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
Feds: 7.5M Paid Average $200 Penalty for No Health Insurance
About 7.5 million Americans paid an average penalty of $200 for not having health insurance in 2014—the first year most Americans were required to have coverage under the Affordable Care Act, the Internal Revenue Service said Tuesday. By contrast, 76 percent of taxpayers checked a box indicating they had qualifying insurance coverage all year. Counting… -
opinion
What’s Driving the Downturn in Number of Abortions
The data on the abortion rate in the United States for 2014 has not been updated since 2011. And that is just the beginning of the problems with American abortion data. The paucity and poor quality of data on abortion in our country are worthy of note in and of themselves. While the better-known aphorism… -
opinion
What Pro-Nuclear Iranians Get Out of the Iran Deal
It turns out the Iran nuke deal is a lot like the guy or gal you spy across the room at a dimly lit party who from afar seems quite alluring—that is, until you get closer and realize the object of your affection isn’t what you had hoped for. Not by a long stretch. For… -
news
This Jewish Democrat Assemblyman Was Arrested Over Protesting Iran Deal
New York Assemblyman Dov Hikind was arrested Thursday during a protest against the Iran nuclear deal outside Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer’s Manhattan office. The conservative Democrat was handcuffed and charged with disorderly conduct along with seven other pro-Israel activists after sitting down in front of Schumer’s office. Getting arrested by the NYPD along with several… -
opinion
Reeling From Suicide Bombing, Turkey Targets Twitter
The Turkish government’s distrust of social media is well documented, so its reaction to Monday’s ISIS-inspired suicide bombing that killed 32 young Turks near the Syrian border was not surprising. The government temporarily shut down Twitter in an attempt to prevent images of the carnage from being shared. This reaction is too sweeping to be productive, but it is… -
opinion
5 Alternatives to the Iran Deal
Over the past several days, the Obama administration has been working hard to persuade Congress and the American people that the recently negotiated deal with Iran ought to be approved—or there will be a war in the Middle East. The president has said himself that: There really are only two alternatives here: Either the issue… -
news
Report Suggests Cuban Government May Be Responsible for Death of Famous Dissident
On the third anniversary of the death of famous Cuban dissident Oswaldo Payá, the Human Rights Foundation released a report suggesting that the Cuban government may have killed him. In their legal report, the Human Rights Foundation highlighted the inaccuracies and inconsistencies in the Cuban government’s investigation into Payá's death. The report found numerous due… -
news
Conservatives to Boehner: Don’t Delay Defunding Planned Parenthood
Republicans are divided on how to best address the recent Planned Parenthood scandal, with House Speaker John Boehner suggesting Congress get “facts first” before defunding the organization, and conservatives arguing that there’s no time to wait. “We all want the facts and there’s no question that a full investigation is needed, but we already know… -
opinion
The Welles Declaration: 75th Anniversary of the U.S. Standing Up for Democracy in the Baltic States
This week marks the 75th anniversary of the Welles Declaration, when the United States stood up for freedom, democracy, and the right to self-determination in the Baltic states. In the Declaration, the United States made clear that America would stand with the citizens of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania in the face of Soviet aggression. Then-Secretary… -
opinion
De Blasio’s Proposed Uber Restrictions Would Have Helped Cabs, Not New Yorkers
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio backed away from his controversial plan to restrict the growth of ridesharing companies in the Big Apple. The mayor blamed innovative new companies like Uber and Via for worsening traffic congestion in the heart of Manhattan. He proposed a one percent cap on growth for companies with more… -
news
Carly Fiorina: Technology Can Help People Use ‘God-Given Gifts’ to Fulfill Their Potential
WEBSTER CITY, Iowa—Former CEO of Hewlett-Packard Carly Fiorina spoke at a local Maid-Rite here on Thursday; saying technology is a tool than can be used “to re-engage citizens in the process of their government.” “We need to try a different kind of leadership,” she said. Fiorina, who is running as a Republican nominee for president… -
opinion
How the Media Are Promoting Polyamory: The New ‘Marriage Equality’?
ABC News is mainstreaming the practice of polyamory—that is, group marriage—with a story titled, “Two Moms, One Dad, Two Babies Make One Big Happy Polyamorous Family.” The video (which you should watch at your own discretion, it includes discussions of three-way sex) profiles a self-described “triad” or “throuple”—a three-person couple. It discusses their desire for… -
news
Model Amanda Booth’s 11-Month-Old Son With Down Syndrome Lands Modeling Contract of His Own
Little Micah Quinones may be one of the most photogenic babies in America. At just 11-months-old, his big, blue eyes and chestnut brown tuft of curls almost demand the modeling contract he recently landed. The little boy, whose parents document his near every move on Instagram, also has Down syndrome. Sweet dreams everyone. ?? A… -
opinion
Boehner Wants More ‘Facts’ Before Ending Planned Parenthood Funding. Here’s 8.
House Speaker John Boehner said Thursday that he wants to put “facts first” before using the appropriations process to end federal funding to Planned Parenthood. The most recent reports of harvesting and selling body parts from aborted unborn babies have renewed the call to end the more than half a billion dollars that the organization receives… -
opinion
Cartoon: Planned Parenthood and Taxpayer Funding
Heritage Foundation President Jim DeMint wrote this week about why Planned Parenthood needs to stop receiving taxpayer dollars: A video released last week by the Center for Medical Progress shocked the nation by showing an executive of Planned Parenthood sipping wine and casually talking about the going rate for the organs of aborted… -
news
Meet the Four Americans Held Hostage By Iran
President Obama's Iran deal has drawn criticism over one omission: It does not affect the four Americans being held hostage by the Iranian government. These Americans turned prisoners include Washington Post journalist Jason Rezaian, former U.S. Marine Amir Hekmati, pastor Saeed Abedini and former FBI agent Robert Levinson. Jason Rezaian In Tehran, having a press badge… -
opinion
How a Government Prosecutor Got Away With Seizing a Home to Live In
A recent report out of Oklahoma makes clear the startling consequences of a lack of transparency and oversight within law enforcement. Over a seven-year period, Oklahoma law enforcement authorities misused seized property, misspent seized funds and misplaced or lost evidence—including confiscated firearms. Last week, a review of Oklahoma audits from 2007 to 2014 brought to… -
news
Democratic Members of Congress Want the Group Behind Planned Parenthood Videos Investigated
Democratic members of Congress have requested an investigation into the Center for Medical Progress, the group behind two undercover videos of Planned Parenthood executives. The Center for Medical Progress has released two undercover videos in its “Human Capital” series, depicting two senior Planned Parenthood executives discussing the price “per specimen” of fetal organs such as… -
news
Boeing CEO: We Won’t Be Hurt in Short-Term By Death of Ex-Im Bank
Boeing’s new chief executive officer says the company should be able to survive in the short term even without the services of the Export-Import Bank. In June, Congress let the bank’s charter expire, ending a source of taxpayer-backed loans and loan guarantees to foreign countries and companies for the purchase of U.S. products. Supporters are… -
opinion
Why 12,000 Rallied in Times Square Against Iran Nuke Deal
I had the honor of representing The Heritage Foundation this week at a “Stop Iran Now” rally in New York City’s Times Square. Over 12,000 people filled seven city blocks. They say it was one of the largest demonstrations ever held in Times Square. There’s nothing like the fear of a nuclearized Iran and Middle…