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
Progressives Are the Primary Impediment to Progress
Merriam-Webster defines progress as “the process of improving or developing something over a period of time” or the “gradual betterment; especially: the progressive development of humankind.” By that definition, today’s progressives are the primary impediment to progress. Progressive policies reduce incomes, reduce employment, reduce opportunity, reduce entrepreneurship, reduce innovation, reduce economic and social dynamism, reduce productivity… -
news
Multiple Controversies Plagued Eric Holder Prior to Resignation
The unexpected resignation of Attorney General Eric Holder follows a series of court rulings against his Department of Justice over its failure to produce documents related to the government’s “Fast and Furious” firearms operation. Holder also has come under increasing congressional criticism for a tepid investigation of evidence that IRS officials deliberately targeted tea party… -
opinion
The Quest to Revive Purpose and Meaning
A recent Gallup poll found that, in America, nearly two out of three respondents do not consider themselves to be “thriving” or “strong” with regard to a sense of purpose. Among those in the lowest-income quintile, the portion of those who felt that their lives had purpose was as low as 15 percent. These findings… -
opinion
‘Republicans Are People, Too’ Shouldn’t Be a Radical Message
This is what we’ve come to: One of Mitt Romney’s former ad men has launched an entire campaign around the idea that “Republicans Are People, Too.” And, unsurprisingly, some liberals are amused. MSNBC’s Steve Benen derided the message as “overly defensive” and wrote: “If you have to remind the public that Republicans ‘are people’ and… -
opinion
Surprise! Seniors Would Be Willing to Change Medicare ‘As We Know It’
Although Congress has been reluctant to reform the unsustainable Medicare program, largely fearing a backlash from its beneficiaries, turns out seniors are considerably more willing to make tradeoffs than we’re usually led to believe. The center for Healthcare Decision asked 810 California seniors to design a new Medicare program—not just for themselves but for current… -
opinion
Uber Fights to Win the Regulatory War (And You Should Want It To)
It is starting to seem as if the tide of Uber's regulatory war may be turning. In Seattle, popular demand forced a city council that was once intent on capping rideshare drivers to throw open the gates to taxi competitors. In Virginia, temporary operating permits have replaced cease-and-desist notices, enabling rideshares to serve the Commonwealth…. -
opinion
10 Ways Conservatives Can Appeal to Hispanics (Without Becoming More Liberal)
Far too many conservatives have grown pessimistic about the prospect of Hispanics ever agreeing with their policy prescriptions. Others have erred in the opposite direction, suggesting that only shifts in tone or even engaging in a pandering competition with liberals could fix the problem. These approaches are wrong and self-defeating. If conservatives allow liberals to… -
news
Can’t Stop Rush: Radio Host’s Show Turns Tables on ‘Grassroots’ Protesters
For two years, a self-described grassroots army has protested “The Rush Limbaugh Show” in a campaign to convince advertisers to pull their commercials from the talk giant’s radio program. Now, Limbaugh’s show is fighting back with a new report arguing that the supposed groundswell of outraged consumers is in reality 10 “hardcore” progressive activists. “It’s… -
news
Wedding Bell Blues? Study Finds Fewer Young Adults Get Married
First comes love, then comes marriage. Or at least that’s how it used to go. According to a new Pew study, a record number of adults older than 25 have yet to be married, and by the year 2030 a quarter of those between age 25 and 34 never will have walked down the aisle…. -
news
Poll: Americans’ Support for Same-Sex Marriage Declining
Americans’ support for same-sex marriage has decreased, according to a new Pew Research Center poll. According to the poll, 49 percent of Americans now support same-sex marriage and 41 percent are opposed. That's a drop of five percentage points since February. "It is too early to know if this modest decline is an anomaly or… -
news
Could ISIS Influence the Future of Liberalism? This Scholar Thinks So.
As the United States confronts renewed terrorist threats in Iraq and Syria, a Heritage Foundation expert on America’s founding principles contends that “terrorism at home and war abroad” could curb the future of liberalism. Speaking yesterday as part of a panel at the think tank discussing where liberalism is headed, David Azerrad also said that if Americans thought prosperity were at… -
news
Have Liberals Run Out of Ideas? Why One Writer Claims the Left Is ‘Intellectually Dead’
War on women. Minimum wage. Climate change. Do you agree/disagree with @KevinNR’s belief that the left is “intellectually bankrupt”? You hear liberals talking about these same topics all the time. Why? Kevin Williamson of National Review believes it’s because the left is struggling to deliver new ideas and policies. “I can’t remember the last time I… -
opinion
See Which Dogs Make the Best White House Guests
Today is national "Dogs in Politics Day." Yes–it is an official day, and you can thank former President Richard Nixon for this one (and the tribute to some adorable presidential dogs below). During Nixon's campaign for vice president alongside Dwight Eisenhower, the then-senator was accused of stealing thousands from his campaign funds for personal use. He… -
opinion
What the Media Totally Ignored in Emma Watson’s Gender Equality Speech
Actress Emma Watson’s U.N. speech on gender equality is all the buzz online, but for the wrong reasons. Many in the media have spotlighted her focus on the word “feminist” and the negative connotations associated with it–which was just a minor part in the beginning of her speech. There were two items that most media neglected… -
news
7 in 10 Americans Think Role of Religion Has Decreased in Public Life
Americans say the role of religion in public life has diminished, according to a new Pew Research poll. Pew reports that 72 percent of Americans think religion is “losing its influence on American life,” a growth of five percentage points since the 2010 midterm elections. But an increased number of Americans think that religion should play a larger… -
news
These Celebrities Are Really Concerned About the Climate (When They Don’t Need to Fly on Private Jets)
Hundreds of thousands of people from around the world gathered in 156 countries Sunday to raise awareness about climate change in the "People's Climate March." In New York City, more than 300,000 people participated. Oversized puppets, street-wide banners, marching bands, labor unions and even some indigenous groups laced the streets of Manhattan hoping to bring attention… -
news
Raw Footage of First U.S. Strikes Against ISIS in Syria
Videos released by the U.S. Navy early Tuesday captured raw footage of the military’s first assault on Islamic State targets in Syria. The broad series of overnight attacks executed by the U.S. military against ISIS included the use of bomber planes, drones, fighter jets and precision-guided missiles. “We hit what we were aiming at,” said… -
opinion
New Treasury Measures Will Do Little to Stop Businesses From Fleeing U.S.
American companies are merging with foreign firms and relocating their headquarters to those foreign countries because our tax structure is uncompetitive. So what does the Treasury Department do? Yesterday, it released long-awaited measures to combat the practice of merging with foreign companies to avoid U.S. taxes — known as inversions — that will make it… -
opinion
Why Climate Change Is Not a Top Priority for Many World Leaders
Seems world leaders are busy — too busy, in fact, to attend the U.N. Climate Change Summit in New York today. Apparently coalition building isn’t as easy as it used to be. The White House says addressing global warning and climate change is a top priority, but it has failed to sway some top world… -
opinion
Memo to Leonardo DiCaprio: Climate Change ‘Reforms’ Would Hurt People
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon recently designated actor Leonardo DiCaprio as a “U.N. Messenger of Peace” for climate change, touting him as a “credible voice in the environmental movement.” Upon receiving the designation, DiCaprio, who will give an acceptance speech at this week’s Climate Summit in New York City, said he feels a “moral obligation…