The hottest U.S. Politics Substack posts right now

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The Second Face of Power

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 11 Jun 19
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Elections Political Science Congress Political strategy
  1. Agenda setting is a key part of politics. It's not just about how people vote, but also about what issues are put up for a vote.
  2. In the House, the Speaker has a lot of power to decide which bills are debated and voted on. This can keep popular legislation from even being considered.
  3. Packaging bills together, known as omnibus legislation, can help pass difficult measures by attaching them to more popular ones. This strategy can create complicated political situations.

Housing Is Scarce Because Property Rights Are Weak

Cornerstone • 0 implied HN points • 08 Dec 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Housing Property Rights Supreme Court Zoning Affordability
  1. Housing scarcity can be linked to weak property rights, like the Supreme Court decision on zoning.
  2. The Supreme Court decision in 1926 upheld single-family zoning, prioritizing certain privileges for exclusive neighborhoods.
  3. The opinion reflected class prejudice and focused on spurious arguments about traffic, still relevant in housing advocacy today.

The debacle of the old congressional calendar or: how you know the Constitution wasn't divinely inspired

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 03 Jan 18
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Constitution Legislation Political History Congress Governance
  1. The old congressional calendar was poorly designed, causing long gaps between elections and when Congress actually met. This led to issues like the 'lame duck' sessions where outgoing officials had to make big decisions without a fresh mandate.
  2. The Framers of the Constitution made mistakes in setting the calendar dates due to not knowing how long ratification would take. This resulted in the first Congress meeting much later than expected, leading to political instability.
  3. The 20th amendment fixed these problems by aligning the start of congressional terms with the beginning of sessions. This helped ensure smoother transitions in government and avoid delays in handling national issues.

FIVE POINTS: End of Session Blues

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 21 Dec 17
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Congress Government Political parties Public Opinion
  1. The House GOP is facing challenges with the end-of-session spending bills and may need Democratic votes to pass them. They have to deal with different issues like health care and disaster relief all at once.
  2. They often use previously passed bills as vehicles for new funding to simplify the legislative process. This helps avoid certain delays and gives them a bit more control over the outcome.
  3. In 2018, the GOP might find it hard to pass new legislation, and they're likely to focus on big issues they've postponed. There's a chance for conflict over things like infrastructure since Democrats may want more favorable conditions.

FIVE POINTS: Popular does not equal good

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 20 Oct 17
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Congress Policy Elections Legislation Governance
  1. Just because something is popular doesn't mean it's actually good. Many people like things for different reasons that don't reflect their quality.
  2. When Congress gets less input from members, it can lead to poor laws and less effective work. It's important for everyone to have a say in making rules.
  3. With a closely divided House, leaders might struggle to maintain control and this could cause problems for passing laws. Smaller groups can create a lot of challenges.
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First World Hell

Hazy Bridge • 0 implied HN points • 09 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Bureaucracy Government Services
  1. Having to renew a driver's license can be a frustrating and tedious process at the DMV.
  2. Even in technologically advanced cities like San Francisco, the DMV experience can still be inefficient.
  3. Navigating through the DMV system can involve long wait times, unexpected obstacles, and multiple attempts to renew a license.

FIVE POINTS: Make DACA Great Again

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 15 Sep 17
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Immigration Political strategy Public Opinion Legislation
  1. Trump's new DACA position could be popular but might also upset his Republican supporters. This situation may weaken his ties with the GOP even if the public likes the idea.
  2. Just because a policy is popular doesn't mean it will boost a politician's approval. It's important to know how many people actually change their opinion based on that policy.
  3. The House Freedom Caucus might reflect a historical trend of factions within political parties. They're working outside normal party lines to push their agenda.

Service and the Second Amendment (2023)

Logos and Liberty • 0 implied HN points • 07 Aug 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gun Policy Constitution Citizenship Legislation
  1. Proposal to limit gun ownership to citizens who have served in security services to reduce gun violence and promote fairness in citizenship.
  2. Alternative approach of universal training for gun ownership, inspired by Harry S. Truman's call for universal military training.
  3. Importance of considering gun retailers and manufacturers in comprehensive solutions to gun crime, not just focusing on gun owners.

Elecshun Dae 2016

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 07 Nov 16
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Voting Political Analysis Democracy Campaigns
  1. Stay away from TV news all day. It's mostly pointless chatter and won't help you understand the election better.
  2. Know the important states and races to watch. Focus on the ones that will really affect the election outcome.
  3. Discuss politics with colleagues and friends in a positive way. Listening to different views can be really interesting and help you think about democracy.

At the corner of East Capitol and 1st Street NW

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 26 Mar 12
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Protests Supreme Court Civil Rights Media influence Public Opinion
  1. Protests in front of the Supreme Court can feel underwhelming. Many times, there are not enough demonstrators, and the scene can be pretty calm and quiet.
  2. Protesting at the Court is a bit strange because the Court doesn't really listen to public opinion like Congress does. Most protesters seem to be trying to get media attention rather than influence the justices directly.
  3. The layout of the Supreme Court plaza is great for protests, but people can't use it because of rules. Instead, protests end up on the sidewalk, making them less impactful than they could be.

Joxley Reads 04.02.24

Joxley Writes • 0 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Campaigns Parties
  1. The author reflects on lessons Labour can learn from the 2017 election to avoid past mistakes.
  2. Campaigns starting with a significant polling lead need to understand past errors to succeed.
  3. Readers can access the full post and archives with a 7-day free trial subscription to Joxley Writes.

1200 Hours (working draft)

Logos and Liberty • 0 implied HN points • 17 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economic Policy Labor relations Income Inequality Government programs
  1. Consider reducing work hours per year to 1200 from the standard 2000 to balance the needs of families and improve work-life balance for employees.
  2. Implementing a 1200-hour work year would lead to increased bargaining power for workers, better worker productivity, and a potential shift in how the fruits of productivity gains are shared.
  3. Employers could adapt to a 1200-hour work year by paying more, offering flexibility, hiring more workers, adjusting operations, and supporting policies to facilitate the transition.

Prof. Warren was right, mostly

Logos and Liberty • 0 implied HN points • 04 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social Issues Policy Economics Family Dynamics
  1. In the US, the shift from single incomes to dual incomes has made families less financially secure mainly due to increased housing costs, healthcare expenses, and predatory lending.
  2. Two-income families lack the safety net that one-income families used to have; this can lead to financial strain and difficult decisions in times of crisis.
  3. Elizabeth Warren's book suggests undoing banking deregulation, decoupling access to education from location, and freezing college tuition as policy responses to help middle-class families with their financial struggles.

Should opinion polls be banned during elections?

Michelle Rempel Garner • 0 implied HN points • 03 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election Polls Voter Engagement Government Regulation
  1. Election polls can influence election results through bandwagon effects and validation of voter behavior.
  2. Enforcing a ban on publishing election polls before election days is impractical and could lead to unintended consequences.
  3. Instead of banning election polls, focus on improving voter engagement, addressing barriers to voting, and providing more information to voters for a healthier democracy.

Biden Administration Admits to Flying 320,000 Immigrants into US in 2023

startupdreams • 0 implied HN points • 05 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Immigration National Security Government actions
  1. The Biden administration flew 320,000 immigrants into the US in 2023, raising questions about the purpose behind this extensive operation.
  2. Concerns are raised about the lack of transparency as Customs and Border Protection refused to disclose details of the program.
  3. There are legal questions about the authority under which the administration transported these immigrants, especially regarding visas and funding for the flights.

What Happens When You Pay Ex–Gang Members to Stop Crime? Ask Chicago.

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 0 implied HN points • 23 Mar 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Crime Public Policy Policing Gun Violence Criminal Justice State government
  1. Illinois runs a state-funded program that pays former gang members in Chicago to mediate street conflicts and try to prevent shootings. They’re meant to act as local “peacekeepers” who use their connections to stop violence.
  2. Some participants have been arrested for serious crimes—even after public appearances—and critics say the effort has become a revolving door for crime. This undermines the program’s credibility in the community.
  3. The large public investment in the initiative has raised questions about oversight, accountability, and whether the approach is actually effective at reducing violence.

Legislative realities and Senators as presidential candidates

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 23 Feb 12
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Voting Legislation Political Behavior Candidates
  1. Senators often struggle in presidential runs because past votes can haunt them, especially if those votes are no longer popular.
  2. When running for president, a Senator's previous constituency may not match the national electorate, making it hard to appeal to voters.
  3. Legislators often have to compromise to get things done, which can conflict with voter expectations about steadfast principles.

Not my favorite holiday

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 17 Feb 12
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political culture Historical Figures Democracy Civic engagement
  1. Some holidays, like Columbus Day, may not hold much cultural significance and often aren't celebrated outside of being a day off work.
  2. The author feels uncomfortable with the way we honor political figures, particularly George Washington, believing that democracy is more about the collective efforts of many people rather than individual heroism.
  3. Instead of celebrating specific leaders, the author suggests we should focus on holidays that recognize broader accomplishments, like Constitution Day or a day celebrating civil rights victories.

The republican tradition from Aristotle to Madison

Logos and Liberty • 0 implied HN points • 03 Dec 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political theory Classical Liberalism Scholarship
  1. Aristotle's political ideas have influenced a long line of thinkers, including Machiavelli and America's Founding Fathers.
  2. Republican thinkers like Cicero, Machiavelli, and Montesquieu emphasized the importance of civic virtue in a republic's success.
  3. The dynamics between republicanism and liberalism have played a significant role in shaping American political thought, as seen in the U.S. Constitution.

Dish Columns: An Archive

The Weekly Dish • 0 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics LGBTQ+
  1. The archive provides a collection of Andrew Sullivan's weekly columns.
  2. The pieces listed cover various topics from politics to social issues.
  3. Andrew Sullivan explores themes like LGBTQ+ rights, race, and cultural trends in his columns.

Dawn of a New Era

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 18 Jan 12
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Protests Government Regulation Political Power
  1. Protests like going dark can grab attention and get people to call their representatives, showing the political power of the Internet. However, it's possible this could lead to more government regulation of the Internet.
  2. Websites taking direct action, like shutting down, can change how people view them and their influence. If they use their power in politics, they could face strong government responses.
  3. It's important to be cautious when exercising power online. The more websites act like political players, the more likely they are to be treated as such, which could lead to unwanted regulation.

Does Academic Freedom Apply to University Administrators?

The Oyster Club • 0 implied HN points • 21 Sep 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Academic Freedom Free speech First Amendment Higher education
  1. The question of academic freedom for university administrators is complex and largely unexplored.
  2. There are arguments both for and against extending academic freedom to administrators.
  3. Protecting administrators' academic freedom could challenge bureaucratic tendencies but may not align with their selection preferences.

Some Quick-hit House Floor Notes

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 20 Dec 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Congress Political Debate Procedures Elections
  1. The House adopted a special rule to handle the payroll tax bill, allowing quicker action on legislation before the new session starts. This gives them more flexibility to respond to deals quickly.
  2. There was a debate about the House's procedure for rejecting Senate amendments, with some people feeling frustrated but others pointing out it was a normal way to handle things.
  3. A resolution disapproving of comments made by a Representative was tabled quickly, showing how some discussions can get cut off in the House.

Hardball and HARDBALL

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 13 Dec 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Filibuster Political strategy
  1. The Senate operates largely on norms, but these norms are being pushed aside for strict adherence to rules, which can lead to short-term wins but long-term consequences.
  2. As individual Senators aim for their goals, they often avoid playing absolute hardball since it could harm their future ambitions and cooperation with others.
  3. Changing Senate rules can only happen through extreme measures, and while hardball tactics are causing concern, they might also lead to solutions by forcing necessary changes.

My (Abridged) Interview with Michael Shellenberger

Renee’s Substack • 0 implied HN points • 31 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Politics Social media Foreign influence Transparency
  1. There is concern about lack of trust in media and partisan divide around Twitter files and Pentagon activities.
  2. It is necessary to improve the precision of FBI reports and confidence threshold in investigations.
  3. Transparency in platform actions and data is crucial for rebuilding trust in government and social media companies.

Research Note: Member Pay

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 15 Nov 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Salaries Elections Congress Economics
  1. Congressional salaries have increased significantly since the 19th century, much faster than inflation.
  2. Today's members of Congress earn similarly in real dollars to what their counterparts did a century ago.
  3. The system for adjusting congressional pay has changed over time, leading to more stable earnings but potentially less buying power due to rejection of automatic raises.

Required Reading

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 30 Oct 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Analysis Public Opinion Media Critique Political theory
  1. Drew Westen's piece in the New York Times received a lot of criticism for being inaccurate. It's important to check facts when discussing political topics.
  2. Many people, including John Sides and Jon Bernstein, have shared their thoughts against Westen's views. Different perspectives can help us understand the bigger picture.
  3. Matt Glassman aims to add his own analysis of Westen's understanding of politics. Sharing opinions is key to engaging discussions about political ideas.

Property Tax is horrifically inefficient.

PashaNomics • 0 implied HN points • 24 Nov 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Tax policy Housing Market Government Efficiency Economic Theory Public Finance
  1. Property taxes can make it harder for people to buy homes and can lead to higher rents, which actually doesn't help affordability. Since buyers have to consider the extra tax costs, it may not really lower home prices as expected.
  2. Higher property taxes discourage builders from constructing new homes, which reduces the overall housing supply. If building a house becomes less appealing due to taxes, fewer homes are available, causing more competition and higher prices.
  3. Switching from property taxes to other forms of taxation, like sales taxes on homes, could be less disruptive. Using different taxes may help generate revenue without hurting both sellers and buyers as much as property taxes do.

Executive sidestepping

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 24 Oct 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Executive Power Legislative Process Policy Making Constitutional Law
  1. The president has to follow legal authority and can't act like a king. His power comes from the Constitution or laws made by Congress, so saying he's sidestepping Congress isn't really correct.
  2. Executive power in domestic policy mostly comes from Congress giving it to the president. This means he can't make decisions that go against what Congress has already decided without specific permission.
  3. Congress can take back powers it has given to the president whenever it wants. If lawmakers don’t like what the president is doing, they can change the laws to restrict his authority.

February 25, 2025

Letters from an American • 0 implied HN points • 26 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Elections Policy Economy Taxation
  1. There is a big debate about how the U.S. should collect and spend money. Democrats want to tax based on what people can afford, while Republicans prefer less taxation and less government involvement.
  2. Republicans face challenges because past tax cuts haven't boosted the economy as promised, leading to big budget deficits. They are now divided between wanting tax cuts for the wealthy and not hurting popular government programs.
  3. The current budget proposal cuts benefits for lower-income Americans to provide tax breaks for the rich. Democrats are pushing back, arguing that these cuts are unfair and harmful to families relying on these programs.

On Unusual Occupations

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 03 Oct 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social movements Protests Political theory Libertarianism Activism
  1. People are wondering what the Occupy Wall Street movement really stands for, as it seems to lack specific demands. Many participants feel frustrated about job opportunities despite their education, which suggests they come from a more privileged background.
  2. There are similarities between Occupy Wall Street and the Tea Party, mainly in their shared distrust of banks and government. However, Occupy Wall Street feels more like a loose group without clear goals, making it less likely to achieve real change.
  3. Liberals tend to romanticize movements like Occupy Wall Street while conservatives often dismiss them. The landscape of protest isn't just for liberals anymore; conservatives have their own movements that use similar tactics.

American Conspiracy

The Author Is Dumb • 0 implied HN points • 17 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Conspiracy Theories Deep State Trumpism
  1. Visual information can often lead to pareidolia, where our brains see patterns that may not be there.
  2. Conspiracy theories, while often not based on truth, can reveal deeper truths about societal beliefs and fears.
  3. QAnon represents a complex meta-conspiracy theory that intertwines various other conspiracy elements and revolves around grievance politics and a warped sense of reality.

Seeing Like a Party

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 07 Sep 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Electoral Strategy Policy Analysis Political Behavior Party Dynamics Public Opinion
  1. Members of Congress usually focus on three main goals: getting re-elected, gaining power, and making good laws. Often, re-election is the top priority because it allows them to achieve the other two.
  2. Political parties can sometimes take risks by supporting policies that might hurt them in the short term. Unlike individual members, parties can survive losses and hope to regain power later, which may lead them to make different decisions.
  3. There's a trend in how people view party success, with a focus mainly on winning elections. This mindset ignores the importance of long-term policy goals, which can be more beneficial for the party's future.

On Package Deals

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 20 Jul 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Compromise Political strategy History Government
  1. Logrolling is a strategy where different policies are bundled together so that people can vote for something they like even if it means accepting other policies they don't. This is often how large bills get passed.
  2. Sometimes, putting too many different policies into one big bill can backfire. If groups strongly oppose certain parts, they all might just vote against the entire bill instead.
  3. Breaking a big bill into smaller, separate pieces can help solve the problem. By doing this, legislators can get the support of those who can agree to individual parts without forcing everyone to compromise on what they strongly believe.