PODCAST

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

news & politics local

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WIND: Does The Left Embrace Diversity Or Tribalism?

Upstream Ideas ·

2018/09/12

Tucker Carlson sparked a renewal of the diversity debate with much flack from those on the left. Does the left’s favorite saying “diversity is our strength” mean anything more than mindless tribalism? Why does diversity need to be given oversight by the federal government if it’s our “strength?” Why should non-behavioral characteristics define us? Isn’t categorizing people by gender, race, religion, etc. fanning the flames even more? Dan and Amy discuss what truly holds America together.

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WIND: Kavanaugh: Exceptional And Unflappable

Upstream Ideas ·

2018/09/11

How did Kavanaugh perform in the circus like atmosphere during his confirmation hearing? Does it make sense to hold these hearings anymore? Is Sasse’s frustration with the Republican Party and the Trump White House shared amongst his colleagues? Why is Obama taking credit for the economic success we are experiencing now? Columnist for Bloomberg View and senior editor for National Review, Ramesh Ponnuru joins Dan and Amy to discuss.

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WIND: Spare Us, Chuck Todd

Upstream Ideas ·

2018/09/11

With illegal border crossings up, should Trump work around Congress and scramble the military to build The Wall? Does the GOP have subpar Senate candidates? How has Chuck Todd become the ringmaster of politics in the beltway? Would the NYT have granted anonymity to an Obama White House staffer criticizing the then President? Senior Political Columnist for the Washington Examiner, Tim Carney joins Dan and Amy to discuss.

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WIND: White House Insider On The Anonymous Op-Ed And...

Upstream Ideas ·

2018/09/11

Does the Woodward book provide any balance or context? What are the clues in the anonymous op-ed that makes the author sound disgruntled and dishonest? Is the focus on foreign affairs a hint that it could be someone in the State Department? Ronald Kessler, who had more access to Trump and the White House than Woodward ever had, joins Dan and Amy to discuss.

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IL RISING: What Comes After Tiny Dancer?

Upstream Ideas ·

2018/09/11

After a disastrous seven years in office, Rahm Emanuel stunned the Chicago political world when he announced he wasn't going to run for re-election. But looking ahead now, what – and who – is next for the city? On this edition of Illinois Rising, Dan Proft and Pat Hughes take a prospective look at the Chicago mayoral race, from both political and policy perspectives. They also reflect on Emanuel's damaging two terms, and how other politicians are reacting to his departure.

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ATC: Dez Clark On Politics In Sports, Financial...

Upstream Ideas ·

2018/09/10

Former Chicago Bear, Desmond Clark has had his fair share of ups and downs. From growing up in a single parenthood household and witnessing things a young kid shouldn’t have to, to his successful 12 year career in the NFL, Desmond Clark’s journey serves as an inspirational example of what a solid work ethic and good head on your shoulders can create. On this edition of Against the Current with Dan Proft, Desmond Clark shares a cautionary tale of how he was scammed out of $750k, his mission to steer

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WIND: The Left Keeping The Panic Level High

Upstream Ideas ·

2018/09/10

Is the imagination the only place where socialism and the banning of fossil fuels works? Was sports a once unifying tradition for all Americans now becoming increasingly more divisive? Is the commentariat and those in the beltway losing sight of why Trump won? Is Trump too obsessed with finding the anonymous op-ed writer? Essayist and Hollywood screenwriter, Andrew Klavan joins Dan and Amy to discuss.

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WIND: Catholic Church Playing Damage Control

Upstream Ideas ·

2018/09/10

Who is Cardinal Cupich’s curious house guest? Has there been a culture of cover-up for decades in the Church? How can the integrity of the leadership in the Church be restored? Catholic Women's Forum Director, Mary Rice Hasson joins Dan and Amy to discuss why lay people need to step up.

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WIND: Where’s The Crime?

Upstream Ideas ·

2018/09/10

Is the release of the anonymous op-ed a signal that the Mueller investigation has nothing on Trump? Will Mueller release a report with no prosecutable crimes but not flattering details about the President and others that he surrounded himself with? Is Trump out of line suggesting an investigation into who wrote the anonymous op-ed? Former Chief Asst. U.S. Attorney and Contributing Editor at National Review, Andrew McCarthy joins Dan and Amy to discuss.

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WIND: What’s The Solution To Economic Inequality In...

Upstream Ideas ·

2018/09/07

Is Rahm’s parting gift to Chicago laying on more debt to our children and grandchildren? Is it excessive to have officers report every time they take their gun out of the holster? Is the violence in Chicago “contained” like Superintendent Johnson claims? Does Dr. Willie Wilson have enough money to hand out to stay in the Chicago mayor's race? Dr. Wilson joins Dan to discuss.

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WIND: Be Weary Of The Eager Martyr

Upstream Ideas ·

2018/09/07

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.

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WIND: An End To Easy Money

Upstream Ideas ·

2018/09/07

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.

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WIND: Competing Clown Shows On Capitol Hill

Upstream Ideas ·

2018/09/07

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.

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WIND: Auctioneering Sanity At Congressional Hearings

Upstream Ideas ·

2018/09/06

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.

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WIND: The “Resistance” Infiltrates The White House

Upstream Ideas ·

2018/09/06

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.

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WIND: Cupich Behaving Like A Politician

Upstream Ideas ·

2018/09/06

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.

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WIND: IL Breaks The Record In Pension Debt

Upstream Ideas ·

2018/09/06

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.

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WIND: Tiny Dancer Bows Out

Upstream Ideas ·

2018/09/06

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.

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WIND: Changing The Guard In Chicago’s Mayoral Race

Upstream Ideas ·

2018/09/06

“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.

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WIND: Getting Beyond The Shrieking At SCOTUS Hearing

Upstream Ideas ·

2018/09/06

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.

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