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
Why New York’s ‘Buy American’ Bill Will Only Hurt New Yorkers
Living in the state of New York is about to get even more expensive. Following New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s lead, the Legislature is proposing stricter domestic content policies by attaching the New York State “Buy American” Act to the state budget. The argument is that limiting government purchases solely to American-made goods would support… -
opinion
It’s Time to Denationalize the US Reverse Mortgage Market
Since 1989, when the Department of Housing and Urban Development started to pilot home equity conversion mortgages to U.S. homeowners over the age of 62, the federal government has effectively nationalized the market for reverse mortgages. The Department of Housing and Urban Development’s home equity conversion mortgage program became permanent in 1998, and over the… -
opinion
George Soros Co-Opted Millions in US Taxpayer Dollars. Why Rex Tillerson Is the Man to Fix It.
The influence of George Soros and his Open Society Foundations on U.S. foreign policy is the subject of an alert issued by members of the Senate. Six senators recently sent a letter to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, asking him to investigate the numerous grants given over many years by the State Department and its… -
opinion
Orphanage Fire in Guatemala Reflects Dire Situation in Central America
Two weeks ago, at least 40 girls died in a fire at an orphanage in San Jose Pinula, Guatemala. The facility was fitted to host 500 children, though there were an estimated 700 girls staying there at the time of the blaze. The fire is confirmed to have been started when several girls set fire… -
opinion
Corrupt Venezuelan Regime Failing to Quell Humanitarian Crisis
Not too long ago, oil reserves and natural resources made Venezuela the richest country in South America. Now, President Nicolas Maduro’s corrupt socialist policies have left the country in ruins. Unsurprisingly, Maduro has become very unpopular, earning an approval rating hovering around less than 20 percent nationwide. It’s a well-earned failing mark. Maduro has recently… -
news
Freedom Caucus Members: Health Care Debate ‘Isn’t Over’
In the aftermath of the House GOP’s health care bill being pulled from a vote Friday, conservatives vowed to continue working with the fractured Republican conference toward health care reform. “This is not the end of the debate,” Mark Meadows, a Republican from North Carolina and chairman of the House Freedom Caucus, said on ABC’s… -
opinion
We Hear You: ‘Elitist Media Believe Themselves Superior’
Editor's note: The pretensions of the "mainstream media" remain on the minds of our audience. Today's collection of mail kicks off with those concerns. Got an urge to write us? See how below.—Ken McIntyre Dear Daily Signal: The Washington Post's attack on The Daily Signal’s participation in the White House press pool is an egregious confrontation… -
opinion
Why Wisconsin’s Irrational Ban on Outside Butter Needs to Go
Two inmates arrive at a Wisconsin jail. One asks the other, “What are you in for?” “Possession with intent to sell heroin. You?” The first replies, “That’s it? I’m here for possession with intent to sell butter.” True enough, this conversation didn’t happen. But it might as well have. Today in Wisconsin, a crony regulatory… -
opinion
Confronting Terrorism Is Every American’s Responsibility
Wednesday’s terrorist attack near Parliament in London—on the one-year anniversary of the Brussels airport attack—is a vivid reminder not only of the enduring nature of post-9/11 terrorism, but of how the threat continues to evolve. Despite steady Islamist goals for high-profile attacks on Western targets and the continuing risk to airlines and other transportation modes,… -
opinion
US-Led Coalition Must Keep the Pressure on ISIS
Ministers from the 68 nations that comprise the Global Coalition to Counter ISIS converged on Washington, D.C., this week to discuss how best to counter the Islamic State, also known as ISIS. Countries from the Middle East, Africa, Americas, and Asia were represented. However, it says much about the nature of the current ISIS threat… -
opinion
Why I’m Voting Against the GOP Health Bill
From the moment I decided to run for Congress, I have repeatedly promised the residents of the East Valley that I would fight for a clean repeal of the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare. Since this law took effect in 2010, Americans have faced rising premiums, fewer choices, and decreasing quality of care. My home… -
opinion
Broad Conservative Criticism Mounts Against GOP Health Bill
As lawmakers furiously debate the American Health Care Act, a growing number of health policy experts and other conservatives are sounding their concerns with the policies and passage process for the House GOP health bill. Key among those concerns is that the bill leaves too much of Obamacare in place, primarily the regulations and mandates… -
news
What Georgia Could Teach Trump About How to Drain the Swamp
If the Trump administration wants to “dismantle the administrative state,” it might examine state-based efforts to tame the bureaucracy—the oldest being that of Georgia, where a Democratic governor moved state employees away from stringent civil service protections that blocked accountability. “Who gets cut out of the picture when you protect the civil servant? The average… -
news
Conservative Leaders Announce Opposition to GOP Health Care Bill
A group of conservative leaders released a memo Thursday denouncing the House GOP health care bill. The Conservative Action Project memo states, “The current House bill does not achieve the health care vision articulated by President Trump.” Signers of the memo demanded the House legislation meet certain requirements. “The House of Representatives bill must include… -
opinion
Hollywood Seeks to Raise Millions for Intolerant ACLU
If you haven’t gotten your fill of Hollywood celebrities hawking left-wing causes, then mark your calendar for March 31, when the likes of Alec Baldwin, Tina Fey, and Tom Hanks will gather for a Facebook Live fundraising event for the American Civil Liberties Union. Yeah, I think I’m busy that night too. Dubbed “Stand for… -
news
Vote on GOP Health Care Plan Delayed, as Some Freedom Caucus Members Remain Opposed
The House was initially expected to vote on the American Health Care Act tonight. But according to the Associated Press, Republican leaders delayed the vote. The change came as Freedom Caucus members huddled for several hours following their meeting with President Donald Trump. It’s unclear when the vote for the bill will take place, but… -
news
House Freedom Caucus Heads to the White House Ahead of Obamacare Repeal Vote
The House is scheduled to vote on the Obamacare repeal health care bill some time today, but GOP leaders are still struggling to get conservatives and centrist Republicans on board. House Speaker Paul Ryan and President Donald Trump are working both sides of the Republican conference in an attempt to get them closer to supporting… -
opinion
What the CBO Score Really Means for the GOP Health Care Bill
Last week, the Congressional Budget Office released a score of the Republican leadership’s answer to Obamacare, the American Health Care Act. This budgetary analysis projects that the GOP bill would reduce the number of insured by 24 million, but would also decrease the deficit by $337 billion. It also reported the bill would reduce federal… -
news
London Attack Shows Challenge of Stopping Terrorism in Age of ISIS
At least four people were killed, including a police officer and the suspected assailant, and 40 others wounded in a terrorist attack Wednesday in London. The attacker, Khalid Masood, was a 52-year-old British-born man “inspired by Islamist ideology” whom had a criminal record. Masood drove a large vehicle into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge, which leads to…