The hottest U.S. Politics Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top U.S. Politics Topics

Seven and a half cents

America in Crisis • 19 implied HN points • 27 Sep 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economic Policy Social Impact Elite influence
  1. The song 'Seven and a half cents' from the 1954 musical 'Pajama Game' humorously portrayed the impact of a pay increase on workers over time, reflecting the changing economic landscape for working class Americans.
  2. After 1973, the 'rising tide' of economic prosperity ended, leading to a shift in economic policy and an increase in the need for upskilling to maintain living standards, impacting different generations in varied ways.
  3. The analysis of marriage prospects and income growth highlights how economic changes have influenced societal trends, showing disparities in income growth and social outcomes in different eras, emphasizing shifts in economic policy and culture.

Bully for Ofsted. But Tolley law does for Dom!

Irregular Thoughts • 19 implied HN points • 26 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Policy Leadership Crisis Management
  1. In a professional setting, it's important to address inadequacies without resorting to bullying tactics.
  2. Facing professional criticism can be intimidating, but it should be handled with support and understanding.
  3. Balancing the need for constructive feedback with avoiding bullying behavior is crucial in a successful work environment.

Politicians, Hollywood Publicly Stand Behind Transgender Americans

The Washington Current • 19 implied HN points • 15 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Transgender rights Public Figures Legislation Equality Media representation
  1. Prominent figures in politics and media are openly supporting transgender Americans despite challenges.
  2. President Biden and actress Drew Barrymore recently vocalized their support for the transgender community.
  3. Drew Barrymore featured trans activist Dylan Mulvaney on her talk show to elevate transgender voices.

A Pro-Speculator Property Tax Policy from Some in Detroit City Council

The Chargeback • 19 implied HN points • 10 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Taxation Government Local Housing
  1. Some members of the Detroit City Council are proposing a property tax policy that could benefit outside property speculators.
  2. Eliminating all property taxes could give non-residents an advantage over Detroit residents in property ownership.
  3. Supporting property tax relief for low-income homeowners could be a better solution than empowering speculators.

Why can't SFPD shut down SF's drug markets?

Fava’s Substack • 19 implied HN points • 12 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Law enforcement Leadership Voters
  1. SFPD is making drug arrests but faces challenges in executing them due to limited resources and restrictive policies.
  2. San Francisco's progressive policies and enablement contribute to the flourishing drug markets, making it a complex issue beyond just policing.
  3. To address the drug crisis, holistic policy, budgetary, and leadership changes are necessary, requiring the involvement and support of voters.
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Is Colorado The Most Repair-Friendly State in the US? Recent Victories Say “Yes.”

Fight to Repair • 19 implied HN points • 14 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Advocacy Technology Environment Economics
  1. Colorado is making significant strides in becoming the most repair-friendly state in the US, passing laws supporting agricultural and power-wheelchair repair, setting an example for others to follow.
  2. Massachusetts has historically been a leader in progressive policies, including same-sex marriage legalization and universal healthcare, and has been at the forefront of the right to repair movement, influencing national policies.
  3. The Federal Trade Commission is actively supporting the right to repair movement, testifying in states like California, highlighting the importance of consumer access to repair information and parts.

How inequality reduction happened 80 years ago

America in Crisis • 19 implied HN points • 03 Aug 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Inequality Economic Policy Political History Taxation Social Policy
  1. Inequality reduction 80 years ago was achieved through a combination of high marginal tax rates, pro-labor policies, and strong economic stimulus.
  2. The handling of economic crises by political elites and the choice of policies played a significant role in resolving the issues without internal conflict.
  3. The alignment of political parties and the evolution of party composition have an impact on the feasibility of implementing policies to address inequality and economic instability.

Free Speech

Tom Thought • 19 implied HN points • 28 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech First Amendment Government Censorship Debate
  1. Free speech is more than just the first amendment; it's about physical constraints, tools, and audience access, freedom from reprisal, and cultural receptiveness to new ideas.
  2. Freedom of speech is heavily influenced by financial and social resources, where those who are well-financed and well-connected are heard more clearly than those who are not.
  3. Free speech is practical and useful for generating robust dialogue, debate, and embracing new ideas, but it isn't the only thing that matters in society; there are tradeoffs to consider.

27 Grievances

The Radar • 19 implied HN points • 06 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics History Government Media Representation Freedom
  1. The Declaration of Independence emphasizes fundamental human rights and the necessity of government to secure those rights.
  2. The grievances listed in the Declaration focus on concerns about basic governance and representation, highlighting the importance of civic responsibility.
  3. Today, public trust in government is low, representatives often prioritize divisive issues over meaningful governance, and media misinformation contributes to a lack of proper representation and accountability.

The End Of The End of History?

Some Unpleasant Arithmetic • 28 implied HN points • 13 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political theory Political Movements Elections Economic Policy Social Issues
  1. There's a lot of political unrest happening globally. People are frustrated with mainstream parties and are turning to extreme leaders across the political spectrum.
  2. Economic issues, like inflation, are making voters unhappy and driving them to support radical parties. When people's wallets are affected, they often blame current leaders and seek change.
  3. Many individuals now think in a 'zero-sum' way, feeling that someone's gain is their loss. This mindset is pushing some to support more aggressive political movements, like fascism.

No Academy for Trad Men

Holodoxa • 39 implied HN points • 05 Jan 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Academia Intellectual Diversity Political theory
  1. Scruton's successful academic and public career as a conservative thinker prompts reflection on the lack of conservative presence in the academy and the importance of intellectual diversity.
  2. Scruton's work in aesthetics emphasizes the importance of art in evoking emotion and engaging the imagination, connecting individuals to universality and timelessness.
  3. Despite facing ideological challenges and limited institutional support due to his conservative views, Scruton's respectable erudition and distinctive conservatism allowed him to operate successfully in academia, signaling challenges for aspiring conservative intellectuals.

January 28, 2025

Letters from an American • 24 implied HN points • 29 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political strategy Electoral Politics Civil Service Executive Power Foreign Aid
  1. Trump's Project 2025 aims to turn federal agencies into places with loyal supporters instead of nonpartisan civil servants. This plan seeks to expand presidential power and promote a strong executive control over the government.
  2. The new rules from Trump's administration allow him to remove civil service protections for many federal workers, forcing them to follow his orders or risk losing their jobs. This is seen as a significant threat to the independence of federal agencies like the Department of Justice.
  3. The Trump administration has paused federal grants and loans, creating uncertainty for many programs that aid communities. Critics argue this move undermines important services and threatens lives, showing a blatant disregard for laws established by Congress.

85% of Bill Maher's guests since Oct 7 are white; none are Muslim

Ijtihad • 57 implied HN points • 13 May 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media bias Diversity Issues Political Commentary Public Discourse Social Issues
  1. Bill Maher's guest list since October 7 has mostly featured white individuals, with no Muslim guests at all. This shows a concerning lack of diversity in viewpoints.
  2. The guests he does feature often share similar views, especially on the conflict in Gaza, ignoring voices that call for peace or criticize Israel's actions.
  3. Bill Maher's perceived liberal stance is being questioned as he increasingly silences anti-war sentiments and diverging opinions, which is disappointing for fans of his show.

Is Trump Literally the Antichrist?

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 24 implied HN points • 24 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Politics Religion Culture Governance Society
  1. There's a lot of strange and unsettling events happening in politics right now. People are questioning how these events might relate to bigger themes like the apocalypse.
  2. Some argue that figures like Trump symbolize the Antichrist due to their behavior and rhetoric. This idea connects to historical and biblical themes of deception and chaos.
  3. The concept of the apocalypse can be viewed as a transformative stage. It suggests that the upheaval we see could lead to a new understanding or a better future for humanity.

The New York Times is lowkey anti-gender

Sex and the State • 32 implied HN points • 11 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gender Issues Media Criticism Cultural Commentary Political Discourse
  1. The New York Times published an essay arguing against traditional masculinity, suggesting positive masculinity doesn't fix deeper issues faced by boys. It points out that boys feel immense pressure to act a certain way.
  2. The essay claims we need to rethink and possibly eliminate the concept of masculinity altogether to address the real problems men and boys face.
  3. Some conservative media criticized the essay as part of a supposed 'war on masculinity,' but the author found value in it despite suggesting a slight change.

Palestine Freed Leonard Peltier! Not Biden!

C.O.P. Central Organizing Principle. • 24 implied HN points • 20 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Civil Rights Justice System Indigenous issues Political criticism Activism
  1. Gaza has impacted Biden's public image negatively, linking him to accusations of genocide. Many feel disappointed and angry about his actions.
  2. Leonard Peltier's unjust imprisonment is highlighted, with calls for his release. His story is a reminder of past injustices against Native Americans.
  3. January 20th is celebrated as Leonard Peltier Day, emphasizing the importance of recognizing his struggle and the broader fight for Native rights.

The Election Vindicates JoeWrote's Mission (And Shows Why You Should Support It).

JoeWrote • 33 implied HN points • 11 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media Analysis Election coverage Political Commentary Independent Media Socialism
  1. Both mainstream and independent media often fail to provide the honest and critical analysis that people need. Many people feel disappointed with how current events are covered.
  2. There is a need for media that offers realistic and hopeful solutions to societal problems, rather than just identifying issues without addressing their causes.
  3. Supporting alternative outlets, like JoeWrote, can help create content that focuses on socialist and anti-imperialist perspectives, aiming to fill the gaps left by traditional and independent media.

What's at Stake in the "War on Woke"

Unpopular Front • 73 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Civil Rights DEI Conservatism Trump presidency Trump administration
  1. The right-wing 'war on woke' is fueled by a radical goal to dismantle Civil Rights infrastructure and reimpose segregation.
  2. Corporate America's embrace of DEI efforts may waver as business interests and political landscapes shift.
  3. A potential second Trump administration could lead to a significant assault on Civil Rights enforcement and regulation.

“Dey Took Err Jerbs”: Immigration and the Lump of Labor Fallacy

Center for the Study of Partisanship and Ideology • 24 implied HN points • 23 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Immigration Economics Labor Policy Partisanship
  1. The idea that there's only a fixed number of jobs is a myth. More workers, especially immigrants, can actually create new jobs and grow the economy.
  2. High-skilled immigrants contribute significantly to innovation and entrepreneurship. Many big companies in the U.S. were started by immigrants or their children.
  3. Allowing more immigrants into the workforce benefits everyone. It can lead to economic growth and better job opportunities for all, rather than taking jobs away from Americans.

Making Civic Life Thick Again; Rashid Khalidi in Haaretz; Remembering Canarsie

Unpopular Front • 29 implied HN points • 01 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political theory Civic engagement Social movements National Identity
  1. Political parties need to focus on building stronger local organizations to reconnect with working-class voters. This means creating spaces where people can gather and engage in civic life together.
  2. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is complex and cannot be solved easily. Understanding both sides and their histories is crucial to discussing potential solutions.
  3. Using violent tactics in political struggles can backfire, especially when the opposing side feels victimized. It's important to think about the long-term effects of such strategies.

The Top Ten Books on British Politics

Comment is Freed • 82 implied HN points • 09 Dec 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Biographies Policy Communications Political Humor
  1. The list provides a variety of book recommendations on British politics, including biographies, histories, and memoirs.
  2. The books cover a wide range of topics from British political figures to the impact of policies on the welfare state.
  3. The post also highlights the importance of personal reflections and honesty in political diaries and memoirs to gain insights into politicians and civil servants.

President Trump Establishes a MAHA Commission

Who is Robert Malone • 22 implied HN points • 14 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Health Policy Public Health Executive orders Child Health
  1. President Trump created a new commission, called the MAHA Commission, to look into America's health issues, especially childhood diseases.
  2. The goal is to figure out why chronic illnesses are rising and to come up with a plan to make kids healthier.
  3. Many people don't trust the healthcare system, and this commission aims to restore that trust while addressing the health crisis in America.

Responding to criticisms, and the Senate "national security" bill

Michael Tracey • 71 implied HN points • 13 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics War Diplomacy National Security Military Spending
  1. The war in Ukraine has resulted in a significant disaster with high casualties and impacts on Russia and US relations.
  2. The Senate passed a large 'national security' bill for Ukraine, Israel, and the Indo-Pacific, highlighting the prioritization of war expenditures.
  3. There seems to be a lack of realistic and articulate strategies in resolving the war, with many stakeholders barreling forward with attritional warfare.

February 12, 2025

Letters from an American • 22 implied HN points • 13 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Elections Policies Legislation Foreign Relations
  1. Elon Musk now has significant control over parts of the U.S. government due to a new executive order that lets his department manage hiring and firing in various agencies.
  2. The U.S. government is facing potential funding cuts, which might affect programs like Social Security and aid for low-income individuals, while tax cuts for wealthy people are planned.
  3. There are worrying shifts in U.S. foreign policy, including a possible move away from supporting Ukraine and towards closer ties with Russia, which could undermine international alliances.

Donald Trump, The President Of The Ashes.

C.O.P. Central Organizing Principle. • 30 implied HN points • 21 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Policy Government Economy Global relations
  1. Japan and other countries are selling off US debt, which shows that they are losing faith in the American economy. This could make it harder for the US to sell treasury bonds and maintain the dollar's value.
  2. The world sees the US as weak, with problems like homelessness and a large debt. Many countries want to join trade alliances that do not rely on the US dollar.
  3. To improve the economy and attract buyers for US treasury bonds, one suggestion is to raise taxes on the wealthy and cut military spending. However, it's unlikely that such changes will be made.

Strictly Business

Gideon's Substack • 21 implied HN points • 24 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy Diplomacy Trump administration International relations Ukraine conflict
  1. Trump sees Ukraine as a failing business, not a cause to support. He wants to cut his losses and move on rather than help Ukraine.
  2. Russia's relationship with China is strengthening as a result of the war. This shows that America's efforts to weaken Russia have not paid off.
  3. Europe needs to find common ideals and reasons to fight together. Without that, they risk being stuck in a cycle of paying off threats without resolving the bigger issues.

With Colbert, Was it Retribution or Ratings?

I Might Be Wrong • 9 implied HN points • 21 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Commentary Media Analysis Public Opinion Satire
  1. There are different beliefs about why CBS ended Stephen Colbert's show. One side thinks it was because he criticized CBS, while the other thinks it's just about ratings.
  2. Some people on the left see the firing as a political move to help Paramount, while those on the right blame Colbert for not having good ratings.
  3. Trump also commented on Colbert's firing, suggesting that a comedian shouldn't be too political if they want his approval. He prefers comedians who don't challenge the status quo.

There’s actually a good reason work is so family unfriendly

Sex and the State • 23 implied HN points • 27 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Work Culture Corporate Responsibility Economics Fertility
  1. Work culture is not very friendly to families, which affects fertility rates. It often targets women as if they are the only ones responsible for family matters.
  2. Business strategies that claim to be 'family-friendly' are often not profitable, meaning companies may avoid them to keep costs down.
  3. Finding solutions for work-life balance really requires looking beyond just employer policies; it involves understanding broader economic trends and societal changes.

The US Is Now on Track for a $3.5 Trillion Deficit in 2025

QTR’s Fringe Finance • 28 implied HN points • 17 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Federal Budget National Debt Government spending Economic Policy Fiscal Responsibility
  1. The US government is expected to have a $3.5 trillion deficit in 2025, which is the largest peacetime deficit ever. This means spending is much higher than the money coming in.
  2. There is little chance that Congress will cut spending significantly. Most government spending is on essential programs like Social Security and defense, which people don't want to lose.
  3. As the debt grows, it might lead to higher interest rates and economic problems for consumers and businesses, but it seems unlikely that people will support major budget cuts until they feel the impacts more directly.

$42 Billion Broadband Boondoggle Brought Internet to Zero Homes

QTR’s Fringe Finance • 22 implied HN points • 13 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Government Infrastructure Public Spending Digital Divide
  1. The $42 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program has not connected any homes to the internet, highlighting a failure in its implementation.
  2. Most people already have internet access, and less than 1 million households are offline due to lack of availability, suggesting the problem isn't as big as thought.
  3. Government funding can slow down private investments in broadband infrastructure, and letting the market operate may lead to better solutions and prices for consumers.

URGENT: Ex-White House advisor Andy Slavitt is refusing to comply with a subpoena over questions about how he tried to censor me and others in 2021

Unreported Truths • 72 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Administration Congress
  1. Former White House advisor Andy Slavitt is refusing to comply with a Congressional subpoena.
  2. Ignoring a Congressional subpoena is a federal crime, but the Biden Administration will not prosecute Slavitt.
  3. Claims of executive privilege are being used to justify Slavitt's refusal to testify, despite past cases ruling against such claims.

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Swings Into Action to Protect Health Insurers’ Profits at the Expense of Its Members

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 139 implied HN points • 24 Aug 21
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Health Policy Corporate Influence Insurance Industry
  1. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is actively defending employer-sponsored health insurance, which is important for insurers' profits. They claim it provides significant value, but many people have lost this coverage, especially during the pandemic.
  2. Recent legislation in some states for public health options is making insurers nervous. They see any movement towards alternatives to employer-sponsored insurance as a threat to their profits.
  3. The insurance industry is using powerful lobbying and public relations strategies to protect their interests in Washington. They are pushing hard to maintain the status quo, especially as proposals for public options or Medicare expansion gain traction.

Congestion Pricing: Because Nothing Says ‘New York’ Like Paying More to Get Less

Gad’s Newsletter • 23 implied HN points • 03 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Urban Policy Transportation Public Opinion Economic Impact Policy Analysis
  1. Congestion pricing in New York is aimed at reducing traffic in the city center, but it has also led to increased traffic in other areas. This means the problem of congestion might just be moving around rather than getting solved.
  2. Not all routes are affected the same way. While some key entry points into the city have traffic improvements, local streets used for everyday travel show little to no change, which raises questions about the overall effectiveness of the plan.
  3. Public support for congestion pricing varies greatly and people are concerned about fairness and how the revenue will be used. Making sure to communicate how the money is spent and improving transit options could help gain more acceptance from the public.