The hottest U.S. Politics Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top U.S. Politics Topics

Tiktok bans

White Hot Harlots • 0 implied HN points • 15 Apr 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Privacy Media influence Bipartisan
  1. Congress prioritizes donor interests over citizen privacy concerns.
  2. The focus on TikTok as a threat due to foreign ownership lacks consistency when considering other media platforms.
  3. American media and politics have historically been heavily influenced by foreign nationals with bipartisan acceptance.

Joe Rogan Just Re-Told America's Greatest Lie!

C.O.P. Central Organizing Principle. • 0 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics History Bioweapons Colonization Genocide Indigenous rights
  1. Joe Rogan discussed the misconception that 90% of Native Americans were killed by disease.
  2. Historical evidence suggests that biological warfare and bullets played a significant role in the extermination of First Nations tribes.
  3. The deliberate distribution of smallpox vaccines to white populations but not to Native Americans serves as evidence of a bioweapon genocide against First Nations tribes.

The aspiration needs perspiration

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 22 Jan 21
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Pandemic response Policy decisions
  1. The new Biden Pandemic report, while a step forward, lacks hard decisions and specifics like measurable goals, targets, timeline, and direction.
  2. Prioritizing actions like testing in the pandemic response requires hard trade-offs, which need clear priorities and decision-making.
  3. Time is of the essence in addressing the ongoing pandemic crisis, demanding urgent, prioritized, and impactful actions from the new administration.
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War Criminal and a Few Other Phrases and Euphemisms “To Die For”

The False Consensus Effect • 0 implied HN points • 29 Mar 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government International relations Military Policy Taxes
  1. One way war criminals are referred to as 'a person who has carried out an act during a war that violates accepted international rules of war'.
  2. Using euphemisms like 'To Die For' can sometimes reflect on wanting something but being confronted with harsh realities instead.
  3. Actions of governments and nations can portray them as 'good guys' when they claim to be morally correct, but the truth may be far from it.

Elon Musk Met with Donald Trump

startupdreams • 0 implied HN points • 06 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Elections Political Commentary
  1. Elon Musk met with Donald Trump to discuss defeating President Biden, which could potentially involve a large donation to a Super PAC.
  2. There is speculation that Musk may make a historically massive donation to support Trump due to concerns about Biden's administration's hostile attitude towards him.
  3. Money can heavily influence elections, and Musk's potential involvement could have significant implications for Trump's campaign and Biden's presidency.

And that, as they say, is what makes a horse race

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 27 Dec 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Political media Campaign Strategy Polling Political parties
  1. The media benefits from portraying elections as competitive so they can attract more viewers and advertisers.
  2. Democrats want the GOP primary to appear close so it can weaken resources for the Republican candidates.
  3. Different parties and states involved in the primaries gain advantages and resources when the race seems undecided, even if it really isn't.

In this world but not of this world

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 12 Dec 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political theory Presidency Congress Political Dynamics Governance
  1. The President has a different job than Congress members, needing to achieve goals quickly because they serve a maximum of eight years. This often leads to frustration with the slower pace of Congress.
  2. Unlike Congress members, the President must focus on winning important votes and achieving results to justify their role. This creates a pressure that can lead to risky decisions for quick victories.
  3. The unique position of the President can make them feel isolated in Washington, as their goals and strategies often clash with the longer-term approaches of other political actors.

Day One?

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 20 Jan 12
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Presidency Legislation Political History
  1. Presidential candidates often make big promises for their first day in office, but the actual execution can be complicated by factors like inauguration falling on a Sunday.
  2. Historically, inaugurations have faced challenges due to timing and the need for a new president to take the oath of office legally.
  3. The implementation of the 20th amendment ensures clearer rules about inauguration timing, preventing gaps in presidential authority.

Resigned but Not Forgotten

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 25 Jan 12
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Congress Legislation Elections Governance Political Process
  1. Resigning from the House of Representatives involves writing a formal letter to both the state governor and the House, notifying them of the decision. This ensures that the resignation is official and follows proper procedures.
  2. When a Representative resigns, it creates a vacancy that allows the state to hold special elections to fill the position. This process is important to keep the House fully represented.
  3. The resignation also affects the total number of members in the House. When someone resigns, the official count of the House changes, which can impact voting and quorum requirements.

Turnover

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 07 Feb 12
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Congress Political culture Staffing Employment Trends
  1. High staff turnover can affect the efficiency of congressional offices, but it's not always as serious as it seems. Many staffers move between offices, which can mean they still have valuable experience.
  2. The study on turnover is affected by unique situations, like the 2010 election when many staffers changed jobs because of a big shakeup. This makes the data a bit tricky to interpret.
  3. Spending more on staff salaries doesn't automatically make offices better at representing their constituents. Each office has a budget that also covers things like supplies and communications.

Talking about the filibuster

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 06 Dec 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Government Political strategy Congress Political Reporting
  1. The term 'filibuster' can be confusing and it's important to use it correctly when discussing Senate events. Just because a vote fails doesn't mean the filibuster didn't happen.
  2. Using clear language like 'defeated by a motion to end debate' can provide better understanding than just saying 'filibustered.' It tells readers exactly what occurred.
  3. The concept of a filibuster is more about strategy and tactics than just blocking a vote. Various actions can lead to preventing a majority vote, and it's good to see it as a process, not just one event.

Hollow Victory

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 08 Feb 12
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Civil Rights Judicial Decisions Libertarianism Government Policy
  1. Legalizing gay marriage is a step forward, but it doesn't fully solve the issue of marriage inequality.
  2. Marriage should not involve government benefits for anyone, regardless of their relationship type.
  3. The government should not favor one type of relationship over another, as this creates unequal treatment among people living similar lives.

Call for Questions: Chibu Asonye

Xavi Benjamin • 0 implied HN points • 01 Apr 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election
  1. Chibu Asonye, the Green Party Congressional Candidate for Illinois District 13, will be featured on Xavi Benjamin's show on April 10th.
  2. To read more about Chibu Asonye's interview, readers can subscribe to Xavi Benjamin with a 7-day free trial.
  3. Existing paid subscribers can access the full post archives without the need for a trial.

Counterfactuals, Consequences, and Election Importance

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 20 Feb 12
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Political History Political theory Consequentialism
  1. Elections are often labeled the 'most important', but some are truly more significant than others. It's helpful to compare them using different criteria, like the changes they brought about.
  2. Understanding what is 'important' versus what is 'consequential' helps clarify elections' effects. 'Important' events shape outcomes, while 'consequential' events influence timing or method without changing the end result.
  3. Two notable elections in American history are 1800 and 1860. The 1800 election was crucial for establishing a democracy, while the 1860 election led to expected tensions and conflict, showing how sometimes the less dramatic event can be more important.

✅ An optimistic call for civil discourse ahead of the General Election

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 28 May 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Civil Discourse Media influence Campaign strategies Political Communication
  1. Civil discourse is important, especially before elections. People should talk respectfully and listen to differing opinions.
  2. Businesses have a role to play in reducing societal polarization by promoting unity and balancing values with stakeholders.
  3. The upcoming UK General Election is on July 4, 2024. Voters need to register by June 18 to participate in person, by post, or through a proxy.

Good, Bad, Ugly. Well, at least the latter two.

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 01 Dec 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Government Civil Rights Judiciary Policy Debate
  1. A new bill may give the President more power to cut spending, which could weaken Congress's control over budgets. It could lead to the President influencing lawmakers more than ever, making it harder for them to secure funding for their projects.
  2. There was a discussion about whether U.S. citizens can be detained without trial. The debate showed that just because something is deemed constitutional doesn't mean it's the right or smart thing to do.
  3. Congress has the power to create or repeal laws on issues like detention. They shouldn't rely solely on court decisions to guide what policies they create, because the wisdom of those policies should be their responsibility.

Reading Week

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 24 Feb 12
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Political Behavior Public Policy Social Issues
  1. Negative political ads are often talked about, but their actual impact might not be as big as people think. It's important to look at examples critically.
  2. There are interesting discussions about spending in presidential elections. Comparing this spending to things like GDP can give a better perspective on the costs involved.
  3. Knowing the history of things, like the invention of pinball or the writing of Ulysses S. Grant, can add depth to our understanding of culture and politics.

Accuracy and Privacy

Accuracy and Privacy • 0 implied HN points • 20 Dec 18
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Census Data Privacy Legislation Legal issues
  1. Decisions are currently being made about how Census data will be published in 2020 with a focus on protecting respondent confidentiality through a new "formal privacy" framework.
  2. The Census Bureau is required to keep data private and is not allowed to release individual identifying information, but there are concerns about the effectiveness of current disclosure limitation procedures in today's data ecosystem.
  3. There is an ongoing debate about balancing the mathematical guarantees of a formal privacy mechanism with the concerns of end users of Census data, which may potentially lead to legal challenges.

In War We Trust

Homo Ludens • 0 implied HN points • 04 Oct 19
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Military Foreign Policy Warfare Interventionism
  1. American military history has deep roots tied to business interests and global domination, evident from the early years to present conflicts.
  2. The Cold War led to the rise of the American military-industry complex, fueled by fear and threat inflation, impacting global politics.
  3. The Global War on Terror highlights the paradox of fighting for peace, draining resources, causing widespread harm, and eroding American values.

Sad Tuesday

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 06 Mar 12
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Elections Congress Government Public Policy
  1. When a Representative dies, the Clerk of the House takes over their duties and the office continues functioning until a new Representative is elected.
  2. The deceased Representative's family receives financial benefits, including salary payments and a death gratuity.
  3. The House adjusts its total number of Members, and a special election is called to fill the vacant seat left by the Representative's passing.

The 2012 GOP nomination, as told by the 1860 general election

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 07 Mar 12
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Candidates Political parties Voting Systems Historical Analysis
  1. In a multi-candidate election, it's possible for a winner to get less than half the votes due to a split among other candidates. This makes understanding how the voting system works very important.
  2. The winner-takes-all approach in some states means that a candidate can lose the popular vote but still win overall by securing enough electors from states where they had a plurality.
  3. Political tensions and divisions can lead to multiple candidates running, making it hard for opponents to unite against a common front, which can affect the outcome of the election.

Thanksgiving Briefing Book, Part I: The Outlook

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 21 Nov 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Elections Policy Legislation Political Analysis
  1. Part I of the Thanksgiving Briefing Book gives an overview of current trends and issues. It's important to stay informed about what's going on right now.
  2. Readers can expect more detailed insights in the upcoming parts of the briefing. It's a series that builds on each section for a complete understanding.
  3. Sharing this information with others can help spread awareness of the topics discussed. Engaging with the material makes it more impactful.

This is a binding decision, until it isn't

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 16 Mar 12
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Fiscal policy Long-term Planning
  1. It’s really tough for politicians to make long-term plans when those plans require short-term sacrifices. People often want quick benefits, which makes it hard to stick to long-term goals.
  2. Legislators can't create laws that limit future laws, which makes it hard to bind future decisions. Any new law can change or undo past laws, making long-term commitments challenging.
  3. The best way to ensure stability might involve giving more power to the executive branch instead of the legislature. But politicians are usually reluctant to give up their power.

How's your 302(b) looking? Strong...to quite strong

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 27 Mar 12
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Budgeting Legislation Congress Appropriations Government
  1. The congressional budget process is complicated but important. It involves planning for the next fiscal year's budget, and the President has to submit a budget to Congress each February.
  2. 302(b) allocations divide spending among subcommittees and set limits on how much each can spend. This means subcommittees can't really cut overall spending and instead fight for larger shares of the same budget pie.
  3. Changes in the budget process have shifted responsibility for controlling spending from the Appropriations Committee to the Budget Committee. This has affected how subcommittees operate and strategize for their funding requests.

Perks

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 28 Mar 12
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Congress Legislation Reforms
  1. Members of Congress have to pay Social Security and do not receive free health care; their benefits are similar to other federal employees.
  2. Many perks that were once available to Congress members, like free ice delivery or tax help, have been eliminated due to reforms over the years.
  3. Members can still send mail and travel, but now they have budgets for those expenses, which makes them more careful with spending compared to the past.

A Non-Partisan Review of the Upcoming (Feb. 2, 2024) Benchmark Employment Revision

The People's Economist with Anthony Chan • 0 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economic Policy Political Influence
  1. The Bureau of Labor Statistics announces politically charged projections for job creation, impacting political narratives.
  2. Economic growth influences the direction of employment revisions: positive during growth and negative during slowdowns.
  3. Annual benchmark revisions under different Presidents show varied trends in estimating actual employment figures.

So, I'm starting a newsletter

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 03 Aug 17
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Congress Presidency Political Science Current Events
  1. A new newsletter will focus on politics, offering insights free from employment-related writing restrictions. It's a move towards a more flexible style of sharing political analysis.
  2. The content will be non-partisan, primarily looking at political science and current events. It may also include a mix of other fun topics.
  3. The newsletter will be short and easy to read, designed to fit into a busy lifestyle. Readers should expect quick insights that can be consumed in just a few minutes.

Summer Break Finally Hits Capitol Hill

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 04 Aug 17
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Congress Legislation Political Analysis Media Health care
  1. Congress is going into a break after some tough political battles. Some GOP members may face less backlash for not passing health care reforms because they didn't take away people's coverage.
  2. There's a big list of things Congress needs to deal with when they return, like the budget and tax reforms. They'll need to negotiate with each other to get things done since they rely on both parties for support.
  3. People were misled about the Senate's agreement to block Trump from making recess appointments. It seemed like a big deal, but routine procedures were likely just used to simplify the process, showing how complicated Senate rules can be.

FIVE POINTS: December is the New September

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 08 Sep 17
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Elections Legislation Party Politics Public Policy
  1. The recent deal on hurricane relief and the debt limit has many political angles, with discussions on its impact on upcoming tax reform and GOP dynamics.
  2. Two moderate Republicans announced their retirement, but it's important not to overreact as this doesn't necessarily signal a major trend for the party as a whole.
  3. Approval for discharge petitions is rare due to risks for members of the majority, meaning lawmakers often find other ways to express their support without directly challenging leadership.

Brian Rose, scammer, Mayor of London. On journalistic ethics and a cautionary tale…

The Bigger Picture • 0 implied HN points • 10 Apr 21
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Journalism Ethics Scams London
  1. Journalistic ethics can be challenged when dealing with individuals like Brian Rose, who repeatedly engage in deceptive behavior.
  2. The story of Brian Rose highlights the importance of holding individuals in positions of power accountable, especially in the face of journalistic malpractice.
  3. Examining cases like Brian Rose's can provide insight into broader societal issues such as narcissism, manipulation, and the consequences of rewarding unethical behavior.

Primaries, All The Way Down

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 28 Sep 17
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Political parties Populism Campaigns
  1. Many politicians are more scared of losing their primary elections than the general ones. This means they focus on pleasing their party's base instead of the wider public.
  2. There's a growing trend where conservative candidates challenge established politicians. These challenges often lead to incumbents retiring or changing their views to avoid conflict.
  3. Leaders in Congress face a tough situation. If they make deals to get things done, they risk angering their party's base, which could lead to primary challenges.

Sundry Sunday Items

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 23 Oct 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Military Policy Elections Education system
  1. The end of the Iraq war is a positive step, and it could lead to less American military presence worldwide.
  2. The Lincoln Memorial's main message is about unity rather than just anti-slavery, showing how national memorials reflect political ideas.
  3. Local school board elections are crucial for parents and should be prioritized over larger elections like congressional ones.

Live at 4pm PT: JB from RBN Joins, AI Warfare is Here

Xavi Benjamin • 0 implied HN points • 09 Apr 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics
  1. Special Tuesday show live at 4pm PT with JB from Revolutionary Blackout discussing leaving Jehovah's Witnesses, political awakening, and AI warfare in Israel's genocide in Gaza
  2. Encourages sharing the work to support further engagement and reach a wider audience
  3. Livestream notifications available for future events to stay updated

It doesn't matter. But in what way?

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 21 Oct 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Campaigns Political Science Decision-making
  1. Not everything in politics affects the outcome. Some things, like debates or running mate choices, seem important but often don’t really change what happens.
  2. There are different reasons why something might not matter. Sometimes it’s because there’s no clear advantage to choosing one option over another.
  3. Campaigns tend to be cautious because avoiding mistakes is a smart strategy. They focus on minimizing errors to protect against losing advantages they don’t even have.

Sunday whimsy: political conversations with my family

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 16 Oct 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Discourse Elections Public Opinion Family Dynamics Civic engagement
  1. Talking about politics can start from a young age, as shown when children ask questions about leaders and elections.
  2. Family members can have very different opinions on political candidates, leading to interesting discussions.
  3. Conversations about politics often mix humor and serious views, showing how families navigate differing beliefs.

Turning our back on America

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 14 Nov 16
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Immigration Election Policy Draft
  1. The author believes that most Americans are good people, regardless of the election outcomes. However, their view of America as a place for economic opportunities may be changing due to immigration restrictions.
  2. The author's personal experience of relocating to North America for career gains and future prospects tied to the US is now possibly undermined by concerns over restrictive immigration policies under Trump, affecting employment and student opportunities.
  3. The potential impact of current political scenarios, such as increased denial rates for visas and the possibility of drafting for military service, is causing individuals to rethink their long-term decisions and career paths involving the US.