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
Why Jeb Bush No Longer Inspires Conservatives
I had promised myself I wasn’t going to write about 2016 until at least Jan. 1, 2015. So much for that. Jeb Bush announced today via Facebook that he has “decided to actively explore” a presidential run and will launch a leadership PAC early next year to help him “facilitate conversations with citizens across America.” >>>… -
news
Ohio Governor to Sign Bill Restricting Red Light, Speed Cameras
Ohio Gov. John Kasich will sign a bill to limit how municipalities can use red light and speed cameras, said his spokesman, Rob Nichols. “We don’t have the bill yet, so I don’t have a sense of timing,” he wrote in an email. “But the governor will sign it.” Senate Bill 342 was passed by… -
news
Jeb Bush’s Common Core Problem
Jeb Bush has long advocated for all 50 states to adopt Common Core national standards. Now that the former Florida governor has all but confirmed his plans to run for president in 2016, the issue threatens to overshadow his likely campaign. Bush’s name, matched with consistently high polling numbers among potential 2016 Republican candidates, makes… -
opinion
Surprise C-SPAN Caller Turns Out to Be Mother of Arguing Brothers
Brad and Dallas Woodhouse are brothers who occasionally spar with one another as political pundits on TV. The two are on opposite sides of the political spectrum and provide an entertaining take on policy issues. They didn’t seem to have expected their mother would ever join them on TV, though. During a conversation on C-SPAN,… -
news
What Percentage of Teens Use Marijuana? The Answer Might Surprise You.
Marijuana use is down among teens, according to a new study by the National Institutes on Drug Abuse and the University of Michigan. The study, titled “Monitoring the Future,” is a yearly survey of drug use among eighth, 10th, and 12th graders. Researchers found that there has been a drop of two percentage points in… -
news
9 Interesting Facts About Jeb Bush
Jeb Bush took to Facebook this morning to announce he will be “actively” exploring a potential 2016 presidential run. Here are nine facts you may not know about this probable GOP candidate. 1) Jeb is not actually his name—it is a combination of his initials: John Ellis Bush. 2) As the second son of George… -
news
Here’s How People Reacted to Jeb Bush’s 2016 Announcement, in 36 Tweets
It did not take much time before Twitter ignited in debate and conversation over former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush’s pre-announcement announcement about his bid for the White House. I am excited to announce I will actively explore the possibility of running for President of the United States: https://t.co/luY4lCF2cA. — Jeb Bush (@JebBush) December 16, 2014 Here’s… -
news
Arizona County Weighs Hiring Ban on Smokers for Government Jobs
One Arizona county may be closing its doors on smokers today. Pima County, home of Tucson, is voting on a proposal that bans county offices from hiring smokers and hits current employees who smoke with a 30 percent increase in their health insurance premiums. One critic says it’s a “slippery slope” that could lead to hiring… -
opinion
New Pension Reforms Could Help Prevent the Next Taxpayer Bailout—So Why Are Some Unions Up In Arms?
A last-minute deal on pension reforms thrown into the $1.1 trillion CRomnibus passed by Congress over the weekend has some unions up in arms, while others had lobbied in support. Although far short of a cure-all, these reforms should reduce the chances of a taxpayer bailout. The most controversial provision of the 160 pages of proposed pension… -
news
How Many Americans Are OK With Nativity Scenes in Government Buildings?
Despite annual controversy surrounding religious holiday displays, nearly 3 out of 4 Americans believe Christian symbols should be allowed on government property, according to the Pew Research Center. Pew found that 44 percent of Americans believe Christian symbols such as the nativity scene should be allowed on government property, even if other religions' symbols are not present…. -
news
Report Finds Teachers Woefully Unprepared for Classroom Challenges
Teachers are not ready to teach. That was the bold message delivered by the National Council on Teacher Quality last week in a scathing national report on educators. Atop a long list of findings, the report says most states haven’t done enough to prepare new teachers for the higher standards their students are expected to… -
news
Gruber Model Errs in Colorado as Vermont Prepares to Rely on Data
Jonathan Gruber’s health-care forecasting is failing in Colorado as Vermont’s Gov. Peter Shumlin prepares to use the economist’s math for single-payer health care. As Vermonters anxiously await a Gruber-modeled financing plan for Green Mountain Care, modeling done for Colorado’s health exchange by Jonathan Gruber Associates has proven wildly erroneous. In 2011, following Colorado’s decision to… -
opinion
How ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Just Elevated the Value of Life
It’s one of the longest-running, popular dramatic televisions shows of all time. “Grey’s Anatomy” has been a cultural staple in the lives of millennials for the past 10 years. Many of us feel like we’ve grown up with Meredith Grey, McDreamy and friends—and the show has had some truly unbelievable story lines over the years…. -
opinion
What Americans Really Think About Relationships, Cohabitation and Marriage
What do Americans think about marriage and relationships? And do these attitudes line up with what research shows is best for relationships? A new, nationally representative survey of Americans ages 18-60 by the Austin Institute for the Study of Family and Culture helps answer this question. What Americans Say about Cohabitation The Austin Institute survey… -
news
Why ISIS Will Want You to Think It’s Behind the Sydney Siege
The Heritage Foundation’s James Carafano spoke to Fox News earlier today about the hostage crisis that played out in Sydney, Australia. Carafano, a Heritage vice president and E.W. Richardson fellow, said that regardless of the Man Haron Monis’ motives, you can expect Islamic State terrorists to capitalize on the situation. Fast forward to 3:40 to… -
opinion
Gruber Reflects the Undemocratic Left
Key Obamacare architect Jonathan Gruber has been under a hot spotlight recently for disparaging comments he made about his fellow citizens. In a series of videos taken at various conferences and lectures between 2010 and 2013, Gruber claimed that the effects of Obamacare had to be hidden from Americans because of “the stupidity of the… -
opinion
Divorce Rates May Not Be as High as You Think
”Divorce is on the rise.” At least, that’s the story Americans often hear, as New York Times reporter Claire Cain Miller explained earlier this month. But what does the data say? Divorce rate data is far from perfect, but the general consensus among researchers is that divorce actually has declined since the 1980s, as this chart… -
news
From ‘Science Fiction’ to Reality: The Evolution of Saving a Life Before Birth
The fetal surgery enterprise came to life like most innovations do: from an idea inspired by a problem. For innovators Drs. Michael Harrison and Scott Adzick, the problem was death—and in their minds, avoidable death that could be prevented by upending science as the world knew it. “The idea arose from the frustration of caring… -
news
‘Non-Common Core’ for 800, Alex: Math Standards Make a Cameo on ‘Jeopardy!’
The popular TV game show “Jeopardy!” apparently took a subtle jab at the Common Core national education standards. In a special “Kids Week” edition last Friday, one category was titled “Non-Common Core Math.” Although host Alex Trebek didn’t explain the reference, the category posed basic math problems that didn’t require the three young contestants to… -
opinion
The Government Just Grabbed Yet More Land
Editor’s note: This column was originally published Dec. 5. On Dec. 12, the Senate passed the National Defense Authorization Act. Page 1,163 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) states: “The land conveyed under this subsection shall be used only as a motocross, bicycle, off-highway vehicle, or stock car racing area, or for any other public…