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:
At The World Leaders Forum Speakers’ Series at Judson University in Elgin, two big-name politicians from both sides of the aisle are coming in to engage in a civil conversation about leadership in divided times. Is there is going to be a safe space for the people who don’t know to deal with other people’s opinions that they disagree with? Judson University President Gene Crume joins Dan and Amy to discuss the big announcement.
What are the repercussions for Medicaid expansion enacted by Rauner? How much will premiums rise for those in Illinois who aren’t eligible for Medicaid? Who is going to end up paying out the most? Will people sign up for health insurance plans if there’s no longer a mandate? Founder & Principal Broker for HealthInsuranceMentors.com, C. Steven Tucker joins Dan and Amy to discuss.
What are the prospects the Russian collusion investigation winds up turning on the Clintons and the Obama Regime? Where is the outrage directed at Comey’s prepared exculpatory statement for Hillary Clinton that was written months before the investigation was completed? What are the confirmed facts surrounding the bribery plot with uranium one backed by Clinton Foundation donors? Is this really “old news” or is there a chance for prosecution? Associate Editor for Commentary Magazine, Noah Rothman joins Dan and Amy to discuss.
Will there ever be an explanation out there that would satisfy anyone for why the Vegas shooter did what he did? Are there recurring traits that most mass murders have? Thousands of people indulge in high-risk behavior, have anxiety issues, and have problems with their parents, but they also don’t commit mass murders. English writer, psychiatrist and author of the new book “The Proper Procedure and Other Stories,” Theodore Dalrymple joins Dan and Amy to discuss.
Dr. Kent Mercado from Naperville has yet to be paid in 2017 for any patient he has taken care of through the ACA Medicaid programs but continues to treat every patient no matter their plan. He has a patient that needs surgery to remove a tumor, but no hospital will take her because they aren’t getting reimbursed. Hospitals and especially independent practitioners are not going to be able to sustain these practices for long. Dr. Mercado, a Chicagoland practitioner, joins Dan and Amy to discuss his experience dealing with the consequences of the GOP's failure to replace Obamacare.
“Trump has 0 problems firing people, if Tillerson didn’t have his trust he would not be in the position as Secretary of State and he would be fired.” Did Trump go too far by suggesting NBC's FCC license be rescinded? The House is ready to act on tax reform, but will the Senate be able to get their act together? Do Democrats believe the Federal Government spends money more prudently than individuals? Sean Duffy, Representative from the 7th Congressional District in Wisconsin, joins Dan and Amy to discuss.
Is Trump decimating the NFL? Was the NFL a glass house before Trump even got involved? Is Trump exposing the Republican establishment for their progressive views? The media is in hysterics over Trump’s tone, meaning, when Obama or late night talk show hosts say something extreme or wildly offensive in a room temperature conversational tone of voice, it’s okay and understandable. National Review columnist and Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Victor D Hanson joins Dan and Amy to discuss.
“Liberals don’t want to have a debate. They want to say you’re morally inferior if you don’t believe in our policies of higher taxes, minimum wage increases, and more government spending.” Do liberals, such as those in the North Shore, practice capitalism but reject it in theory? Are local Republicans to blame for not speaking up? Wall Street Journal Columnist, Senior Economist for CNN, and former Donald Trump advisor, Stephen Moore joins Dan and Amy to discuss.
Will Hollywood endure the same fate of the NFL? Outlets were offered the story and they chose not to publish it? People talked about Weinstein’s behavior as an open secret, but were the warnings from those in Hollywood enough? ESPN’s Michael Wilbon compares Roger Goodell to a plantation owner. But employers such as Google can fire James Damore but the NFL can’t tell their players to stand for the National Anthem? Senior Editor for HotAir.com and columnist for The Week, Ed Morrissey joins Dan and Amy to discuss.
Why does Cook County keep expanding their budget even though it has lost more residents than any other county in the US? Are there going to be any repercussions for the commissioners who originally were in support of the soda tax? Where was the outrage when Cook County raised the sales tax again? Will the GOP field a candidate against Queen Sugar? Cook County Commissioner for the 15th District and Illinois Republican Party Chairman, Tim Schneider joins Dan and Amy to discuss.
Former Milwaukee conservative radio talk show host, Charlie Sykes, alleges that Trump is creating "intellectual ghettos." You are either with him or against him and there’s no in between. Retired Milwaukee County Sheriff and Senior Advisor for America First Action PAC, David Clarke joins Dan and Amy to discuss his reaction to those comments and why he would advise Sheriff Lombardo in Vegas to hold off on prematurely releasing details on the horrific shooting in Vegas.
“The more the left focuses on identity politics and ignores economic and security issues, the better off we are going to be politically.” NFL players can make political stunts on the field but the sitting Vice President isn’t afforded the same right? Was Corker right to pop off on Trump? Fox News Channel Contributor and former member of Trump’s Hispanic Advisory Council, Steve Cortes joins Dan and Amy to discuss.
Does the revelation of the Harvey Weinstein scandal show that the elites in Hollywood and the leftist press corps is even worse than we thought? Has investigative journalism become more about the writer's feelings than what is actually going on? Editor of the Washington Free Beacon and Contributing editor to The Weekly Standard, Matthew Continetti joins Dan and Amy to discuss why the media still hasn’t figured out that they cannot out trump Trump.
Were Senator Ron Johnson’s comments on the possibility of bringing the Graham Cassidy Bill back nothing more than wishful thinking? What should lawmakers be doing to grow the labor force? Is Congress prepared to create long term tax reform solutions? Columnist for the American Enterprise Institute and CNBC contributor, Jim Pethokoukis joins Dan and Amy to discuss.
If no law would've prevented the Vegas shooting, per Senator Diane Feinstein, then why are Democrats pushing a new gun law? Is the bump stock issue going to be used as an opportunity for the Democrats to bust through the door on gun control policies? Will there be any sensible policy solutions rather than mass emotional appeals? Criminologist, John Lott Jr. joins Dan and Amy to discuss.
