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
How This Football Player Overcame the Odds (and a Stint in Jail) to Make It to the NFL
When Maurice Alexander finished sweeping the aisles at Edward Jones Stadium, he used to find a seat behind the end zone and sit and dream. One poor choice his junior year at Utah State in 2012 had ended the linebacker’s collegiate career, landed him in jail, then left him a janitor. So when the Aggies… -
news
Jeb Bush Continues to Face Questions on Support for Common Core
In the weeks since announcing he would explore a presidential run, Jeb Bush has emerged as the early frontrunner for Republicans in 2016. But there’s one thing he has been unable to escape: criticism for his support of Common Core education standards. Columnist George Will is the latest to join a chorus of critics, penning… -
news
Talking About Rape Is Now Too Controversial at Harvard Law
Sexual violence in the context of criminal law is now considered too disturbing to study for students attending the nation’s most prestigious law school. According to Jeannie Suk, a professor at Harvard Law School, the accentuation of rape culture has forced her and other law professors to tread carefully while discussing rape law with students…. -
news
Planned Parenthood Performed 327,653 Abortions in 2013, Accepted $528 Million in Taxpayer Funds
Planned Parenthood performed 327,653 abortions in 2013—all while accepting hundreds of millions of dollars in taxpayer funds. The organization recently released its 2013-14 annual report, highlighting the “building momentum” and the “explosion of engagement” within Planned Parenthood. “In 2014, Planned Parenthood expanded our reach—and deepened our impact—providing the health care and education that help millions… -
news
Sheriffs Go Above and Beyond Call of Duty to Grant This Little Boy’s Hunting Wish
Alex Collins wanted to go hunting. When the 9-year-old saw a drawing for a youth hunting trip with the Chester County Sheriff’s Department on Facebook, he jumped at the chance. The only problem, Alex lives in Chester County, Pa.—not Chester County, S.C. Watch how these police departments crossed state lines to grant this little boy’s… -
news
Bernie Sanders Outlines ‘Progressive Vision’ as He Eyes 2016 Presidential Run
In August, Bernie Sanders told ABC News that if he ran for president, he’d have “a damn good platform.” The Independent Vermont senator further articulated his agenda this week, fueling increased speculation about a presidential run in 2016. A self-described socialist who caucuses with Democrats in the Senate, Sanders said in March that he’s “prepared… -
news
The Two Speeches That Made Liberals Love Mario Cuomo
Mario Cuomo, a three-term Democratic governor of New York, passed away yesterday at 82 of natural causes due to heart failure. In tributes and obituaries, he was remembered as a passionate, transformative politician with a gift for public speaking. A powerful address at the 1984 Democratic National Convention thrust him into the national spotlight. Cuomo publicly challenged… -
opinion
Why I Will Not Vote for John Boehner to Be House Speaker
The day after Republicans won the largest majority in the House of Representatives in almost 100 years and won a significant majority in the Senate, our liberal activist president claimed to hear the voices of all the people who didn’t vote. It was another example of stunning obstinacy from this president. It seemed Democrats were… -
news
Krauthammer Calls Castro Brothers 2014’s Biggest Winners: ‘They Got the Jackpot’
Who were 2014’s winners and losers? Charles Krauthammer counts “the Castro brothers” among the year’s biggest winners. “They had to wait through 10 presidencies to get to a president who would give them everything they want in return for nothing,” Krauthammer said on Fox News’ “Special Report.” “And they got the jackpot: a genuinely ideological… -
news
HarperCollins Backtracks After Excluding Israel From Map
HarperCollins wanted to sell atlases created specifically for schools in the Middle East. Certainly a worthy mission, minus one major omission: the publishing giant left Israel off the map. “This product has now been removed from sale in all territories and all remaining stock will be pulped,” says @HarperCollins The atlas illustrates Syria, Jordan, even… -
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Louie Gohmert’s Top 3 Priorities for Republicans in 2015
Republicans are set to take control of Congress next week, prompting outspoken Rep. Louie Gohmert to lay out his most pressing goals for 2015 on Fox News’ “Hannity.” Gohmert said House Republicans must use the power of the purse to defund President Obama’s amnesty plan and Obamacare. The Texas congressman also pointed to the Keystone… -
news
Hawaii: Land of Sun, Sand and … Spies?
HONOLULU — With its strategic location in the Pacific and substantial military assets, Hawaii has been a prime target of foreign governments seeking U.S. intelligence. The way to stop intelligence breaches, said FBI Director James Comey during a recent trip to the 50th state, is to “know your people” and “who has access to what.”… -
news
Ambush Attacks on Police Tripled in 2014
The number of police officers killed by firearms spiked by 56 percent in 2014. In 2013, five officers were killed in ambush shootings compared to 15 in 2014. According to an annual report released by the nonprofit National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial fund, 50 officers were killed by firearms in 2014, up from 32 in… -
news
Audit: IRS Doled Out $14.5 Billion in Erroneous Tax Credits
A recent audit showing the Internal Revenue Service handed out $14.5 billion in improper earned income tax credits in 2012 came as little surprise to budget watchers such as Alan Cole. The fact that the erroneous payouts amounted to about 24 percent of the $63 billion Uncle Sam sent out in refundable earned income tax… -
news
State Initiative Aims to Get Inspectors Out of Home Kitchens
BLAND, Va. — Virginians who try to sell homemade food from their kitchens are feeling the heat from state and local inspectors. “I have to turn down my neighbors when they ask if they can buy pesto I make from my own basil plants,” says Bernadette Barber, a farmer in Lancaster, Va. And this isn’t… -
news
Is Porn to Blame for the Declining Marriage Rate?
A recent study suggests there is a significant culprit in the decline of marriage rates among young adults—pornography. According to the Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA), the rise of easily accessible and free pornographic content on the Internet and the declining marriage rate isn’t necessarily just a coincidence. The group concluded that porn “is negatively associated… -
opinion
What Congress’ New Year’s Resolutions Should Be
Republicans don’t need to come up with a list of 2015 New Year’s resolutions. The promises they made on the campaign trail in 2014 will do just fine. Repealing Obamacare, securing the border and putting a stop to President Obama’s unconstitutional executive actions come to mind as promises that should be kept. But like many… -
opinion
34 Books You’ll Want to Read in 2015
Did you make a New Year’s resolution to read more in 2015? Heritage Foundation experts put together this list of recommendations that will give you plenty of ideas for which books to tackle first. Military and National Security 1) “The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin… -
opinion
What’s Your New Year’s Resolution? We Can Totally Relate to These 36
When we asked you to share your New Year's resolutions, I wasn't expecting such heartfelt responses—but you proved me wrong. Many of you are ready to take on 2015 with love, grace and humility. Some want to get the country back on track. Others hope to pray more, lose weight and simply live better. One thing is… -
news
Is Legalizing Marijuana a Solution to Unfair Drug Arrests? One Opponent’s Take
One reason advocates argue for the legalization of marijuana is that arrests for possession of the drug fall disproportionately on young black men, which has the potential of ruining their lives and creating new generations of criminals. Are they right? Kevin A. Sabet, a leading voice against legalizing pot, recently spoke with The Daily Signal to…