The hottest U.S. Politics Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top U.S. Politics Topics

If you like it so much, you defend it

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 24 Feb 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Constitutional Law Executive Power Legislative Process Civil Rights Policy Debate
  1. It's okay for a president to not defend a law they think is unconstitutional. It doesn't mean they're ignoring it, just that they don't want to fight for it in court.
  2. Not enforcing a law is very different from not defending it legally. Not enforcing can lead to big problems, but not defending doesn't change how the law is followed.
  3. If the government believes a law is unconstitutional, it might be better for supporters of that law to find different lawyers to defend it, as the government might not do a good job of it.

On political assassination

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 10 Jan 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Rhetoric Violence Assassination Mental health
  1. Political assassinations, especially of legislators, are rare and usually don't lead to real political change. Killing one person doesn't change the whole system, which is part of why it's so tragic.
  2. Political language often includes terms related to war, which might influence how people think about violence in politics. However, this influence is likely small and not the main reason for acts of violence.
  3. While violent political rhetoric can impact actions on the fringe, it's important to remember that the assassination of a politician doesn't mean we need to change the entire political system or how we do politics.

On Career Paths

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 23 Nov 10
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Elections Congress Political History Political Humor
  1. Historically, many Senators had experience in the House, but it seems less common now. This suggests that moving from the House to the Senate used to be a more typical career path for politicians.
  2. Before the 1840s, it was not unusual for Representatives to have previously served in the Senate, showing how political careers were more interconnected back then.
  3. Claude Pepper is a significant example of someone who served in both the Senate and the House, but he was the last of his kind, highlighting a change in political career trends.

On the idea of a "taxpayer's receipt"

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 01 Oct 10
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government spending Taxation Public Policy Political Debate
  1. The idea of a 'taxpayer's receipt' sounds useful because it could show exactly where your taxes are going. But it’s really hard to make it accurate and complete.
  2. Mixing different types of taxes on the receipt may confuse people about how their money is actually spent. Not everyone's tax burden looks the same, and this might lead to misunderstandings.
  3. There are many political challenges with this idea. For example, many people don’t pay federal income taxes, so their receipt could look empty, which might cause more division than clarity.
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On The Idea of Repealing the 17th Amendment

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 08 Sep 10
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Constitution Federalism Elections Legislation Governance
  1. Repealing the 17th Amendment would mean that state legislatures, not the people, would choose Senators again. Some people think this could make Senators focus more on state interests.
  2. Many argue that direct election of Senators helps reduce corruption and ensures that states are represented fairly. They worry about empty seats and political manipulation when legislators choose Senators.
  3. Changing how Senators are elected might change who can become a Senator. Elections could favor more seasoned politicians, rather than regular people, which could affect the diversity of the Senate.

More on ending state marriage...

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 11 Aug 10
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Civil Rights Political theory Legal Reform Social justice
  1. Human relationships exist independently of the government. People should have the freedom to form relationships without worrying about government approval or judgment.
  2. Government benefits for marriage create unfair advantages and discriminate against those in different kinds of relationships. Ending these benefits would promote true equality for all types of partnerships.
  3. Instead of extending marriage benefits to more relationships, it's better to eliminate all government involvement in marriage. This would treat all intimate relationships the same and remove favoritism.

On federalism, pot, and this November

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 08 Jul 10
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Federalism Legalization Political strategy State Rights
  1. If California legalizes marijuana, it could change the marijuana market in the whole country. Prices would likely drop and the state could make over a billion dollars in taxes.
  2. The federal government might struggle to enforce its marijuana laws if states keep changing theirs. This could cause conflicts, especially as more states consider legalization.
  3. Politicians in California might support legalization if the people vote for it. If it passes big, they could push back against federal laws and become advocates for marijuana rights.

Research Note: Defining "the South"

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 06 Jul 10
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Regional politics Cultural Identity History Polling Data Social Science
  1. Defining 'the South' can vary a lot depending on the perspective. It could be based on historical factors like the Confederacy, slavery, or segregation.
  2. Different definitions of 'the South' can lead to different interpretations of cultural or political data, affecting conclusions drawn from research.
  3. People often manipulate definitions of 'the South' to support their arguments, making it important to be clear about which definition is used in discussions.

Executive Power: A quick note from the Kagan hearing

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 29 Jun 10
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Executive Power Judicial Review War Powers
  1. The Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) is very vague and does not provide clear guidance on presidential power, making it problematic to rely on for decision-making.
  2. The Youngstown test divides presidential power into three categories, but using the AUMF as proof of Congress's authorization raises questions about its true validity and support.
  3. To strengthen Congress's control over presidential powers, it's suggested to have all presidential powers expire at the end of each Congress, so they can be re-evaluated and voted on anew.

RIP: Robert Byrd

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 28 Jun 10
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Senate Political History Political Figures
  1. Robert Byrd was the longest-serving Senator in U.S. history, holding office for over 51 years. He had a significant impact on the Senate and was known for his knowledge of its procedures.
  2. Byrd had a complex legacy, having been a former member of the Klan and participating in the filibuster against the civil rights act, but he later renounced and apologized for his past actions.
  3. The 'Byrd rule' is an important Senate procedure named after him, which can impact legislation process. The term 'Byrd bath' refers to the careful review process to ensure legislation complies with this rule.

Facts that Stun

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 21 Jun 10
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy Economic Policy Geopolitics Cognitive Bias Historical Analysis
  1. Smart people can make big mistakes when they ignore reality, as shown in both The Best and the Brightest and The Big Short. It's dangerous to let outdated views cloud decision-making.
  2. People often avoid facts that challenge their beliefs, which can lead to poor outcomes. Instead of facing uncomfortable truths, they find ways to shield themselves from the information.
  3. Personal memories can also be unreliable, just like beliefs about politics or economics. Our past can be shaped by what we choose to remember or ignore, leading to false narratives.

Misinformation as a way of truth-telling

Hack or Be Hacked • 0 implied HN points • 15 Jun 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Misinformation Democracy Behavior Influence Elections
  1. Assessing the Threat of Misinformation: Evaluating the real impact of misinformation on democracy and the effectiveness of countermeasures is a complex and debated topic.
  2. The existence of misinformation and its social impact are separate: Contrary to popular belief, the presence of misinformation doesn't always translate to significant societal consequences.
  3. The Blurred Line between Misinformation and Truth: People's behavior might not always be directly influenced by misinformation, as personal beliefs and societal issues play a significant role in shaping attitudes.

Swinging on America's J-Curve

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 04 Jun 10
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Fiscal policy Political theory Democracy Public Sentiment Long-term Planning
  1. America's political problems stem from a J-Curve, where you need to accept short-term pain for long-term gain. It's hard for democracy to handle this because people often don't want to suffer now for a better future.
  2. Politicians often avoid talking about tough issues like tax increases or spending cuts because they fear losing their jobs. Voters typically favor immediate benefits, so politicians give them what they want.
  3. To solve America's fiscal issues, we need to make some tough choices: cut military spending, reduce entitlements, or raise taxes. There aren’t easy, painless solutions, and ignoring the problem won't make it go away.

On southern nationalism...

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 01 Jun 10
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Nationalism History Civil Rights Patriotism Identity
  1. Southern nationalism is mixed with American patriotism, which raises interesting questions about identity. It's strange to see symbols of both together and makes you wonder about the beliefs of the people using them.
  2. The Confederate flag's presence has changed over time, reflecting different attitudes and historical contexts. While many people see it as a racist symbol, others have different interpretations of its meaning.
  3. The relationship between southern nationalism and American patriotism is complex and has evolved, with roots dating back to the Civil War era. This connection can be confusing and contradictory in today's political landscape.

On the idea of "anti-incumbency"

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 18 May 10
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Political Analysis Political parties Public Opinion Campaign Strategy
  1. There's a lot of talk about anti-incumbency, but it might not be the right term for what's happening. Many races don't even have incumbents, which makes it hard to really call it anti-incumbent sentiment.
  2. Sometimes, it looks like people are more upset with political ideologies rather than just incumbents themselves. Candidates may lose because voters prefer different policies, not just because they're incumbents.
  3. A real anti-incumbent wave would mean voters are unhappy with both parties equally, leading to a big shakeup in Congress. However, it seems like dissatisfaction often targets the party in power instead, which doesn't fit the anti-incumbent idea.

Supreme Court Justice Venn Diagram #3: Antonin Scalia

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 04 Apr 10
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Supreme Court Judicial system Legal analysis Political Commentary Government
  1. The Supreme Court has different justices with unique views. It's important to understand these perspectives to know how they influence decisions.
  2. Antonin Scalia was known for his originalist interpretation of the Constitution. He believed in sticking closely to the text as it was originally written.
  3. Visual tools like Venn diagrams can help us compare and contrast the views of different justices in a simple way. This makes complex ideas easier to understand.

Biden desperately seeking quid pro quo. (Again.)

Global Community Weekly (GloCom) • 0 implied HN points • 28 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Legislation Immigration Border Security Bipartisanship
  1. Biden is seeking a quid pro quo deal with Congress regarding border security and funding for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan.
  2. There is a push for bipartisan legislation to enact new border controls, though there is still controversy over the asylum system.
  3. The proposed bipartisan agreement would allow up to 150,000 illegal crossings per month, potentially limiting the effectiveness of the new measures.

Media v Big Tech

Logos • 0 implied HN points • 25 Feb 21
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Law Media Tech Regulation Journalism
  1. The proposed law in Australia forces big tech companies to pay for news content, but some argue that this idea is flawed because Google and Facebook don't directly profit from news in the way that publishers claim.
  2. Many believe traditional news publishers are becoming less relevant since people can access news directly from sources, and they often focus more on entertainment rather than important reporting.
  3. There is a shift happening where writers are breaking away from traditional media to share their stories directly, and this could lead to increased competition and diversity in news coverage.

How to read the Kristi Noem piece in WSJ

My Home Office Hacks • 0 implied HN points • 23 Feb 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Politicians Media Scandal Policy News
  1. You can read paywalled articles by pasting the article URL into removepaywall.com or using an archived link, so you don’t have to buy a subscription just to read one piece.
  2. Content360 sells a one-time $67 lifetime plan that schedules posts across all your social accounts, which can be cheaper than paying monthly for tools like Hootsuite.
  3. A Wall Street Journal story highlighted here describes internal chaos at DHS, including a pilot being fired over a missing blanket, showing the kind of dramatic details these reports contain.

10 Predictions You Won't Read Anywhere Else

Wide World of News • 0 implied HN points • 23 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Legislation Government Policy Campaigns
  1. Debt ceiling deal predictions include a mini-grand bargain and credit for President Biden.
  2. 2024 Presidential campaign predictions point to candidates challenging Donald Trump and media favoring Tim Scott over Ron DeSantis.
  3. Investigations into Donald Trump's business dealings continue with prosecutors seeking information on foreign deals.

Good Job Supreme Court

startupdreams • 0 implied HN points • 05 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legal analysis Supreme Court 14th Amendment Congress Elections
  1. The US Supreme Court ruled that Colorado cannot use the 14th Amendment to remove a candidate from the Presidential ballots, highlighting the importance of federal power over state powers.
  2. The unanimous decision of the Supreme Court showcases their commitment to interpreting the law based on the Constitution and not succumbing to political pressures or biases.
  3. The decision allows for potential Congressional actions regarding candidate disqualification, with implications on the certification of future election results in case of alleged insurrection.

Mini Exasperation #1 (Redux)

Exasperated Infrastructures • 0 implied HN points • 17 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Infrastructure Transportation Public funding Local government Bipartisan Issues
  1. Weekly posts will include a short thought on a current topic, offering a quick reflection or reaction. This aims to engage readers with fresh ideas regularly.
  2. Recent federal grants announced for infrastructure projects are significant and aimed at improving local communities. Better communication about these projects will help the public understand how their money is used.
  3. Different views on funding public transit show there’s a conflict between wanting supportive services and cutting costs. It's important to focus on making transit accessible and sustainable for everyone.

Where Will Trump Take the US?

John’s Substack • 0 implied HN points • 24 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy Political Analysis Elections Leadership National Security
  1. Trump's foreign policy will likely focus on a less interventionist approach. He may prioritize American interests and avoid military conflicts.
  2. Expect a more skeptical view of traditional allies. Trump might take steps that challenge established diplomatic relationships.
  3. Economic policies could shift towards protectionism. This means he may favor American workers over international trade agreements.

From Population Control to Social Norms: A Century of Social Engineering

Satisologie: Systems//Creativity • 0 implied HN points • 01 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social norms Think Tanks Human Rights Sustainable Development
  1. Population control has been a big topic because of fears about too many people using up resources and harming the environment. Many believed that without control, we could face famine and poverty.
  2. Think tanks and foundations like the Rockefeller Foundation pushed for population control strategies, believing it would help society manage resources better. They funded programs for family planning and education to promote smaller families.
  3. Over time, the focus has shifted from controlling population to ensuring human rights and sustainability. Today, issues like sexuality and reproductive rights are central to discussions that were once about just managing growth.

The Media Really Is Obsessed With Trump

Symbolic Capital(ism) • 0 implied HN points • 13 Nov 19
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media Coverage Election insights Media influence
  1. The media has an extreme obsession with covering Trump, leading to significantly more coverage than any other president in modern U.S. history.
  2. Television news outlets, including cable news, also spend a disproportionate amount of time covering Trump, with him receiving about double the airtime compared to other prominent figures.
  3. Media's obsession with Trump has led to record ratings and increased revenue, but has also resulted in potentially harmful consequences such as eroding trust in journalism and neglecting coverage of other critical events.

Towards an Ascetic Antiracism

Symbolic Capital(ism) • 0 implied HN points • 08 Nov 19
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Inequality
  1. Meaningful action in antiracism is more important than just feeling or believing the 'right' things.
  2. Systemic racism is upheld not just by individual beliefs, but by behavioral patterns and unjust resource allocations.
  3. Performative antiracism can sometimes serve as a social currency for elites, creating divisions and reinforcing racist narratives.

How Universities Influence Local and Regional Politics

Symbolic Capital(ism) • 0 implied HN points • 26 Jul 19
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Influence Local Politics Regional politics Higher education
  1. Universities have a significant impact on the local and regional politics of the communities they are located in.
  2. Elite universities not only influence local politics but also shape national conversations, policies, and even political leadership.
  3. Universities are not just influenced by the broader societal forces, but they also actively contribute to shaping the political landscape of their communities, creating a mutual and dynamic relationship.

Comparing Free Expression On Campus v. Off

Symbolic Capital(ism) • 0 implied HN points • 19 Apr 19
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech Censorship Public Opinion Political Bias
  1. College students are more likely to self-censor and support censoring others, despite being in environments meant for free thinking and expression.
  2. Conservative students often fear being graded harshly for their political views, leading to self-censorship, although evidence of actual grading discrimination is lacking.
  3. Students feel less comfortable discussing social issues, even academic topics, on campus compared to the general public, and they tend to support censorship across various issues.

GRANTED: Why I don’t vote and you should confess your mistakes to your coworkers

Granted • 0 implied HN points • 02 Oct 16
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Voting Education Leadership Students
  1. Many biases can be categorized into four groups - too much information, not enough meaning, the need to act fast, and the need to decide what to remember.
  2. Confessing mistakes at work can create a culture where it's safe to take risks and learn from failures.
  3. Experiencing recessions while in college can lead to less narcissism and more job satisfaction in the long run.