Upstream Ideas

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 the Vegas shooting that provided no answers show that government doesn’t have the power to control evil acts? Senior editor at HotAir.com, Ed Morrissey joins Dan and Amy to discuss.

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” on Chicago WYLL 1160 AM at 6:00pm.

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.

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.

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 Amy to discuss.

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.

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 instead of fixing the problem now? Founder of Truth in Accounting, Sheila Weinberg joins Dan and Amy to discuss their latest "State of the Cities" report.

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.

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

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 discuss.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.