Political Commentary & Opinion
Analysis, commentary, and opinion essays on politics and policy from The Daily Signal’s contributors and experts.
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news
Texas Church Massacre Leaves at Least 26 Dead
A gunman shot and killed 26 people during a Sunday service at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas. The unidentified man walked inside the church and opened fire just before 11:30 a.m. local time, witnesses said, according to CBS affiliate KENS 5. Police have not officially confirmed the number of casualties, but Texas… -
opinion
We Hear You: A ‘Positive,’ ‘Encouraging’ Interview With EPA Chief Scott Pruitt
Editor's note: The Daily Signal's audience found much to like in an interview of EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt conducted by Rob Bluey, our editor-in-chief. Today we focus on that among other environmental matters. Be sure to write us at [email protected].—Ken McIntyre Dear Daily Signal: What an outstanding interview. I'm so encouraged. Rob Bluey asked relevant, important… -
opinion
Problematic Women: The Science About Motherhood Liberals Don’t Want to Hear
Is early childhood development now a political issue? According to New York psychoanalyst Erica Komisar, author of a new book, “Being There: Why Prioritizing Motherhood in the First Three Years Matters,” it is. Speaking to The Wall Street Journal, Komisar said conservative news outlets “interviews me and loved me,” but the mainstream media … not so… -
opinion
Millennials Are Clueless About Communism. Here’s Why That’s a Problem.
The collapse of the Berlin Wall and the Soviet Union ended the Cold War, but it didn’t end the ongoing battle of ideas between liberty and collectivism. A recently released survey by the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation revealed some disturbing facts about what millennials think of communism and socialism. Some of the results are… -
opinion
Taxpayers Get a Win Over Sports Stadium Cronies
As the Houston Astros enjoy their World Series victory, taxpayers across the country have a reason of their own to celebrate this week. Buried in the tax reform bill is a provision that fixes an egregious loophole that sends billions in tax preferences to private sports stadium construction. The current tax code allows billion-dollar sports… -
news
Rep. Dave Brat Explains How the Tax Reform Plan Will Help the Middle Class
This is a transcript of the interview The Daily Signal did Thursday with Rep. Dave Brat, R-Va., to get his thoughts on the new tax plan, and how it would affect middle-class Americans. Rachel del Guidice: Hello, everyone, and welcome to The Daily Signal’s Facebook Live. My name is Rachel del Guidice, and I’m joined… -
opinion
Judge Halts California Law Forcing Pro-Lifers to Advertise Abortions
In a major victory for free speech, Riverside County Superior Court Justice Gloria C. Trask ruled late Monday that California must not force pro-life pregnancy medical clinics to promote abortions to their clients. California had passed the so-called “Reproductive FACT Act” in 2015, which mandated that pro-life centers post signage and inform their clients about… -
opinion
No, Vox, ‘Small Government’ Does Not Mean White Nationalism
According to a recent article in Vox, conservatives who denounce government overreach aren’t really concerned about burdensome regulations. No—it turns out the “language of small government” is really just “a handmaiden to ethno-nationalism.” Proof? The author, David Roberts, points to a 2016 New York Times story that depicted a few white men in rural America… -
news
Massachusetts Eyes Third Gender for Driver’s Licenses
Massachusetts could become the third state to further the transgender agenda via driver’s licenses and other forms of identification. According to the Gloucester Daily Times, Massachusetts state Sen. Karen Spilka, D-Ashland, has proposed legislation that would add an option for those who don’t identify as either male or female. Spilka said she was influenced by… -
opinion
Why the Narrative That Right-Wing Hate Killed JFK Is False
The tragedy of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination remains one of the most significant and dissected events of the past century. From pop culture, to Hollywood, to academia, to old-fashioned conspiracy theories, the legend of Camelot has been ingrained in our cultural and national identity. And there’s no sign that the fascination is going away… -
opinion
What Kind of Vetting Would Prevent Another NYC Terror Attack
David Inserra, policy analyst in homeland security and cyber policy at The Heritage Foundation, spoke to The Daily Signal’s Genevieve Wood this week about the Halloween terror attack in lower Manhattan. Here is an edited transcript of the interview. Genevieve Wood: We’re talking about what happened in New York and immigration policy. David, we heard the… -
news
House GOP Unveils Details of Tax Reform Bill
The details of the Republican tax reform plan released Thursday mostly reflect the goals laid out by President Donald Trump, including cutting the corporate tax rate and keeping a sharper focus on middle-class tax cuts, meaning an extra $1,182 per year for a median-income family. The tax plan would keep the income tax rate for… -
news
In Rare Interview, Justice Thomas Denounces Anthem Protests
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas appeared on Fox News for a rare television interview Wednesday night, where he expressed concern about societal cohesion in view of protests staged by professional athletes during the national anthem. “What binds us? What do we all have in common anymore?” Thomas asked. The justice suggested that the player protests… -
news
Transgender Women Tell Women’s March They’re Not Inclusive Enough
DETROIT—In public, transgender activists often blame conservatives for being intolerant. But behind closed doors inside their own safe spaces, a different story unfolds—one in which the most ardent supporters of the Women’s March are the oppressors. Speaking at the Women’s Convention in Detroit, an event organized by the leaders of the Women’s March, transgender women… -
news
24 House Republicans From Blue States Resist Pressure to Embrace Costly Tax Deduction
Twenty-four Republican lawmakers from high-tax states voted for the House budget resolution last week, despite pressure to oppose it because of the possible elimination of the state and local tax deduction in the GOP’s tax reform bill. Seven high-tax states receive more than 50 percent of the value of the deduction on federal income tax… -
opinion
A Traditional Marriage Student Group Has Been Branded a ‘Hate Group’
In today’s bitter political climate, there are few labels more intellectually lazy than “hate group.” When you label an entity as a “hate group,” you automatically demonize it and remove from your shoulders any mantle of responsibility to dialogue or engage in civil discourse with this denounced entity. This cowardly melodrama is currently playing out… -
opinion
Stop Denying the Obvious. Terror Attacks Are Motivated by Radical Islam.
“Shout ‘Allahu akbar,’ because this strikes fear in the hearts of the non-believers.” Who knew hijacker Mohammed Atta’s parting words, discovered in his journal after the 9/11 attacks, would become a national punchline? The louder and more frequently jihadists around the globe shriek their signature battle cry, the more fervently multicultural apologists deny its meaning…. -
opinion
How to Make Bank on Your New Investments
Most people talk with Arthur Laffer about supply-side economics and his famous “Laffer curve,” which shows how governments can increase revenues by lowering taxes. But few know that Laffer is an outstanding investor. He recently joined me as a guest on “Common Ground” and I asked him for investment advice. And that advice might surprise…