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
The State of the Union Speech Is Still Relevant
This speech made history. No State of the Union address in the modern era makes the case more that America stands as strong and resilient as ever. Before the president’s pitch, there were arguments for jettisoning the State of the Union address altogether. Philip Bump at the Washington Post came right out and said it:… -
news
The IRS Hired the Same Company That Botched The Healthcare.gov Rollout
The Internal Revenue Service is under investigation by an oversight subcommittee of the House Ways and Means Committee for signing a $4.46 million contract with a Canadian company called CGI Federal – despite the fact that the same company was responsible for the disastrous launch of HealthCare.gov. Rep. Peter Roskam, R-Ill., sent a letter to… -
opinion
What the Rivalry Between al-Qaeda and ISIS Means for the US
The Islamic State, formerly known as ISIS (the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria), has become a bitter rival of al-Qaeda, its parent organization. Its leaders represent a new generation of Islamist militants who have broken with al-Qaeda in a power struggle over Syria and the future of the global Islamist revolution. Both groups share… -
opinion
50 Years After His Death, Churchill’s Words Continue to Inspire
A critical difference between a politician and a statesman is the ability to use the power of words not to further his own ends but to advance a cause or idea that benefits all. In the 20th century, Winston Churchill–who died fifty years ago today–used words more effectively than any other leader of the free… -
news
With Potential Collapse of Major Project, Offshore Wind Projects Still Offline
The potential collapse of a controversial project off the coast of Cape Cod, Mass., is blowing some doubt around the future of offshore wind energy in the United States. Earlier this month, the Cape Wind project — calling for construction of 130 wind turbines off the coast of Nantucket Island to supply electricity to the area at a cost… -
news
D.C. City Councilman Introduces Bill That Would Allow Non-Citizens to Vote
A bill has been introduced to the D.C. City Council that would allow non-citizens to vote. Councilmember David Grosso, I-At-Large, introduced the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2015, a bill that, if passed, would allow non-citizens with permanent resident immigration status to vote in municipal elections. Grosso said in a statement that non-citizens… -
news
Q&A With Jim DeMint: Iowa Summit a Chance to ‘Shape Debate’ for 2016
A year before Iowa voters decide who they like most for president, a lineup of likely conservative candidates will present themselves in Des Moines to activists from across the state and media from around the country. Organizers bill the sold-out Iowa Freedom Summit as devoted to “how we can get America back on track by… -
news
Union Membership Rate Falls to 100-Year Low
New information from the federal government suggests workers’ interest in unions continues to fall, with union membership reaching its lowest rate in 100 years. According to data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics today, the union membership rate fell to 11.1 percent, with just 14.6 million wage and salaried workers maintaining membership. In 2013,… -
opinion
Driver’s Licenses for DREAMers?
On Thursday, a federal district court struck down an Arizona policy barring “DREAMers” from getting state drivers’ licenses. Supporters of President’s Obama immigration policies and his latest plan to provide “deferred action” (i.e., amnesty) for up to five million illegal aliens should not take too much comfort in this ruling, however, because the judge made… -
news
How ‘American Sniper’ Chris Kyle’s Friend Fired Back at Seth Rogen
Former Navy Seal and friend of Chris Kyle Jason Redman blasted Seth Rogen and Michael Moore for their controversial tweets on the high-grossing movie “American Sniper,” which is based on Kyle’s Seal service. American Sniper kind of reminds me of the movie that’s showing in the third act of Inglorious Basterds. — Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen)… -
opinion
EPA Inadvertently Makes Case Against Its Own Power Grab
It appears the Environmental Protection Agency has inadvertently admitted it is engaging in an end-run around the regulatory process to push through its overreaching water rule. On April 21, 2014, the EPA and the United States Army Corps of Engineers proposed a rule that redefines what types of waters are covered under the Clean Water… -
news
Washington State Might Hike Legal Smoking Age to 21
Washington state may become the first state to make the legal smoking age the same as the legal drinking age: 21. State Attorney General Bob Ferguson, a Democrat, is behind the new proposal, according to Fox News. In a statement, Ferguson said, “The harmful consequences of tobacco are clear. Smoking kills 8,300 Washingtonians every year,… -
opinion
Re-Open the Doors of Opportunity: Restore Marriage and the Family
In his State of the Union address, President Obama talked about how to deal with what he frames as unjust income disparity in our nation. Among his responses were proposals to raise taxes on higher income brackets to benefit those with lower incomes. The President once again ignored the role that marriage plays in opening… -
news
These GOP Presidential Hopefuls Support Restricting Abortions After 20 Weeks
At least 10 of the likeliest Republican candidates for president support legislation banning most abortions in pregnancies beyond 20 weeks, along the lines of a bill abruptly pulled from an anticipated vote in the House of Representatives. Among them are Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, former governors Mitt Romney of Massachusetts and Jeb Bush of Florida, former… -
news
Why She Marched: A Mom’s Story of Raising Her Daughter With Down Syndrome
For Eileen and Sadie Haupt, this year’s March for Life, centered around the theme “Every Life is a Gift,” held special meaning. During her pregnancy with Sadie, her second daughter, doctors asked Eileen if she wanted to undergo prenatal testing to see if her child had any health issues. Just as she had done with… -
opinion
Ouster of Yemeni President Major Setback for U.S. Counterterrorism Efforts
The ouster of Yemeni President Mansour Hadi on Thursday is a victory for al-Qaeda as well as Iran, and a major setback for U.S. counterterrorism policy. President Hadi was a key U.S. ally against al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), the regional franchise of the al-Qaeda network that probably poses the greatest threat to the… -
news
White House Chief of Staff: Hillary Would Be a ‘Very Good President’
In the wake of a State of the Union address heavy on confidence and promise, White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough today charted a “urgent” and aggressive future for Democratic power. After declaring that the White House “feels quite good” about the State of the Union, McDonough went on to hint that presumed presidential… -
news
24 Signs Spotted at the March for Life
The March for Life, held each year on the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, drew an estimated 500,000 pro-life activists to Washington, D.C., today. Braving the cold to take a stand against abortion, these individuals, groups and students displayed a variety of signs showcasing their views. Check out some of the signs we captured today: -
opinion
Medicare Reform Hearings: Making a Bipartisan Case for Common Sense
Medicare doctors face a 21 percent pay cut this year. A complex formula called the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR), a feature of current law, requires that devastating cut. But repeal of that formula to pay physicians would add hundreds of billions of dollars to the nation’s deficits. That is why the House Energy and Commerce… -
opinion
Holder Has Made It Harder for Federal Government to Legally Seize Your Property
In a stunning announcement last week, Attorney General Eric Holder announced the Department of Justice would immediately stop “adopting” state civil asset forfeiture cases. Attorney General Eric Holder’s announcement came exactly one week after leaders on Capitol Hill called on him to halt the controversial program as a step toward broader reform of the nation’s…