney and Contributing Editor at National Review, Andrew McCarthy joins Dan and Kristen to discuss.
Is the government going to be able to pay for the tax cuts in the GOP House tax reform bill? Is the GOP changing the tax plan already? Are they already watering down the watered down tax reform plan? At this point, is it worse to vote down the tax reform bill or pass it anyways? Did the failure of replacing Obamacare leave less room for tax cuts? CNBC Contributor and columnist for the American Enterprise Institute, James Pethokoukis joins Dan and Kristen to discuss.
During the veto session, a bill which would imprison local officials who choose to enact local right to work zones barely failed. Rep. Moylan has filed an amendment in a separate bill to remove the criminal penalties, but there’s still a chance that local leaders could be jailed just because they disagree on economic policy. Why is the General Assembly insistent on prohibiting local officials in Illinois to bring economic prosperity to their communities and have the ability to compete with neighboring states? Staff attorney and labor expert for the Illinois Policy Institute, Mailee Smith joins Dan and Kristen to discuss.
Allegations of sexual harassment have rocked Springfield, and this might only be the beginning of the story. On this edition of Illinois Rising, Dan Proft and Pat Hughes talk to Denise Rotheimer, the activist who accused Chicago Democrat state Sen. Ira Silverstein of sexual harassment, about her allegations, the culture in Springfield and why it needs to change. Proft and Hughes also discuss the GOP primary race for governor, with state Rep. Jeanne Ives taking on incumbent Gov. Bruce Rauner. And if you're wondering why property taxes in the northwest suburbs are so high, Proft and Hughes get the analysis of what's driving them from Wirepoints President Ted Dabrowski.
Allegations of sexual harassment have rocked Springfield, and this might only be the beginning of the story. On this edition of Illinois Rising, Dan Proft and Pat Hughes talk to Denise Rotheimer, the activist who accused Chicago Democrat state Sen. Ira Silverstein of sexual harassment, about her allegations, the culture in Springfield and why it needs to change. Proft and Hughes also discuss the GOP primary race for governor, with state Rep. Jeanne Ives taking on incumbent Gov. Bruce Rauner. And if you're wondering why property taxes in the northwest suburbs are so high, Proft and Hughes get the analysis of what's driving them from Wirepoints President Ted Dabrowski.
Allegations of sexual harassment have rocked Springfield, and this might only be the beginning of the story. On this edition of Illinois Rising, Dan Proft and Pat Hughes talk to Denise Rotheimer, the activist who accused Chicago Democrat state Sen. Ira Silverstein of sexual harassment, about her allegations, the culture in Springfield and why it needs to change. Proft and Hughes also discuss the GOP primary race for governor, with state Rep. Jeanne Ives taking on incumbent Gov. Bruce Rauner. And if you're wondering why property taxes in the northwest suburbs are so high, Proft and Hughes get the analysis of what's driving them from Wirepoints President Ted Dabrowski.
Does Springfield need a Bob Mueller to investigate allegations of abuse against IL legislators? Leadership of both parties are rushing to look like they’re taking these claims seriously but previously were in no rush to appoint someone as Inspector General who deals with these cases. She named a name but will her complaint expire if the Inspector General post doesn’t get filled? Denise Rotheimer, the victim rights advocate accusing State Sen. Ira Silverstein of sexual harassment, joins Dan and John to discuss.
Are you pleased with House Republicans' tax reform plan or have GOP Members compromised too much with those who deal in class envy politics? Does the plan offer any good news for Illinois taxpayers? Now the Democrats in Springfield decide to cry crocodile tears for middle class taxpayers after they stuck it to them over the summer? Representative for the 6th Congressional District, Peter Roskam joins Dan and John to discuss.
