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
Podcast: As Seattle Passes Head Tax, Left’s Civil War on Full Display
The Seattle City Council passed a measure Monday that will require big companies to pay a $275 per full-time employee head tax. The Daily Signal’s Jarrett Stepman, who was just in Seattle, joins us to discuss the City Council’s move—and the fury from liberal-leaning companies like Starbucks. Plus: People are turning off their TVs. We… -
opinion
Critical Amendments for the House Farm Bill
The House is expected to consider its farm bill this week, but in its current form, the bill is a disaster when it comes to farm subsidies (crop insurance and commodity programs). Many legislators have introduced a wide range of amendments that, if passed, could help take a step in the right direction on subsidy… -
opinion
Q&A: Analyzing the Embassy Move to Jerusalem, Palestinian Protests
The Heritage Foundation’s Jim Phillips spoke to The Daily Signal’s Daniel Davis and Katrina Trinko for an interview for “The Daily Signal” podcast Monday. Below is a lightly edited transcript of their conversation about the move of the embassy to Jerusalem, and rising tensions in the Middle East. Daniel Davis: Here to explain this opening… -
news
Ireland Lowered Its Corporate Tax Rate. Here’s What Happened.
Many U.S.-based multinationals are finding luck with Ireland’s low corporate tax rate—and that 12.5 percent rate has been a pot of gold for the Irish economy as well. “Tax competitiveness has brought our country the only prosperity we’ve known,” @U2 says. In 2015, the Irish economy was estimated to have grown by 26.3 percent through… -
opinion
Time to End Net Neutrality Regulation Once and for All
Scientists tell us there’s no such thing as a perpetual motion machine, but they haven’t seen the interminable debate over network neutrality rules, which has raged now for close to two decades. Late last week, the Federal Communications Commission—perhaps a bit hopefully—announced that the final repeal of the rules imposed previously by the FCC would… -
news
Podcast: The US Embassy Opens in Jerusalem
As tens of thousands of Palestinians protest, the U.S. opens its new embassy in Jerusalem. The Heritage Foundation’s Jim Phillips, a senior research fellow who focuses in Middle Eastern affairs, explains the significance—and what impact it could have on peace in the Middle East. Plus: Popular music site Spotify partners with the Southern Poverty Law… -
opinion
A Young Mom Is Far From Only Victim of Abortionist Robert Rho
For Robert Rho, destroying tiny lives was all in a day’s work. He performed so many abortions, more than 40,000, that one more death probably seemed insignificant—until 2016, when that death was one of his 30-year-old patients. Jaime Morales was six months pregnant when she went to Rho’s office in Queens. It turned out to… -
opinion
Congress Is Right to Consider Prison Reform
A prison reform bill being considered in the U.S. House of Representatives embodies good policy for American taxpayers, families, and communities. The House Judiciary Committee voted 25-5 last week to pass the FIRST STEP Act of 2018 (H.R. 5682) out of committee, sending it on to consideration on the House floor. With the introduction of… -
news
How Liberal Activists Are Shutting Down Choice for Birth Moms
For birth moms who want to place their children with married moms and dads, that option is now at risk. Across the country, liberal activists are accusing faith-based adoption and foster care agencies of discrimination because they prefer placing children with married moms and dads. The situation has left faith-based agencies with a difficult choice:… -
opinion
We Hear You: Kelly’s Baby, Kimmel’s Bad Taste, Media Madness, and More
Editor's note: The story of Kelly Clemente, who chose to give up her unexpected baby for adoption, rang bells with The Daily Signal's audience. Some of the responses lead off this week's collection of emails and other comments. Drop us a line at [email protected].—Ken McIntyre Dear Daily Signal: Thank you for Kelsey Harkness’ video report… -
opinion
Must-See Moments: Kim Kardashian Partners With White House on Prison Reform
The Daily Signal’s Facebook Live show “Top 10” features the top news stories of the week—many of which went misreported by the mainstream media and some weren’t reported at all. Kim Kardashian West is working with Jared Kushner and the White House on prison reform. Alice Johnson has served 21 years behind bars for a… -
news
Venus Williams Doesn’t Identify as Feminist, Says Women Have More Opportunities Than Ever Before
American tennis player Venus Williams told Elle UK that she doesn’t identify as a feminist and thinks women have more opportunities than they’ve ever had before. “I don’t like labels, though I do think as women we have much more power and opportunities in our hands than ever before,” Williams told Elle in an interview for… -
opinion
Scandinavian Approach to Counterterrorism, Islamist Ideology Is Flawed
How Western democracies should respond to terrorist attacks is an ongoing concern. One such dilemma is whether the state should just focus on preventing attacks or whether it has an obligation to challenge the ideology that spurs those attacks in the first place. Two countries currently grappling with that are Sweden and Finland. Individuals inspired… -
opinion
In Order to Lower Drug Prices, 3 Areas the Government Should Address
President Donald Trump is set to deliver his first major policy speech about drug costs this week. The president’s budget outlined several targeted initiatives in this area, and recent comments by the Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar indicate that the administration is developing a larger, more comprehensive plan to address the drug pricing… -
news
Paul Ryan Explains How Conservative Policies Can Help Fight Poverty
House Speaker Paul Ryan isn’t OK with the current poverty rate in the United States, especially considering how much money taxpayers have spent to combat it over the past half-century. “We are coming [up] on the 50th anniversary on the War on Poverty. We were looking at the fact that trillions of dollars had been… -
opinion
‘Every Day With Her Was the Best Day’: Remembering My Mom
Out of habit, I was halfway down the aisle at the store when I suddenly stopped. I’ve had this realization before—usually when I’ve picked up the phone to share some news or just to hear her voice—and then I remember that she’s not going to answer. There’s no longer someone to open my Mother’s Day… -
opinion
LGBT Activists Falsely Smear Those Protecting Children in Need
Oklahoma is just shy of a major victory for children in the adoption and foster care system—but LGBT activist groups are now threatening the state with boycotts if leadership follows through. Senate Bill 1140 passed the Oklahoma Legislature and is currently sitting on the desk of Gov. Mary Fallin. The bill ensures that faith-based foster… -
opinion
Podcast: The Influence Netflix, Other TV Has on Kids
Joining us today is Tim Winter, president of the Parents Television Council. Winter explains how Netflix and other new media technologies have made it harder than ever for parents to monitor their kids’ media consumption. Yet now media is promoting, in addition to sex and violence, suicide, making it crucial for parents to be involved…. -
opinion
This Is a Bad Look: In Current Farm Bill, Conservatives Prop Up Rich Farmers
Major food stamp reform is a must in the farm bill. So too is major reform for farm subsidies–after all, it is called the farm bill. Much of the focus, though, has been on food stamp reform, including from conservatives. How would it look though if conservatives reform the food stamp safety net and as… -
opinion
Connecticut Subverts the Electoral College, Rejecting Its Own History
Opponents of the Electoral College achieved an important victory last weekend when Connecticut’s legislature passed the so-called National Popular Vote compact. Democratic Gov. Dannel P. Malloy is expected to sign the measure. Most Americans have never heard of the National Popular Vote compact, but it is shockingly close to causing a major political and legal…