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
Newt Gingrich Warns Americans: ‘We’re Seeing the Decay of the Internet’
Newt Gingrich has a message for supporters of President Obama’s decision to give up U.S. oversight of the Internet: “Go to China and try to use Twitter.” While speaking at The Heritage Foundation on Tuesday, the former House speaker warned, “We’re seeing the decay of the Internet as a free, open, world-wide system into a… -
opinion
How We Can Increase Opportunity
Opening the doors of opportunity to every American is an all-hands-on-deck effort. It requires policy reforms and community leadership. It means focusing on a range of issues from unwed childbearing to educational opportunity to economic indicators. The Index of Culture and Opportunity, a new annual publication by the Institute for Family, Community, and Opportunity at… -
news
New York Times Writer Wants to ‘Ruthlessly’ Stamp Out ‘Anti-LGBT’ Attitudes
Josh Barro, a writer for The New York Times, wants to stamp out what he considers to be “anti-LGBT” attitudes from communities “ruthlessly.” Barro was writing in response to a speech Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida, gave where he mentioned he was in support of marriage as union of a man and woman. In a tweet… -
opinion
Paul Ryan’s New Anti-Poverty Plan Should Take Work and Marriage Seriously
On Thursday at the American Enterprise Institute, Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan, R-Wisc., outlined plans to reform welfare and fight poverty. Ryan’s policies are well intentioned but not crafted in a way that will achieve reduced dependency. Ryan focuses on giving state governments greater flexibility in spending federal funds. While paying tribute to the principles… -
opinion
Reform, Not Ex-Im, Is the Key to American Nuclear Competitiveness
While the Export-Import Bank struggles to find reasons to justify its reauthorization, some have begun claiming that the U.S. nuclear industry needs Ex-Im to compete internationally. According to Westinghouse’s president Danny Roderick, “For us to get a share of [the international market] in a competitive way, we have to have something that negates the Russians,… -
opinion
Dodd-Frank Overregulation Prolongs Conflict in Eastern Congo
The Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (known as Dodd-Frank) is not just damaging the U.S. economy through excessive and ill-designed regulations. It’s also contributing to a conflict halfway around the world. Under Dodd-Frank, countries registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) operating in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and neighboring… -
news
Government Wants to Regulate Cigar Company ‘Out of Existence,’ Says Marco Rubio
Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida, is blasting the Food and Drug Administration for its “job-killing” regulations on the premium cigar industry. Rubio cited the J.C. Newman Cigar Co., a 119-year-old family-owned cigar business based in Tampa, as a primary loser of the FDA’s regulations. “A government agency that is now more known for its excruciatingly slow… -
opinion
Q&A: What Are These Tunnels Hamas Is Using to Attack Israel?
As part of the ongoing military campaign in Gaza, the Israeli military says it is now focused on destroying underground tunnels that Hamas is using to infiltrate Israeli soil. Q: How sophisticated are these tunnels? Many of the tunnels are extremely sophisticated, with concrete linings, electricity, telephone lines and electric lights. They are dug as… -
news
Federal Agency Faces Backlash After Wind Farms Get Exemption for Killing Eagles
Wind industry insiders call it a “turbine collision,” though the feds prefer “non-purposeful take.” But critics such as Sharon Klemm get real on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife website: “Why don’t you call it what it is? Shooting eagles. Killing Eagles. Murdering Eagles.” The backlash over a controversial 2013 government rule exempting wind farms from… -
news
Doctors: Government-Run Health Care Driving Us Out of Business
Advocates of single-payer health care promise high-quality low-cost health care for all. But physicians in Vermont say the state’s move towards a single-payer health care system is driving independent doctors out of business and eliminating patient choice. Dr. Paul Reiss, a family practice physician in Williston, said only 20 percent of the doctors now in… -
news
Christian Mom Sentenced to Death in Sudan Arrives in Italy, Meets Pope Francis
After spending several harrowing months in Sudan, Meriam Ibrahim Ishag, the mother of two who was sentenced to death for refusing to renounce her Christian faith, has left the African country for Italy. According to BBC, the Sudanese government granted Ishag permission to leave the U.S. Embassy in Khartoum. The 27-year-old mother, her husband, Daniel… -
news
Paul Ryan Unveils Plan to Fight Poverty, Increase Upward Mobility
In conjunction with the 50th anniversary of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s War on Poverty, Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., unveiled a new plan today designed to fight poverty, expand opportunity for Americans nationwide and increase upward mobility. Ryan discussed his blueprint at the American Enterprise Institute. He said: Hardworking taxpayers deserve a break in this country…. -
news
Newt Gingrich Speaks Out Against the Reauthorization of Ex-Im Bank
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who voted against reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank in 1992 while serving in Congress, said lawmakers should let the bank’s charter expire this year. During a visit to The Heritage Foundation yesterday, Gingrich said, “The way it’s currently structured, it favors giant companies and doesn’t help small businesses.” Watch the full… -
opinion
Cambodia: Deal Doesn’t End Need to Remain Vigilant
The ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) and opposition Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP) came to an agreement to end political deadlock in Cambodia, but it remains to be seen whether meaningful reform will ensue. Since July 2013 elections, the CNRP boycotted parliament in an effort to reconcile election irregularities and press for electoral reform. Last… -
opinion
Iran: Don’t Forget About the Missiles
On Tuesday, Senators Kelly Ayotte (R–NH) and Marco Rubio (R–FL) sent a letter urging President Obama to include restrictions on Iran’s long-range missile program during the P5+1 nuclear negotiations. “An Iran with a nuclear weapons capability represents a grave threat to the United States and our allies,” wrote Ayotte and Rubio, “and an effective delivery… -
opinion
Our President Is Missing in Action
Serious fires are burning around the world and President Obama is playing golf, fundraising and issuing unnecessary executive orders regarding sexual orientation and gender identity. At home and abroad, when it comes to the big issues, Obama is increasingly missing in action or focused on less important matters. Take the border crisis. We learned this… -
news
Green Group Under Scrutiny for Trespassing, Harassment at Woman’s Farm
Robert Marmet knew he was supposed to inspect Martha Boneta’s farm, but he didn’t know exactly what for. He knew there were limits on what he could inspect, but he had no idea where they were. So when Marmet, a senior energy policy analyst with the Piedmont Environmental Council, and his partner Mike Kane, a… -
opinion
House Highlights Dodd-Frank Deficiencies
The U.S. House Financial Services Committee presents an excellent case for why the 2010 Dodd-Frank law has not lessened the possibility that taxpayers will be forced to rescue large financial firms in the event of a crisis. The committee’s new report shows that, in fact, Dodd-Frank appears to have increased the likelihood of future bailouts… -
opinion
The Government Should Let Americans Control More of Their Retirement Savings
A new survey suggests that the vast majority of workers consider retirement their own responsibility. The LIMRA Secure Retirement Institute reports that 78 percent of workers recognize their personal responsibility to save for retirement. Among those already contributing to a defined contribution (DC) plan, like a 401k or IRA, 84 percent believe they are personally… -
news
Marco Rubio: Traditional Marriage Supporters Face ‘Growing Intolerance’
Sen.Marco Rubio, R-Florida, warned in a speech Wednesday that there was a “growing intolerance” toward those who support traditional marriage. Speaking at the Catholic University of America, Rubio cited various instances of intolerance: We have seen the push to remove the CEO of Mozilla because, in 2008, he made a small donation to support Proposition…