Political Commentary & Opinion
Analysis, commentary, and opinion essays on politics and policy from The Daily Signal’s contributors and experts.
-
news
Underreported: What Tax Reform ‘Crumbs’ Meant for These Blue Collar Workers
HAGERSTOWN, Maryland—Tom Condon has seen Jamison Doors through many of the company’s ups and downs. A factory worker for 28 years, Condon has survived multiple rounds of layoffs, diligently scribing metal and performing other tasks to help piece together the cold storage doors the company has been making for more than 100 years. Now he’s… -
opinion
Thank God for ‘Avocados From Mexico’
It is difficult to read the phrase “avocados from Mexico” without singing the catchy tune from a popular Super Bowl commercial. These commercials ring true today for American guacamole lovers because the triple-digit heat and wildfires in California are hurting their avocado crop. Temperatures above 115 degrees have led to major crop losses as many… -
opinion
Liam Fox’s Robust Case for Free Trade
This is not the time to back off on free trade. In fact, as British conservative Liam Fox said recently, it is the time to intensify efforts. “Free trade has allowed us to take 1 billion of our fellow human beings out of abject poverty in just one generation–one of the greatest achievements in history,”… -
opinion
How Congress Could Generate Enormous Savings Across the Government
When Americans buy plane tickets, they shop around to find the deal that best suits their needs and save a lot of time and money as a result. But for the past 10 years, the federal government has been unable to shop around for commercial services. The Office of Management and Budget established something called… -
opinion
The Daily Signal Podcast: Friday, Aug. 10
Fires rage across California yet again, and The Daily Signal’s Jarrett Stepman breaks down how environmental policies play a role in poor forest management. Plus: A school, in the interest of being more “inclusive,” no longer will recite the Pledge of Allegiance each morning. We also cover these stories: Vice President Mike Pence wants the Space… -
opinion
Problematic Women: The Forgotten Voices of Santa Fe, Texas
On today’s “Problematic Women,” we cover our mini-documentary about the May school shooting in Santa Fe, Texas, produced by our very own Kelsey Harkness and Lauren Evans. Unlike the shooting in Parkland, Florida, this community was not given a voice and largely has been forgotten. Two students now bravely tell their story. We also discuss… -
news
Turning Point USA’s Candace Owens, Charlie Kirk Explain They Want to ‘Build,’ Not ‘Destroy’
After being harassed and assaulted by leftist militants earlier this week, the founder of a conservative organization for young people and the group’s communications director vow to remain civil and not respond in kind. While dining at the Green Eggs Cafe in Philadelphia on Monday morning, Turning Point USA’s founder, Charlie Kirk, and communications director… -
opinion
The 2 Lessons We Should Learn From Apple’s Success
Apple has become the first U.S. company in history to attain a trillion-dollar valuation. Here are a few thoughts about the relevance of this to our country today. The story of Apple is the story of Steve Jobs. He co-founded the company in 1976 at the age 21, was fired from this same company at… -
opinion
The Daily Signal Podcast: Thursday, August 9
Can drones be used for assassinations, terrorist attacks, and drug trafficking? The Heritage Foundation’s Jason Snead explains how drones are already being exploited by bad actors—and why the U.S. needs to act more aggressively on the drone issue. Plus: The Oscars are trying a new strategy to get viewers. We also cover these stories: Rep. Chris… -
news
Sessions Calls Out Southern Poverty Law Center for Using ‘Hate Group’ Label to ‘Bully’ Conservatives
In a speech highlighting “new hostility” against religious believers in the United States, Attorney General Jeff Sessions specifically called out the Southern Poverty Law Center, a liberal group known for labeling organizations it opposes as “hate groups.” Sessions spoke Wednesday to Alliance Defending Freedom’s Summit on Religious Liberty. Alliance Defending Freedom is a nonprofit religious… -
news
20 Photos of the Crisis in Nicaragua
Anti-government protests across the Central American country of Nicaragua have left several dead and hundreds injured. Demonstrators are calling for the ouster of President Daniel Ortega. Here is a glimpse into the crisis this small Central American nation is facing: -
opinion
The Daily Signal Podcast: Wednesday, Aug. 8
Nolan Peterson, who reports from Ukraine for The Daily Signal, joins us today to discuss the European land war no one’s paying any attention to—and what Russia’s motivation is. Plus: We discuss how children are being euthanized in Belgium. We also cover these stories: A new survey shows small businesses are optimistic about their future. A… -
news
Colleges: A Force for Evil
Many of the nation’s colleges have become a force for evil and a focal point for the destruction of traditional American values. The threat to our future lies in the fact that today’s college students are tomorrow’s teachers, professors, judges, attorneys, legislators, and policymakers. A recent Brookings Institution poll suggests that nearly half of college… -
news
Chicago Democrat Pleads for Trump’s Help Despite Mayor After Weekend Bloodbath
Chicago Democrats ought to put aside their partisan agenda and seek President Donald Trump’s help to decrease shootings, urges a state lawmaker who represents the city’s West Side. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is showing the wrong kind of leadership by continuing to declare the city a “Trump-Free Zone,” state Rep. La Shawn Ford said… -
opinion
New Title X Rule Will Hold Planned Parenthood Accountable on Reporting Abuse
Since the Trump administration’s Department of Health and Human Services proposed a rule to update compliance with legal requirements of the Title X family planning program, the move has received apocalyptic—and unwarranted—pushback from pro-abortion advocates on the left. The liberal media have predicted the rule would spell “doomsday” for women’s health. Title X is a… -
opinion
Government’s Track Record Suggests BUILD Act Wouldn’t ‘Pour Money’ Into Africa
In an op-ed for CNBC, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., urge Congress to approve a bill that would rebrand and double the size of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation. They argue that the Better Utilization of Investments Leading to Development Act, or BUILD Act, would help the United States offset the influence… -
opinion
What That Alleged Drone Attack on Venezuela’s Dictator Means for Americans
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was the target Saturday of an alleged assassination attempt carried out by two drones. If this was indeed a drone attack on a head of state, it is a wake-up call for policymakers and law enforcement officials everywhere. According to reports, two explosives-laden drones of a type commercially available and commonly used… -
opinion
Podcast: Analyzing This Summer’s Movies
Join us for one very casual episode as we discuss the latest “Mission: Impossible,” “Ocean’s 8,” the “Mamma Mia!” sequel, and more. Plus: We analyze New Jersey’s move of funding journalism with tax dollars. We also cover these stories: President Donald Trump announces new sanctions against Iran. Gov. Andrew Cuomo, D-N.Y., isn’t mincing words as he… -
opinion
In Targeting NRA, Andrew Cuomo Focuses on Political Nemesis, Not Public Safety
New York’s governor has made it clear that he’s on a witch hunt to put a private organization out of business. Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, has been in a protracted battle with the National Rifle Association. Now he’s using a state agency to hound the pro-Second Amendment organization with costly regulatory threats, as well… -
opinion
How Medicare’s Private Plans Surpass the Traditional Program
Medicare Advantage, a system of competing private health plans, is surpassing the traditional Medicare fee-for-service program in delivering high quality, cost-effective medical care for senior and disabled citizens. The prominent research firm Avalere recently published a major study showing that Medicare Advantage generally outperformed traditional Medicare. This was especially so in caring for the most challenging patients who suffer from chronic conditions and complicated medical problems. Major structural differences between traditional Medicare and…