The hottest U.S. Politics Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top U.S. Politics Topics

The TikTok Problem Is Not What You Think

BIG by Matt Stoller • 28992 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Privacy Consumer Protection Antitrust Foreign Relations Legislation
  1. The U.S. government is taking significant actions to address privacy and data protection, with legislation forcing a divestment of TikTok being part of a broader strategy.
  2. Recent legal actions by the Biden administration are reshaping how data brokers operate and enforce consumer protection laws in relation to sensitive consumer data.
  3. The debate over TikTok ownership highlights concerns about foreign control of key social infrastructure and the need for governance to prioritize the sovereignty of the people.

Does Biden Welcome Their Hatred?

BIG by Matt Stoller • 27044 implied HN points • 10 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Monopoly power Antitrust enforcement Corporate Power Government Policy
  1. Biden's administration is taking steps to reduce corporate power through measures like capping credit card late fees and focusing on monopolies in the healthcare sector.
  2. There is a mix of positive and negative actions within the Biden administration towards tackling concentrated economic power, showcasing a nuanced approach to corporate regulation.
  3. Despite Biden's populist State of the Union rhetoric, the administration faces challenges in fully addressing corporate power and governance issues, including instances of corruption and policy setbacks.

Trump just rug-pulled the China hawks on TikTok

Noahpinion • 21470 implied HN points • 11 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy National Security Elections Propaganda Political Influence
  1. Trump's recent actions regarding TikTok have stunned many conservative China hawks, revealing potential ulterior motives and alliances.
  2. The debate on forcing ByteDance to sell TikTok involves concerns about data privacy, propaganda dissemination, and national security, highlighting the app's significant influence.
  3. The situation with TikTok exemplifies broader international conflicts, potential financial influences, and political interplays that impact policymaking and national security strategies.

This is not a good way to fight racism in America

Noahpinion • 34882 implied HN points • 24 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Race relations Discrimination Diversity Social Issues Government Policy
  1. Creating a multiracial society requires deep societal changes and can't be achieved through quick fixes or shortcuts
  2. Forging a shared national identity in a diverse society is challenging but achievable through extended, cooperative contact between racial groups
  3. Efforts to combat racism through shortcuts like discriminatory practices or oversimplified diversity training often backfire and require long-term, thoughtful solutions
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Did Google, Facebook, and Amazon Endorse Jim Crow?

BIG by Matt Stoller • 25210 implied HN points • 02 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Monopoly Antitrust Regulation Civil Rights First Amendment
  1. The Supreme Court is currently considering a case involving tech giants like Google, Facebook, and Amazon and the question of whether economic regulations for these platforms are unconstitutional under the First Amendment.
  2. The case has broad societal implications, touching on antitrust, privacy, civil rights, and speech liability claims against big tech firms. The argument raised questions about the extent of tech companies' rights to make decisions like racial segregation or account deletions based on political views.
  3. The case illustrates how the influence of Robert Bork, a conservative antitrust lawyer, has shaped modern American corporate state, particularly the broad support for a society run by big tech, challenging the traditional role of democratically elected officials in regulating private tech platforms.

On Today’s Absurd New York Times Hit Piece

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 14141 implied HN points • 18 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics First Amendment Censorship Media Supreme Court Government
  1. The New York Times published a controversial piece about the Twitter Files and its connection to a Trump ally, which the author argues is a misrepresentation of reality.
  2. The Supreme Court case _Murthy v. Missouri_ is significant, as it involves challenges to government monitoring of online content and potential infringement on First Amendment rights.
  3. The article discusses the implications of exposing censorship programs and suggests a potential motive behind the Times' piece as a distraction tactic during the historic case.

NPR hasn't gotten more liberal. It's become more capital-D Democratic

White Hot Harlots • 239 implied HN points • 22 Apr 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media Bias Partisanship Identity politics Liberalism
  1. NPR has shifted towards being more aligned with the Democratic party rather than being more traditionally liberal in its coverage.
  2. Commercial networks may avoid certain topics due to financial interests, whereas NPR's funding model allows it to cover a wider range of issues without worrying about ratings.
  3. The dynamics and messaging within the Democratic party have changed, leading to NPR reflecting this shift by emphasizing identity issues and being less critical of establishment Democrats.

What just happened in San Francisco politics?

Noahpinion • 14235 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election Progressivism Public Safety Housing Education
  1. San Francisco politics saw 'moderate' victories, focusing on results-oriented progressivism over performative leftism.
  2. The election revealed that voters want progressivism with tangible outcomes, emphasizing public safety, education, and housing.
  3. Popular theories include billionaire influence, San Francisco's real progressive nature, and the city's demand for effective governance.

Biden’s brain, Trump’s brain

Robert Reich • 36282 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Election Policy Scandal Justice
  1. Special counsel Hur cleared Biden of any criminality due to memory lapses, sparking concerns about Biden's aging brain.
  2. Hur's lack of medical background and Trump's own memory issues bring into question the validity of his assessment.
  3. The focus in electing a president should be on knowledge, temperament, and judgment, qualities where Biden stands out compared to Trump.
  4. The issue of Biden's memory should not overshadow Trump's indictments and lack of cooperation with investigators.
  5. Hur's previous affiliations with Trump raise suspicions about the political motivations behind his statements.

On Don Lemon

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 10768 implied HN points • 17 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media Free speech Elon Musk
  1. Don Lemon sought a significant financial package, including an upfront payment, salary, equity stake, and extravagant perks like a Tesla Cybertruck and a private jet to Las Vegas.
  2. Despite past critiques, mainstream media are now portraying Lemon as a free speech hero due to his interactions involving Elon Musk.
  3. To access the full post and archives on Don Lemon, readers are encouraged to subscribe to Racket News for a 7-day free trial.

Daddy Died a MAGA

The View from Rural Missouri by Jess Piper • 31690 implied HN points • 12 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Personal Story Political Impact Legacy Relationships Trumpism
  1. The impact of political beliefs on personal relationships can be significant, even leading to estrangement and deep regrets.
  2. People's views and behaviors can drastically change, especially in response to political figures, causing distress and confusion for loved ones.
  3. The legacy a person leaves behind is shaped by their words and actions, emphasizing the importance of fostering positive connections and memories.

One Man

Steady • 45343 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Policy Elections Partisanship Leadership
  1. One man has fundamentally changed the political landscape and societal norms.
  2. He has impacted various aspects of life, from personal interactions to policies and climate change efforts.
  3. His influence has provoked divisions and challenges that require collective effort to address.

State TV Slobbers Over State of the Union

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 12779 implied HN points • 09 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics News Opinion Journalism
  1. The article discusses how state media in various historical regimes may have praised a leader's speech as enthusiastically as Joe Biden's State of the Union address.
  2. The post highlights the reaction of ABC's chief Washington correspondent and his colleague after Joe Biden's speech.
  3. The article teases a discussion between correspondents about the effectiveness of Biden's speech, requiring a subscription to read further.

Monopoly Round-Up: Congress to Undermine Antitrust Division Budget?

BIG by Matt Stoller • 15241 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Congress Monopoly
  1. There is a proposal to cut $45 million from the Antitrust Division's budget, reducing it by roughly 20%, which could impact their enforcement efforts against monopolies.
  2. The Antitrust Division's funding comes partially from fees paid by corporations involved in mergers, and a recent proposal could subject the Division to the normal appropriations process instead.
  3. The current bill is still subject to modifications, so there is a possibility of adjustments to the proposed budget cut for the Antitrust Division.

Why the TikTok Ban is So Dangerous

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 9811 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation National Security First Amendment Political Dynamics
  1. Public opinion on the TikTok ban has shifted from strong support to opposition over time.
  2. The passage of the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act has raised concerns about potential overreach in granting new powers to the President.
  3. There are worries that the bill could have implications beyond TikTok, leading to broader speech controls and threats to freedom of expression.

America Enters the Samizdat Era

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 13143 implied HN points • 07 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship Social media Freedom of Speech Government Control
  1. The Internet is transitioning from a space of free exchange to one of top-down control over information and narrative.
  2. Alternative ways of distributing dissenting ideas are becoming necessary due to digital suppression of politically undesirable content.
  3. It's crucial to raise awareness about the challenges to freedom of speech and find new ways to share truth in the face of increasing control over information.

No immunity for Trump

Robert Reich • 28735 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legal Supreme Court Justice System
  1. A federal appeals court rejected Trump's claim of immunity for charges related to the 2020 election.
  2. Trump's legal delays may allow him to postpone a trial until after the presidential election.
  3. The court system should set tighter deadlines to prevent Trump from running out the clock on accountability.

One Voice

Steady • 27772 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legal Trump Courts Presidency Judiciary
  1. A federal appeals court rejected Donald Trump's immunity claim for alleged crimes regarding the 2020 election.
  2. The court panel comprised of judges from both Democratic and Republican parties unanimously ruled against Trump.
  3. Trump has a tight deadline to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court as his legal strategies face challenges.

Cheap Signals

Sarah Kendzior’s Newsletter • 6250 implied HN points • 22 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Policy Election Bipartisanship Foreign Relations
  1. The importance of holding onto simple dreams and moments of peace amidst political turmoil and corruption.
  2. The narrative discusses the dangers of political manipulation, corruption, and the impact on democracy, emphasizing the need for vigilance and critical thinking.
  3. Reflection on how societal issues such as genocides, pandemics, and political forces shape the daily lives of individuals and communities, urging readers to remain aware and engaged.

Citizen Musk

Robert Reich • 32331 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Political Rhetoric Media influence Wealth Inequality Democracy
  1. Elon Musk has been spreading misinformation about immigration and voting laws, similar to Trump's tactics.
  2. Musk's massive influence and control over Twitter (X) pose a threat to democracy and accountability.
  3. The concentration of wealth in individuals like Musk can be dangerous for democracy by allowing them to evade consequences and manipulate public opinion.

Congressional Republicans to Defund the Antitrust Division?

BIG by Matt Stoller • 22689 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Congress Budget Justice Department Legislation
  1. Antitrust Division's budget may be at risk of defunding by Congressional Republicans, impacting its ability to pursue cases against big corporations like Apple and Ticketmaster.
  2. Challenges in Antitrust Division's budget in recent years resulted in limitations on taking action against big tech monopolies like Google and Apple due to lack of resources.
  3. The bipartisan antitrust reform legislation of 2022 aimed to boost Antitrust Division resources for more effective enforcement, but current budget debates, including potential cuts, pose a threat to this progress.

BS on the border

Robert Reich • 23998 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Immigration Border Security Election Policy Reform
  1. The bipartisan Senate deal on immigration focuses on border security and lacks real reforms like a pathway to citizenship.
  2. Political posturing over border security has intensified as a key issue for the 2024 election.
  3. Trump's rhetoric on immigration, laden with false claims, is evocative of neofascist language and a troubling historical parallel.

Out with a Bang as FTC Beats the PharmaBros

BIG by Matt Stoller • 39535 implied HN points • 30 Dec 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Antitrust Crypto Private Equity Legislation
  1. FTC achieved a significant victory in a merger case which could impact corporate America
  2. Judge Rakoff ruled that certain crypto assets are securities, setting a precedent for regulation in the crypto space
  3. Private equity firm involvement in a rent-fixing scheme highlights potential liabilities for such ownership arrangements

Evangelicals for Trump? It's Not About Religion

Steady • 28774 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election Religion Society Polling Media
  1. Evangelicals support Trump not necessarily because of religion but for reasons like opposing abortion and LGBTQ+ rights.
  2. Despite Trump's personal controversies, many white evangelical Christians see him as a savior figure saving the country from perceived threats.
  3. There is a shift in evangelical priorities, with church attendance declining and political identity becoming more significant.