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 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… -
opinion
The NFL’s Folly Means Baseball Can Once Again Become America’s Passion
Just a few years ago, the idea that the National Football League would be knocked off its pedestal as America’s top sport would have been laughable. The initial national anthem kneeling incident of unemployed NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick has exploded into a league-wide phenomenon. While kneeling for the anthem is technically against the NFL operation… -
opinion
New York City Truck Attack Is 100th Terror Plot on US Soil Since 9/11
Sayfullo Saipov, an immigrant from Uzbekistan, used a rented Home Depot truck Tuesday to attack bicyclists and pedestrians in Manhattan, killing eight and wounding more than a dozen others, authorities said. This terrorist attack is the 100th Islamist terror plot or attack against the U.S. homeland since 9/11, a sad and unfortunate milestone to reach. It is… -
opinion
What the Reaction to John Kelly’s Civil War Remarks Says About Our Culture
Jesus famously said that no prophet is accepted in his hometown. It turns out the Father of Our Country isn’t accepted in his home church. Christ Church in Alexandria, Virginia, stepped into the larger debate over statues and history this week when it decided to remove plaques of President George Washington and Confederate Gen. Robert… -
opinion
What Can Be Done to Stop Vehicular Terrorist Attacks
Sayfullo Saipov’s attack in New York City, where he used a rented truck to mow down pedestrians and bicyclists, killing eight and injuring others, is unfortunately not the only time when terrorists have turned to this type of attack. Nor will it likely be the last time. In fact, two vehicular attacks have already taken… -
opinion
This Tax Deduction Forces Americans to Subsidize High-Tax States
Every year when Americans file for their tax returns, the federal government allows them to deduct their state and local taxes, including their property taxes. That may sound good, but it has the effect of encouraging state and local governments to tax at higher levels. Instead of having to pay the full cost of their… -
opinion
We Went to the Church That Will Remove the Washington and Lee Plaques. Here’s What We Saw.
A historic church in Alexandria, Virginia, stepped into the national debate about history and statues when it made the controversial decision to remove plaques to George Washington and Robert E. Lee. Christ Church was built in 1773 and both Washington and Lee had been frequent attendees, but church leaders announced that they felt the plaques… -
opinion
The Ugly Consequences of Single-Payer Health Care
The late, great Nobel laureate economist Milton Friedman said it best: “There’s no such thing as a free lunch.” Friedman’s pithy proverb reminds us that there is also no “free health care.” It’s a timely reminder, as Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., is making a public push for his “Medicare for All” bill. While liberals have… -
news
EPA Chief Scott Pruitt Bars Government-Funded Science Advisers From Panels
The nation’s top environmental protection official signed a directive Tuesday aimed at preventing conflicts of interest while bolstering the independence and integrity of scientists who advise the government. Under the new policy announced by Scott Pruitt, administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, researchers and scientists who currently receive grants from the agency are not eligible… -
opinion
Why Democrats Are Obsessed With Wealth Inequality
If you want to understand today’s Democratic Party, a word search of a Democratic debate in 2015 provides a pretty clear picture. Here is how many times keywords were spoken: Wall Street: 23 Tax: 20 Inequality: 9 Wealthy: 7 Now, compare the number of times other national concerns were mentioned: ISIS: 4 Terror/ists/ism: 2 Defense:… -
news
Podesta Group’s Ties to Manafort Case Loom Larger in Mueller Probe
The lobbying group co-founded by Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign chairman is in the crosshairs of special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation, being mentioned indirectly Monday in the 12-count indictment of President Donald Trump’s former campaign manager. The Podesta Group has been identified in news reports as “Company B,” one of two firms that has lobbied… -
news
New York Mayor Calls Deadly Bike Path Attack an ‘Act of Terror’
The driver of a rented truck shouted “Allahu Akbar” as he deliberately plowed into pedestrians and bicyclists in lower Manhattan, killing eight and injuring at least 12 others. The driver steered the Home Depot truck onto a bicycle path alongside the Hudson River and mowed down those in his path, then got out and brandished… -
opinion
Keeping the Death Tax Would Make No Sense at All
Congress is set to unveil more details of its tax reform proposal this week, and many people fear that the death tax—also known as the estate tax and related gift taxes—will not be fully repealed. Not repealing the death tax would literally be economic malpractice. The tax is a burden on family-owned businesses, slows economic… -
opinion
Property Tax Deduction Is a Huge Boon to Wealthy Taxpayers, Not Average Americans
Tax reform is supposed to be about lowering rates and getting rid of deductions and credits to help generate higher economic growth, and to let Americans keep more of their hard-earned money. But now, lawmakers are doing the opposite. They are reportedly putting unfair and harmful deductions back into the package and raising marginal tax… -
news
White House Chief of Staff Speaks Out Against Civil War Monuments Removal
White House chief of staff John Kelly condemned the removal of Civil War monuments as “dangerous” and referred to Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee as an “honorable man” on the Monday night debut of “The Ingraham Angle.” Chief of Staff John Kelly praises Robert E Lee as "honorable man," says "lack of an ability to… -
opinion
How Keeping the Property Tax Deduction Could Backfire on the Middle Class
On the eve of the release of their tax reform proposal, GOP leaders are considering keeping the property tax portion of the state and local tax deduction as part of their plan. This “compromise” could end up making home ownership less affordable for middle-income Americans. As lawmakers debate which tax deductions to eliminate and which… -
news
White House Dismissive of 2 Indictments, Guilty Plea in Russia Probe
Even though Paul Manafort was indicted Monday on charges that weren’t connected to Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, some legal experts think prosecutors are pursuing leverage for more information. Further, the guilty plea by a low-level campaign adviser could be a more direct link. “If I were [Manafort’s] lawyer, I would advise him to plead guilty… -
news
Right to Work for Delaware County Will Get Fair Hearing, Sponsor Vows
GEORGETOWN, Delaware—Local residents who have a personal stake in the economic future of Sussex County “shall not be silenced” and ought to “have their voices heard” on the merits of a proposed right-to-work ordinance, the sponsor of the measure told The Daily Signal. Open debate of the right-to-work proposal was expected to move a step… -
opinion
The Right Side of History: How ‘God-Given Rights’ and American Exceptionalism Are Inseparable
“The Right Side of History” is a podcast dedicated to exploring current events through a historical lens and busting left-wing myths about figures and events of America’s past. On this week’s episode, hosts Jarrett Stepman, a contributor to The Daily Signal, and Fred Lucas, The Daily Signal’s White House correspondent, discuss the concept of “God-given rights.”… -
opinion
Men, It’s Your Obligation to Speak Up About Sexual Harassment
A key piece is missing from the national discussion about sexual harassment. The media’s spotlight on this terrible epidemic is welcome news for females everywhere, as the culture of silence has finally been dealt a severe blow. But, what about the men? I’m not referring to the lowlifes that victimize women—men that view us as…