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
The Future of Nuclear Sanctions Against Iran, Explained in 90 Seconds
Under a deal requiring Iran to curb its nuclear program, the United States and the broader international community will lift sanctions on Tehran imposed over several decades. The Obama administration has said the deal will give Iran relief from nuclear-related sanctions, and not impact other sanctions aimed at Tehran over its sponsorship of terrorism and… -
opinion
What Alexander Hamilton Can Teach Modern America About Constitutional Statesmanship
Events of 2015—both good and bad—have pushed Alexander Hamilton back into the spotlight. On a good note, he is the subject of a highly praised and very successful New York musical. Unfortunately, in addition to this, the Treasury Department floated the possibility of taking him off the ten-dollar bill. But even the bad side did… -
news
Today Marks 53rd Anniversary of Death of Peter Fechter, Teen Killed Attempting to Cross Berlin Wall
Fifty-three years ago today, the eyes of the world turned to East Germany as an 18-year-old’s suffering became an international symbol of cruelty. Peter Fechter, just 18 years old at the time of his death in 1962, was fatally shot down by East German border guards as he attempted to cross into West Germany during the… -
opinion
The Iran Deal Leads to War. There Is a Better Way.
Iran is the world’s No. 1 state sponsor of terrorism. Americans agree it should not have a nuclear weapon. President Obama’s Iran deal does not prevent Iran from doing so—and, in fact, the deal makes the prospects for war more likely. If approved, the deal with Iran would dismantle the sanctions that forced the regime… -
news
If Planned Parenthood Loses Government Funding, Here’s a Map of Health Clinics That Could Take Its Place
Two leading pro-life organizations released a map today intended to showcase the thousands of community health care clinics that could step in for Planned Parenthood if it were to lose federal funding. The map adds to a heated conversation about whether stripping Planned Parenthood of its $500 million annual taxpayer dollars would hurt women’s health… -
opinion
The Abandonment of Jefferson and Jackson Reveals the Left’s Intellectual Confusion
The Democratic Party plans to delete its association with Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson, its founding fathers. As the New York Times recently reported, several state Democratic Party affiliates are dropping both Jefferson and Jackson from the party’s name. Georgia, Iowa, Connecticut and Missouri have already done so. It is likely only a matter of time… -
opinion
Nuclear Industry, Not Government, Should Handle Nuclear Waste Issue
By law, the Department of Energy is supposed to collect spent nuclear fuel and deposit it at Nevada’s Yucca Mountain. Nuclear power customers in 33 states have paid billions of dollars into a federal fund to finance this service. Yet the DOE has never collected a single ounce of spent fuel. Indeed, the Yucca Mountain… -
opinion
Let the Killer Robots Live (For Now)
Stephen Hawking, Elon Musk and Steve Wozniak headline a list of science luminaries signing on to a letter demanding a universal ban on autonomous weapons. This high-profile offensive against nations fielding robotic weapons that allegedly decide for themselves whom to attack is the latest in a pre-emptive effort to block the development of so-called “killer… -
news
What 4 Democrat Presidential Candidates Said At Iowa Wing Ding Dinner
CLEAR LAKE, Iowa— Democratic presidential candidates spoke at a historic rock and roll landmark here Friday night, with each using the Iowa Wing Ding dinner to lay out their policies. #WingDing dinner 2015 pic.twitter.com/6XvHPLQvWO — Leah Jessen (@_LeahKay_) August 15, 2015 Guest speakers were former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Sen. Bernie Sanders, former Maryland… -
news
Carly Fiorina: EPA Regulations ‘Will Destroy Livelihoods’
ALDEN, Iowa—The Environmental Protection Agency needs to “roll back” regulations, said former Hewlett-Packard Chief Executive Officer Carly Fiorina Thursday evening at a town hall meeting a few miles outside of the “best town by a dam site.” “The regulations that the EPA is rolling out now will destroy livelihoods. They will increase the cost of… -
news
StemExpress Is Cutting Ties With Planned Parenthood
StemExpress, a biomedical company engulfed in the scandal surrounding allegations that Planned Parenthood is selling fetal organs, is cutting ties with the nation’s largest abortion provider, according to a report by Politico. Politico reports that StemExpress “notified Planned Parenthood and Congress Friday of its decision to end the relationship.” StemExpress and Planned Parenthood face questions… -
opinion
A Letter to Chuck Schumer: Convince Your Democrat Colleagues Iran Deal Is Bad
Dear Sen. Schumer, Or may I call you “Chuck”? About 30 years ago, when I first met you, you were an informal kind of guy. You had recently been elected to the House from a district in Brooklyn and Queens. I was a New York Times reporter. I remember you were sharing a row house… -
opinion
New Government Rule Would Regulate Almost Every Type of Water in US. Here Are 3 Problems With the Rule.
The Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers’ final water rule under the Clean Water Act seeks to regulate almost every type of water in the country. And you don’t even need to get into the substance of the rule to know it’ll be a disaster. Here are three signs that this rule should be… -
opinion
Gold King Mine Spill: The EPA Is the Polluter
At least one person knew there was going to be a spill from the Gold King Mine before EPA actions caused a breach and at least three million gallons of mining wastewater flowed into the Animus River on August 5. Nine days after the fact, the EPA has yet to explain exactly how and why… -
opinion
‘Hide No Harm Act’ Won’t Improve Car Safety, Promotes Overcriminalization
At least fifteen people have died since 2005 due to defective ignition switches in General Motors cars. Congress can’t fix these tragedies, but this sure hasn’t stopped them from trying to legislate a response. General Motors CEO Mary Barra purportedly discovered a defect in some of their cars in January 2014 and issued recalls. After… -
opinion
Yes, Iran Can Hide Nuclear Weapons in 24 Days. Iran Deal’s Details Show Fatal Flaws.
When it comes to the Iran deal, the devil is in details, particularly when it comes to verification and arms control. In the latest spin on the Iran deal’s flawed verification provisions, proponents of the deal are twisting words like pretzels to convince the American public that a nuclear program cannot be hidden in 24… -
opinion
Prime Minister Abe Atones for Japan’s Past Actions
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe commemorated the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II by releasing a highly anticipated statement to make amends to Japan’s neighbors. Abe went further than many would predicted even recently in acknowledging Japan’s wartime actions. Most notably, he included several key phrases from statements by his predecessors, including aggression,… -
news
As John Kerry Celebrates Embassy Opening, Cuban Dissidents Are Barred From Attending
The American flag was raised next to the U.S. embassy in Havana for the first time in 54 years Friday, but Cuban dissidents who have influenced U.S.-Cuban relations for decades were barred from the event. Secretary of State John Kerry justified the exclusion by telling Telemundo the symbolic opening was a “government-to-government moment, with very… -
opinion
ISIS Profits From Regime of Rape, Slavery
Thousands of women and girls have been brutally raped, beaten, and sold as slaves by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). Many of these are girls are Yazidis – from a small religious minority that practices the ancient religion Yazidism. In August 2014, the Yazidis were driven onto Mount Sinjar, and overtaken by… -
opinion
Can You Oppose Gay Marriage and Be a Good Judge? The Chilling Opinion of Ohio Court’s Board
Are people who publicly affirm that marriage is the union of one man and one woman unfit to be judges? The Ohio Supreme Court’s Board of Professional Conduct came close to saying just that in a recent advisory opinion in the wake of the Supreme Court’s national redefinition of marriage. According to the Board, a…