Opinion and commentary on news, politics, culture, and policy impact.
From a distant American viewpoint, the Japanese election on Sunday was much ado about nothing. The country’s leader remained in place, the dominant party remained in control, and there will be no shifts in Japan’s policies. The electorate chose continuation of the status quo rather than risk upsetting a positive economic growth trend or putting…
The loss of four special operations soldiers in Niger is a tragedy. We grieve as a nation, rightly, whenever we lose any of the brave young men and women who serve in uniform. That said, politicians and news media are turning the event into a farce. Having served as an Army Green Beret for 28 years,…
NFL players have protested the national anthem for a little over a year now. First, they kneeled for Black Lives Matter, then against “police brutality.” Now, they’re kneeling to protest racial injustice. But has kneeling helped them raise awareness? Has their weekly spectacle changed any policies or laws? No. If anything, their protest has backfired…
The Budget Control Act, passed in 2011, is one of the few mechanisms currently in place to control Congress’ appetite for spending. With the national debt projected to skyrocket over the next decade, now is not the time to abandon it. An upcoming report this week from The Heritage Foundation will detail the ways Congress…
If you’re a parent, you want your child to be healthy. You’ll do whatever it takes to get your child the care he or she needs. To do that, maybe you sign up for your employer’s insurance plan, or use a health savings account for your family. Or perhaps your child has serious health needs,…
Editor's note: We've had so much reader input on Republicans' tax reform proposals that we're devoting a second consecutive compilation to it. Enjoy, and don't forget to write us at [email protected].—Ken McIntyre Dear Daily Signal: Regarding the commentary by Rep. Mark Walker, R-N.C., I think members of Congress are bailing water in a sinking boat…
The Daily Signal’s Facebook Live show “Top 10” features the top news stories of the week, many of which often go underreported or misreported by the mainstream media. This week, an American Legion in Maryland was told its 40-foot cross, which is in memory of World War I soldiers, must be torn down. We also…
Me, too. That phrase has floated around social media all week, a trend started in response to the recent sexual assault allegations against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein. The premise is simple, if not oversimplified: Shift the focus away from predators and onto the victims. Tens of thousands of women—and men—have shared their stories of rape,…
The Senate passed its fiscal year 2018 budget resolution late Thursday night, paving the way for potentially the most comprehensive tax reform package in decades. The proposal is a significant step toward implementing the president and Congress’ tax reform agenda. However, it fails to make significant cuts to federal spending—an important piece of the puzzle…
Defense Secretary James Mattis sent a letter to Congress earlier this month calling for members to authorize a new round of base realignment and closures in the National Defense Authorization Act for 2018. The bill is scheduled to be reconciled between the House and Senate next week. Mattis’ letter addressed two important criticisms that members…
The Trump administration is attempting to do what past administrations have either failed to do or blocked: open up part of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for oil and gas drilling. The House recently passed a budget proposal that opens the door to allowing drilling in the refuge. The bill now stands in the Senate…
The concern over “cultural appropriation” and Halloween costumes isn’t just an issue on college campuses anymore. According to the New York Post, some moms are deeming Disney costumes such as Moana inappropriate for their daughters to wear. Writing for the blog raceconscious.org, Sachi Feris said: My 5-year-old, who I had successfully shielded from Disney princesses…
While President Donald Trump’s response to the bipartisan health care proposal on Capitol Hill has slid from optimistic to negative, and then back to optimistic, he would be right to move away from this deal. Despite its advocates’ claims, this proposal isn’t needed to help low-income Americans or stabilize the insurance markets—and is a major…
About 500 protesters gathered in Washington, D.C., for the #NoMuslimBanEver March, protesting the Trump administration’s travel ban. The Daily Signal went to the #NoMuslimBanEver March to find out why they were protesting. “I’m so upset to see many, many things this president is doing … to see him discriminate against a group of people, which…
Amid headline-grabbing exchanges on Russia and sanctuary cities, Attorney General Jeff Sessions faced tough questions on civil asset forfeiture at Wednesday’s Senate Judiciary Committee oversight hearing. Sens. Mike Lee, R-Utah, and Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., both voiced their concerns over abusive forfeiture practices and Sessions’ July order reinvigorating the highly controversial adoptive forfeiture program, which undercuts…
Reports have begun to swirl over what the Trump administration’s Nuclear Posture Review will hold. The Pentagon will likely release the review in the first half of 2018. In the process, the administration can take several steps to put U.S. nuclear weapons policy on a sounder footing. First and foremost, the Trump administration should recognize…
Hillary Clinton is urging federal workers to stay in their jobs so they can fight for progressive policies again. On her book tour, the former secretary of state and presidential candidate told government workers to “stick it out, stick it out, because the tide has to turn.” “If [Democrats] can take back one or both…
This year, as in years past, eighth-graders in Biloxi, Mississippi, began reading the classic American novel “To Kill a Mockingbird.” And then, partway through and with little warning, they stopped. Why? Because, according to the school board vice president, it “makes people uncomfortable.” If you attended American schools within the last few decades, chances are…
The Justice Department unsealed criminal charges earlier this month against three men for plotting to attack New York City in 2016. The plotters were arrested at different times in 2016 and 2017, in different parts of the world. Since this plot occurred in the past and the first plotter was arrested in May of last…