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
How Law Enforcement Will Protect the Super Bowl From Terrorists
One of the most iconic American events of the year is about to occur—the Super Bowl. Thousands of Americans (maybe even a few Canadians who have caught the bug) will be attending the game. If you were a terrorist, either from ISIS or al-Qaeda, or one of their affiliates, wouldn’t you love to go after… -
news
It Takes 6 Years to Become a Licensed Interior Designer in 4 States. A Bipartisan Coalition Wants to Change That.
A new issue governing requirements job-seekers must satisfy to work in fields ranging from interior design to cosmetology is gaining bipartisan support on Capitol Hill and at the White House. Policymakers have turned their focus to occupational licensing, and an unlikely alliance of leaders across the political spectrum has emerged with hopes of easing state… -
opinion
Cartoon: Land of the Free?
Heritage Foundation expert Anthony Kim wrote earlier this week about the 2016 Index of Economic Freedom. Millions of people around the world are emerging from poverty thanks to rising economic freedom. But by sharp contrast, America’s economic freedom has been on a declining path over the past decade. According to the 2016 Index of Economic… -
news
14 Inspiring Quotes About Faith From 2 Super Bowl Quarterbacks
The Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers have more in common than just playing each other in Super Bowl 50 this weekend in Santa Clara, California: Both teams have quarterbacks who are men of faith. As football fans gather Sunday with family and friends (that may or may not only watch the commercials and Coldplay),… -
opinion
Congress Needs to Fix Disability Insurance (for Real This Time)
After two decades of ignoring blatant inefficiencies, widespread abuses, and outright fraud, Congress has used Social Security’s retirement program to bail out the Social Security Disability Insurance program. And now it’s on track to ignore the program’s problems again. Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., and Joe Manchin, R-W.V., have sent a message to their Finance Committee… -
news
Indicted Planned Parenthood Videomaker, Releasing New Sting, Wants to ‘Send a Strong Message’
The pro-life activist behind a series of undercover videos exposing the practices of Planned Parenthood emerged Thursday from court appearances in Texas vowing to continue his fight for unborn children despite being charged with breaking the law through his tactics. “We’re out here to send a strong message that Houston’s children and their body parts… -
news
15 Quotes From the 2016 National Prayer Breakfast
American leaders expressed the role faith plays in shaping people’s lives at the National Prayer Breakfast this morning. The bipartisan event is traditionally held the first Thursday of February at the Washington Hilton and has been organized by The Fellowship Foundation since 1953. The following are some of the statements made by this year’s speakers:… -
opinion
Regulation Is Holding Back a Real Housing Recovery
Seven years after its collapse, the U.S. housing market still has not experienced a real recovery. The heavy-handed and misguided federal policy that was supposed to cure the problem is instead the main culprit in preventing a recovery. Thanks, Dodd-Frank! The 2010 Dodd-Frank Act confuses endless red tape for effective reform of housing finance. One… -
opinion
How One Determined Woman Changed the Lives of Hundreds
In January, friends and family in the Washington, D.C., area said a final goodbye to community champion Rita Jackson, but her indomitable spirit and the vision she had for the lives of the District’s disadvantaged youths are alive and strong in hundreds of lives she touched. Jackson’s girlhood dreams of becoming a professional dancer came… -
news
House Freedom Caucus Hits Back at Paul Ryan
The House Freedom Caucus rallied against Speaker Paul Ryan Wednesday after he suggested that the conservative members rein in their goals while Democrats control the executive branch. “When voices in the conservative movement demand things that they know we can’t achieve with a Democrat in the White House, all that does is depress our base… -
news
17 Facts About Football Star Giving Closing Prayer at the National Prayer Breakfast
University of Alabama football player and Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry will be giving the closing prayer at the National Prayer Breakfast held in Washington, D.C., Thursday. Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Ala., co-chairing the event this year with Rep. Juan Vargas, D-Calif., made the announcement Monday that 21-year-old Henry will give the prayer. “I’m pleased we… -
news
Judge Makes Government Pay Legal Fees to Store Owner Whose $107,700 Was Seized by IRS
A federal court delivered a victory to a North Carolina convenience store owner from whom the IRS had seized $107,700, directing the government to reimburse him for more than $20,000 in legal fees and expenses. Lyndon McLellan, who owns a convenience store in Fairmont, N.C., already had won back the $107,700 the Internal Revenue Service… -
news
Sen. Joni Ernst Calls for Strategy to Fight ISIS ‘No Matter Where They Are’
The Obama administration’s strategy against ISIS “is not working, ” Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, told a gathering of conservative lawmakers and policy wonks, and in 2016, conservatives must develop one that allows the U.S. military to engage the terrorist army “no matter where they are.” “This administration has been so intent on containing it, on… -
news
US Bound by Climate Change Deal That Skirts Constitution, House Panel Told
President Barack Obama bound the United States to an international agreement on climate change, but the administration’s decision to circumvent Congress to implement the deal has lawyers questioning its constitutionality. Despite legally binding elements in the Paris Protocol, which require Senate ratification, negotiators worded the deal in a manner that enables Obama to handle it… -
news
Legions of Italians March to Stop Bill Allowing Same-Sex Unions
Huge crowds marched in Rome over the weekend to protest national legislation granting legal recognition to same-sex couples in Italy. The measure also would allow either partner in a same-sex couple to adopt the other’s biological children. Italians rallied at Circus Maximus, the ancient stadium that has a capacity of 350,000, Reuters reported. Organizers estimated that approximately 2… -
news
What Paul Ryan Thinks Conservatives Must Do to Avoid Falling Into ‘Trap’ Set by Progressives
Speaking at an event hosted by the conservative Heritage Action, House Speaker Paul Ryan urged conservatives to unite around a “bold, pro-growth agenda” but to be realistic in what the party can achieve while President Barack Obama remains in office. Ryan believes that Republicans can capture the White House in 2016 if they are “inclusive”… -
opinion
DC’s Bikesharing Program’s Big Losses Show Why Government Shouldn’t Fund Bikeshares
Showering federal money on the latest fashionable project is second nature for some members of Congress. The newest example comes with a program that looks to classify bikeshare programs as public transit. The Bikeshare Transit Act, introduced by Reps. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., and Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., would make bike sharing programs eligible for continuous funding… -
news
Why Is This Sting Celebrated by ‘60 Minutes’ but Not Those Planned Parenthood Videos?
Investigative tactics featured on CBS News’ “60 Minutes” bear an eerie resemblance to the undercover sting operation of a pro-life activist indicted last week for his role in secretly recorded videos in which Planned Parenthood officials talk about harvesting aborted babies for tissue and organs. A report called “Anonymous Inc.,” which aired Sunday night, focused… -
opinion
Oklahoma Law Enforcement Use Outrageous Claims to Prevent Reform Legislation
Law enforcement agencies in Oklahoma are upset with attempts in their state legislature to reform the practice known as civil asset forfeiture, the legal tool that allows law enforcement officers to seize property suspected of being involved in, or derived from, illegal activity. These groups have laid out a parade of horribles so extreme that Oklahomans… -
opinion
Finally, America May Be Catching On to Ethanol Racket
The results of the Iowa caucus proved that even Iowans—long seen as fervent proponents of ethanol—don’t view Washington’s favoritism to it as necessarily still required. Much like many campaigns out there, the Renewable Fuel Standard that mandates the use of biofuels in our gasoline has been full of empty promises. When Congress passed the Renewable…