Political Commentary & Opinion
Analysis, commentary, and opinion essays on politics and policy from The Daily Signal’s contributors and experts.
-
opinion
What Ross Perot Gave to America
Conditions in Iran were rapidly deteriorating in 1978. The shah had stepped down, the prime minister had no ability to stop the growing political and social upheaval, and the mullahs, led by the Ayatollah Khomenei, were aggressively moving to seize power. Ross Perot’s company, Electronic Data Systems, was on the verge of fully completing a… -
opinion
Congress’ Current Approach to Surprise Medical Billing Could Have Unintended Consequences
Congress is rushing legislation on “surprise medical bills” that is conceptually flawed, legally dubious, and which could have profound and far-reaching consequences for the private practice of medicine. At issue are medical bills that consumers receive from providers who aren’t part of their health plan’s network. For example, patients who schedule a procedure to be… -
opinion
Misrepresenting Themselves at the Border
It’s not just the number of individuals crossing our southwest border illegally that’s surging; it’s the number of families. But many of those “families” turn out not to be families at all, but frauds trying to exploit loopholes in federal immigration laws that allow families to avoid detention and deportation back to their native countries…. -
opinion
Top Psychologists Group Member Advocates ‘Nonjudgmental Posture’ to Nonmonogamy
Just when you think you’ve heard it all, the American Psychological Association decides this: Monogamy is the new bigotry. That’s right. According to the supposed “mental health experts,” open marriages are the tolerant approach to intimacy. And they’ve launched a task force to prove it to the world. According to the APA’s official description of this… -
opinion
Megan Rapinoe Has No Good Reason to Skip Potential White House Visit
The U.S. women are the world soccer champions. They are the hard-fought victors of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, having defeated the Netherlands 2-0 in the final last weekend. Unfortunately, their outstanding performance has been overshadowed by an ongoing feud between Megan Rapinoe, the team’s co-captain, and President Donald Trump, leader of the free world…. -
opinion
New Book Offers Vision for ‘American Restoration’ Beginning at Home
In an age of moral outrage and endless Twitter war, a more refreshing and hopeful vision of America’s future is a rare and welcome blessing. A new book, “American Restoration: How Faith, Family, and Personal Sacrifice Can Heal Our Nation,” by Timothy Goeglein and Craig Osten is just such a blessing, and it comes at… -
opinion
This ‘Endangered Species’ Case Finally Ended in Defeat for the Government
Last week saw a major victory for property rights and an end to another Endangered Species Act horror story. The saga began in 2012 when the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service determined that 1,544 acres of land in Louisiana was “critical habitat” for an endangered species known as the dusky gopher frog. As a result… -
opinion
USDA Is Funneling ‘Trade Aid’ to the Agriculture Sector. It’s Old-Fashioned Corporate Welfare.
There is renewed hope for trade talks with China—a welcome development for the American economy. But the damage caused by the fight continues. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is using the situation as an excuse to funnel more taxpayer money to the agricultural industry. It is spending $16 billion on trade aid for farmers affected… -
opinion
As Iran Inches Closer to Nuclear Weapon, What US Can Do
Iran is forging ahead with its nuclear program, and that’s creating more uncertainty in the Middle East. So what’s the best way to keep Iran from getting nuclear weapons? Today Luke Coffey of The Heritage Foundation has some ideas. Read the transcript, posted below, or listen on the podcast: We also cover these stories: Democrat… -
opinion
I’m Black and I Think US Flag Stands for Freedom, Not Racism
A new Gallup poll shines a spotlight on the deep political divide in America and surely points to what the upcoming presidential election will be about. Gallup asked, “How proud are you to be an American?” Seventy-six percent of Republicans said “extremely proud,” compared with 22% of Democrats. Broken down by age, 63% of those… -
opinion
This Gay Dad Lost Custody of His Own Kids. His Case Matters for All Children.
Last month, I submitted an amicus brief to the Supreme Court on behalf of twin 9-year-olds who had been separated from their dad, Frank. Frank is gay. He lived in New York with his partner, Joseph, for four years. During that time, Frank had twin children conceived through in vitro fertilization, and Joseph’s sister carried… -
opinion
This Christian Student Group Was Discriminated Against. It Could Soon Be Vindicated.
A Christian student group at Wayne State University will ask a federal court on Wednesday to require public universities to treat religious student groups equally to other campus groups. This particular case, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship v. Wayne State University, demonstrates the many ways progressives twist the concept of discrimination to serve their own purposes. In… -
news
Labor Secretary Feeling Heat as He Defends Plea Deal in 2008 Epstein Prosecution
Amid Democratic congressional leaders demanding his ouster, and a leading Senate Republican suggesting the need for hearings, Labor Secretary Alex Acosta addressed the plea agreement he made as a federal prosecutor in 2008 with billionaire sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump called Acosta a “great” labor secretary, but said his administration will “look… -
news
Organizations for Journalists Largely Quiet on Andy Ngo Attack
Multiple organizations that aim to protect freedom of the press and journalists have not released statements on the Andy Ngo attack in Portland, Oregon, more than a week ago. The Voice of America, Committee to Protect Journalists, and The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press have yet to publish press statements or articles on… -
news
California Implements Extreme New Sex Ed Curriculum
The California Board of Education implemented progressive sex and gender education curriculum in public schools across the state, regardless, in some cases, of parental knowledge or consent. Progressive groups, including Planned Parenthood, collaborated on AB-329 in 2016 and the recently introduced Health Education Framework in May as highlighted by a video created by the conservative group Our Watch. Both these… -
news
Ross Perot Dead at 89
Texas billionaire and two-time independent presidential candidate Ross Perot died Tuesday at 89 after a five-month battle with leukemia. Perot is probably best known for his presidential runs in 1992 and 1996, reported the The Dallas Morning News. Perot garnered 19% of the popular vote but no Electoral College votes in 1992 and was viewed… -
opinion
7th Circuit Court Reminds Purdue, Other Colleges That Due Process Matters
We forget things all the time—where we put our keys, whether we turned the oven off, anniversaries, our due process rights. You know, little things. Due process rights were important 200-plus years ago, when the Framers drafted the Constitution and were worried about the unlimited power of England’s Star Chamber. That court did whatever it… -
opinion
Podcast: Her Think Tank Helped Forge the Texas Miracle
In the last 15 years, Texas has led the way among red states showing how small government is the path to prosperity. But the Texas economic miracle can’t be told without mentioning the Texas Public Policy Foundation, the leading conservative think tank in the Lone Star State. Brooke Rollins built that foundation up to become… -
opinion
Uzbekistan Is Making Healthy Strides Toward Good Governance
While some countries like Venezuela remain stuck with socialism, others are quietly transitioning from repression to openness. Uzbekistan is one of those countries. Though it still has a very long way to go, it is now transitioning from a command-and-control economy to a market-based economy, propelled by a wide range of reforms. To be clear,… -
news
Pompeo Taps Panel to Promote US-Style ‘Unalienable Rights’ Globally
The State Department is rolling out a new Commission on Unalienable Rights to focus on human rights worldwide from the perspective of the nation’s founding. The commission’s focus on natural rights comes in response to what the State Department says are some of the world’s most repressive regimes hijacking the term “human rights” while infringing…