The hottest U.S. Politics Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top U.S. Politics Topics

Election Countdown, 271 Days to Go: ‘Can't Anybody Here Play This Game?’

Breaking the News • 743 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Dysfunction Courts Legislation Impeachment
  1. The Trump-era Republicans are facing a decline in basic operating competency.
  2. In court, there was a contrast between intelligent defense of Trump and clownish claims of absolute immunity.
  3. GOP's actions indicate a lack of care for democracy's principles and a focus on tribalism, causing political disagreements to be harder to resolve.

How Tariffs Are Breaking US Trade

Apricitas Economics • 123 implied HN points • 15 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Trade policy Economics Foreign Relations Tariffs Policy Analysis
  1. Tariffs are causing a big rise in costs for American consumers, with the government collecting record amounts from tariffs, which is hitting wallets hard.
  2. There has been a major drop in trade with China, with imports like electronics and vehicles seeing huge declines, making it harder for American businesses to get supplies.
  3. The ongoing trade war has created a lot of uncertainty, leading to unstable trade patterns and affecting exports to important partners like Canada and Mexico.

The Weaponization of Trauma

Can We Still Govern? • 224 implied HN points • 21 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Public Policy Workforce Issues Social justice
  1. Public employees are facing serious emotional challenges due to job instability and harsh government changes. Many report feeling anxious, paranoid, and stressed.
  2. There is a sense of betrayal among workers who relied on their institutions. When their commitment was questioned, it deeply hurt their trust and identity.
  3. The actions of the administration are seen as intentionally creating trauma to control and diminish the morale of public workers, leading to fears about the future.

Election Links

In My Tribe • 364 implied HN points • 14 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Candidates Economics Policy Criticism
  1. Elections are needed for people to give up power, but they often lead to fear and anger, making them tough to navigate. It can feel like a necessary evil.
  2. Mainstream economists are worried that neither candidate is addressing serious economic issues, like the future of Social Security and Medicare. It's frustrating when major problems aren't talked about honestly.
  3. Critics say some proposals, like expanding Medicare or helping first-time homebuyers, could actually lead to higher costs for everyone. Policies might sound good but can have unexpected negative effects in the long run.

Supervisor Hillary Ronen asked a judge to release Mission gang member from probation

Gotham by Susan Dyer Reynolds • 196 implied HN points • 01 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Law Crime Government Activism Justice
  1. Supervisor Hillary Ronen tried to help a gang member get off probation despite knowing his criminal activities.
  2. Fernando Madrigal, a youth activist turned gang member, was involved in a murder case and pleaded guilty to racketeering.
  3. Ronen's actions raise questions about ethics and her support of Madrigal, who was connected to violent crimes.
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Colleague on Jennifer Friedenbach: 'She doesn’t want to kill the goose that lays the golden egg'

Gotham by Susan Dyer Reynolds • 196 implied HN points • 07 Aug 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Homelessness Transparency Funding Advocacy Legal issues
  1. Jennifer Friedenbach is the executive director of Coalition on Homelessness and has faced criticism for her lack of qualifications and questionable financial decisions.
  2. The Coalition on Homelessness lacks transparency in their financial reports, with questionable classification of expenses and no clear demonstration of results.
  3. Friedenbach's involvement in conflicts of interest, such as granting her own nonprofit a large grant from an oversight committee she chairs, raises concerns about ethical practices in addressing homelessness issues.

What's Next for Affirmative Action

OLD GOATS with Jonathan Alter • 196 implied HN points • 01 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Affirmative Action Education Race Diversity Legislation
  1. The Supreme Court decision outlawed race-based preferences in college admissions, leading to a need for class-based preferences for maintaining diversity.
  2. Justice Sotomayor's dissent highlighted the importance of affirmative action programs for first-generation and low-income students, finding common ground among liberal and conservative justices.
  3. Class-based affirmative action solutions aim to achieve both racial and economic diversity in colleges, with examples from various institutions showing positive results.

"I am so tasteless as to prefer a Republic"

Study Marry Kill • 196 implied HN points • 06 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Philosophy Founding Fathers Government Systems Political Events
  1. John Adams preferred a Republic over Monarchy for producing strength, courage, and hardiness.
  2. He believed a Republic required public virtue and simplicity of manners, which could be challenging due to corruption and venality.
  3. Adams highlighted the importance of virtue in promoting human happiness and the potential challenges of maintaining a Republic amidst prevailing vices like servility and flattery.

Trafficked Hondurans forced to sell drugs in San Francisco is a myth

Gotham by Susan Dyer Reynolds • 196 implied HN points • 10 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Immigration Crime Drug Trafficking Law enforcement
  1. Trafficked Hondurans forced to sell drugs in San Francisco is considered a myth by some officials based on lack of evidence.
  2. In San Francisco, a high percentage of drug overdose deaths in specific districts, highlighting the impact of fentanyl on the city.
  3. Debates among supervisors and officials arise on deportation of fentanyl dealers in San Francisco, showcasing differing approaches to tackling the crisis.

I Don't Think Trump Will Be Stopped By Repeating "Trump Bad" Over and Over

I Might Be Wrong • 8 implied HN points • 21 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Presidency Elections Political strategy Partisanship Media Public Opinion
  1. Trump is acting dangerously unhinged and represents a real, slow-motion crisis.
  2. Constantly repeating "Trump bad" is cathartic but emotional and won’t effectively stop him.
  3. Democrats should respond with shrewd, focused strategies instead of nonstop alarmism to be effective.

Take Infinity: Mini Exasperations #1

Exasperated Infrastructures • 12 implied HN points • 05 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Infrastructure Transportation Urban Policy Public Transit State Politics Funding Planning
  1. A plan to publish 52 weekly pieces focused on urban politics and infrastructure, each following a three-part format: a short observation, a few curated articles with context, and a recommended writer.
  2. Infrastructure decisions are political and require clear alternatives analysis and honest cost comparisons; big projects like tunnels or high‑speed rail come with trade‑offs around funding, oversight, and procurement (including Build America/Buy America implications).
  3. There’s an emphasis on building reader community and engagement through a short survey, subscriptions, and by spotlighting other writers to broaden conversation and connections.

Federal workers fired to improve efficiency - media outraged; Federal workers fired for not complying with an unethical vaccine mandate - media silent

Vinay Prasad's Observations and Thoughts • 221 implied HN points • 27 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media Vaccine Mandates Employment Public Policy Government Ethics
  1. The media shows a double standard when covering different types of worker firings. They react strongly to layoffs for efficiency but often ignore firings for not taking vaccines.
  2. Vaccine mandates raised ethical concerns because they did not significantly protect others and forced individuals to lose their jobs. Many people who were fired have not been given a voice in media discussions.
  3. The way the media reports on firings affects public trust in vaccines. Layoffs from companies like Elon Musk's may feel random, but firings due to vaccine mandates can lead to specific anger and distrust.

The Crime Reduction Miracle

The Weekly Dish • 94 implied HN points • 18 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Crime Policy Liberal democracy Pragmatism Public Safety Law enforcement
  1. Liberal democracy can help reduce crime effectively. Many people believe that it is a practical solution to making communities safer.
  2. Pragmatism, or practical thinking, is important in solving social issues like crime. It emphasizes finding workable solutions rather than focusing solely on theory.
  3. The success of reducing crime showcases the value of evidence-based policies. It shows that when we stick to what works, we can see real improvements.

Kamala’s Memoir: Inside The Battle To Control Our Authoritarian Future

QTR’s Fringe Finance • 29 implied HN points • 18 Nov 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election Analysis Political Commentary Government Policy Campaign Strategy
  1. Kamala Harris's memoir tends to focus more on personal grievances than on deep political insights. It gives off a vibe of self-pity about her political journey.
  2. Harris's concept of freedom emphasizes government assistance, which some voters might not want. Many people are looking for less government involvement in their lives.
  3. The book lacks a strong vision or clear political ideas for the future. Harris talks about rebuilding trust and empathy but doesn't offer solid plans or policies.

Guaranteed-income realism

Hypertext • 99 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Government Advocacy Legislation Public Administration
  1. Developing policies like the Child Tax Credit can mirror elements of Milton Friedman's negative income tax, demonstrating the challenges of passing sweeping policies.
  2. Advocates propose refocusing on programs like the Child Tax Credit rather than a more universal approach, citing potential benefits and fewer political obstacles.
  3. Considering alternative approaches like total income phase-out (TIP) for welfare programs could offer new paths forward without requiring immediate program repeals.

Friederich Hayek and Will Rogers on the Democratic Party

David Friedman’s Substack • 350 implied HN points • 04 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political parties Elections Political theory Policy Making Political Behavior
  1. The Democratic Party often acts more like a collection of individuals than a unified organization. This means that each member prioritizes their own goals, which can lead to conflicting actions and beliefs.
  2. Politicians, like Biden, may not shift their policies towards the center because it could risk their own elections and support. They often focus more on their personal objectives than the party's overall strategy.
  3. The behavior of political parties can reflect individual interests rather than a cohesive plan. This can result in decisions that don't necessarily align with making the party stronger or defeating opponents.

($) P(Grand Bargain) = 55%

Interconnected • 77 implied HN points • 12 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Trade policy International relations Governance Economic Policy Foreign affairs
  1. The US and China are in talks to pause tariffs, which could lead to a big trade deal between them. This pause is like a dramatic buildup to a finale in a reality show.
  2. Trump's decision to wait until the last moment to announce the tariff pause shows he wants to make a big impact. It’s all part of the ongoing trade negotiations between the two countries.
  3. The idea of a 'grand bargain' suggests that a major agreement could resolve current tensions. Many are watching closely to see how this will play out.

Mankeeping? No, it's gender defending

Sex and the State • 85 implied HN points • 30 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gender Issues Media Criticism Social Issues Cultural Commentary
  1. The concept of 'mankeeping' shows how loneliness impacts men more than women, and it's often women who feel the burden of this loneliness.
  2. Media coverage on male loneliness sometimes shifts focus away from men's needs, emphasizing how it affects their partners instead, which misses the main issue.
  3. There seems to be a bias in how these topics are reported, often reinforcing existing social norms rather than challenging them for more meaningful change.

Bad week for academic freedom

Science Forever • 218 implied HN points • 16 Feb 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Academic Freedom Indoctrination
  1. Recent events in Florida and North Carolina have highlighted threats to academic freedom, as politicians accuse faculty of indoctrinating students.
  2. The weakening of educational materials in subjects like African American studies sets a dangerous precedent for applying political pressure and limiting academic content.
  3. Challenges to academic freedom in areas like Black history can have ripple effects on other scientific topics like climate change and health issues, impacting the quality of education.

The National Science Foundation and the fine line between anti-discrimination and flat-out racism

Heterodox STEM • 249 implied HN points • 26 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Civil Rights Diversity Government Policy Legal issues Social justice
  1. The National Science Foundation's GOLD program was created to boost diversity in geosciences but has faced criticism for possibly promoting discrimination instead of true inclusion.
  2. There have been incidents where events limited participation based on race, raising legal concerns about civil rights violations under federal law.
  3. Many diversity initiatives funded by the government need better oversight to ensure they don't violate civil rights, and it’s important for people to report any discrimination they encounter.

Rolling the DEI

Heterodox STEM • 234 implied HN points • 09 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Academia Social justice Gender Issues Meritocracy Diversity Initiatives
  1. Bias is present in academia and is often not unconscious. Many feel that men struggle to gain recognition in this environment.
  2. Data suggests that award processes in universities may not truly reflect merit and can be influenced by gender and diversity initiatives.
  3. The academic focus on diversity and inclusion sometimes leads to a lack of male representation in awards, raising questions about the fairness of these systems.

Who fires a gun at a school? Data science provides eight archetypes of shooters

School Shooting Data Analysis and Reports • 39 implied HN points • 13 May 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Data science School Shootings
  1. Data science can create archetypes to understand different behaviors, like predicting customer preferences or identifying school shooter profiles.
  2. Using data analysis, it's possible to categorize and plan for different scenarios of school shooters based on past incidents.
  3. The first school shooter archetype is 'The Adolescent Insider,' comprising attributes like age, gender, victim count, typical outcomes, and likely circumstances.

Prove Yarvin Wrong

Becoming Noble • 239 implied HN points • 31 Jan 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political theory Elite Networks Conservative movement Institutional Power
  1. Yarvin discusses the concept of 'hobbits' and 'dark elves' as classes on the right, highlighting the importance of elites in shaping political realities.
  2. Yarvin points out the dispersion of power in non-democratic institutions like the media and academia, leading to a progressive political consensus that resists change.
  3. The essay suggests the need to elevate 'hobbits' to 'dark elves' status to create a new elite capable of challenging the current power structures and instigating change.

Batshit Crazy

The Cosmopolitan Globalist • 10 implied HN points • 07 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Democracy Extremism Media Elections Parties Activism
  1. The political situation in the United States is deeply alarming and feels insane.
  2. One commentator, Steve Schmidt, is singled out as actually understanding and plainly explaining how serious this is amid many noisy pundits.
  3. This isn’t a time for irony — it’s an urgent call to mobilize and do everything possible to stop the danger before it’s too late.

Columbine influenced dozens of school shooters over the last 25 years

School Shooting Data Analysis and Reports • 59 implied HN points • 04 Apr 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Mass Shootings School Shootings Media Coverage Gun Violence
  1. Columbine shooting influenced dozens of school shooters over the past 25 years, impacting how police and schools work to prevent future attacks.
  2. The media's coverage of Columbine was criticized for focusing on incorrect narratives, leading to misconceptions about the shooters and the event.
  3. There were school shootings before Columbine, such as in 1989 and 1998, and the iconic trench coat-clad attacker from Columbine wasn't the first in school shooting history, demonstrating a pattern of planned attacks.

Top Links 617 Student debt is baaaack. Modern defense. Bulldozer politics & Naples '44 revisited.

Chartbook • 257 implied HN points • 13 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Economy Education Social Issues Political Analysis
  1. Student debt is becoming a big issue again, affecting many people's finances and future plans. It's important to stay informed about the changes related to it.
  2. There are ongoing discussions about modern defense strategies, highlighting the need for updated approaches in today's world. We should think critically about how these strategies impact our safety.
  3. The political climate is changing, with discussions about 'bulldozer politics' suggesting a more forceful approach to governance. It's worth considering how these tactics might shape our democracy.

Amazon blocks online reviews of Angela Merkel's memoir after readers submit a raft of harsh political critique and one-star ratings

eugyppius: a plague chronicle • 312 implied HN points • 03 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Discourse Media influence Censorship
  1. Angela Merkel's memoir has received a mix of reviews, with many readers critiquing her lack of self-reflection. They feel she does not acknowledge her mistakes during her time as chancellor.
  2. Amazon has stopped accepting new reviews for the book after receiving a lot of negative feedback, showing that readers are not happy with its content.
  3. Mainstream media reviews are generally positive, focusing on Merkel's achievements, while ordinary readers have a more critical view of her legacy and writing style.