Political Commentary & Opinion
Analysis, commentary, and opinion essays on politics and policy from The Daily Signal’s contributors and experts.
-
news
Report Exposes EPA’s ‘Pattern of Deception’ in Colorado Mine Spill
Two federal agencies put out misinformation and inconsistent explanations of the government’s role in the Gold King Mine blowout and water contamination in Colorado last summer, a congressional report says. The report specifically faults the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of the Interior for their actions related to the Aug. 5 incident, in which 3 million gallons of water… -
opinion
4 Examples of Extraordinary Presidential Leadership
There’s no better way of celebrating our presidents around Presidents Day than by remembering a few of their extraordinary acts of courage. Here are four examples highlighting when past presidents have displayed clear leadership: George Washington. When King George III asked what General Washington would do after he led the Colonial Army to victory, the… -
news
9 Zingers From the Sharp Mind of Justice Antonin Scalia
Justice Antonin Scalia, who died Saturday during his 29th year on the Supreme Court, was known for a sharp wit as well as a brilliant legal mind, and he expressed both with his tongue as well as his pen. Here is just a sample: 1. “What is a moderate interpretation of the text? Halfway between what it really… -
opinion
What Scalia Taught Us
Antonin Gregory Scalia has died. For some, it is the painful loss of a husband or father. For those who knew him, it is the loss of a good friend. For law students, it is the loss of a justice who wrote opinions with rigorous analysis, clarity of expression, and at times an acerbic wit…. -
news
Over Governor’s Veto, West Virginia Becomes 26th State to Pass Right-to-Work
West Virginia Republicans overrode a veto by Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin on Friday, successfully passing right-to-work. Tomblin, a Democrat, vetoed the measure Thursday after expressing concern that it would not help stimulate the economy as some claimed. The policy outlaws mandatory union dues or fees as a condition of employment. Republicans argued that it could… -
news
According to Oregon’s Numbers, Here’s What Will Happen If Assisted Suicide Is Legalized Nationwide
An annual report examining physician-assisted suicide trends in Oregon shows a growing number of individuals seeking to die under the state’s Death with Dignity Act. "In the past two years the number of deaths as a result of physician-assisted suicide in Oregon has nearly doubled,” said Ryan T. Anderson, who researches and writes on physician-assisted… -
opinion
This Landlord Had $250,000 Seized Because Too Many Residents Got Married
In yet another egregious case of civil asset forfeiture abuse, Michigander John Gutowski was forced to spend years fighting the government to reclaim over $250,000 in seized assets. Even after dropping criminal charges against him, prosecutors refused to return his property unless he agreed to let them keep $15,000 of his hard-earned money. What was… -
news
Since the Release of Undercover Videos, 8 States Have Defunded Planned Parenthood. Ohio Makes It 9.
Ohio Gov. John Kasich is expected to sign a bill defunding Planned Parenthood, making Ohio the ninth state to do so since undercover videos exposed the abortion provider’s apparent role in harvesting the body parts of aborted babies. The bill, H.B. 294, ensures that state and certain federal funds are not used to perform or promote… -
opinion
George Washington Deserves His Own Day, Not Presidents Day
Poor George Washington. His birthday, spontaneously celebrated since the revolution and formally declared a holiday in 1879, has slowly morphed into the insipid Presidents Day you’ll hear about Monday. Washington, the “indispensable man” of the revolution who was rightly extolled for being “first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his… -
news
Is Operation Choke Point Still Happening? A Business Owner’s Story
Running his business, Gregory Bone says he did “everything we could” to avoid a conflict. His industry—payday lending—is overseen by state and federal officials. But despite his clean record, Bone said U.S. Bank informed him on Jan. 22 that his checking account was being abruptly shut down. The only explanation for it, Bone said, was… -
opinion
Want to Improve Your Relationship? Go to Church With Your Spouse
This Valentine’s Day, skip the chocolate and flowers. If you really want your spouse to be happy, the best thing for your relationship may be to celebrate Valentine’s Day by going to church and praying together. A new study—released just in time for National Marriage Week and Valentine’s Day—suggests that attending church with your significant… -
news
These College Students Propose to Bring Back Dating for Valentine’s Day
Students at 36 schools across the country are campaigning to bring back dating just in time for Valentine’s Day. Students from Princeton University to Stanford University, and many schools in between, partnered with the Love and Fidelity Network this week to host flower and candy giveaways, film screenings, discussions, and lectures—all designed to encourage college students… -
opinion
DC Devotes $29K per Student Each Year. What if Parents Controlled That Money?
Washington, D.C., public schools consistently underperform relative to the rest of the country, while having the highest per-pupil revenue in the nation. Clearly the “spend more” model has not been working for the families of Washington, D.C. D.C. revenue exceeds $29,000 per pupil every year, while graduation rates hover at about 64 percent and only… -
news
Rule Requiring Transgender Bathrooms Survives by One Vote
An effort to repeal a rule allowing transgender persons to use public bathrooms or locker rooms of their choice was rejected by a one-vote margin in Washington state. The state Senate narrowly defeated the repeal bill, 24-25. “It is unfortunate that the state Senate chose to ignore the right to privacy that everyone in Washington state has long enjoyed… -
opinion
5 Ways To Improve Our Primary Debates
The fundamental problem with the 2016 primary “debates” among presidential candidates (especially Republicans) is that they are not debates—they are news conferences sanctioned by the Republican National Committee or the Democratic National Committee. As long as the TV and cable networks and other news organizations are in charge, we are going to have “gotcha” questions, arbitrary… -
opinion
New Fast and Furious Report Shows Government Could Make Same Mistake Again
The Justice Department’s inspector general, Michael Horowitz, has released a second report on Operation Fast and Furious that questions whether other law enforcement agencies within the Justice Department have implemented the inspector general’s recommendations that were intended to ensure they don’t make the same mistakes the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives made. This… -
opinion
Love and Marriage: The Secret to a Lasting Relationship
This is National Marriage Week, and it is fitting that the week ends with Valentine’s Day. After all, commitment of marriage vows provides the foundation for the lasting love that is heralded in the holiday greeting cards. Sadly, throughout the past 50 years, marriage rates have plummeted, while the rates of cohabitation among couples have… -
opinion
What We Can Learn From Jefferson-Hamilton Debate on National Bank
This February is the 225th anniversary of Alexander Hamilton’s and Thomas Jefferson’s famous 1791 debate—carried on in President George Washington’s cabinet—over the constitutionality of Hamilton’s proposed Bank of the United States. It might seem strange to call such an anniversary to mind. After all, we usually celebrate our great moments of national agreement (like the… -
news
Why Proponents Are Struggling to Salvage Bipartisan Criminal Justice Reform
Republicans in the Senate are divided over how to overhaul the nation’s criminal justice system, posing a potential setback to lawmakers who hoped to enact major bipartisan changes this year. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, remains a key player in reform efforts, actively promoting legislation that would scale back the nation’s high incarceration rates and reduce a ballooned prison population… -
news
Why Mike Lee Wants to Keep Women Out of the Draft
Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, plans to introduce a bill that would prohibit women from being registered for a possible draft requiring military service. Current law exempts women from registering with the Selective Service, but the issue was thrust back into national discourse following the Obama administration’s decision late last year to open all combat positions in the military…