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
This Veteran’s Wedding Video Will Probably Make You Cry Tears of Joy
After 10 months of serving his country in Afghanistan, Joey Johnson, 27, met his soulmate, Michelle. Four months later, while riding his motorcycle (an adrenaline rush that helped him manage his post-traumatic stress disorder) he was in a tragic accident. The accident left Joey with a severe spinal injury. But it didn’t end the love… -
news
Feds Dig Up $2 Million to Support Networking Needs of Amateur Fossil Fans
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Fossil lovers now have one more way to link up and talk about dinosaurs, thanks to a mammoth-sized federal grant. Critics call it more buried treasure. The University of Florida broke ground earlier this year on a taxpayer-supported initiative purporting to connect amateur fossil enthusiasts across the country with each other and… -
news
Sorry, Kids: Snow Days Might Soon Be a Thing of the Past
It’s no secret that kids love snow days. They even have rituals they hope will bring one that vary from wearing their pajamas inside out and backward to flushing ice cubes down the toilet. But soon, snow days might become a thing of the past. Lynn Grewing, principal of St. Cloud Cathedral High School in Minnesota, told… -
opinion
The Richest 1 Percent of Americans Pay 24 Percent of Federal Taxes
The Congressional Budget Office released its annual study of the distribution of income and federal taxes. It tells us what we’ve long known: The rich pay a lot of federal taxes, much more than the middle class and the poor. President Obama for many years pushed his infamous Buffett Rule, which said that the highest-earning Americans… -
opinion
The Votes Are in on Soda Taxes and GMO Labeling
In last Tuesday’s elections, voters in four states made their voices heard on two high-profile food and agricultural issues: “soda taxes” on sugar-sweetened beverages and restrictions on genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Regrettably, in some instances misinformation won out at the expense of people’s freedom to manage one of the most basic aspects of life: eating…. -
opinion
Is Loretta Lynch Another Eric Holder? Here’s What We Know About Her Troubling Past
The early signs are that Loretta Lynch may share some of the same troubling views as outgoing Attorney General Eric Holder. That makes it even more important the Senate do a thorough review and vetting of her nomination by President Obama to be the new attorney general. This is particularly true for those who understand… -
news
Minnesota Wind-Solar Mandate Would Mean Costly Grid Upgrade
A new report released by the Minnesota Commerce Department lays the technical groundwork for ramping up one of the nation’s highest state renewable energy mandates from 30 to 40 percent by 2030. One technicality left out of the $750,000 study underwritten by Minnesota utility ratepayers: Who pays for what in a potentially massive upgrade of… -
opinion
The Problem with Japan’s “Womenomics”
On October 20, two female ministers in Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s cabinet, Yuko Obuchi and Midori Matsushima, resigned over alleged improper use of campaign funds. Their resignations raise questions about the viability of one of the Prime Minister’s central social and economic policies: “womenomics.” The essence of womenomics is to increase the number of… -
opinion
Lessons to Be Learned from Past Tax Reform
Four veterans of some of America’s greatest tax reform successes spoke at Heritage on October 21 about lessons to be learned from those legislative victories. Richard Rahn, Mark Bloomfield, Dan Mitchell, and Heritage’s Steve Moore shared some key insights from the reforms of 1978, 1981, and 1986 that may once again put lawmakers on the… -
opinion
India Must Abandon Sterilization Campaigns
Eleven women have died after undergoing laparoscopic tubectomies as part of a mass sterilization campaign in Chhattisgarh, India. Of the more than 80 women who underwent the procedure, 62 have been hospitalized, with many in critical condition. Unfortunately, this is just the latest in India’s long string of attempts to reduce its population of nearly… -
opinion
Take “Yes” for an Answer on Pacific Free Trade
The leaders of the 21 countries represented at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings concluded their annual talks with the following declaration concerning a Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP): We will take concrete steps toward realization of a Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP), which is a major instrument to further APEC’s… -
opinion
Heritage Fellow Michel Speaks at Cato Institute Monetary Conference
The Cato Institute hosted its 32nd annual monetary conference at the organizations’ headquarters on November 6. The goal of the conference was to facilitate a discussion among experts about monetary reform. “This conference will examine the case for sound money and the reforms needed to realize it,” The Cato Institute said. The conference brought together… -
opinion
This Solar Firm Wants $539 Million From the Government. It Just Might Get It, Even After Solyndra.
If you’re a taxpayer, here’s a story that should really make your blood boil. Ivanpah, a solar plant in California, received a $1.6 billion loan guarantee backed by the taxpayers. California has one of the nation’s most ambitious renewable portfolio standards. It mandates 33 percent of the state’s power must come from renewable sources. In essence, the… -
news
Two More States Eye Repeal of Common Core
On the heels of Republican victories last week, attempts to replace Common Core with homegrown standards are resurfacing in states across the nation. Most prominently, elected officials in Wisconsin and Ohio are spearheading efforts to reclaim more control of education. On Nov. 5, the day after the midterm elections, an Ohio House committee passed a… -
opinion
Philip M. Crane: Teacher, Lecturer, Author, Congressman and Friend
Former Rep. Phil Crane, R-Ill., died Nov. 7 after a struggle with lung cancer. His passing reminded all of us who knew Phil what a unique contribution to the modern conservative movement he had made. On some days he was giving his famous lecture, “The Blessings of Liberty,” to audiences around the nation. For many months he… -
opinion
Honoring #MyVeteran: 17 Photos of Your Heroes
Each year, we ask you to submit photos of the veterans you love and cherish. We are flooded with photos of your sons, daughters, husbands, wives, grandparents and more. From those currently serving overseas to as far back as World War I, your tributes are important reminders that our freedom is hard won. This week,… -
news
Letter Threatens Boycott for Displaying GOP Signs, Business Owner Says
WAUWATOSA, Wis. — A business owner who helped promote a Republican state senator says a nursing instructor with union ties wrote a letter threatening her company with financial harm because of that support. In the letter, the signatory, Allison Nicol, says she has stopped advising prospective students to receive training through Quality Healthcare Options Inc…. -
news
In Florida, You Can’t Buy 64 Ounces of Beer
In Florida, you can buy beer that comes in cans. You can buy beer that comes in bottles. You can even buy beer that comes in kegs, in cases, in six-packs and in fancy bottles with cork-stoppers. You can buy beer that is poured from a tap at a bar. But if you buy beer… -
opinion
Republicans Won. That Doesn’t Mean Americans Are Convinced They Can Govern.
The midterm elections boiled down to this: The majority of Americans want to checkmate President Obama’s agenda. The voters delivered that message clearly last Tuesday. But now that they’ve done their job, the question is: Will those they elected, the Republicans, do theirs? Most Americans are not happy about the direction of the country and how… -
opinion
How Direct Primary Care Is Serving as a Health Care Solution
It isn’t often we can see positive, common-sense free-market ideas grab headlines when it comes to health care. But that is what is happening in Michigan. Direct Primary Care in medical practice is the idea on the rise, as Daniel McCorry of The Heritage Foundation pointed out in a comprehensive report on the topic published in…