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
Here Are 18 Books You Should Read in 2016
Looking for a good book to start the new year? We've put together a list of recommendations by Heritage Foundation experts that will give you plenty of interesting reading options for 2016. History 1) "Hamilton versus Jefferson in the Washington Administration: Completing the Founding or Betraying the Founding?" by Carson Holloway Carson Holloway's study of the constitutional and political clashes of… -
opinion
How Do Millennials View Foreign Policy?
There are an estimated 75.3 million Millennials—those ranging from ages 18 to 34—living in the United States today. With the Millennial generation making up 23 percent of the American public, it is important to understand how Millennials view American foreign policy, and if this is different from how other generations view our role in the world…. -
news
Oregon Bakers Pay $135K Fine After Refusing to Bake Cake for Lesbian Wedding
The Oregon bakers who refused to bake a same-sex couple’s wedding cake have paid over $135,000 in fines. Aaron and Melissa Klein, former owners of Portland-area Sweet Cakes by Melissa, paid state-ordered damage fees and interest totaling $136,927.07 to the Bureau of Labor and Industries on Monday, reported KOIN 6 News. The bureau “was attempting… -
news
Why These Women Want to Repeal an LGBT Law in Alaska’s Biggest City
A gender identity law in Anchorage, Alaska, has met with opposition from a dozen women who say they are concerned about safety and privacy in bathrooms and locker rooms. The group—made up of mothers, sisters, aunts, grandmothers, and wives—submitted an application to Anchorage officials for a ballot question to repeal the law, which grants protected status to those… -
opinion
Law Enforcement Groups Cry Foul After Congress Seizes Money From Controversial Forfeiture Fund
One of the largest and most significant civil forfeiture programs has just been suspended and possibly ended. Last week, the Justice Department announced that it is temporarily suspending payouts under the federal “equitable sharing” program. That initiative encouraged state and local law enforcement agencies to bypass restrictive state forfeiture laws by allowing them to transfer… -
news
Bill Regulating Tax Preparers Faces Criticism for Impacts to Small Businesses, Consumers
New legislation aimed at regulating tax preparers has opponents of licensing and regulations warning that the new requirements would hinder competition and lead to increased costs for consumers. Earlier this month, Reps. Diane Black, R-Tenn., and Pat Meehan, R-Penn., introduced a bill that would give the Internal Revenue Service the authority to regulate tax preparers…. -
news
Retracing a High, Desperate Flight at Below Zero Near Mount Everest
NAMCHE BAZAR, Nepal—The hike to the Nangpa La refugee route was not an easy one. I felt fine and strong, but the weight of my pack took its toll, and the altitude often left me short of breath. I carried, among other things, a tent, a sleeping bag, a gas stove, clothes, food, a first… -
news
Drone Owners Overwhelm Federal Government’s Registration System
The Federal Aviation Administration appeared unprepared to accommodate the flood of new drone owners during the holiday season after requiring that Americans register their drones before lift off. The FAA shut down its registration page twice within two days after it launched last Monday because of high traffic. The FAA said last week an “overwhelming number… -
opinion
Genocidal Rhetoric on the Rise in One African Nation
Located in central Africa, the small nation of Burundi is on the brink of civil war once again. In April, current President Pierre Nkurunziza announced that he would run for a third term, a decision denounced by the opposition as a violation of the nation’s constitution. His subsequent election in July was widely criticized by… -
opinion
Here Are the Police Officers the Media Should Have Talked About in 2015
2015 was a rough year for American law enforcement. There has been a seemingly unending chorus of anti-police protests, accentuated by inflammatory and often dangerous rhetoric, which has inspired a hostility toward law enforcement that’s not been seen in decades. While some might now think this is because corruption is endemic to law enforcement, the… -
news
Fans Celebrate the Life of Globetrotting Basketballer Meadowlark Lemon
Fans today remembered basketball star George “Meadowlark” Lemon of the Harlem Globetrotters, who died Sunday at 83 in Scottsdale, Ariz. Lemon, dubbed the “Clown Prince of Basketball,” was famous for his trademark hook shot as well as his on-court comedy at the height of the Globetrotters’ popularity in the 1960s and 1970s. He was considered by many… -
opinion
What the Constitution Really Says About Race and Slavery
One hundred and fifty years ago this month, the 13th Amendment officially was ratified, and with it, slavery finally was abolished in America. The New York World hailed it as “one of the most important reforms ever accomplished by voluntary human agency.” The newspaper said the amendment “takes out of politics, and consigns to history, an institution… -
news
Oregon Bakers Read Mean Tweets
Aaron and Melissa Klein, the Oregon bakers who were ordered to pay $135,000 for refusing to make a cake for a same-sex wedding, are no strangers to online backlash. https://twitter.com/PoliticalRiff/status/632216048536678404 On Twitter, Facebook and other social media, critics comment regularly on the Kleins’ story, calling them “bigots” and “homophobes” for abiding by their biblical belief that marriage is… -
opinion
How Federal Missteps Make the Case to Transfer Public Lands to States, Localities
A forest fire on national parkland in Washington state in 2014 overtook a young black bear, seriously burning its front paws. This little bear, which would gain world renown, crawled on its elbows out of the massive Carlton Complex fire on land managed by the U.S. Forest Service. Later named Cinder, the malnourished and horribly… -
news
Virginia Severs Concealed Carry Agreements With 25 States
Virginia will stop honoring concealed carry permits from more than two dozen other states that currently have reciprocity privileges with the commonwealth. Attorney General Mark Herring, a Democrat, announced the change Tuesday after a state audit determined that gun laws in 25 states failed to meet Virginia’s requirements for concealed handguns. The shift will take effect Feb…. -
news
Why Franklin Graham Is Leaving the GOP
Less than one week after Congress passed a massive year-end spending bill that failed to strip Planned Parenthood of its taxpayer dollars, evangelist Franklin Graham announced he is leaving the Republican Party. “Shame on the Republicans and the Democrats for passing such a wasteful spending bill last week,” Graham wrote Monday on Facebook. “And to… -
opinion
Why Liberals Are Wrong About Land Mines
One of the progressive left’s favorite causes is campaigning against land mines. The Obama administration naturally has promised to stop producing or buying anti-personnel land mines (APL). In addition, the administration has said it will to stop using mines outside the Korean Peninsula, and – eventually – accede to the Ottawa Convention, which bans anti-personnel… -
opinion
U.S. Arms Sales to Taiwan: A Quarter of a Loaf
Fast on the heels of the COP21 climate change conference, the Obama Administration announced its first, and likely last, arms sale to Taiwan in this term. Totaling some $1.83 billion, the sale will include two decommissioned frigates, Javelin and TOW-2B anti-tank missiles, Stinger man-portable anti-aircraft missiles, amphibious vehicles, and various support equipment. While the decision… -
opinion
John Kerry Proves He Doesn’t Understand Climate Science
In an interview at the close of the recent Paris climate conference, Secretary of State John Kerry scolded Republican senators for saying out loud that the next president may not be a big supporter of President Barack Obama’s climate policies. Kerry asserted voters won’t allow a change, “I don’t think they’re going to accept as…