Political Commentary & Opinion
Analysis, commentary, and opinion essays on politics and policy from The Daily Signal’s contributors and experts.
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- Opinion
Liberal Goal Nearly Achieved in 2021: Zero Population Growth
As of July 1, 2020, there were 331,501,080 people living in the United States of America, according to the Census Bureau’s estimate. A year later, there were 331,893,745. That was an increase of only 392,665—or 0.1%. In a press release published last week, the Census Bureau announced that this was the lowest annual rate of…Terence Jeffrey -
- Opinion
3 Books for Liberty-Loving Readers in 2022
This time of year, dear readers, is when us writers curate lists. Some are about the best movies, top kitchen appliances, or favorite new songs of 2021. This year, I’d like to recommend three books to read after the tumultuous events of 2021. My first is a new and important book by law professors Randy…Veronique de Rugy -
- Opinion
Will 2021’s Spike in Violent Crime Continue Into 2022?
Law and order, once lost, is not easy to restore. That’s one of the clear lessons of 2021. Numerous American cities were devastated by violent crime, which rose sharply after protests stemming from the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis in May 2020. In 2020, the United States nationally saw its highest-ever increase in…Jarrett Stepman -
- News
‘Wild West’: California Aims to Crack Down on Major Retailers Over Plastic Bag Violations
A California state commission requested that authorities crack down on retailers it accused of skirting plastic bag and pollution laws, Reuters reported. The California Statewide Commission on Recycling Markets and Curbside Recycling alleged that many retail businesses are selling plastic bags that are falsely labeled as being recyclable, according to Reuters. On Dec. 3, the state-appointed commission…Thomas Catenacci -
- Opinion
More Government, Less Religion—the Progressive Doctrine
One great mystery is the persistent refusal of those on the left to abandon what is clearly not true. That is, that the means for reducing the burden of poverty is more government spending. It all really started in the 1960s under President Lyndon B. Johnson. He declared in his State of the Union address…Star Parker -
- Opinion
Kamala Harris’ ‘Biggest Failure’? Where to Begin?
Vice President Kamala Harris denies people within the White House are trying to undermine her. Appearing on CBS’ “Face the Nation,” host Margaret Brennan asked Harris about gossip that she is being set up to fail. Harris responded: “No, I don’t believe I’m being set up to fail. I’m vice president of the United States….Cal Thomas -
- Opinion
Trans Swimmer Lia Thomas Is a Cheat, Period
If you want one exemplar of the moral and intellectual chaos that characterizes the age in which we live, there are a number of candidates: “Having fewer police leads to a decrease in violent crime” is one. “Men give birth” is another. But perhaps the most obvious moral and intellectual absurdity of all is the…Dennis Prager -
- Opinion
Questioning the Science
When people criticize Dr. Anthony Fauci, he says, “They’re really criticizing science. Because I represent science.” Pretty arrogant. I assume Fauci is a top-notch scientist. My brother worked with him at the National Institutes of Health and respected him. But power tends to corrupt, and Fauci has been given a lot of power. His department…John Stossel -
- Opinion
AOC’s Grasp on American Governance Is ‘a Farce’
Progressive Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, echoing the complaint of the Democratic Party establishment, believes that Sen. Joe Manchin engaged in an “egregious breach” of President Joe Biden’s trust by refusing to support his welfare-expansion plans. “The idea that Joe Manchin says that he can’t explain this back home to his people is a farce,” said Ocasio-Cortez,…David Harsanyi -
- Opinion
No Wonder People, Businesses Are Dumping California
A recent study by the Cato Institute, the libertarian think tank, ranked California 48th out of the 50 states in personal and economic freedom. The study also examines fiscal policy and regulatory policy. For the first time, California’s population decreased last year, resulting in the loss of a congressional seat. In the third quarter of…Larry Elder -
- Opinion
Kids as Human Shields: Evolution of Hamas’ War on Israel
The conflict between Israel and the terrorist group Hamas goes back decades. But earlier this year, an 11-day conflict between the two brought the eyes of the world back to the Middle East, where Hamas has resorted to using children in its campaign to destroy Israel. “Hamas uses human shields on a regular basis,” terrorism…Douglas Blair -
- News
EXCLUSIVE: EPA Focused on Gender, Ethnic Diversity to Fill ‘Purged’ Advisory Posts
After the Environmental Protection Agency dumped advisers from regulated industries, the federal agency appears to have prioritized gender and ethnic diversity to replace them, EPA documents show. The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia heard arguments Wednesday in the case of Young vs. EPA. The lead plaintiff in the case, Stanley Young, was…Fred Lucas -
- News
What Happened in These States When Unelected Bureaucrats Took Over Redistricting
In Michigan, the state’s civil rights agency said proposed maps of legislative districts “do not measure up to the requirements of the law.” In Pennsylvania, Republican lawmakers complained about an “extreme partisan gerrymander.” And in Virginia, incumbents and potential challengers scrambled to work with proposed district maps. In theory, new bureaucracies to draw up maps…Fred Lucas -
- News
EXCLUSIVE: Parents Accuse Virginia School District of Teaching Students to ‘Discriminate Based on Race’
A Virginia school district is indoctrinating students with an ideology that “teaches children to affirmatively discriminate based on race,” nine parents and eight minors allege in a new lawsuit. The Daily Signal first obtained a copy of the lawsuit, filed Wednesday by Alliance Defending Freedom in Albemarle County Circuit Court against the Albemarle County School…Mary Margaret Olohan -
- Opinion
Wokeism Ended His Father’s Teaching Career. Now, This Teacher Has a Warning for Other Educators.
It was 9 o’clock on a Wednesday night. Albert Paulsson, who teaches high school civics in New Jersey, had finished another long day in class. He sounded tired when he answered my call. “Is this still a good time to talk?” I asked. Paulsson assured me it was. He wanted to share some concerns over…Virginia Allen -
- Opinion
We Shouldn’t Allow Progressives to Limit Participation in Regulatory Process
Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, has introduced legislation that would game the nation’s regulatory system. Under her bill, regulations primarily would be based on studies that support expanding the regulatory power of government agencies. Among many other troubling things, Jayapal’s bill would require agencies to publicly label studies and research…Daren Bakst -
- Opinion
US Must Be Vigilant About Competitors in Africa
The government of Mali and a Russian mercenary organization were negotiating a deal in which 1,000 mercenaries would deploy to Mali to train its security forces and protect senior political leaders for a monthly fee of $10.8 million, according to reports. Wagner Group, the mercenary organization, would also gain access to three mining deposits…Johnathan Little -
- Opinion
Joe Manchin Should Be Celebrated for Putting Families First
Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., has upset fellow Democrats by saying he would vote against the Build Back Better Act, a giant social spending bill. Manchin has made the right call. Among many other things, Democrats’ legislation would extend President Joe Biden’s expanded child tax credit payments. If the tax credit had been extended into 2022,…Leslie Ford -
- Opinion
The Inspiring True Story Behind This Classic Christmas Carol
The winter of 1863 was a grim one for American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow—it was a grim one for the entire country. The Civil War had been raging for two years. Communities across the nation lay blanketed in an aching grief. Like years previous, Christmas had come. But it’s hard to believe it was much…Philip Reynolds -
- Opinion
It’s Time to Stop Denying Reality About Transgender Athletes
A transgender athlete, Lia Thomas, dominated during a Nov. 20 women’s swim meet with athletes representing Cornell, Princeton, and the University of Pennsylvania. Thomas, a biological male who identifies as a woman, set new Ivy League records for the women’s 500 and 200 freestyle and smashed numerous UPenn records in women’s swimming. In the 1650…Jared Eckert