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
Colorado Is Still Trying to Destroy Jack Phillips
Over the past few years, Colorado has been on a crusade to destroy Jack Phillips’ business over a thought crime. The state’s Civil Rights Commission had bored into Phillips’ soul and established that his refusal to create a specialty cake for a same-sex couple was driven by his personal animosity toward gay customers rather than… -
opinion
Key Questions Remain Unanswered About Trump’s New Syria Policy
President Donald Trump signaled a major shift in U.S. policy on Syria with a short tweet on Wednesday: “We have defeated ISIS in Syria, my only reason for being there during the Trump Presidency.” We have defeated ISIS in Syria, my only reason for being there during the Trump Presidency. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump)… -
opinion
The Grinch Strikes as a Hostile Drone Brings London Airport to a Halt, Affecting Tens of Thousands of Travelers
As readers speed off for Christmas celebrations with family and friends, just imagine being stuck at the airport because a drone was flying around it, making it dangerous for planes to land or take off. That is exactly what happened at London’s Gatwick Airport over the past two days. On Wednesday night, reports of a… -
news
France’s Riots Fueled by Anger at Elites, Rich
PARIS—The Christmas season is back on track in France’s capital city after a month of violent nationwide protests tripped up the country’s economy and dealt President Emmanuel Macron an existential threat to his ambitious reform program. The “yellow vest” protesters first took the streets in mid-November to oppose a fuel tax increase, which was part… -
opinion
5 Ways We Are Worse Off Fiscally After 2018
The holiday season is a good time to reflect on what took place over the last year—to reflect on victories, defeats, and to consider whether our efforts have moved us forward. When it comes to looking after the nation’s checkbook, the lackluster efforts of politicians in 2018 have decidedly moved us backward. Here are five… -
opinion
Pulling Young Americans Back From the Brink
During the 2016 campaign, Hillary Clinton often delivered the line: “America is great, because she is good.” It was a feel-good line, deployed then as code for “America is too good to elect Donald Trump.” Notwithstanding the thick irony of Clinton claiming to be the virtuous alternative, her statement on its own terms made sense:… -
opinion
3 Great Children’s Books Written by 3 Great Men
Men get a bad rap. They’re blamed collectively for rape culture, violence, war, poverty, climate change, and all other manner of global suffering. They’re forced to apologize on college campuses for their chromosomes, anatomy, and athleticism. They’re vilified incessantly in women’s magazines, on women’s talk shows, and at women’s confabs promoting the male-bashing #MeToo movement…. -
opinion
Apprenticeship Pact Moves the US-Swiss Partnership Forward
The United States and Switzerland on Dec. 8 launched a new, pragmatic partnership by signing a memorandum of understanding on apprenticeships. The notable signing ceremony was attended by Swiss Federal Councilor Johann Schneider-Ammann, who is in charge of economic affairs, education, and research; the U.S. secretaries of Education, Labor, and Commerce; and first daughter Ivanka… -
opinion
Criminal Justice Reform Bill to Change a System More Criminal Than Just
Republicans and conservatives dating back at least to Richard Nixon have used the slogan “tough on crime” and its corollary “lock ’em up and throw away the key” as electoral red meat. The problem is what to do when inmates are released with few skills, fewer job prospects, and a bleak future that leads some… -
opinion
Podcast: What Liberty Really Is
Have we forgotten what liberty really is? Os Guinness is author of the book “Last Call for Liberty,” in which he argues that America’s genius for liberty could also become our Achilles heel. Plus: It’s Dec. 20, which means time is running out to watch your favorite Christmas movies. But don’t worry, we have recommendations on… -
news
Meadows Calls McConnell’s Short-Term Funding Bill a Gift for Democrats
North Carolina Republican Rep. Mark Meadows criticized Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s recommendation of a short-term funding bill that would fund the government until Feb. 8, as funding is set to expire Friday. Shortly after McConnell announced his idea for funding on the Senate floor, Meadows said pushing the funding on a continuing resolution would be a… -
opinion
Ben Sasse’s Wise Counsel for a Lonely, Polarized Country
“All of humanity’s problems stem from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room alone,” mused Blaise Pascal, scientist and anti-Enlightenment philosopher, four centuries ago in his “Pensées.” Pascal, a man ahead of his time, astutely anticipated the plight of the modern, alienated soul. He would no doubt applaud Nebraska Sen. Ben Sasse’s account of… -
news
Chick-Fil-A Bucks Activists With Projected Rise to Third-Largest Fast-Food Chain in the US
Despite ongoing criticism from activists, fast-food chain Chick-fil-A is projected to become the third-largest restaurant chain in the U.S., according to an analysis from Kalinowski Equity Research. The fast-food chicken chain will rise from its seventh-place spot to rank as the third-largest U.S. restaurant chain by 2018’s close, according to the group’s research, Business Insider reported. “We have… -
opinion
The Left Prioritizes Feelings Over Wisdom
When I talk to young people, I try to offer them what I was offered when I was their age, but is rarely offered today: wisdom. I was given wisdom largely because I went to a religious school—a yeshiva, a traditional Jewish school in which the long day (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) was divided… -
opinion
An Atheist Group Is Suing Over Clergy Housing Rules. Here’s Why It’s Wrong.
Big things sometimes come in small packages. A federal court in Chicago is examining the seemingly benign issue of how pastors should handle church-provided housing on their taxes. The decision in this case, however, shows the difference between freedom of religion and freedom from religion. In this case, the Freedom From Religion Foundation is challenging… -
opinion
Tell Us What You Think About The Daily Signal
How do you think we’re doing? We want to know—and also understand more about how you get your news, so that we can serve you better. If you’re interested in helping us, we’d love it if you could take this reader survey. The results will help us make informed decisions about what we do in… -
opinion
Read the Full Text of Speaker Ryan’s Farewell Address
This is the text of House Speaker Paul Ryan’s farewell address Wednesday: Thank you, Trey [Gowdy], for being a great colleague, and an even better friend. And for combing your hair today. Thank you to my great friends and colleagues for joining me here today. Thank you especially to the librarian of Congress, Dr. Hayden, for… -
news
Texas City Featured in Al Gore’s ‘Inconvenient Sequel’ Lost Millions in Its Green Energy Gamble
Former Vice President Al Gore hailed the city of Georgetown, Texas, for powering itself with only solar and wind energy, but now the city is losing millions on its green energy gamble. Georgetown’s bet against fossil fuel prices cost the city-owned utility nearly $7 million this year, and prompted officials to look for a way out of… -
news
Movie Star Leads a Youthful Revolution in India
Pawan Kalyan made a name for himself as a movie star in India. Now he’s leading his own political movement. He and Nadendla Manohar, who recently joined the Jana Sena Party in India, speak to The Daily Signal during their visit to Washington, D.C. Listen, or check out the transcript below. This transcript has been lightly edited…