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
How These States Ensure Welfare Dollars Aren’t Used for Alcohol, Lottery Tickets
A new state law in Maine went into effect last month prohibiting welfare recipients from purchasing items like alcohol, lottery tickets, and tattoos with their welfare funds. Alongside Kansas, Maine has been one of the leading states reforming welfare, and nearly half of the states have already taken action. Maine Gov. Paul LePage, a Republican,… -
news
Transgender Funeral Director Goes to Court Over Dress Code
The owner of three Michigan funeral homes is defending his right to require employees to dress on the job according to their biological sex, in a federal case brought on behalf of a transgender woman who used to work as a funeral director. “Mr. Rost feels called by his faith to serve the grieving.” —@doug_wardlow… -
opinion
Why We Fought the Cold War
The Cold War that lasted from 1945 until 1991 was a very big deal. At stake was whether the world would be dominated by the forces of totalitarianism, led by the Soviet Union, or inspired by the principles of economic and political freedom, embodied in the United States. At stake was whether the many millions… -
news
Texas Judge Victorious Over Atheist Group in Prayer Dispute
Judge Wayne Mack, a justice of the peace in Montgomery County, Texas, recalls several people telling him they were initially worried about coming before his court, but after the chaplain’s prayer opened the proceedings, they felt better. “It was clear it would be a solemn event and they knew I would be fair,” Mack told… -
opinion
With New Navajo Nation Lawsuit, EPA Faces More Pressure Over Gold King Mine Spill
One year has passed since the Environmental Protection Agency caused a discharge of 3 million gallons of toxic water into the Animas River, and no one has been held accountable, although private parties have been criminally prosecuted under similar circumstances in the past. Now, three entities’ actions might change the resulting narrative that there are… -
news
Anti-GMO Activists Fight Plan That Could Dramatically Reduce Zika Cases
As the number of Zika virus cases in the United States continues to rise, residents in South Florida are in a unique position to become the testing ground for a promising new experiment that could dramatically reduce the number of Zika-infected mosquitoes. But due to concerns that the proposal to release millions of genetically modified… -
opinion
The Real Tragedy of Milwaukee Riots
On Saturday and Sunday evening, dozens of protesters and rioters took to the streets of Milwaukee to voice their collective anger over Saturday afternoon’s fatal police shooting in the city’s Sherman Park neighborhood. The situation on the ground became dangerously volatile, necessitating Gov. Scott Walker’s activation of the state National Guard to mobilize in case it was needed to… -
opinion
Recent Actions Cast Doubt on Whether ICANN Is Ready for Transition
In the coming weeks, the Commerce Department is expected to end the current contract between the U.S. government and the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, ICANN, that grants the U.S. formal approval over changes to the authoritative root zone file and the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority functions. As observed by Lawrence Strickling, administrator… -
opinion
Even ‘Medical’ Marijuana Has Dangers
Sorry, pot pushers—your “medical marijuana” is still a Schedule 1 controlled substance. In a recent press release, the Drug Enforcement Administration confirmed the dangers of allowing marijuana to be grown and used freely. Indeed, the detrimental health effects that come from a lack of regulation overshadow the “medicinal” benefits of marijuana. But in recognizing the… -
opinion
Violence in Burundi Highlights the Fragility of Democracy in Africa
The small central African country of Burundi is approaching its 17th month of violence sparked by President Pierre Nkurunziza’s decision to seek a third term in office. Once a relative success story, Burundi’s democracy is now on life support. Its plight is a reminder of the fragile state of African democracy, and is part of… -
news
This Former Sheriff Is Leading the GOP’s Response to Policing ‘Crisis’ in America
Rep. Dave Reichert is quick to let you know why he has the life experiences to be the GOP’s authority on addressing historic tensions between the police and the people they serve. “I have been there before, where your life is threatened and you have to make a split decision,” said Reichert, R-Wash. “I have… -
news
Meet the Salon Owner Fighting Eyebrow Threading Regulations
In 1985, Lata Jagtiani immigrated to New York City from India with a dream to be her own boss by opening her own salon. But because money was tight, Jagtiani made ends meet by working as a bookkeeper for various New York businesses before becoming a stay-at-home mom. While raising her two children, Jagtiani continued… -
opinion
Finish What Reagan Started—End CON Laws
In 1986, President Ronald Reagan convinced Congress to eliminate an ill-conceived requirement that states restrict investment in health care. Cronyism is hard to uproot, however. Almost 30 years later, 35 states and the District of Columbia still maintain these restrictions on medical investment. For a decade before Reagan’s reform, Washington had been leaning on state… -
opinion
Burping in Class? You’re Under Arrest
Every school has a class clown. Sometimes that student takes an act of comedy one step too far and garners a detention or, at worst, a suspension for particularly egregious conduct. According to officials at a New Mexico middle school and a federal appeals court, however, it is also appropriate to place a student under… -
opinion
In 2015, the Government Employed Over 277,000 Regulators
Want to work in a field that has more than quadrupled in size since 1960? Consider being a regulator for the federal government. Even during the last recession, the regulatory agencies were hiring. In 2015, the U.S. government employed more than 277,000 regulators. To put that number in perspective, it’s 50,000 more workers than General… -
opinion
America’s Abandonment of Traditional Values Has Hurt the Black Community
One of the unavoidable consequences of youth is the tendency to think behavior we see today has always been. I’d like to dispute that vision, at least as it pertains to black people. I graduated from Philadelphia’s Benjamin Franklin High School in 1954. Franklin’s predominantly black students were from the poorest North Philadelphia neighborhoods. During… -
opinion
The Unshakable Optimism of Heritage Founder Ed Feulner
At a time when many Americans say the nation is headed in the wrong direction and the American dream seems increasingly improbable, who better to turn to for counsel and comfort than Ed Feulner, the founder of The Heritage Foundation, who celebrates his 75th birthday Friday? “I’m always the optimist,” Ed admits. “I’m the congenital optimist… -
news
AARP’s Retreat From Conservative Forum Part of ‘Great Silencing’
The decision by the seniors group AARP to drop its membership in an influential legislative reform coalition is the latest example of the left’s successful pressure on corporations and other organizations to disown the group. “People should be concerned when any group believes solutions come from intimidation rather than discussion,” @ALEC_states says. As of December, according… -
news
Wells Fargo Won’t Do Business With Online Knife Sellers
A major knives manufacturer from central California says his company was denied access to an internet payment processing service because they sell weapons online, raising questions about whether an anti-fraud program called Operation Choke Point is continuing to block legal businesses in the firearms and weapons industries from accessing basic banking services. “It was pretty… -
opinion
College Football Becomes Latest Goal Line for LGBT Activists
The Big 12 will be making a big mistake if the college sports conference cowers at the latest assault on the First Amendment and freedom of religion by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender activists. Ten teams currently make up the Big 12 conference, but discussions are underway about whether to add two to four schools, and…