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
Puerto Rico’s Warning to the Mainland: Stop Kicking the Can Down the Road
The findings of Puerto Rico’s Fiscal and Economic Recovery Working Group should serve as a warning sign to the U.S. Government that putting off economic and budgetary reforms will ultimately cause much deeper and more painful cuts that severely hinder economic growth. After accumulating $72 billion in debts that Puerto Rico’s governor declared unpayable in… -
opinion
Cartoon: Americans Oppose Iran Deal
Genevieve Wood wrote on why the Iran Deal is dangerous for Americans: It has been said that liberty and freedom require eternal vigilance. There are no permanent victories or defeats in Washington – only permanent battles. So despite what you may hear from the mainstream news media or the White House that this deal is done—it is… -
opinion
This Document Established the Five Central Themes of Modern Conservatism
Most political rhetoric dies a quick and deserved death, but a statement adopted on this date 55 years ago remains the most widely accepted definition of the Conservative Idea. I refer to the magisterial Sharon Statement, drafted by 26-year-old M. Stanton Evans and approved by Young Americans for Freedom (YAF) at its founding meeting in Sharon,… -
news
This Retired Navy SEAL’s Brother Was Killed by Hezbollah. Why He’s Against the Iran Nuclear Deal.
For Ken Stethem, the Iran nuclear deal is personal. “I’m doing something out of what, for me, is a form of duty,” says Stethem, referring to his work with Veterans Against the Deal, a coalition of veterans speaking out against a nuclear deal he says is “supported on partisanship and not principle.” President Obama recently… -
news
Palin, Cruz Criticize Iran Deal at Rally
Protesters coalesced on Capitol Hill Wednesday to rail against the Iran nuclear agreement during a rally that drew a slew of conservative heavyweights, including Republican Sen. Ted Cruz and former vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin. Cruz labeled the deal “catastrophic” and the “single greatest national security threat to America,” evoking cheers from the hundreds who… -
opinion
September 11, Flight 93, and the Power of Self-Governance
On September 11, 2001, the first successful counterattack of our long war against Islamic jihad was launched not by the United States military, but by a small, spontaneously formed, self-governing group of American citizens who possessed the courage to fight back. As the years pass since 9/11, it’s vital that we not forget what occurred… -
news
Study: Survival Rate Among Preemie Babies on Upswing
Babies born prematurely have a higher survival rate than 20 years ago, a study released on Tuesday found. The findings of the extensive research study, titled “Trends in Care Practices, Morbidity, and Mortality of Extremely Preterm Neonates, 1993-2012,” were published in the Journal of American Medical Association. The study credits improvements in medical care at neonatal… -
opinion
14 Years Later, the Threat of Islamist Terrorism Is as Real as Ever
Friday is the 14th anniversary of 9/11, the deadliest terrorist attack in history. Four planes were hijacked by al-Qaeda terrorists, who flew a plane into both of New York City’s World Trade Center Towers and the Pentagon. On the fourth plane, the passengers fought back, and the plane crashed in a field in Pennsylvania on its… -
opinion
Guantanamo Detainee Terror Recidivism Rate Increases
A few years back, Congress decided that they wanted to know how many Guantanamo detainees went back to the fight after their release or transfer. So they passed Section 307 of the Fiscal Year 2012 Intelligence Authorization Act, which requires the director of national intelligence to publish an unclassified summary of the recidivism rate of… -
opinion
An Interactive Timeline of Islamist Terror Plots Since 9/11
The Heritage Foundation tracks Islamist terror plots and attacks since 9/11 and as the 14th anniversary of that fateful day approaches, it is important for Congress and the American people grasp the continuing threat of terrorism. To that end, Heritage has produced an interactive timeline for each Islamist terror plot against the U.S. homeland. As… -
news
Study Finds Happiest Parents Have Four or More Kids
The happiest parents are—drumroll, please—parents with four or more kids. Parents of large families were found to have the most life satisfaction, according to a study by Australia’s Edith Cowan University. Dr. Bronwyn Harman, of the psychology and social science school at the university, spent five years studying what types of families are most content…. -
opinion
Mr. President, It’s Time to Reverse Course on Iran Deal
It has been said that liberty and freedom require eternal vigilance. There are no permanent victories or defeats in Washington – only permanent battles. So despite what you may hear from the mainstream news media or the White House that this deal is done—it is not done, and this is a battle The Heritage Foundation and all… -
news
What’s Next for Freed Kentucky Clerk? Her Lawyer Speaks Out
The lawyer for Kim Davis blames Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear for his client’s protracted religious liberty fight that has played out nationally over the last two months. “He is forcing same-sex marriage onto Kim Davis and the other clerks despite their religious convictions and conscience,” Mat Staver tells The Daily Signal. “That is unconscionable and… -
news
9 Things You Need to Know From the First Planned Parenthood Hearing
The first in a series of hearings about Planned Parenthood kicked off Wednesday in Capitol Hill, with Republicans and Democrats running in circles over whether or not the organization did anything wrong, failing to reach any common ground. “No reliable evidence demonstrates that Planned Parenthood violated the law,” said John Conyers, D-Mich., ranking member of the… -
news
Crisis Pressures US to Provide Haven For More Syrian Refugees
As the world grapples with a migrant crisis flooding Europe, the United States is facing pressure to provide safe haven for Syrians fleeing their government and terrorists. Four million Syrian refugees—nearly a fifth of the population—have fled the country since the civil war began there four years ago, but only about 1,500 of them have… -
opinion
The “Due Process Guarantee Act” Is a Solution for a Problem That Doesn’t Exist
Several years ago, after Congress passed the National Defense Authorization Act of 2011, some states (at the urging of the Tenth Amendment Center), along with ill-informed conservatives, the ACLU, and others, considered enacting legislation that would make it a crime for state employees to participate in the investigation, detention, or arrest of any suspected member… -
opinion
Why Government Price Controls Would Reduce Access to Drugs
Americans are concerned about rising drug prices, and they want Congress to do something about it. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, one of the most popular proposals (garnering the support of 83 percent of Americans) is giving the federal government power to “negotiate” with drug companies to get lower prices for medications for people… -
news
Kim Davis to Return to Work After Being Released From Jail
Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis was released from jail Tuesday after being held in contempt of court for defying a judge’s order to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. The Associated Press reports that Davis will take a few days off and return to work either Friday or Monday, but questions remain about whether… -
opinion
To Be Effective Against Terrorist Propaganda, US Broadcasting Needs Reform
The strategic importance of countering the aggressive recruitment and propaganda campaigns of the Islamic State (ISIS) is indisputable, but can the U.S. government get its act together? The Broadcasting Board of Governors, which is the independent government agency that oversees several of the main U.S. assets in this fight, including the Voice of America, recently…