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Upstream Ideas

Upstream Ideas
"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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Episodes

WIND: Be Weary Of The Eager Martyr

Is the author of the anonymous op-ed already working out their exit strategy? Was there anything new that hasn’t already been reported on written in the piece? Is it true that the more people try to “gotcha” the President, the more he’s been able to turn it on them? Is the country tired of the constant political controversy? Anchor of Special Report, Bret Baier joins Dan to discuss.

Sep 07, 2018

WIND: An End To Easy Money

Despite Chicago’s potential new mayor’s opposition to self employment, how is the rest of the country doing? Good job numbers, decent wage gains, but what is needed to really set the economy off? Has there been too much easy money from the Fed? What will be the impact of the unwinding of this? Fox Business Network Contributor, Scott "The Cow Guy" Shellady joins Dan to discuss.

Sep 07, 2018

WIND: Competing Clown Shows On Capitol Hill

Does the anonymous op-ed prove there are people who believe more in the preservation of the political class than the agenda of the people? Is silence and prayer the remedy to the Church’s sexual abuse scandal as suggested by Pope Francis? Is it hard to be optimistic about the possibility of having an even worse mayor in Chicago and governor in Illinois? CNN Contributor, Steve Cortes joins Dan to discuss.

Sep 07, 2018

WIND: Auctioneering Sanity At Congressional Hearings

Is the SCOTUS hearing overshadowing the social media giants’ testimonies and their alleged censorship of conservatives? Was the anonymous op-ed written to appeal to NYT editorial board? Doesn’t it sound like it could be the preface to Woodward’s book? Should Republicans reconsider the prospects of a blue wave in November? Senior Editor for HotAir.com , Ed Morrissey joins Dan and Amy to discuss....

Sep 06, 2018

WIND: The “Resistance” Infiltrates The White House

Who wrote the anonymous op-ed? Who stands to benefit the most? How about Simon & Schuster? Why are policy differences with Trump treated like the sinking of the Titanic? Is the cabinet really trying to remove the president from office? If the author were truly concerned wouldn’t they announce it publicly and resign? Editor of Washington Free Beacon, Matthew Continetti joins Dan and Amy to discuss.

Sep 06, 2018

WIND: Cupich Behaving Like A Politician

Cardinal Cupich says the abuse scandal is not about sex. Why is Cupich acting like a politician? What was Cupich’s response to the criticisms of his interview on NBC that he had read to all the churches in the diocese? Dan and Amy are joined by the object of Cardinal Cupich's convenient ire, NBC-5 reporter Mary Ann Ahern.

Sep 06, 2018

WIND: IL Breaks The Record In Pension Debt

Why wasn’t Kudlow the chief economist right off the bat? What kind of journalism is saying Woodward is unimpeachable in his new book about Trump? Is Trump winning on trade? Will Canada be making concessions in the next week? Is the Illinois solution for the pension debt to issue more debt? Chief Economist for CNN, Steve Moore joins Dan and Amy to discuss.

Sep 06, 2018

WIND: Tiny Dancer Bows Out

Unlike Daley, did Rahm getting pushed out by the city and not the political insiders? Is Rahm looking to cut a deal with someone he can endorse? Did he accomplish anything? Does the political machine still have the same power they once held? Where’s the Republican Party? Chicago Tribune columnist, John Kass joins Dan and Amy to discuss the curtains closing on Mayor Emanuel and to share his take on the city’s mayoral race.

Sep 06, 2018

WIND: Changing The Guard In Chicago’s Mayoral Race

“If you didn’t have the guts to run for mayor of Chicago when Rahm was in office, what will make the public believe that you have the guts to make tough decisions to move the city forward.” Is it a new day in Chicago or same old day with a new face? Does the city need a problem solver rather than another politician? Paul Vallas joins Dan and Amy to make the case that it’s him you should want.

Sep 06, 2018

WIND: Getting Beyond The Shrieking At SCOTUS Hearing

There were important exchanges between Kavanaugh and Senators on guns, abortion, administrative state, executive power in between the histrionics. Are vast right wing conspiracy groups influencing the Supreme Court? Is there a confusion of what judges are supposed to do and what the public thinks they do? Listen to Civics 101 by Ben Sasse. Senior Legal Fellow at the Heritage Foundation, Tom Jipping joins Dan and Amy to discuss.

Sep 06, 2018

IL RISING: How Madigan's Money Lies To Voters

House Speaker Mike Madigan has already poured more than $1 million dollars into legislative races this year in support of Democratic candidates and lawmakers. That money is being used to spread falsehoods and defend the status quo, but some conservative reformers are fighting back against the lies. On this edition of Illinois Rising, Dan Proft and Pat Hughes talk to state Rep. Mark Batinick (R-Plainfield) and state rep candidate Tonia Khouri about how they are fighting the Democrats' false narra...

Sep 04, 2018

IL RISING: A Challenge To Lawmakers: Reject Your Pension

Generous pensions and salaries encourage Illinois lawmakers to become career politicians at the expense of taxpayers. But a group of conservative reformers is now challenging candidates and lawmakers to set an example and reject their unaffordable pension. On this edition of Illinois Rising, Dan Proft and Pat Hughes talk to State Rep. Tom Morrison (R-Palatine), one of the leaders of the movement, about why it's important more representatives take this step. Proft and Hughes also talk about bad e...

Sep 04, 2018

WIND: Was Operation Shutdown O’Hare A Success?

Will shutdown theater finally get up to the North Shore to protest a Gordon Lightfoot concert at Ravinia or a New Trier HS polo match? What does winning look like for the organizers of the protests? Why throw away public money when the streets are not safe and businesses don't want to come? Founder of Coalition for a New Chicago, Rev. Gregory Livingston joins Dan and Amy to discuss.

Sep 04, 2018

WIND: Survived With Honor

Should there be concerns with the U.S. political system because of the entrenched politicians who occupy it? What is the future of American politics and civility? Retired U.S. Air Force General and prisoner of war in Vietnam, John Borling joins Dan and Amy to discuss the life of John McCain and the country’s uncertain future.

Sep 04, 2018

WIND: The Left: Ideology Trumps Everything

Should Trump have fired Comey and Rosenstein on day one? Why is the left still obsessed with trying to overturn the 2016 election results? Is the media showing its true colors defending Pope Francis and releasing a glowing piece about Bruce Ohr right before his hearing? Filmmaker, Dinesh D'Souza joins Dan and Amy to discuss.

Sep 04, 2018

WIND: Open Heart Magic

Ed Barry, volunteer for Open Heart Magic, joins Dan and Amy to share some of his tricks that he performs for children and their families in hospitals. They have a fundraiser at Bourbon Street on September 14th. Visit openheartmagic.org for more info and how to get your ticket.

Sep 04, 2018

WIND: Dems Preparing Their Presidential Bids Awaiting SCOTUS Nomination Hearings

What does Chuck Todd know that we don’t? Is Trump going to get involved in the operations of the FBI and DOJ if they don’t get their act together? Do Republicans have a better chance against energetic socialists or other moderate Democrats? Will Dems have anything more than their standard dog and donkey show in opposition to the Kavanaugh SCOTUS nomination next week? Anchor of Special Report on Fox News, Bret Baier joins Dan and Amy to discuss.

Sep 04, 2018

WIND: Maximizing The Potential Of Every Person

Ikes Bites Dog Treat s in Milwaukee employs adults who have aged out of special education programs and serves as a safety net to provide job training and work skills for our society’s most vulnerable. Development Director for the Eisenhower Center, David Ordan joins Dan and Amy to discuss the business model and the handmade treats enjoyed by dogs everywhere.

Aug 30, 2018

WIND: City Braces For Violent Protests Awaiting The Van Dyke Trial

Does the city need a guilty verdict in the Van Dyke trial to avoid riots? Should they start educating the community and offering counseling now if once the facts are presented he will be acquitted? Former Chicago Police Officer, Brian Warner joins Dan and Amy to discuss the upcoming Jason Van Dyke trial and reflect on his own encounter where he had to fire his weapon.

Aug 30, 2018

WIND: Make Trade Great Again

Will the new NAFTA make trade great again? Why does free trade require thousands of pages of laws and regulations? Why do Democrats not want minorities to open businesses? Do licensing regulations not protect consumers but instead reduce competition and increase costs? CNN Chief Economist Steve Moore joins Dan and Amy to discuss.

Aug 30, 2018

WIND: Chicago FOP President: Van Dyke Will Be Found Not Guilty

Former CPD officer Jason Van Dyke speaks for the first time since his shooting of Laquan McDonald and in advance of his murder trial. Are we going to get answers surrounding the reason for the 16 shots? What about the chatter of Van Dyke using racially charged language? Chicago FOP President, Kevin Graham joins Dan and Amy to discuss.

Aug 30, 2018

WIND: Cupich's Race Baiting Defense Of Pope Francis

Reuters suggests conservatives are the problem for escalating the war against Pope Francis in his mishandling of the sexual abuse of children. Really? Do Cardinal Cupich’s comments show how serious the Catholic Church is taking the sexual abuse scandal? What bigger agenda could the Church have than protecting the most vulnerable? Dr. Kurt Martens, Professor of Canon Law at Catholic University, joins Dan and Amy to discuss.

Aug 30, 2018

WIND: NIU Football Season Preview

Should we be expecting another great season from the Huskies and a potential bowl game on the horizon? How are some of the local kids shaping up and how much do they recruit from Chicago? Their competitive schedule begins this weekend against the Iowa Hawkeyes. Associate Vice-President and Director of Athletics at Northern Illinois University, Sean Frazier joins Dan and Amy to discuss.

Aug 30, 2018

WIND: Reckoning In The Catholic Church

Why are leaders in the Catholic Church acting like politicians in their handling of the abuse of children? Why were known abusers shuffled around? Should Pope Francis resign? Is the Catholic Church as an institution going to be able to regain the trust of their believers? Washington Examiner Reporter, Salena Zito joins Dan and Amy to discuss the Catholic Church sex abuse scandal and her personal connection to the situation in Pittsburgh.

Aug 28, 2018

WIND: Trump Driving His Critics Certifiably Insane

Does the left not just disagree with Trump but see the need for him and his ideas to be destroyed? Does the extension of the Mueller investigation benefit Trump? Does the Trump winning, drive his opponents more and more crazy? Editor of The New Criterion and columnist for PJ Media, Roger Kimball joins Dan and Amy to discuss.

Aug 28, 2018

WIND: Trump Putting The Pressure On Canada

Is the new NAFTA a success in game theory but not in free market economics? Is Trump a protectionist or using those threats to get to free trade agreements? What is the market looking for in renegotiations in NAFTA? CNBC Contributor, Jim Iuorio joins Dan and Amy to discuss.

Aug 28, 2018

WIND: “I Have A Bean”

I Have A Bean, a coffee company in Wheaton, has a mission to employ men and women who have been in prison. Illinois has the second highest recidivism rate in the nation, but I Have A Bean’s employees have a rate of less than 4%. Founder, Pete Leonard joins Dan and Amy to discuss where he came up with the idea and how his faith has shaped his new found mission.

Aug 27, 2018

WIND: Was The Stormy Daniels’ Hush Money A Campaign Contribution?

Has the confusion of Trump’s payment to Stormy Daniels’ helped bring a discussion of current campaign finance laws to the forefront? Should the hush money be considered a campaign contribution? Is the law written narrowly enough to distinguish what money is used for influencing a campaign? Former FEC Chairman, Bradley Smith joins Dan and Amy to discuss.

Aug 27, 2018

WIND: Should Catholics Call For The Resignation Of Pope Francis?

Should Pope Francis resign in the wake of the Vigano testimony? Why is Pope Francis not addressing the allegations directly? What did he know and when did he know it? Should conservative Catholics step up and call for a purge of the hierarchy of the Church before it’s too late? Mary FioRito, former top aide to Francis Cardinal George, joins Dan and Amy to discuss.

Aug 27, 2018

WIND: Disingenuous Remarks From Democrats In Remembrance Of McCain

How should we remember John McCain? Can we separate his military service from his political career? When the left slanders Republicans is it just “politics"? Who and what can save Chicago? Is it a coincidence how everyone associated with Trump is getting shaken down while the Clintons continue to get a pass? Diamond and Silk join Dan and Amy to discuss.

Aug 27, 2018
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