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
5 Things Americans Should Know About the Renewable Fuel Standard
Two separate reports by the Government Accountability Office were released last week that called into question the viability of the Renewable Fuel Standard, otherwise known as the ethanol mandate. Three days later, Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., highlighted the reports in a hearing and called the Renewable Fuel Standard a “deeply flawed program.” What about this… -
opinion
Why America Is an Exceptional Nation
If a single player wins an ongoing contest with maddening consistency, his frustrated rivals will inevitably accuse him of cheating. Our new nation’s shockingly rapid rise to world dominance counts as so illogical, so utterly unforeseen, that many mystified observers have determined that the only rational explanation involves a shameful record of American greed, ruthlessness,… -
news
Alcoholic Man Euthanized in Holland Because He Saw No Other Way Out of His Addiction
A man in the Netherlands died from euthanasia because of his addiction to alcohol, the man’s brother wrote in a Dutch account of the situation. “I am just glad my brother did not have to jump in front of a train or live a few more years in agony before dying of his abuse,” Marcel… -
opinion
Congress Isn’t Finished Investigating Planned Parenthood, Others in 2015 Videos
Congress took significant steps forward last week in its continued efforts to hold Planned Parenthood and fetal tissue procurement companies accountable for the sale and trafficking of aborted fetal tissue. The House Select Investigative Panel on Infant Lives has recommended a criminal investigation of Planned Parenthood of the Gulf Coast for potentially violating Texas and… -
news
YouTube Restricts PragerU Video of British Muslim Speaking About Anti-Semitism
YouTube is yet again restricting educational videos from a well-known conservative advocacy organization, PragerU. The latest video under restriction, “Born to Hate Jews,” was removed from YouTube Monday night but then later restored and placed under YouTube’s “restricted mode” after PragerU filed an official complaint. “YouTube has entirely removed PragerU’s new video with Kasim Hafeez,… -
opinion
Protectionism or Trade Freedom: What Do the Experts Say?
The recent presidential election has sparked a debate about international trade. Many politicians, policymakers, and media outlets seem to be unsure about whether trade is good or bad. It seems everyone has an opinion about trade. But what do the experts say? N. Gregory Mankiw, the Robert M. Beren Professor of Economics at Harvard University,… -
opinion
‘Buy America’ Provision of the Water Bill Is Costing US Taxpayers Extra
Buried deep in the text of the 728-page water bill being considered in Congress is a costly provision that requires the use of American-made iron and steel for water infrastructure projects. That provision will hit the taxpayers with extra and unnecessary costs. The Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act expands the federal government’s… -
opinion
Getting Rid of Electoral College Would Mean a Tyrannical Rule of the Majority
It is alleged that Hillary Clinton won a popular vote majority. Therefore, if the nation were not burdened with the antiquated Electoral College, anguished and freaked-out Americans whine, she, instead of Donald Trump, would be the next president of the United States. You say, “Hold it. Before you go further, Williams, what do you mean… -
opinion
The Lessons Today’s Leaders Should Take From Pearl Harbor
At sunrise on this day in 1941, the Japanese launched a surprise attack on the American naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, having sailed across the Pacific Ocean unnoticed. In addition to the 19 ships destroyed, 2,403 American soldiers were killed and 1,178 wounded in the attack. While this attack was 75 years ago, there… -
news
This Filmmaking Couple Doesn’t Want to Be Punished for Not Promoting Same-Sex Marriage
A Minnesota couple is suing state officials to allow their film production company to celebrate marriage as a man-woman union without being forced, against their biblical beliefs, to promote same-sex marriage. Carl and Angel Larsen, of St. Cloud, Minnesota, say they run Telescope Media Group as a way to deploy their storytelling ability and production… -
opinion
The Seventh of December
The following is an excerpt from historian Craig Shirley's best-selling book "December 1941: 31 Days that Changed America and Saved the World." Shirley chronicled the events of the infamous day when Japan bombed Pearl Harbor and plunged the United States into World War II. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the attack. Sunday in… -
opinion
Japanese Prime Minister’s Pearl Harbor Visit Will Further Reconciliation
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced he would travel to Pearl Harbor later this month, the first Japanese leader to do so. Abe commented he would accompany President Barack Obama to “pay tribute [and] comfort the souls” of those who died from both countries during World War II. He emphasized his intent to “send messages… -
opinion
US Central America Policy Should Address Corrupt Nicaragua Regime
Two days before U.S. voters flocked to the polls, Nicaragua held its own elections. But the results there surprised no one. For the fourth time, leftist strongman Daniel Ortega was re-elected president. Back in the 1980s, he led the Marxist Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) during Nicaragua’s bloody civil war. And his victory in this… -
opinion
What Italy’s Referendum Vote Means
Italy just held a national referendum, and the prime minister has now announced that he will resign. Here’s a breakdown of the referendum and what the outcome means. What Was the Italian Referendum Vote All About? Italian voters were asked in a public referendum to either accept or reject significant changes to Italy’s Constitution. Had… -
news
After the Government Seized $11K From Him, He Fought Back. Now, He’s Getting His Money Back.
The federal government agreed to return $11,000, plus interest payments, it seized from a young man traveling to Florida nearly three years ago under laws that allow law enforcement to take property if it suspects it’s tied to a crime. In February 2014, Charles Clarke, who was 24 at the time, was waiting for a flight… -
news
The Next Brexit? Italy ‘No’ Vote Empowers Populist Revolt Against Establishment
Daniel Hannan, a British politician and a leading campaigner of Brexit, recognizes the forces that he says inspired Sunday’s referendum result in Italy, where the center-left prime minister resigned after voters rejected his proposed reforms. “The obvious parallel with these elections is you carry a tremendous handicap if you are associated with the old regime… -
opinion
EPA May Finally Have to Answer for the Animas River Spill
Remember when the Environmental Protection Agency caused a discharge of 3 million gallons of toxic water into the Animas River, and no one was held accountable? Now the Supreme Court is getting involved. The toxic spill occurred in August 2015 when EPA workers accidentally caused a leak in an abandoned mine near Durango, Colorado. Contaminants spread… -
news
Ben Carson, Critic of ‘Government Dependency,’ Picked to Lead Housing Agency
President-elect Donald Trump has chosen former rival Ben Carson to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Trump transition team announced Monday. “Ben Carson has a brilliant mind and is passionate about strengthening communities and families within those communities,” Trump said in a formal statement. “We have talked at length about my urban… -
opinion
Austria Goes to the Polls
On Dec. 4, Austria will have its presidential election. After problems ranging from election annulment to faulty glue on mail-in ballots, the newly scheduled, second round of votes will decide the future Austrian head of state. The results may have implications for the future of Austria, and may echo political changes happening across the continent….