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
How to Revamp NAFTA to Make America the Most Attractive Business Destination
In debating an updated NAFTA trade agreement, we should not lose sight of why we have these agreements and how we grow jobs and our economy. Economic freedom and enhanced competitiveness are the drivers of such growth and should be top priorities in the negotiations. In many corners of the popular culture, NAFTA has become… -
news
10 Interesting Facts About the Life and Legacy of Billy Graham
Billy Graham, an American evangelist, was one of the most prominent international Christian figures in history. Graham died on Feb. 21 at the age of 99 after 69 years in the international spotlight. As Graham is laid to rest on March 2, in Charlotte, North Carolina, here are 10 facts about his life and legacy…. -
opinion
A New York Times Writer’s Reckless Hit Piece on My Transgender Book
Anti-trans bigotry exists. It’s wrong, and we should all condemn it. I condemn it in my new book “When Harry Became Sally: Responding to the Transgender Moment.” But we lose the ability to effectively call out bigotry when all disagreement is condemned as bigoted—and when lies are told in the process. That’s what happened earlier… -
opinion
How Congress Can Kill the Individual Mandate Penalty for This Tax Year
With the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, which repealed the tax penalty for the individual health insurance mandate, many Americans are under the impression that this year they are out from under Obamacare’s mandate. They are wrong—on several counts. An Unpleasant Surprise First, the repeal of the individual mandate tax… -
news
RNC Honors 2 African-Americans With Trailblazer Awards
The Republican National Committee honored two long-time African-American leaders with its Black Republican Trailblazer Awards in a ceremony Monday celebrating Black History Month. “None of us gets where we are on our own or by ourselves,” says @KayColesJames. The awards recognized the achievements of Kay Coles James, the new president of The Heritage Foundation, and… -
opinion
Why the Left Opposes Arming Teachers
Why does the left oppose allowing a small number of highly trained teachers and other adults who work at schools to arm themselves? When asked, its response is consistent: “It’s a crazy idea.” And, “We need fewer guns, not more guns.” A New York Times editorial offered the following argument against having any armed teachers:… -
opinion
The Government Has Already Tried Universal Basic Income. Here’s What Happened.
How would you like to receive $500 a month, no strings attached? Stockton, California, a city outside of Silicon Valley, is providing such benefits to a group of its low-income residents in a pilot version of universal basic income. Universal basic income is a policy that gives all people a set amount of benefits without… -
news
29 Takeaways From America’s Biggest Conservative Conference
The Daily Signal followed the main speakers and debates at this year’s Conservative Political Action Conference, which wrapped Saturday. We’ve pulled together a quick guide to our coverage of CPAC, the largest annual national gathering of conservative activists, held again just outside Washington at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland…. -
news
The Weaponization of the EPA Is Over: An Exclusive Interview With Scott Pruitt
In his first year as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, Scott Pruitt has already transformed the agency in many ways. He spoke exclusively to The Daily Signal before addressing attendees at the Conservative Political Action Conference's annual Reagan Dinner. An edited transcript of the interview is below. Rob Bluey: You gave a speech at… -
opinion
Here Are 5 Reasons Transgender Policies Are Harmful
Who knew that removing the federal government from debates over school bathroom policies would be considered an assault on LGBT rights? That’s the argument activists made last week when the Department of Education announced that it would be enforcing Title IX the way the federal government always had—up until the second term of the Obama… -
opinion
#UsToo: How Liberal Feminism Excludes Millions of Women
As Americans, it’s rare we engage in a national conversation while putting our political beliefs aside. Mass murders like the Columbine school shooting and 9/11 once united us. But in the era of Donald Trump, they’ve deepened our divisions. That’s why the conversation surrounding the #MeToo movement is so unique. Democrats, Republicans, liberals, and conservatives… -
news
House Intelligence Chairman Says Democrats Are Guilty of Government Cover-Up
The chairman of the House intelligence committee is accusing his Democrat colleagues of trying to cover up wrongdoing in the government’s surveillance of a former campaign aide to then-candidate Donald Trump. Speaking to The Daily Signal moments after a Democrat memo was released Saturday, Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., said the long-awaited document is so shocking… -
news
CPAC Straw Poll Shows High Approval of Trump’s Policies, Caution on His Tweets
President Donald Trump found high poll numbers Saturday in an unsurprising venue. But the contrast with his past performances in the presidential straw poll at the Conservative Political Action Conference was striking. Although Trump has a strong approval rating, a plurality of CPAC attendees surveyed said they wish he would tweet less and a majority… -
opinion
Podcast: The Many Stories of CPAC 2018
The Daily Signal’s coverage of the 2018 Conservative Political Action Conference comes to an end Saturday, following three days of information-packed programming and speakers, including President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence. We’re bringing you a special edition of The Daily Signal podcast to share more exciting interviews we’ve done. They include: Patrick Neville,… -
news
‘Ripple Effect’ of Tax Cuts Will Boost Americans, Kellyanne Conway Predicts
Tax cuts not only are helping Americans now but will have a “ripple effect” of new investment across the nation, White House senior adviser Kellyanne Conway told conservative activists gathered outside Washington. “At a very basic principle, it is freedom, it’s that you get to hang on to more of your hard-earned money,” Conway said… -
news
FCC Chairman Pledges to Carry On as NRA Honors Him for ‘Courage Under Fire’
He will stay on mission to “deliver value for the American people,” despite personal criticism, racial slurs, and death threats from the left, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said Friday at the Conservative Political Action Conference. For facing down death threats to his family and himself over changes in public policy, Pai received the National Rifle… -
news
Pro-Lifers: We Care About Women, Planned Parenthood Cares More About Money
Pro-life advocates say they care far more about women’s health and well-being than Planned Parenthood does, and that they must make greater outreach to black Americans to end abortion. “Our humanity depends on all of us recognizing the sanctity of human life. Planned Parenthood [is] the abortion industrial company,” Penny Young Nance, president and CEO… -
opinion
Must-See Moments: Highlights From CPAC 2018
The Daily Signal’s Facebook 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. This week, we’re bringing you the top 10 moments from the annual Conservative Political Action Conference. National Rifle Association spokeswoman Dana Loesch, Vice President Mike Pence, conservative… -
news
Arizona Senate OKs Bill Requiring Women to Tell Why They Want to Abort
Arizona lawmakers have approved a bill that would mandate abortion providers and physicians to request information from women undergoing abortions about their reasons to abort, and to provide comprehensive information about the risks of abortion. “What this bill does, it upgrades and updates the way we ask these questions in order to make sure that… -
opinion
This Committee Could Try to Bail Out Private Pensions With Taxpayer Funds
The Bipartisan Budget Act made headlines earlier this month for raising federal spending caps by $300 billion over just two years. What is less well known is that it created a committee that could potentially bail out private union pensions with taxpayer funds to the tune of half a trillion dollars. That figure, $500 billion,…