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"He who seeks to improve conditions must propagate a new mentality, not merely a new institution." — Ludwig von MisesOur 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 contribu ...
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How can New York and Illinois bring people back? Lower their taxes. Why are “pro-business groups” in Chicago advocating for more taxes? Where are the “adults” in the room telling Democrats the catastrophic effects of eliminating all fossil fuels? Chief Economist for CNN, Steve Moore joins Dan and Amy to discuss.…
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What is the Democrats’ message heading into 2020? Is the field of candidates who aren’t parents show how out of touch they are with reality? Is Trump willing to shut down government again to move forward with border security talks? Senior Contributor at American Greatness, Julie Kelly joins Dan and Amy to discuss.…
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Could you give up the big five? Which one of the social networks would you miss most? Would you feel disconnected from your friends and family? Does it actually change the way you interact with your spouse or children? Is there the beginnings of a backlash against the internet? Journalist at Gizmodo, Kashmir Hill joins Dan and Amy to discuss her ex…
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What has been the impact of Illinois’ economic death spiral on churches? Does the clergy have an obligation to educate their parishioners on what the political ruling class is doing or would they rather throw in with them? Senior pastor at Christ Church, Mike Woodruff joins Dan and Amy to discuss.Av Upstream Ideas
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Is the SOTU the political equivalent of the Oscars? Was Trump wise to not get as heated as he does in his rally speeches? Should we be optimistic about another meeting with Kim Jong Un? Is infanticide no longer a fringe topic amongst mainstream Democrats? Can Biden resist a presidential run? Weekend editor at Hotair.com, Jazz Shaw joins Dan and Amy…
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Did President Trump correctly highlight the class divide on illegal immigration between cheap labor for the elites and votes for the “open borders” left? Is it too hard to for anyone in the political class to give credit when due to the other side? Washington Examiner reporter, Salena Zito joins Dan and Amy to recap President Trump’s SOTU.…
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How are schools celebrating Black History Month? Are students learning the inspirational stories of Frederick Douglass, Dr. Martin Luther King, or Bob Woodson? No. Instead, administrators are espousing the intellectually dishonest ideas from black lives matter groups. Are any parents willing to suggest alternative viewpoints to the cultural marxist…
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What is the importance of the subpoenas to Trump’s inauguration committee? Was the arrest of Roger Stone excessive? Would it be wise for Trump to use the SOTU to declare a national emergency or should he simply restate his proposed compromise and let the Feb. 15 clock run? Contributing editor at National Review, Andy McCarthy joins Dan and Amy to d…
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How close are Israeli scientists to a cure for cancer? Does it sound too good to be true? Where has technology and innovation taken us thus far in treating cancer? Northwestern University Hospital oncologist, Dr. Eric Donnelly joins Dan and Amy to discuss.Av Upstream Ideas
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Is coal miners’ “blackface” consistent with the racially offensive blackface? Should the restaurant owner in question clarify the meaning of a photo with coal miners with soot on their face so people don’t get offended? Should the greater good be the standard for acceptable artistic expression? U.S. Air Force veteran turned poet and essayist, Rasha…
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Are conservative judges having trouble surpassing the new thresholds regarding their faith to get their Senate confirmations? How long will Gov. Northam last and how did the racially offensive yearbook photos not get found during the campaign? Are there second chances for some but not for all? Should the President invoke emergency powers to fund th…
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Is building a border wall driven from common sense policy rather than political ideology? Are the only people claiming the border wall will be ineffective are the political pundits and politicians who have never visited the border? Is the humanitarian crisis caused by America’s bad asylum laws filled with loopholes? Former Customs and Borders Prote…
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Operation Support Our Troops is sending out their 2 millionth pound box of care packages to troops serving overseas. It started as a small operation and 16 years later they are still providing troops with the support and resources they deserve. Executive Director of Operation Support Our Troops America, Bill Rickert joins Dan and Amy to discuss the…
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Is removing any impediments to kill a child born alive the newest push on the Liberal policy agenda? Does anyone still believe Democrats preaching “safe, legal and rare?” Is a bioethics professor at Princeton being the only honest one from the infanticide left saying that the world would be a better place if we killed infants with disabilities in h…
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Is Howard Schultz derailing the enthusiasm from far left candidates entering the race? What’s the over/under on 20 candidates in the primary? Is it a race to see who can make the government the biggest and most expensive? Is a border wall/barrier/fencing deal still possible before Tuesday's SOTU? Anchor of Special Report on Fox News, Bret Baier joi…
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Is there reason to be optimistic about economic growth in 2019? Do the January numbers prove how “non-essential” federal employees really didn’t matter to the economy? Is Brexit important to America’s growth? How much will the UK save if they leave the European Union? Is there anything more important for the economy than the trade deal with China? …
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13th Ward Alderman Candidate, David Krupa officially filed a federal civil suit against Madigan and mini-me Marty Quinn. Where are law enforcement agencies at with the case? What is Krupa hoping to gain from the suit? Are ward residents aware of what’s going on? Krupa joins Dan and Amy to discuss.Av Upstream Ideas
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Are the Burke Four (Chico, Daley, Mendoza, Preckwinkle) just status quo opportunists who joined the race after Rahm announced he wasn’t running? How can we expect change from a corrupt system? Is the Chicago media to blame for covering up corruption in City Hall and impeding entrepreneurs? Are things put in affidavits not there by accident? Chicago…
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Have the Chicago Police gathered any meaningful evidence that corroborates “Empire” star’s Jussie Smollett’s alleged homophobic and racially targeted attack? Why did the mainstream dive head first into the story without any clear evidence? Did something happen to Smolett but maybe not what he alleges? Former CPD and licensed PI, Paul Huebl joins Da…
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Would more background checks limit the number of guns on the streets in the first place? Is disarming officers in schools in Baltimore a productive idea? Should there be less focus on rare mass shootings and more on the vast majority of gun violence that we have good data on how to prevent? Deputy Managing Editor at National Review, Robert VerBrugg…
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Will Trump get a deal on border security funding before next week's SOTU? Are Democrats going to Pelosi pushing for a deal? Has Trump been given the green light from Republicans to invoke emergency powers to fund the wall? Are other Democrats coming out against Kamala Harris’ plan to eliminate the private insurance market? Does the conclusion of th…
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What has been going on at mega churches like Harvest Bible Chapel and Willow Creek in the Chicagoland area? How have they been creating cultures of dread and fear? Why are their elders living the lifestyles of the rich and famous on backs of their congruents? Veteran radio host, Julie Roys joins Dan and Amy to discuss her special “Church In Crisis”…
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Are Democrats not even pretending you can keep your healthcare if you like it anymore? Why do they want to restrict people’s choices in healthcare and education? If Howard Schultz runs for president, doe he guarantee Trump a second term? Who needs $50 million anyway? WSJ Columnist and CNN Chief Economist, Steve Moore joins Dan and Amy to discuss.…
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Did Trump not cave but fold temporarily? Are we properly estimating the President? Why is the media ignoring Pelosi’s low approval ratings? Why are Republicans afraid to make their case and instead respond to hysteria? Deputy Editor of The Spectator, Freddy Gray joins Dan and Amy to discuss.Av Upstream Ideas
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What has been the response from the far left in regards to what is happening in Venezuela? Are “all options on the table?” Is there any disgust or worry about the rise of anti-semitism amongst the newly elected Democrat-Socialist stars? Is social justice neither social nor just? Associate Editor for Commentary Magazine, Noah Rothman joins Dan and A…
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Are Republicans going to stand with Trump through another shutdown? How do Trump and some Senate Republicans go into 2020 after not delivering on a wall? Has Trump done anything to expand his base? Will Democrats scare voters back into the arms of Trump? Washington Post columnist, George Will joins Dan and Amy to discuss.…
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How much would each taxpayer in Chicago need to send to city hall to break even? $36,000. That isn’t even including Chicago Public Schools or Park District's costs and debts. Is the city running out of backs to put the city’s pension debt on? Are politicians and mayoral candidates coming up with different schemes to kick the can down the road inste…
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Will there finally be a reckoning for those in power in Chicago? Are all of the political lords going to start turning on each other? What will it take to change the political culture in the city and state? Dan and Amy discuss the latest Sun Times' story reporting on FBI tapes of Madigan and Danny Solis’ unique interests and habits while alderman.…
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How did a 10 year old prove Tom Brady cheated in deflate gate and win his science fair? Does he not hate Brady but just dislike him? How has he dealt with his new found fame? What are his Super Bowl predictions? Millcreek Elementary science fair winner, Ace Davis joins Dan and Amy to discuss. Visit his website at ace-davis.com…
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Should Howard Schultz be taken seriously as an independent candidate for President? Is it a competition to be the biggest identity politics’ candidate amongst the Democrats? Can Trump recover from the partial shutdown? Will his reelection be put in jeopardy if he doesn’t get the wall? Editor of the New Criterion, Roger Kimball joins Dan and Amy to …
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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? …
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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 Defe…
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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 …
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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…
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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 t…
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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…
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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.…
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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…
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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.…
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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.Av Upstream Ideas
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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.Av Upstream Ideas
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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…
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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.…
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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.…
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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…
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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…
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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 D…
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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.…
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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.Av Upstream Ideas
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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 cor…
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