Opinion and commentary on news, politics, culture, and policy impact.
Watching Europeans grapple with multiculturalism as they attempt to stem the growth of Islamist ideology at home can be instructive. It may even convince U.S. leaders of the wisdom of once again assimilating immigrants to a unique American culture and set of national principles. In Germany, one of the most controversial aspects of multiculturalism, granting…
It won’t be long before Americans all across the country are celebrating our great national birthday. And we won’t do so quietly. “It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty,” John Adams, our second president, wrote of July 4. “It ought to be solemnized with pomp and…
During a news conference last week at the G-7 meeting in Germany, President Barack Obama acknowledged that his administration does not have a “complete strategy” to defeat the Islamic State group. That much is obvious. What’s as troubling as his strategic failure is the president’s explanation of why he has failed. Obama defended himself with the…
Does the U.S.-Canadian speed gap bother you? Americans can drive no faster than 65 on Massachusetts highways. Meanwhile Canadian motorists zip along at speeds of up to 100. Congress should close this inequitable speed gap! This argument sounds ridiculous, because it is. Canadians measure speed in kilometers per hour, not miles per hour. Moreover, many…
Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., and Independent Women’s Forum executive director Sabrina Schaeffer share their thoughts on the “war on women,” why they believe conservatives often have a tougher time engaging female voters and how they can go about changing that.
Last week, President Obama made several comments about the Supreme Court’s pending decision in King v. Burwell, the Obamacare tax subsidies case, chiding the court for taking up the issue and calling it “an easy case.” But should the president be telling the justices how to rule? Historically, many presidents have criticized decisions with which…
The fiscal year 2016 budget resolution passed by Congress in May requires the Congressional Budget Office and the Joint Committee on Taxation to include the macroeconomic feedback effects of changes in policy on the budget when evaluating major legislation (CBO and JCT are the official number crunchers of Congress). Specifically, Section 3112 of the resolution…
“Jurassic World” just broke the all-time first-weekend box office record, but not all audience members were pleased. Before and after the film’s release, feminists attacked the movie as sexist. Although it is possible to interpret the film this way, “Jurassic World” portrays a complex, dynamic heroine who does not fit neatly into such a box….
The Heritage Foundation's Daren Bakst wrote about the Food and Drug Administration's decision to act on trans fat food in a column earlier this week: The Food and Drug Administration released its de facto ban on artificial trans fat. In November 2013, the FDA published a tentative determination that partially hydrogenated oils, the primary dietary…
It was shocking to read Kimberley Strassel describe the 28 House Democrats voting in favor of fast-track trade authority as “pro-growth” in her latest Wall Street Journal “Potomac Watch” column. One single vote—a vote on a congressional process—is not enough to overcome a lifetime of economically disastrous votes. Seventeen of those 28 Democrats were in…
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton recently called for the doubling of funding for Early Head Start—a community-based program that serves low-income families with pregnant women, infants and toddlers up to age 3. Unfortunately, Early Head Start has not proven successful in achieving its goals. Early-childhood educations programs, like Early Head Start and its equally…
Civil forfeiture abuse threatens the integrity of our criminal justice system and ought to concern all Americans. Strong advocates for reform come from both sides of the ideological spectrum. Heritage worked with a broad bipartisan coalition, with groups ranging from the ACLU to the Institute for Justice and the Charles Koch Institute, to develop a…
When Donald Trump announced he was running for president Tuesday, the event featured Neil Young’s 1989 hit song “Rockin’ in the Free World.” It was part of Trump’s rollout at his Manhattan office building—an event cable networks covered live and generated huge interest on Facebook. One person, however, was not amused. Young is no fan…
The people of Hong Kong have once again given the world a lesson in democracy and liberty, this time by rejecting a bogus election plan hatched by communists in the People’s Republic of China. This is the gist of confusing events that took place Thursday in the former British colony. Lawmakers in the mini-legislature, the…
In a letter addressed to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, leader of the Islamic State, or ISIS, and released to journalists this week, the Taliban warned against an ISIS role in Afghanistan, urging the group not to take actions that could lead to “division of the Mujahideen’s command.” An effort since late last year by ISIS to…
As newspapers bulge with advertisements for Father’s Day gifts, it’s a good time to reflect on the long-term and irreplaceable value that dads add to their children’s lives. Far more important than the ties featured in store displays is the precious “paternal tie” that serves as a foundation for a youth’s successful and fulfilling future. Decades…
In a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court struck down a town’s sign ordinance as an unconstitutional, content-based regulation of speech. This ruling for free speech means the government can’t pick and choose what speech deserves more protection based on the content of the speech. Like most other towns in America, Gilbert, Ariz., regulates when, where…
In the past Pyongyang blamed its poor crop yield on alternating claims of cataclysmic floods and droughts that left South Korea unaffected. The reality was that North Korea’s disastrous economic system was to blame, combined with the country’s mountainous geography which is not conducive to agricultural self-sufficiency. Historically, the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula…
Today, Pope Francis released his encyclical letter, Laudato Si, “Praise be to you, my Lord,” on the theme of “care for our common home.” For weeks, partisans in the press have driven expectations that this would be a major missive on climate change. I’ve read all 180 pages of it, and it’s about much more…
On June 17, the House Energy and Commerce Committee approved an amended version of H.R. 805, the Domain Openness Through Continued Oversight Matters Act of 2015 (DOTCOM Act of 2015). The bill is expected to be approved by the House in the coming weeks. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Chairman John Thune (R–SD)…