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
Free-Market Groups Mount Campaign to Stop ‘Government Takeover of the Internet’
Free-market groups are raising concerns about a proposed government regulation that would “break” the Internet. With major tech companies flooding the Internet with messages encouraging Americans to support net neutrality, groups opposed to the regulation are speaking out as well, voicing their concerns to the Federal Communications Commission. The FCC imposed net neutrality rules twice… -
news
The Left’s Political Network, Exposed in One Chart
A new chart reveals the expansive network of progressive organizations funded by wealthy liberal donors, calling attention to the same “dark money” practices for which Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., has publicly criticized conservatives. The graphic, which was circulated by Senate Republicans, illustrates a vast web of nonprofits, think tanks and grassroots organizations encircling… -
news
Benghazi Panel to Probe Diplomat’s Account of Document Sift
The House special committee investigating the Benghazi terrorist attacks, convening its first public hearing tomorrow, will examine the State Department’s progress in implementing a review board’s security recommendations. But the Select Committee on Benghazi also will begin to look into allegations, first reported yesterday in The Daily Signal, that top aides to then-Secretary of State… -
opinion
Q&A: What Is Ebola?
President Obama announced today additional efforts to contain the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. The Ebola crisis has been ongoing for more than six months. Here are answers to your questions. What is Ebola? Ebola is a severe, often fatal virus that is in the hemorrhagic fever category. The symptoms include sudden onset of fever,… -
news
Top General Re-Opens Door on Ground Troops That Commander in Chief Closed
Army Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, today said he may advise President Obama to deploy U.S. ground forces should a proposed coalition of nations fail to defeat the brutal terrorist group known as ISIS. In outlining his plan to “degrade and destroy” ISIS in an address to the nation just… -
news
Gov. Bobby Jindal Says Americans Want a ‘Hostile Takeover’ of Washington
Gov. Bobby Jindal today said Americans are clamoring for a “hostile takeover” of Washington, D.C. While speaking at The Heritage Foundation to a group of reporters about his new energy plan, the Louisiana governor and potential 2016 presidential candidate said voters are calling on Republicans to offer “real ideas” and “real solutions” in Washington. “We… -
opinion
5 Reasons Americans Should Be Nervous About Scottish Independence
This week’s referendum on Scottish independence has largely flown under the radar here in the United States. The cable news networks have devoted little attention so far to the issue, as the ISIL threat in the Middle East continues to dominate international coverage. There has been no polling conducted on the Scottish question in the… -
news
Sudanese Mom Tells Megyn Kelly How Faith Got Her Through Ordeal in Prison
After spending harrowing months imprisoned in Sudan for refusing to renounce her Christian faith, Meriam Ibrahim Ishag last night appeared on Fox News’ “The Kelly File” in her first television interview since her release. “Faith means life,” Ishag told host Megyn Kelly. “If you don’t have faith, you’re not alive.” Answering Kelly’s questions through a translator,… -
opinion
Why the Washington Post Is Right to Oppose Legalized Pot in D.C.
In a refreshing move, The Washington Post came out against legalizing pot in the District of Columbia in an editorial this weekend. The Post supported the decriminalization of marijuana when it was on the ballot a few years back, but draws the line at outright legalization – which is what’s on the ballot this November… -
news
Politically Connected: Ties Link Embattled Government Bank, Well-Heeled Consultants
Clients of a high-powered Washington consulting firm appear to have benefited from the outfit’s ties to the Export-Import Bank and the Obama administration, which wants to save the embattled federal agency. Critics long have faulted the Export-Import Bank for helping politically connected companies secure taxpayer-backed financing. And the consultants at Albright Stonebridge Group, which is… -
opinion
The War on Poverty Has Been a Colossal Flop
Today, the U.S. Census Bureau will release its annual report on poverty. This report is noteworthy because this year marks the 50th anniversary of President Lyndon Johnson’s launch of the War on Poverty. Liberals claim that the War on Poverty has failed because we didn’t spend enough money. Their answer is just to spend more…. -
news
Blood Testing Could Be in Store for Mississippi Drivers at DUI Checkpoints
Over Labor Day weekend, the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol ran a no-refusal DUI checkpoint in Oxford, home of the University of Mississippi. In a no-refusal checkpoint, a driver who refuses a sobriety test — either a breath test or a standard field sobriety test — could be compelled to undergo a blood test. A judge… -
opinion
9 Facts About How the Poor in America Live
Many in America, while struggling, also have more assets than you might assume based on media reports. According to research by Robert Rector, a leading authority on poverty and welfare programs at The Heritage Foundation, the official U.S. Census Bureau poverty report (to be released this morning) undercounts welfare income, therefore failing to provide meaningful… -
opinion
4 Key Reforms That Could Make College More Affordable
College football is back, to the delight of students and alumni across the country. But between the touchdowns and the tailgating, student debt continues to grow, saddling graduates with loan burdens before they even have a chance to begin their careers. Various proposals, such as Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s (D-Mass.) bill to allow students to refinance… -
opinion
Deportations Fall to New Lows As Administrative Amnesty Looms
The Associated Press (AP) has obtained internal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) documents that show deportations are down 20 percent since last year. Sadly, this news is not surprising as under President Obama deportations have fallen consistently, in 2011 hitting the lowest levels since 1973. According to the ICE documents, from October 2013 to the… -
opinion
Not So Fast: ISIS Crossing Texas-Mexico Border Not a Serious Concern
Today Texas Sheriff Gary Painter warned about the possibility that ISIS terrorists could cross the Texas-Mexico border. Painter told Fox News that close to the border people had found “Muslim clothing” and copies of the Qu’ran. “So we know that there are Muslims that have come across and been smuggled in the United States,” he… -
opinion
Oh, The Places He’s Gone! The Amazing Way These Parents Responded to Their Unborn Son’s Expected Short Life
Update, 3:09 P.M.: Baby Shane passed away at 6:15 a.m. on Thursday. The Haley family posted this message on their Facebook page: "Today at 6:15 a.m., after meeting his entire family and being baptized into the Catholic faith, baby Shane died peacefully in his mother's arms. We are so grateful for the time that we were blessed… -
opinion
Reinflating the Housing Bubble?
Here we go again. The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has announced a new low-income housing proposal. The FHFA is in charge of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, two government-sponsored mortgage enterprises that played central roles in the housing market crash in 2006. Apparently, the old policies didn’t do enough damage. Friday’s Wall Street Journal… -
news
News Anchor Bravely Tells Viewers He’s Dying of Brain Cancer
In an emotional update, a TV news anchor in Champaign, Ill., told viewers that he has only four to six months to live in his fight against brain cancer. Dave Benton, 51, who will celebrate nine years at CBS affiliate WCIA-3 in three weeks, is a born-again Christian. In this clip with co-anchor Jennifer Roscoe, the father… -
news
‘Obviously,’ White House Aide Says, America Is at War With ISIS
After a video showing the murder of a third Westerner by the terrorist group ISIS hit the Internet last night, a top Obama administration official said this morning that America is “obviously” at war with the Islamist jihadists in Iraq and Syria. >>> ‘Act of Pure Evil’: Video Depicts Beheading of British Hostage Appearing on “Fox…