Political Commentary & Opinion
Analysis, commentary, and opinion essays on politics and policy from The Daily Signal’s contributors and experts.
-
opinion
What Would Jesus Do on MSNBC?
I’ve never said “What Would Jesus Do” in anything but jest. While I believe Christians should model their lives after Jesus, it’s always seemed shallow to have a slogan as a litmus test. However, the concept is not lost on me. And with Easter weekend upon us and religious liberty issues raging, I can’t think… -
opinion
Hold the Applause: No Iran Deal Yet
After missing its self-imposed negotiating deadline for the third time, the Obama administration announced Thursday an agreement in principle with an Iranian regime that has no principles, except to expand its power and export its revolution. "I am convinced if this framework leads to a final, comprehensive deal, it will make our country, our allies, our world… -
opinion
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s Future Profitability Remains Uncertain
On March 18, the Office of the Inspector General (IG) of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) released a new report, “The Continued Profitability of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Is Not Assured.” This report is instructive because it points out that although the government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac returned to profitability… -
opinion
Renewing the African Growth and Opportunity Act
In a recent event, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R–Utah) emphasized the importance of the timely renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA): [W]e have to renew [AGOA] before the end of this summer. As you all know, the AGOA program encourages African countries to further open their economies to international trade… -
opinion
I Oppose Gay Marriage. Should I Still Be Able to Get a Job?
A pizzeria in Indiana may go out of business because its owners told a local TV station they wouldn’t cater a gay wedding. Just got off the phone with #MemoriesPizza; they’re considering never opening again. Receiving a lot of death threats. — Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) April 1, 2015 #MemoriesPizza owners say they’re considering packing up… -
opinion
The Misplaced Outrage Against Indiana
Despite the frenzied protests of critics, Indiana’s recent Religious Freedom Restoration Act is not the imposition of Jim Crow and is not going to lead to a kind of Selma for the gay rights movement. Indiana has simply passed a law that enshrines the First Amendment values that we hold dear and have taken for… -
opinion
Q&A on Indiana: Would Restaurants Be Allowed to Turn Away LGBT Customers?
Does the Indiana Religious Freedom Restoration Act allow business owners to put their beliefs above the rights of their employees or customers? No, the Indiana Religious Freedom Restoration Act protects the rights of all citizens. This law treats all American citizens equally. It ensures that people of all faiths have the right to live out… -
opinion
Good News on Bad Regs
Do you have concerns or complaints about how some federal regulations affect your life or make it difficult for you to do business? There is now a way to voice those concerns to Congress that may lead to positive action. The #CutRedTape Initiative is a bipartisan effort by the Senate Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management… -
opinion
Déjà Vu All Over Again
Yogi Berra famously quipped, “It’s like déjà vu all over again.” That is an appropriate response to the Congressional Budget Office’s (CBO) latest report on the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, commonly known as the stimulus. The law required that the CBO issue a report on the effectiveness of the stimulus every three months,… -
news
How Private Exchanges Are Faring in Their Competition With HealthCare.gov
California-based eHealth Insurance, a private health insurance exchange, announced it would be laying off 100 workers as a result of increased competition under the Affordable Care Act. A second private exchange based in California, GetInsured, has seen its revenue grow substantially. More than one year after the rollout of "Obamacare" the private exchanges competing with… -
news
Twice Born: PBS Gives an ‘Intimate, Inside Look’ at Fetal Surgery
Twice Born, a new documentary series telling the stories of medical professionals and families’ experiences with fetal surgery, premieres Tuesday night on PBS. On its website, Twice Born promises viewers “an intimate, inside look” into the Special Delivery Unit at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Fetal surgeries are rare and difficult procedures performed while… -
opinion
MSNBC Cuts Ryan T. Anderson’s Mic as He Defends Indiana Law
MSNBC host Ed Schultz cut Heritage Foundation’s Ryan T. Anderson’s mic off during a heated discussion about Indiana’s religious freedom law. >>> Download the ebook version of “Truth Overruled: The Future of Marriage and Religious Freedom” today! (Paperback will be available end of August, but can be preordered.) Schultz did bring Anderson back for a… -
opinion
Most Americans Say It’s Time to Update the Tax System
The last major update to the U.S. tax system was in 1986—over 29 years ago. Think about how much has changed since then. In 1985, Microsoft Windows was released. Since then, Microsoft has released more than 20 updates to the operating system. Updating the tax system is one of the perennial policy issues politicians enjoy… -
news
Former Mexican President Has a Message for 2016 US Presidential Hopefuls
Vicente Fox served as Mexico’s president for six years, taking office in December 2000 and forging a strong bond with President George W. Bush. Today, during a visit to Washington, D.C., Fox offered advice to the 2016 crop of candidates about the importance of a close relationship with Mexico. In an interview with The Daily… -
opinion
Clinton Defies Benghazi Committee, Destroys Remaining Emails
For Hillary Clinton, the deadline came and went Friday to hand over the personal email server she used as secretary of state to the House Select Committee on Benghazi. Not only did Clinton refuse the request, but through her attorney, she also revealed the server had been wiped clean. According to Clinton’s memoirs “Hard Choices,”… -
opinion
Why Higher Tax Rates Don’t Necessarily Mean More Revenue
TOP TAX RATES AND TOTAL RECEIPTS One of President Obama’s major agenda items when he came into office was raising tax rates on the wealthy. He succeeded: Through Obamacare and the 2013 fiscal cliff tax hikes, he raised rates on their wages, capital gain, and dividend income. And while it’s true that revenues are likely… -
opinion
The Indiana Law Treats All Americans Equally
The Heritage Foundation’s Ryan T. Anderson defended the Indiana religious liberty law on MSNBC last night with guest host Ari Melber on “All In With Chris Matthews.” -
opinion
This Law Would Ban Companies Boycotting Israel From Getting Government Contracts. Why It’s Problematic.
Many supporters of Israel are understandably upset with the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement that seeks to encourage governments and businesses to boycott goods and services from Israel in response to perceived human rights or other alleged abuses. For example, hardly a school year goes by nowadays without various student governments at American colleges voting to… -
opinion
How Government-Imposed ‘Net Neutrality’ Is Recipe for Crony Capitalism
The Federal Communications Commission’s Feb. 26 regulation imposing highly restrictive regulations on the Internet (“Open Internet Order”) threatens to undermine the vibrant economic growth and innovative consumer offerings that have characterized the largely unregulated Internet sector. Unless and until the Open Internet Order is thrown out by the courts or displaced by a new law… -
opinion
Federal Land Management Not a Good Deal for Americans
“By nearly all accounts, our federal lands are in trouble, both in terms of fiscal performance and environmental stewardship.” That was an assertion made earlier this month in a study released by the Property and Environment Research Center (PERC). The study focused on the difference between state-managed public lands and federally managed public lands. The…