Political Commentary & Opinion
Analysis, commentary, and opinion essays on politics and policy from The Daily Signal’s contributors and experts.
-
opinion
Police Union Complains About Release of Body Camera Footage in Controversial Blood Draw Incident
The Salt Lake City Police Association last week criticized the city’s handling of misconduct investigations for officers involved in the widely publicized arrest of a hospital nurse who properly refused to allow a warrantless blood drawing on an unconscious patient. In a letter addressed to Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski and Police Chief Mike… -
opinion
Trump’s Picks for Fed Chief, Governors an Opportunity to ‘Drain Swamp’
When President Donald Trump took office, there were three vacancies on the Federal Reserve’s Board of Governors. Then, unexpectedly, Fed Vice Chairman Stanley Fischer resigned, effective “on or around October 13, 2017.” Throw in the fact that Fed Chair Janet Yellen’s term as chairman expires Feb. 3, 2018, and it’s very easy to see why… -
opinion
Tax Reform Where All Americans Win
Thirty-one years ago, Congress passed and President Ronald Reagan signed into law substantial tax reform. The internet as we know it was not even invented yet. The federal debt stood at a little over $2 trillion. Needless to say, our economy has changed a bit since then. Of all the changes in the past three… -
news
Gingrich Explains Why C-SPAN Was the Twitter of the ’90s
Twitter might not have existed when Newt Gingrich was speaker of the House of Representatives, but the long-time politico partially attributes his own success to knowing how to communicate. “The raw parallel between the liberating impact of C-SPAN starting in April of ’79 and the liberating impact of Facebook and Twitter [shows it] is very… -
news
He Was Born at 22 Weeks. His Parents Say Late-Term Abortions Should Be Illegal.
At 22 weeks and four days along, Danielle Pickering gave birth to her baby boy Micah. Now 5 years old, Micah has become a face of the late-term abortion debate. On Tuesday, the U.S. House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, a bill that would ban abortion after… -
news
Why This ‘Undercover Boss’ Is Up Front About Taking on Unions in Delaware
GREENVILLE, Delaware—When he appeared on the CBS reality television series “Undercover Boss” in October 2013, Anthony Wedo worked alongside cashiers, servers, grill cooks, dishwashers, and managers to find out what was happening inside his company. Wedo was president and CEO of Buffets Inc., which operated hundreds of buffet-style restaurants under the names Old Country Buffet… -
opinion
A Revised Tax Code Could Make Filing Your Taxes Much Faster, Cheaper
Keep it simple. This mantra of simplicity has been ignored for far too long in Washington, D.C. Elites in the nation’s capital have a high tolerance for nuance, caveats and complexity, and for preserving the status quo. I get it. Politicians have lobbyists, special interests, and big businesses whispering into their ears every day. Those… -
opinion
NBC’s Chuck Todd Suggests the Constitution Excludes God-Given Rights
Those trying to dissect why Americans are in such a populist mood need only watch a short segment from NBC News stalwart Chuck Todd. On an episode of “Meet the Press,” which he hosts, Todd seemed aghast and bewildered by a statement delivered by Roy Moore, Alabama’s Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate. “Our rights… -
news
Must-See Moments: Restaurants Stand Up to NFL
The Daily Signal’s Facebook Live show “Top 10” features the top news stories of the week, many of which often go underreported by the mainstream media. This week, NFL’s ratings and ticket sales are down with restaurant owners now joining the protest by refusing to play the football league’s games in their restaurants. A petition has… -
opinion
We Hear You: It’s NFL’s Right to Disrespect the Flag. It’s Our Right Not to Watch Games.
Editor's note: The other day, we asked our audience to email thoughts on the NFL's treatment of the national anthem. We quickly got on earful. No wonder teams are reconsidering taking a knee this weekend. Don't forget to write us at [email protected] about all our news and commentary.—Ken McIntyre Dear Daily Signal: I’m an Air… -
news
Interior Secretary Stresses Cutting Red Tape, Defending American Sovereignty
Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke said with President Donald Trump at the helm, the United States will lead the way in energy independence. “As our nation stands today, we are at an energy crossroads,” Zinke, a former congressman from Montana, said Friday at an event at The Heritage Foundation, adding: There are two visions for… -
news
Law Enforcement Experts Explain What Makes for ‘Successful Policing’
A panel of law enforcement experts, including the former top cops of New York City and Chicago, addressed some of the most pressing problems police face today, such as the need to focus on preventing crime before it occurs and how body cameras can protect police and the public alike. “I passionately believe that… -
opinion
Hurricane Relief Efforts Show What Sets America Apart Isn’t Government
When a 9-year-old Alabama boy noticed Florida plates on the car in front of him in the fast-food drive-thru lane, he asked his mother if he could pay for their meal. Later explaining to a reporter, the boy said, “I didn’t want them to waste their money on food because they’re trying to escape the… -
news
The GOP’s 3 Priorities for Tax Reform
The GOP’s top tax writer said in a speech Thursday that Republicans’ newly released tax reform plan will significantly strengthen the economy. “If we want to unleash the vast potential of this nation through tax reform, we have to start by unleashing the individual potential of every American, and giving you the chance to put… -
news
No Water, No Power: 21 Photos of Puerto Rico’s Isolation
It's been over a week since Hurricane Maria made landfall in Puerto Rico and most of the U.S. territory still has no electricity or running water. Here's a look at some of the destruction and isolation the island is experiencing. -
news
‘Hey, Here Is a Raise’: Why This Cookie Mogul Is Fighting for Tax Reform
For a popular cookie maker whose business career began when he was just a kid, tax reform could mean expanding his sweet success with new operations and raises for his employees. “So, we are always talking about how America is losing its jobs,” Joseph Semprevivo, founder, CEO and President of Joseph’s Lite Cookies, told The… -
opinion
The Human Costs of the World Hugh Hefner Created
Sometimes it’s appropriate to speak ill of the dead. Playboy founder Hugh Hefner died Wednesday, aged 91. But his work of mainstreaming porn will likely live on—and continue to hurt men and women—for many years to come. Playboy helped usher in an era of porn addiction, decreased happiness, and strained relationships between men and women…. -
news
Awaiting Reconfirmation Vote, FCC’s Pai Pushes Private-Sector Control of Internet
Ajit Pai, the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, is facing stiff opposition from Democrats, thanks to his position on net neutrality. The Senate is expected to vote on his reconfirmation Monday. On Thursday, the Senate advanced, in a 55-41 vote, Pai’s nomination. Pai was appointed to the FCC by President Barack Obama in 2012,… -
news
GOP’s Top Tax Writer Promises More Jobs, Bigger Paychecks With Reform
House Ways and Means Chairman Kevin Brady, R-Texas, put his stamp on tax reform as a member of the so-called Big Six who released their framework Wednesday. A day later, Brady spoke at The Heritage Foundation about the urgent need for tax reform. Afterward, we spoke at the key elements of the proposal and the… -
opinion
Responding to a Critic of Having More Freedom in Agriculture
A former Obama administration official has written a new agricultural study that is critical of The Heritage Foundation’s publication “Farms and Free Enterprise: A Blueprint for Agricultural Policy.” Most of the arguments in this agricultural special interest-sponsored study are the same recycled claims that get trotted out any time someone challenges the farm subsidy status…