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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: No One Is Safe

Can anyone engage in political commentary without fear of making one misstep and being destroyed over social media? Do journalists blame the nature of the news cycle and social media instead of evaluating themselves? Why did Trump cave on border wall funding and reopen the government? When will Trump start surrounding himself with the best people? Columnist for National Review, John Fund joins Dan and Amy to discuss.

Jan 28, 2019

WIND: Shutdown For What

What did NATO Secretary General have to say of Trump’s impact on the security of western nations? Is it instructive to see what countries are trying to make sure the Venezuelans remain poor and oppressed? How can Trump change the conversation about border security to repair his reputation after the shutdown? President of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, Cliff May joins Dan and Amy to discuss.

Jan 28, 2019

WIND: D.C. Press Corps' War On Catholic Schools

How does the Catholic Church reform itself externally and internally after the Covington Catholic incident? Msgr. Pat Hamborough of St. Mark's in St. Louis, the priest you saw being accosted by the Black Hebrews over the weekend that started the chain reaction of events at the Lincoln Memorial, joins Dan and Amy with a first-person account of what the Covington Catholic School boys did.

Jan 25, 2019

WIND: Preview Of NWS GOP And Chicago Citywire Mayoral Forum

What questions would you ask Chicago's mayoral candidates? Can the almost 100,000 voters in Chicago who identify as Republican make a difference in the race? Which candidates are interested in system change compared to those just wanting the title, profile, and future riches? Chairman of the Chicago NW Side GOP, Matt Podgorski joins Dan and Amy for a preview of tomorrow’s mayoral forum hosted at St. Monica’s parish on the city’s Northwest Side with Dan Proft as a moderator....

Jan 25, 2019

WIND: Case Of Grave Injustice

What was the difference between the media's coverage of the Covington Catholic High school boys compared to the other high school kids who were celebrated as activists? Are reporters trying to blame social media rather than their rush to judgement to smear these kids? President of the National Association of Scholars, Peter Wood joins Dan and Amy to discuss.

Jan 25, 2019

WIND: Deifying Diversity

Are pro-lifers no longer welcome at Wheaton College? Why aren’t College Republicans able to express themselves and their perspective the same way a few members of the faculty and student government are able to? What’s the argument against the importance of “black lives matter” inside and outside of the womb? Founder of the Radiance Foundation, Ryan Bomberger joins Dan and Amy to discuss his experience at Wheaton College.

Jan 24, 2019

WIND: Time To Change The Chicago Way

What is fundamentally wrong with the structure of Chicago’s city government? Should the City Council be reduced? Why do other cities have constitutions but not Chicago? What business principles could be applied to city government? Authors of "The New Chicago Way," Ed Bachrach and Austin Berg join Dan and Amy to discuss.

Jan 24, 2019

WIND: Shutdown Day 33

Is it a mistake to consider amnesty or benefits for people here illegally until the border is completely secured? Would it be constitutional for Trump to declare a national emergency to fund the wall and reopen government? What does the unprecedented response from the Mueller team say about the credibility of the Buzzfeed story? Senior legal fellow for The Heritage Foundation, Hans Von Spakovsky joins Dan and Amy to discuss.

Jan 23, 2019

WIND: The UK's Political Crisis

What can get done to restore British sovereignty as the people voted? Did it ever occurred to those in power that electorate would vote to leave the EU? Will there be any sort of compromised exit? What are the long term trends for the EU whether Britain exits or not? Member of European Parliament, Daniel Hannan joins Dan and Amy to discuss.

Jan 23, 2019

WIND: Phillips: Set The Record Straight

The media reported Nathan Phillips as a Native American elder as well as a Vietnam veteran. But now the record shows he never served in Vietnam. Is this another example of the media’s complete lack of interest in context? Retired U.S. Navy Seal, Don Shipley joins Dan and Amy to discuss.

Jan 23, 2019

WIND: Brexit Or No Brexit

What's next for the UK and their status in the EU? What are the implications for the U.S. economy? Will there be another referendum voted on by the public? Where’s the energy, pro or against Brexit? Director of policy and research at Open Europe, Stephen Booth joins Dan and Amy to discuss.

Jan 22, 2019

WIND: Social Experiment Gone Awry In Parkland

Why don’t schools have the same protections as venues such as concerts or airports? Did political correctness bring about the tragedy in Parkland? Did a social experiment gone bad cost lives? Will the recent suspension of the Broward County Sheriff change anything? Andrew Pollack whose daughter was murdered in the Parkland school shooting joins Dan and Amy to discuss how he has been trying to right this wrong.

Jan 22, 2019

WIND: Demonization Of Christians

Can everyone see the compromise to reopen the government except for the bases on both sides? Why were people on the center/right in a hurry to prove that they aren’t racist to the Democrat press corps and condemn the Covington students before all the information came out? Screenwriter and podcaster, Andrew Klavan joins Dan and Amy to discuss.

Jan 22, 2019

WIND: Never Ending Government Shutdown

Did the President offer a fair compromise over the weekend? Are Senate Democrats satisfied with the status quo and lack of border security because it benefits them politically? How long should we expect the shutdown to last until someone gives? U.S. Senator from Indiana, Mike Braun joins Dan and Amy to discuss.

Jan 21, 2019

WIND: Van Dyke Sentenced To 81 Months

Is Van Dyke’s defense team satisfied with the sentence? Did the Judge make the right call? How big of a role did racial politics play in this case? What were the mayoral candidates responses and how do they think they are going to make police/community relations better? Jason Van Dyke’s defense attorney, Dan Herbert joins Dan and Amy to discuss the sentencing.

Jan 21, 2019

WIND: Time To Downsize

Should Trump end the pity parties for federal employees and use his “RIF” power to limit the scope of government as Republicans have been promising for decades? What federal agencies are in need of some downsizing? Is Gen Z not going to be the cavalry for conservatism? Editor and publisher at The American Thinker, Thomas Lifson joins Dan and Amy to discuss.

Jan 21, 2019

WIND: More Of The Same From The D.C. Press Corps

Why was everyone ready to destroy high school kids wearing MAGA hats over an edited video on social media? Is the anti-semitism from women’s march organizers too much for the DNC but not too much for Johnnie Walker? Are corporate cultural marxists a bigger threat than government? Are any offers going to be accepted on border wall funding from the Democrats? Editor of National Review, Rich Lowry joins Dan and Amy to discuss.

Jan 21, 2019

WIND: TSA Tales

Should we believe TSA's tales of shutdown woe and hysterics from the D.C. press corps? If government workers are guaranteed their back pay why not just show up? Will airports be able to continue to operate at a certain level? Senior editor and publisher of Jetwhine.com , Robert Mark joins Dan and Amy to discuss.

Jan 18, 2019

WIND: “Big If True”

Is it becoming more abundantly clear that the hard left has an anti semitism problem? Is Beto’s light dimming? How do the Buzzfeed reports line up with Cohen’s statements in his plea deal? National Review Columnist, David French joins Dan and Amy to discuss.

Jan 18, 2019

WIND: A "Power Play" And The "Low Road"

What is the difference between Pelosi's "Power Play" and Trump's "Low Road"? How much longer until things get any better with border security talks and reopening the government? Where will Trump deliver his SOTU? What does Trump’s rising Latino voter approval rating mean? Should we believe Buzzfeed or wait for Mueller’s report? Senior Political correspondent at the Washington Examiner, David Drucker joins Dan and Amy to discuss.

Jan 18, 2019

WIND: Putting Chicagoans First

Why do Chicagoans keep electing the same people over and over with no results? How many of the candidates in the race have no ties or stake in the political machine? The youngest candidate in the race for Mayor, John Kozlar joins Dan and Amy to make his case.

Jan 17, 2019

WIND: Peace, Prosperity, And Promises Kept?

Is it clear that the Democrats don’t care about the “morality” of the wall but just don’t want to give Trump a political win? Is Trump frustrated and believes he’s losing the fight behind the scenes? Do the Democrats have anything more than resistance and obstruction? CNN political commentator, Steve Cortes joins Dan and Amy to discuss.

Jan 17, 2019

WIND: Dumbing Down Of Culture

If racism was the principle cause of black children failing in school then why are they still failing even when the schools are run by other blacks? Are poor blacks seen as a commodity by middle class blacks? Is the growing intolerance of religion on the left breaking down the moral structure once strong in the black community? Founder and President of the Woodson Center, Bob Woodson joins Dan and Amy to discuss.

Jan 17, 2019

WIND: Who’s Ready To Be Chicago’s Next Mayor?

Is Preckwinkle the biggest target in the mayor’s race? Is there still a need for 50 aldermen? Who are the rich people that the teacher’s union is demanding money from? The potential gambling and marijuana revenue won’t be here in time for the first few city budgets of the next mayor so how are they going to balance the budget? Chicago Tribune Editorial board member, Kristen McQueary joins Dan and Amy to discuss.

Jan 16, 2019

WIND: Obamaland Stealing Public Parks

Is the construction of Obamaland stealing public lands from taxpayers? Where else could it be built in the city? Protect Our Parks President, Herb Caplan joins Dan and Amy with an update on their lawsuit.

Jan 16, 2019

WIND: Feminist Gentlemen

Does being a man on the left give license for bad behavior? Was the Gillette ad focused on stirring hatred? Where should young men look for instruction instead of a virtue signaling shaving company? Executive Director of Touchstone Magazine, Doug Johnson joins Dan and Amy to discuss.

Jan 16, 2019

WIND: Manufactured Crisis In Equity Markets

Will corporate earnings leave us bullish or bearish? Are low unemployment and earnings making it hard to go into a recession? Will the shutdown reduce growth to 0%? Are things that exploded in price "coincidentally" have government as the major purchaser? Fox Business contributor, Scott "The Cow Guy" Shellady joins Dan and Amy to discuss.

Jan 15, 2019

WIND: “Dirty Cops” At The FBI

What kind of evidence did the FBI have to open the investigation on Trump and his alleged ties as “spy” for the Russia? Do Democrats and “Never Trumpers” view disagreeable policy decisions as impeachable offenses? Is the Democratic presidential primary going to create animosity within the party? Is it time to abolish the TSA? Senior editor for the Federalist.com, David Harsanyi joins Dan and Amy to discuss.

Jan 15, 2019

WIND: The National Security Case Against Oil

Are U.S. troops put in harm’s way to protect the flow of oil? Is there truly a free market for oil? Do Republicans have ways to go in winning urban centers? Former two term mayor of Indianapolis, Greg Ballard joins Dan and Amy to discuss his new book.

Jan 14, 2019

WIND: Is Trump A Russian Spy?

Did the NYT story about Trump’s relationship with Russia expose the unchecked power at the FBI? Is Brexit cancelled? When are Bolton and Trump going to come to an agreement on how to withdraw from Syria? Was Pompeo’s speech in Cairo the best in Trump’s presidency so far? Former U.S. Undersecretary of Defense, Jed Babbin joins Dan and Amy to discuss.

Jan 14, 2019
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