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
Federal Court Upholds Right to Carry Handguns in Public in D.C.
On July 26, a federal district court in Washington, D.C. struck down as unconstitutional the District of Columbia’s laws totally banning the public carrying of ready-to-use handguns outside the home. The court held that the ban violated the Second Amendment’s protection of the right to bear arms, strongly reaffirming the importance of this individual liberty…. -
opinion
Why This Judge Dissented—and Said There Is No Right to Same-Sex Marriage
Today, in a 2-1 split decision, the 4th circuit ruled that Virginia’s marriage amendment defining marriage as the union of a man and a woman violates the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The majority declared that Virginia’s law “impermissibly infringe[s] on its citizens’ fundamental right to marry.” Judge Paul Niemeyer issued a strong dissent… -
opinion
’Lame Duck’ Is Not the Time for a Highway Bill
This week the Senate will debate a House-passed bill to pay for federal highway and transit programs through May 31, 2015. Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., wants to force action earlier, though, saying, “We must put politics aside and work together to pass a long-term transportation bill with a sustainable funding solution before the end of… -
news
Government Agency Faces Heat for Blocking New Sunscreen
Before lawmakers adjourn for August recess, they’re expected to vote on the Sunscreen Innovation Act (H.R. 4250), designed to streamline the Food and Drug Administration’s regulatory process. Don’t look for new sunscreen on store shelves anytime soon, though. The FDA hasn’t approved a new sunscreen formula since the Clinton administration, and Time reports that there… -
opinion
Baseball Hall of Famer Frank Thomas Credits Family for Success
At the plate, Frank Thomas struck fear into the hearts of pitchers throughout Major League Baseball. At Cooperstown on Sunday, Thomas battled back tears during an emotional Hall of Fame speech crediting his family for his success. A consecutive two-time MVP, and one of the best hitters in baseball history, Thomas chose to celebrate his… -
news
Her Doctor Told Her Many Would Abort. Now Congresswoman’s ‘Miracle Baby’ Is a Year Old.
Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Wash., told Fox and Friends Monday that “even well-meaning doctors don’t always know” best. After discovering her daughter had been diagnosed with a rare fetal syndrome, Beutler’s doctor told her that many women “would be scheduling a termination now,” Beutler told People. Doctors wrongly predicted Beutler’s daughter wouldn’t survive past pregnancy… -
opinion
This Chart Proves the War on Poverty Has Been a Catastrophic Failure
For the past 50 years, the government’s annual poverty rate has hardly changed at all. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 15 percent of Americans still live in poverty, roughly the same rate as the mid-1960s when the War on Poverty was just starting. After adjusting for inflation, federal and state welfare spending today is… -
news
Religious Leader Looks to West For Help for Iraqi Christians
The Chaldean Catholic Patriarch is appealing to the international community for action against ISIS’ expulsion of Christians in Mosul, deeming the situation as “21st century genocide.” “It’s mass cleansing based on religion.” Patriarch Louis Raphael Sako said. “It is a shame that in the 21st century we have such behavior.” Sako said Western countries and… -
news
Frustrated With Federal ‘Bullying’ Over Mouse, Ranchers Take Their Case to Congress
The battle over the meadow jumping mouse moved has from New Mexico to Washington, D.C. Ranchers who complain the federal government is acting with a heavy hand to protect the mouse appeared at a congressional hearing last week conducted by the House Natural Resources Committee. Among the New Mexico contingent was a member of a… -
news
Will Congress Delay August Recess to Address Border Crisis?
Despite repeated prodding from “Fox News Sunday” host Chris Wallace, Rep. Steve Scalise wouldn’t definitively say whether the U.S. House would delay its month-long August recess and remain in Washington, D.C., to address the flood of illegal immigrants coming to the United States. “We’re going to get our job done,” said Scalise, the Louisiana Republican who will become majority whip… -
opinion
How Culture and Opportunity Are Intertwined
The character of our culture has a lot to do with opportunity in America. I learned early on, from personal experience, that these two notions are intertwined. My two brothers, my sister and I were reared by our single mom with a work ethic that shaped who I am today. We struggled economically but my… -
opinion
Americans Should Take Notes on Israel’s Iron Dome
The Israeli missile-defense system known as Iron Dome once again finds itself in the international spotlight, causing many Americans to wonder if the U.S. has anything comparable. Here are a few important points about Iron Dome and missile defense in general for Americans to consider. (1) Iron Dome is a missile-defense system that intercepts short-… -
opinion
This Is the Crisis That Should Dominate the Headlines
Other crises may dominate the headlines. But none of them—not our crushing national debt, cyberwar, Russian aggression, Chinese belligerence or even the chaos in the Middle East—pose the threat of global nuclear proliferation. Nuclear weapons are a threat like no other. I managed four underground nuclear tests, and I have witnessed the nearly unimaginable destructive power… -
opinion
The Absurdity of Naming a Post Office Goldwater
What would be a fitting memorial for the founding father of the modern conservative movement? A statue in the U.S. Capitol’s Statuary Hall? An airport? A gigantic federal building a block and a half from the National Mall? What’s that you say? Ronald Reagan already has those memorials, plus another 90 roads, bridges, schools and… -
opinion
Hair-Brained Restrictions: Licensing Hurts Entrepreneurial Women
All Melanie Armstrong wanted to do was braid women’s hair for a living. African hair-braiding is not easy, but it is not medicine, law or engineering, where mistakes can cost lives. It is a skill that can be learned in a relatively short time and that empowers women to set up their own businesses and… -
news
Rahm Emanuel Seeks to Quell Controversy Over Red-Light Cameras in Chicago
CHICAGO—A substantial city revenue source is under fire as Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced 9,000 drivers would be allowed to contest tickets they received from red-light cameras. Since 2007, the city of Chicago has issued more than 4 million tickets via red-light cameras, bringing in more than $400 million, according to the Chicago Tribune. Questions over the… -
opinion
Kristen Bell’s ‘Mary Poppins Quits’ Might Have Been Funny. This Rebuttal Is Better.
“Frozen” star Kristen Bell is airing her liberal views once again—this time in a “Funny or Die” sketch advocating for a $10.10 minimum wage. Not to be outdone, ReasonTV’s Remy mimics Bell’s Mary Poppins act in a parody that hits her for hypocrisy. -
opinion
Dodd-Frank Confusion Highlights Its Failure
This month marks the 45th anniversary of man landing on the moon, and the fourth anniversary of the signing of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. The two events couldn’t be more different. The moon landing was a rousing, tangible achievement that millions watched on TV. Dodd-Frank was an amorphous piece of… -
opinion
What Would America Be Like If the Radical Green Movement Won?
Could the radical-Green movement in America make mankind’s future resemble a science-fiction Earth ruled by apes? Recently I went to the see the blockbuster movie Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, and an Investor’s Business Daily editorial this week got me thinking about a bleak scenario. Our future won’t have ape rulers, but, IBD… -
opinion
Conservatives: Societal Change Comes Best From Individuals, Not Government
Just before the 4th of July, the Pew Research Center released a fascinating study of Americans’ political beliefs, dividing them into seven categories from “steadfast conservatives” to “solid liberals.” But what separates liberals and conservatives isn’t always what they believe. It’s why they believe. By Pew’s standards, I should be a liberal: I use public…