Upstream Ideas

“Tax reform should be about economic growth and larger paychecks.” What problems in passing should we be anticipating in the Senate? How important is the messaging that we need to make businesses more competitive in the US? Any prospect of Congressman Duffy unseating Liberal Democrat Tammy Baldwin In 2018? Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson joins Dan and Amy to discuss the new tax reform plan.

Are the Democrats trying to replicate what the Republicans successfully did in 2016 with cult of personality politics? What was ultra fiscal hawk Tom Price thinking taking private jets to speaking engagements? What is the buzz in Washington in regards to tax reform and the Never Trumpers’ position? What is the reaction to Megyn Kelly’s reception from the mainstream media on her new show? Anchor of Special Report weekdays on Fox News Channel, Bret Baier joins Dan and Amy to discuss.

“They are protesting for justice that is already part of the American mindset that is represented by the flag for which people died.” Andrew Klavan blasts the NFL for condoning the disrespect of the flag. Trump is finally bursting the leftist bubble that believes America itself is the problem and they don’t know how to handle it. Andrew Klavan, screenwriter, essayist, and author of “The Great Good Thing: A Secular Jew Comes to Faith in Christ,” joins Dan and Amy to discuss.

What’s the first word that comes to mind when Americans think of the tax system? Rigged. What’s in the tax plan? Lowest business tax rate in the world, middle-class tax cut, seven tax brackets down to three, elimination of the estate tax. Is this too good to be true? How optimistic are we that the Senate will get to 50 votes? CNN Senior Economist and former adviser to President Trump, Stephen Moore joins Dan and Amy to discuss the new tax reform plan.

“If we have a situation where the middle and the poor start doing a lot better and the top does much better and disproportionately better, I don’t care, I care that the middle and lower have opportunities and opportunities to jump classes over time.” Is the new tax plan bad news for high tax states like Illinois? Why are we only seeing a shoulder shrug for these huge cuts from businesses? CNBC Contributor, Jim Iuorio joined Dan and Amy with reaction to President Trump's new plan for tax reform.

Orphaned as a child, living on the streets begging for food, Dr. Charles Mully was graciously taken in by a family and went on to make millions. He said he answered God’s call to give back and has rescued more than 12,000 homeless, abused, or orphaned children in Kenya. He is helping those who started out as he did so one day they can get to where he is now. Dr. Charles Mully, Founder and CEO of Mully Children’s family, joins Dan and Amy to discuss his remarkable story.

Ben Rhodes, Obama's former National Security Advisor, is now a "person of interest" in the investigation into the inappropriate unmaskings of American citizens made during the transition in January. How important is it that investigators get to the bottom of this crime? Was Debbie Wasserman-Schultz' behavior in the video with Capitol Police consistent with that of a guilty person? If the head of the RNC had an IT person who also worked for 30 Congressmen and was now under arrest, how would media coverage differ? Is Special Counsel Robert Muller's friendship with former FBI Director James Comey a "clear violation of federal law" and "a conflict of interest," as suggested by Republican Congressman Trent Franks? Noah Rothman, Associate Editor for Commentary Magazine, joins Dan and Shaun Thompson to discuss. 

What is the role of the Chief of Staff in an administration? What are some examples of approaches that work versus those that do not? What "Best Practices" should General Kelly implement in his new role with the Trump Administration? Was Rahm Emanuel an effective Chief of Staff to President Obama? Which President and Chief of Staff have had the most successful working relationship? Chris Whipple, Emmy-Winning Producer for 60 Minutes, and Author of The Gatekeepers: How the White House Chiefs of Staff Define Every Presidency joins Dan and Shaun Thompson to discuss.

Governor Rauner has used his amendatory veto on Democrats' School Funding Bill. They say that Rauner and Republicans are hostile to Chicago schoolchildren. Has Democrat rhetoric on school-funding changed at all in the past 40 years? What's next for school funding legislation? If there is no possibility of a deal, is Speaker Madigan's next play to woo 4 Republicans to override the governor's veto? Illinois State Senator Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods) joins Dan and Shaun Thompson to discuss. 

Climate politics never subside. How does fake science fare in real life?  What happens when countries shift to using only Wind and Solar Energy? When will we finally move away from a money-laundering, Ponzi-scheme model of governance? Wall Street Journal Columnist; Senior Economist for CNN & former Donald Trump adviser, Stephen Moore joins Dan and Shaun Thompson to discuss. 

After Russia invaded Ukraine and annexed Crimea, the U.S. passed sanctions on Russian energy firms. Should Russia close their consulates in San Francisco and Seattle? Are they just being used for domestic espionage? Should Trump engage North Korea in negotiations? Russia, Venezuela, North Korea; Dan & Amy discussed all of the autocrats and all of the U.S. sanctions with the American Enterprise Institute’s Michael Rubin.

Dan & Amy remember Tony the Mooch just as his alma mater Harvard Law does, as deceased. Share your favorite Mooch moment of his 10-day reign. Has Trump missed an opportunity to advance his agenda? Will Vice President Pence take a much larger role in the Trump Administration’s policy agenda? Why are Trump’s approval ratings at historic lows? GOP strategist Matt Mackowiak joined Dan & Amy to share his favorite Mooch moments.

Gov. Bruce Rauner has said he will issue an amendatory veto to the Chicago Public Schools' bailout Democrats are proposing. On this edition of Illinois Rising, Dan Proft and Pat Hughes talk to Illinois Policy's Ted Dabrowski about the history of Springfield bailing out Chicago Public Schools, and how the new legislation would hurt school districts across the state. They also talk to a Republican legislative candidate who is stepping up to challenge a Chicago Democrat representative.

Milton Friedman was the most important economist of the past 100 years. He made economic concepts accessible to the common man. In honor of his 105th Birthday, Dan and Amy discuss the enduring truth of Friedman's work to advance free minds and free markets. 

President Trump's speech at Suffolk Community College in Long Island about Border Enforcement pointed to the importance of the Department of Homeland Security. With General Kelly, former Homeland Security Secretary, accepting the role of Chief of Staff for the administration, what is next for the department? Will General Kelly be effective as Chief of Staff? What is Trump's end-game with Jeff Sessions? What legal advice has he sought? How have Trump's Tweets about Sessions impacted his ability to deal with other personnel? The Executive Director of the American Center for Law and Justice, Jordan Sekulow joins Dan and Amy to discuss.