Upstream Ideas

Political rhetoric nationally is heated, divisive and becoming personal. But it's happening locally, too – from the vandalism of a Republican Party office in Rockford to a state senator accosting a constituent in the north shore. Why is it getting to that point? On this installment of Illinois Rising, Dan Proft and Illinois Policy writer Joe Kaiser discuss intensifying political rhetoric and how it doesn't get to the core of policy issues. They also discuss the continued distorted political attacks from House Speaker Mike Madigan's political operation, lying about conservative reform candidates' records.

Illinoisans pay some of the highest property taxes in the nation. How much is that burden motivating them to vote out the offending pols in the 2018 Midterms? Upstream Ideas went to Glen Ellyn to see if voters could Follow the Logic.

How the state’s political culture impacted voters faith in politicians? How has machine politics affected the way in which political messages are received? Upstream Ideas asked voters in Elmhurst to Follow the Logic.

Has Nikki Haley been one of the few stars in the Trump administration? How was her tenure in the hotbed of anti-Americanism otherwise known as the UN? Who has the diplomatic chops to replace her? After the Kavanaugh hearing, who is going to want to go through a nomination process? Former Pentagon official, Jed Babbin joins Dan and Lauren Cohn to discuss.

How do voters encapsulate the IL gubernatorial race? What do the candidates mean when they say “middle class”? Does JB not want to take a position on anything while Rauner has taken different positions on every issue? Would JB be prosecuted if there was a serious Attorney General? Dan and Lauren Cohn discuss the Illinois governor’s race.

Is it time for climate change scientists to dictate the way we run our economy? How is the United Nations going to be able to change the global temperature? Is it inhumane to deny fossil fuels to impoverished people all over the world? Was last week the best economic week in Trump’s presidency? Chief Economist for CNN, Steve Moore joins Dan and Lauren Cohn to discuss.

Are the Kavanaugh hearings affecting state and local races? Is Susana Mendoza trying to win one election to only vacate it and run for another? Despite what’s happened to the state, why are Republicans still losing ground in the suburbs? How can Republicans get voters to connect the dots to understand a vote for any Democrat is a vote for Madigan? Candidate for state Comptroller, Darlene Senger joins Dan and Lauren Cohn to discuss.

In the four years between the MacDonald shooting and Van Dyke’s conviction, there have been 2,500 murders, and more than 11,000 people shot and wounded in Chicago. What's the future of policing in Chicago? What about Trump’s idea to reinstate stop and frisk? Did Tiny Dancer buy the silence of black Alderman in exchange for campaign cash payoffs during his election runoff? Chicago FOP President, Kevin Graham joins Dan and Amy to discuss the Van Dyke verdict.

Should Republicans be allowed to celebrate the Kavanaugh confirmation? Is the U.S. at risk of being governed by five lawyers? Are leftist elites shrieking because they are afraid of democracy? If the Democrats take over the House, will they spend the full two years trying to impeach Trump? Should there be investigations into those who may have testified untruthfully in the Kavanaugh hearings? Writer and editor at stream.org, John Zmirak joins Dan and Amy to discuss.

Have shrill Democratic Socialists ensured "The Great Revolt" continues through November 6? How has Republican enthusiasm changed since the Kavanaugh hearings? Should Republicans consider pursuing perjury charges against those who testified under oath? Has Russia been messing with the 2018 elections yet? Is there a bigger divide in Washington than amongst “typical” voters? Reporter at the WashingtonExaminer.com, Salena Zito joins Dan and Amy to discuss.

Are Democrats turning their Blue Wave into a Red Riptide? Did the Democrats manage to fire up the Republican base and attract independents with their hysterical antics? What about Scott Walker’s hard road ahead for governor? Are Republicans taking the same approach as Trump and no longer letting themselves get walked on by the left? Congressman Sean Duffy from Wisconsin’s 7th District joins Dan and Amy to discuss the potential red wall in November.

Did the end of the Van Dyke trial mark a new beginning for Chicago? Will the implications of this case extend beyond Chicago? How did the jury conclude that none of the 16 shots were lawful? Could Van Dyke face as few as six years? Kane County State’s Attorney and special prosecutor in the Van Dyke trial, Joe McMahon joins Dan and Amy to discuss.

Does the defense regret putting Van Dyke on the stand? Will the verdict lead to the Ferguson effect in Chicago? Are police officers now security guards? How does Van Dyke explain why no other officers fired their weapons on the scene? Van Dyke’s Defense Attorney, Dan Herbert joins Dan and Amy to discuss the verdict.

Will the Kavanaugh confirmation be good for economic liberty? Was this a watershed moment for the Republican Party? Did Democrats not only tolerate but cheer on mob rule? If more Republicans win their elections should we be prepared for a second round of tax cuts? Did the Janus decision affect the Democratic Party’s fundraising by force? President for Americans for Tax Reform, Grover Norquist joins Dan and Amy to discuss.

The U.S. is finally starting to see decent wage growth and higher participation rate, but what’s the down side?  Is the last time we bragged about unemployment the time we went into a recession and let inflation get out of control? Is the new NAFTA the same as old NAFTA? Does Trump want tariffs to inflict punishment on China or help the U.S.? Are we headed toward a free trade market? CNBC Contributor, Jim Pethokoukis joins Dan and Amy to discuss.

Is Sen. Coons right, will Kavanaugh be confirmed? Was Flake’s call for the extended investigation actually helpful to the cause? Did the Senators want the FBI to do their jobs for them? Did the Democrats’ antics finally solidify support for Trump? Is this the worst moment in American politics? Do the Democrats have any sense of the precedence they have set? Senior Political Columnist for WashingtonExaminer.com, Tim Carney joins Dan and Amy to discuss.

How should the performance of the the DC press corps be assessed over their handling of the Kavanaugh confirmation? Is there any distinction from the media and the Democratic Party? Do we have to remember that the media is more powerful than any of the branches of government? Founder of Project Veritas, James O’Keefe joins Dan and Amy to discuss.

Were the jobs numbers just okay? Is inflation going to affect interest rates? Should we be celebrating the lowest unemployment rate since 1969? Are the spiraling premium costs burdening Americans and their employers? Did Obama’s ramming through of the healthcare bill begin the divisiveness of politics that we’re experiencing today? Fox Business Contributor, Scott "The Cow Guy" Shellady joins Dan and Amy to discuss.

What does Kavanaugh’s freshman roommate have to say about him and his drinking? Will Senators vote based on feelings or the facts and evidence? Did Kavanaugh’s testimony full of righteous anger ensure his nomination? Did the Democrats help unite the Republican Party?  Co-Founder of TheFederalist.com, Sean Davis joins Dan and Amy to discuss.

Is the Democrats’ reasoning for voting against Kavanaugh no longer about assault or excessive drinking, but his temperament? Is common sense lost to those in the media and academia? Why should we discount everyone who has known Kavanaugh for 40 years but give consideration to 600 lawyers that were against him at the outset? Was the Kavanaugh hearing a dress rehearsal for potential Trump impeachment proceedings? CNN Contributor, Steve Cortes joins Dan and Amy to discuss.