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
This State Could Soon Become First to Stop Transgender Students From Using Opposite-Sex Bathrooms
South Dakota could soon become the first state in the nation to pass legislation that would ban students from using public school bathrooms, locker rooms and showers that are opposite from their biological sex. “I’m concerned about what I see happening in schools across our country,” said Rep. Fred Deutsch, a Republican from Florence who… -
opinion
The Biggest Loser in Iowa
One of the biggest losers in Iowa this week wasn’t officially on the presidential ballot. I’m talking about ethanol subsidies. Political wisdom has always said candidates must support government handouts to Iowa’s corn farmers in order to win elections in the state. The results of the Iowa caucus proved such “wisdom” wrong. Here’s the deal… -
news
Conservatives to Outline Plan to ‘Take Back America’
Two dozen members of Congress will tackle aspects of “a blueprint to take back America” during the annual Conservative Policy Summit, set for Wednesday at The Heritage Foundation. Headlining will be House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., scheduled to deliver a keynote address at the summit, hosted by Heritage Action for America, the think tank’s lobbying… -
opinion
Already, 3 Islamist Terror Plot Attempts in US This Year
The Heritage Foundation tracks Islamist-inspired terror plots, which have occurred within the United States since Sept. 2001. Five plots have recently been added to the interactive timeline. Since the New Year there have already been three domestic terror plots in the U.S., one having been successful. 1. Philadelphia, Pa.—Police officer Jesse Hartnett was shot and… -
opinion
Your Tax Dollars Will Fund the Next Global Bailout
The Financial Times reports that officials “from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank are heading to Azerbaijan to discuss a possible $4 billion emergency loan package in what risks becoming the first of a series of bailouts stemming from” tumbling world oil prices. >>> Read the full 2016 Index of Economic Freedom Not… -
opinion
The US Debt Just Exceeded $19 Trillion. Here’s How We Got Here.
On Monday the U.S. national debt hit a new record: $19,012,827,698,418. This is the first time the national debt has ever exceeded $19 trillion. That’s more than $58,000 for each person who lives in the U.S. today (including children). That’s more than $58,000 for each person that lives in the U.S. today (including children). The main… -
news
Small Business Scores Victory Over City in Protest of Property Seizure
Small business owners in Norfolk, Va., claimed victory for free speech after the city failed to stop them from displaying a banner protesting the government power of eminent domain. The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals decided last week that Norfolk government officials infringed on the First Amendment rights of the owners of Central Radio Co. by ordering them to… -
news
Oklahoma Law Enforcement Fights Effort to Make It Harder to Take People’s Cash, Property
Just days before the Oklahoma legislature kicked off this year’s session, three law enforcement groups began lobbying lawmakers to oppose a bill that would make it more difficult for police to take property from innocent Americans under the state’s civil asset forfeiture laws. The Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association, Oklahoma City Police Department, and Oklahoma Association of… -
news
Homeless Man in Viral Chick-fil-A Photo Has a Dream. Strangers May Help Him Achieve It.
A crowdfunding campaign is raising money to help a homeless man pay for a food truck for the hungry, after tens of thousands learned of his plight in a viral photo taken at a Chick-fil-A restaurant. The fundraising effort “exists to help him fulfill his dream,” Joey Mustain said on Facebook. “Let’s not just help him… -
opinion
New Maryland Reform Makes It Harder for Police to Unjustly Seize Property
Recently the Maryland legislature undertook a historic vote to override Gov. Larry Hogan’s veto of a modest civil asset forfeiture reform package (S.B. 528). On Jan. 21, having attained the necessary three-fifths majority in both the Maryland House and Senate, the reform became law, despite Hogan’s objections. Thanks to the veto override, Maryland citizens are better… -
opinion
Progressivism Throws Money at Problems. Conservatism Solves Them.
To “throw money at the problem” is usually understood as a bad thing everywhere but in progressive circles. And for all intents and purposes, the Washington Beltway is one of them. Recognizing the underlying pathology of a problem, or debating whether it is best addressed at a federal, state, or local level—even asking whether… -
opinion
How One State Is Attempting to Stop Government Theft
MADISON, Wis.—Mandrel Stuart and his young attorney found out firsthand the power of law enforcement to take what it wants through civil asset forfeiture. In August 2012, Stuart was pulled over on suspicion of a minor traffic violation. Although he was never charged with a crime, the cops seized $17,550 Stuart had with him. The owner… -
opinion
Chicago Regulations Could Mean Jail for Some Airbnb Users
It could be “one strike and you’re out” for Airbnb users in Chicago. In a series of new rules, Chicago officials recently outlined a plan to regulate the short-term rental market. Though city officials say the rules are meant to make it easier for people to rent out their homes using services like Airbnb, the… -
news
Terrorists Won’t Be Eligible for Welfare Under This Congressman’s Plan
A congressman plans to introduce legislation Monday that would block terrorists from receiving food stamps. “I am shocked that our current law does not prevent the criminals who have been convicted of plotting and carrying out acts of terrorism against innocent Americans from getting welfare benefits,” Rep. Bruce Poliquin, R-Maine, said in a statement. Poliquin’s… -
news
Christian Family Sues Over ‘Islamic Indoctrination’ Homework
A Maryland couple are suing their county school system, the school board, and their daughter’s high school principal over what they claim was “Islamic indoctrination and propaganda” in a world history class. John Kevin Wood and his wife, Melissa, say they are Christians and were upset to learn their 16-year-old daughter brought home homework that characterized Muslims… -
opinion
What This Progressive Gets Wrong on Land Mines
Whenever I write on any of the treaties beloved of the left—whether it’s the treaty on land mines, on cluster munitions, or on conventional arms—I’m sure that, somewhere, I’m outraging a progressive. This time, Michael Moore, a campaigner at Landmines in Africa—and presumably no more than an ideological relative of the film propagandist of that… -
opinion
No, Shrinking the Army Isn’t a Good Option
How big of an Army does the United States need? What is the right balance between the active-duty Army and the Army National Guard and Army Reserve? These are the questions that the National Commission on the Future of the Army were tasked with addressing in their new report. While the report dives deeply into… -
news
In Under 90 Seconds, Sen. Ben Sasse Defines Conservatism
Appearing on MSNBC Friday, Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., was asked to define conservatism. “What makes America great is not some guy in Washington who says, ‘If I had more power, I could fix it all unilaterally,’” he said. “That’s not the American tradition.” Watch his full answer above. -
opinion
This College President Rejected The Loony Demands of His Students
In the wake of incidents smacking of mob rule at the University of Missouri and Yale, some college administrators are waking up. Students attend college to be educated, not to play “social justice warrior.” So when students disrupt the educational mission of colleges, they should be appropriately disciplined. Whether it was at the University of… -
news
The Government Might Outlaw Free TV Binge-Watching on Your Phone
Wireless data caps, the annoying limits on how much data you can use from your phone, have been a fact of mobile life for several years. Now, a new pricing concept in the wireless marketplace, known as “zero-rating,” promises to relieve consumers of the fear that streaming one too many videos will trigger extra charges….