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
New Labor Department Overtime Regulations Will Kill Flexible Schedules for Employees, Not Jobs
New Labor Department regulations will soon require employers to pay overtime to many salaried workers. The administration bills this as a way to raise wages; opponents argue it will kill jobs. One thing is certain: The change will kill flexible schedules for entry- and mid-level salaried employees. Federal law requires employers to pay overtime rates… -
opinion
If Government Needs a Warrant to Read Our Mail, Why Not for Our Email as Well?
Should the contents of email messages be protected from unwarranted law enforcement scrutiny to the same extent as physical letters sent through the mail? The answer seems obvious. Email is today’s postal service, and the personal contents of email messages are as private to people as the letters sent through the U.S. Postal Service. But… -
opinion
Ex–Im Is Not the Key to Nuclear Industry’s Competitiveness
In the final days before the charter of the Export–Import Bank (Ex–Im) is set to expire, supporters of its export subsidies are claiming that Congress must reauthorize and expand Ex–Im if the U.S. commercial nuclear industry is to succeed internationally. We should take the concerns of the nuclear industry seriously—but not accept Ex–Im as a… -
news
After the Government Takes His Life Savings, This 22-Year-Old Fights for Justice
Joseph Rivers put his life savings on the line. With help from his mother, Rivers had saved $16,000 to pursue a career as a music video producer. In April, Rivers, 22, boarded a train bound for Los Angeles, never expecting his dream to be literally taken away from him. At a train stop in Albuquerque,… -
news
How Law Enforcement Can Take Your Stuff, Explained in 2 Minutes
Through a procedure called civil asset forfeiture, local, state and federal law enforcement officials have the power to seize property and money if it’s suspected of being related to a crime. In many cases, though, the property owner is never charged with a crime, and a trend has emerged of local and state law enforcement… -
news
In New Hampshire, Chris Christie Shares His Plan for Entitlement Reform
GOFFSTOWN, N.H.—Speaking at a town hall meeting tonight, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie promised to work towards entitlement reform should he become president. “Folks will tell you in politics, ‘don’t talk about that subject,’” Christie said at the event in New Hampshire. “They call it the third rail of American politics. They say, ‘don’t touch… -
opinion
Student Gets a Diploma, Her Family Gets Threatened With Jail
For many, high school graduation is a key milestone not only in the life of the graduate, but also in the lives of his or her family members. Could you imagine being threatened with jail time for cheering for your loved one as she received her diploma? It sounds outrageous, but it is exactly what… -
opinion
Personal Information of 4 Million Federal Employees Compromised
This past Thursday, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) released a statement that a cyber intrusion was detected in April. In the attack, which according to those familiar with the case, originated in China. The personal information of 2 million current and 2 million former federal employees’ was reportedly stolen. Chinese hackers attacked OPM last… -
opinion
Book Review: Disinherited
Thomas Edison once said that “a good intention, with a bad approach, often leads to a poor result.” Diana Furchtgott-Roth and Jared Meyer’s Disinherited: How Washington is Betraying America’s Young, discusses how while many of Washington’s policies seem to have future generations’ best intentions in mind, some approaches can have adverse consequences for the economy… -
opinion
Winston Churchill, Abraham Lincoln and the Fragility of Freedom
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the death of Sir Winston Churchill and the 150th anniversary of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln—two men whose lives and achievements shed light on the fragility of freedom and the statesmanship necessary to preserve it. As noted in my recent essay, “Champion of Liberty: Winston Churchill and His… -
opinion
Where Are All the Conservative Women? Meet Them Here
The Independent Women’s Forum hosted the first Women LEAD Summit in Washington last week. More than 150 women representing a variety of policy, activist and student groups, diverse in age, color and background, came together because they shared a common cause: to reach more women with the message that conservative policy ideas will make their… -
opinion
Why Net Neutrality Is Not Helping the Internet
The term “net neutrality” refers to the principle that Internet service providers serving end users, such as Verizon and Comcast, should treat all communications that travel over their networks the same way. The concept is based on a network-engineering rule of thumb but never before had been enshrined in a governmental rule or regulation. In… -
opinion
‘Leveling the Playing Field’ on Trade Should Begin at Home
A recent report from the U.S. Trade Representative, titled “Leveling the Playing Field,” describes how the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership could reduce other countries’ trade barriers. There’s nothing wrong with that goal. But reducing self-destructive U.S. trade barriers also should be at the top of the priority list for U.S. negotiators. According to the report, the… -
opinion
This New State Data Shows the Real Story Behind King v. Burwell
Every day there seems to be another article focused on how many individuals might lose their subsidies if the Supreme Court rules in favor of the plaintiffs in the King v. Burwell case. Yet, an even bigger group of individuals harmed by Obamacare has an equally good claim for relief that hasn’t gotten as much… -
opinion
Osama Bin Laden’s Revealing Book Collection
Facebook’s chairman and CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, announced on social media he is currently reading “The Muqaddimah”—a book written in 1377 by the Islamic historian Ibn Khaldun about the history of the world. In less than 20 hours after posting this information, he had nearly 58,000 “likes.” Obviously, Zuckerberg is a very successful person, so it… -
news
Consumers Drawn to Low Prices of Temporary Health Plans Despite Risks
Worried about going without health coverage, musician Tom Miller bought a nine-month insurance policy in January to tide himself over while he rebuilt his business after a divorce and moved from Maryland to North Carolina. At $90 a month, it fit his budget, even though it does not offer the broad benefits required by the… -
opinion
4 Liberal Myths About Ronald Reagan Debunked
Presidential historian H. W. Brands’ new biography of Ronald Reagan and his conclusion that modern American politics is best seen as “The Age of Reagan” has aroused liberals to circulate once again the hoariest myths about the man and his presidency, including the malicious charge that Reagan was deliberately indifferent to the lot of African-Americans… -
news
Two of Country Music’s Finest Backups Take Center Stage
Years ago, when Brandon Fraley was a senior at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn., he prayed to God for a miracle. He was happy and healthy, preparing to settle into a promising future, and in the middle of hosting a Christmas party for all of his friends. But he really needed a CD. A freshman… -
opinion
Time for Congress to Expand Private Airport Screeners
Monday was another “red letter” day for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA)—and not in a good way. Earlier this week, ABC News reported that undercover agents in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) successfully smuggled fake explosives and weapons through 67 of 70 checkpoints in a secret nationwide exercise. The agents, dubbed a Red Team… -
news
Why the Latest Data Hack Against the US Government Matters
The Obama administration announced yesterday that the private records of as many as four million current and former federal employees could be in the hands of foreign hackers. The Office of Personnel Management, the organization that handles government security clearances and federal employee records, housed the compromised data. While various American authorities have blamed China…