The hottest U.S. Politics Substack posts right now

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A proposal for a 28th amendment: the anti-empire clauses

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 06 Jun 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Constitution Military Legislation War Politics
  1. The idea is to create rules that stop the President from sending troops without Congress saying it's okay first.
  2. We also need to make sure Congress thinks carefully before giving permission for military actions.
  3. Finally, it's important to encourage citizens to be cautious about supporting wars that aren't truly necessary.

Bipartisanship

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 31 May 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Bipartisanship Legislation Political Analysis
  1. Recent Senate votes show that no budget resolution has majority support, indicating political challenges in making decisions.
  2. A unanimous rejection of the president's budget is unusual and demonstrates a disconnect between the White House and Congress.
  3. Presidents typically find a safer political route by adapting their proposals to Congress rather than taking bold risks that may fail.

Strike the last word

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 17 Feb 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Congress Democracy Political Process Reform
  1. The House is trying out an open rule for legislation, which is different from the usual closed rules. This allows more members to have a say in changes to the bill.
  2. Although open rules can let members propose amendments, many won't be discussed due to time limits and other restrictions. So, not everything gets a chance to be heard.
  3. If the process goes smoothly, it might lead to more open rules in the future, changing how the House operates. This could be a positive change, but it won't fix all the issues with legislative debate.

Fugitive Filibusters

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 17 Feb 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Political strategy Minority Rights
  1. Minority parties in some state legislatures can leave the chamber to stop a vote by denying a quorum. This happened recently in Wisconsin when Senate Democrats were absent to block a controversial vote.
  2. The U.S. House and Senate don’t allow this tactic because they have majority-quorum rules, which means a minority can't stop a vote if the majority shows up.
  3. Super-majority quorums in states may only benefit the minority by allowing them to block actions, raising questions about whether they are necessary or effective.
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On the idea that both parties might prefer not to control the House

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 06 Oct 10
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political strategy Party Dynamics Public Policy
  1. Some believe Democrats might benefit from losing the House, as it could set them up for a stronger comeback in the next election. This is because a small GOP majority may struggle to pass significant legislation.
  2. The argument for both parties not wanting control suggests they might think the next two years will be tough no matter who holds power. If that’s the case, they might prefer to wait for a better opportunity.
  3. Having control of the House gives significant advantages, like more influence in decision-making and accessing resources. Even less powerful party members can gain from being in the majority, which makes the idea of not wanting control less appealing for them.

More on decoupling marriage and the state

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 10 Aug 10
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Libertarianism Civil Rights Social justice Government Role
  1. The main issue with marriage inequality is not about love or tradition, but about access to government benefits. Only married couples get certain perks, which creates inequality between straight and gay couples.
  2. Marriage shouldn't rely on government recognition or benefits. It's a private agreement between people, and the government should not dictate the terms of it or monopolize marriage contracts.
  3. Removing state involvement in marriage allows for more freedom. People can create their own agreements without the pressure of government rules, and this change could also support a broader acceptance of different kinds of relationships.

Elecshun Dae 2020

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 02 Nov 20
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Voting Political Analysis Democracy Campaigns
  1. Don't watch TV coverage before evening results come in. It’s usually filled with pointless chatter and won't help you understand the election better.
  2. Know the electoral map really well. Understanding which states are important can help you keep track of the electoral votes needed to win the presidency.
  3. Get familiar with key Senate races and House districts. Knowing which races matter can make watching the election more interesting and meaningful.

Elections Matter

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 01 Nov 20
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Public Policy Political Actors Party Dynamics Congress
  1. Elections change who is in power, which means new people in Congress will have different ideas and priorities for what laws to push. This can lead to big shifts in policy.
  2. When an election ends, politicians often feel freer to make bold decisions since they don't have to worry about upcoming votes. This can lead to unexpected changes during the months after the election.
  3. The results of an election send strong signals to everyone involved in politics about what issues might work well or not. This affects not just elected officials, but also interest groups and lobbyists who will adjust their strategies based on the election outcome.

Congress, Fix the Succession Act

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 28 Oct 20
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Government Succession Crisis Management Political theory
  1. The current Succession Act can create confusion during a crisis, as it lacks clear definitions for who can act as president and under what circumstances.
  2. Removing legislative officials from the line of succession and allowing the president to decide the order of cabinet succession would help stabilize the process.
  3. It's important to make these changes proactively rather than reactively because waiting for a crisis can lead to serious issues in government continuity.

The procedural statehood process, explained

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 23 Oct 20
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Statehood Congress Political Process Voting Rights
  1. Puerto Rico's statehood has become a hot topic after Hurricane Maria, with many believing it could improve federal responses to disasters. There's ongoing discussion in Congress about adding Puerto Rico and Washington, DC as new states.
  2. To create a new state, Congress needs to pass a law, and the process isn't complicated. However, statehood can change political power, leading to lots of debates and negotiations over who gets admitted and how.
  3. Public support in Puerto Rico is divided about statehood, with past votes showing mixed results. Congress is unlikely to admit Puerto Rico without clear majority support from its residents in upcoming voting.

Not Your Father's Impeachment Inquiry

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 01 Oct 19
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Impeachment Elections Congress Political strategy Public Opinion
  1. Control of Congress is divided between the parties, which affects how the impeachment inquiry unfolds. The Senate can influence the process even if the House decides to impeach.
  2. Trump is running for re-election, which changes the political strategy of the impeachment process. Both parties may act differently based on how it impacts the election.
  3. Moderate Senate Republicans hold significant power, potentially swaying the outcome of the impeachment process based on their support or opposition to Trump. Their decisions could change everything.

The Broken Bargain

Logos and Liberty • 0 implied HN points • 12 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economic History Income Inequality Financial Crisis Political Analysis
  1. Robert Reich's 'Aftershock' analyzes the 2008 crash and emphasizes the need for fundamental social and economic reform.
  2. Reich highlights parallels between the lead-up to the Great Depression and the Great Recession, such as income inequality, increasing household debt, and speculative activity.
  3. Reich proposes policy solutions to restore the basic bargain, including a reverse income tax, a carbon tax, and higher marginal tax rates on the wealthy, among others.

Justin Amash is Not a Template Easily Copied

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 23 May 19
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Congress Elections Legislation Political theory Political Analysis
  1. Justin Amash is a unique politician who acts on his principles, but not every member of Congress can follow his example. It’s tough to be a principled leader when you also have to get elected.
  2. Most politicians prioritize re-election over doing what's perceived as the right thing. Local interests often clash with national goals, making it hard for them to seek broader policies.
  3. OLC opinions and IRS memos aren't laws; they're just arguments. They can influence decisions, but they don’t bind Congress or the executive branch.

Let's Get Ready To Rumble

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 17 May 19
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Congress Executive Power Constitutional Law Political Conflict Public Opinion
  1. Political conflict is normal in a democracy, and we shouldn't be afraid of it. The U.S. system encourages disagreements between branches of government as a way to check power.
  2. Congress has the most control and authority, but it often faces challenges in maintaining that power. It can keep the president in check, but it struggles to fund itself properly.
  3. Public opinion is very important in political battles. Congress and the president respond to public views, using them to gain support or avoid backlash when pushing their agendas.

The National Emergency Gambit

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 11 Jan 19
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political strategy Legislation Elections Partisanship
  1. The National Emergency Gambit is a strategy that's gaining traction in DC. It gives both parties a way to save face while avoiding tough negotiations on immigration.
  2. Most political candidates you hear about are already in the running during the Invisible Primary phase. They're testing support and connections even before officially announcing a campaign.
  3. Senate Democrats aren't pushing harder on the shutdown issue because they fear losing power. Their leader prefers to maintain a controlled environment rather than risk unruly debates.

Why Rik left the Neighbourhood Renewal Unit

Rik’s Sparky Little Substack Space • 0 implied HN points • 24 May 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Policy Career development
  1. Success in a job can sometimes lead to unexpected consequences, like the disbanding of a strong team. Standing out too much might not always be a good thing.
  2. Navigating office politics and understanding the dynamics within an organization are crucial for a successful career, especially in the civil service.
  3. Recognizing signs of change and having the ability to adapt to new opportunities can lead to growth and progress in one's professional journey, even if it means making tough decisions.

Charlotte Ledger Election Hub — 2024 Primary Election

The Charlotte Ledger • 0 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Candidate Profiles Candidate Profiles
  1. The Charlotte Ledger's Election Hub provides information on local, statewide, and Congressional races for the 2024 primary election.
  2. Important dates to remember include early voting from Feb. 15 to March 2, absentee ballot request deadline on Feb. 27, and the general election on March 5.
  3. Voter guides are available including summaries of Democratic and Republican ballots, helping voters make informed choices during the election.

Negative Agenda Setting Rules Us All

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 28 Dec 18
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Congress Policy Political Science Elections
  1. Negative agenda setting is when lawmakers don't bring up popular bills for a vote, even if they would pass. This can keep issues that many people support off the table.
  2. The current government shutdown highlights a lack of urgency to resolve issues, with party leaders using their power to control what gets voted on, leading to inaction.
  3. On the first day of Congress, changes might happen in leadership roles and rules, as well as efforts to address the ongoing government shutdown, showing how politics continuously evolves.

We're not shutting down this newsletter!

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 21 Dec 18
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Elections Legislation Political parties Political Analysis
  1. A government shutdown happens when Congress doesn't pass new spending laws, meaning the government can't spend money. This leads to many federal agencies stopping operations and employees being furloughed.
  2. During a shutdown, some employees, known as 'excepted' or 'essential,' still work, but they won't get paid until Congress passes new appropriations. Other employees are 'non-excepted' and are sent home without pay.
  3. The President's strength can affect how well they influence Congress and their agenda. Recent events have shown that Trump struggles to maintain support from key groups within his party, making his presidency look weaker.

How much would it cost to expand the size of the House?

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 13 Nov 18
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Government Political Debate Congress Public Policy
  1. Expanding the House of Representatives will have significant costs, both one-time and ongoing. Each new member could cost around $2 million a year, adding up quickly.
  2. The initial costs for space and resources for new members could reach around a billion dollars. This includes the need for new buildings and additional security.
  3. While the costs may seem high, they should not stop discussions about expanding the House if there are strong reasons to do so. Political concerns might influence decisions even if the costs are justifiable.

So you want to be an amateur election forecaster? Here's step zero.

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 31 Oct 18
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election forecasting Public Opinion Voting behavior Statistical Analysis
  1. You can start forecasting elections easily using a simple Excel simulation tool. Just change the win probabilities for Senate races, and the simulation will quickly show you different election outcomes.
  2. Good election forecasting requires gathering data and creating win probabilities, which can be a fun challenge. Getting started is much easier than you might think, so don't be intimidated.
  3. While simple models are easy to run, accurate forecasting can be more complex. Serious models account for many details in how elections work, but you can still enjoy basic modeling without being an expert.

Matt's Five Points, October 24: Not Your Father's Divided Government

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 24 Oct 18
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Government Political Science Democracy Legislation
  1. Divided government in the U.S. can look different depending on which party controls the House or Senate. Each setup affects how laws get passed and how conflicts play out between the branches of government.
  2. Donald Trump is considered a weak president because he struggles to maintain political power and often backs down from his public statements. This makes it harder for him to lead effectively.
  3. The size of the Democratic majority in the House doesn't matter as much as just winning control of it. Whether they win by a few seats or a lot, they will have the same power to set the agenda and conduct investigations.

Primary Election 2024: Democratic ballot

The Charlotte Ledger • 0 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Government Policy Candidates Legislation Elections Candidates Campaigns Legislation Policy
  1. The 2024 Primary Election Democratic ballot in Mecklenburg County includes races for positions like N.C. Council of State, U.S. Congress, and county commissioners.
  2. Interesting storylines include the competition for Governor, Attorney General, and the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners, sparking political intrigue.
  3. Candidates range from established political figures to newcomers, offering diverse backgrounds and priorities for voters to consider.

Matt's Five Points, October 19, 2018 — Constitutional Hardball

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 19 Oct 18
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Constitutional Law Legislative Process Supreme Court Political Tactics
  1. Constitutional hardball is when legal political strategies push the boundaries of accepted norms. It can be risky, as it may lead to larger conflicts and weaken institutions like the Supreme Court.
  2. The statehood process in the U.S. is easy to manipulate and can disrupt political balance. This flexibility once caused major tensions, particularly regarding issues like slavery in the 19th century.
  3. Lame-duck sessions in Congress can actually be quite productive, with significant legislation often passing during this time. The upcoming session could see important decisions being made, especially if party control changes.

Primary Election 2024: Republican ballot

The Charlotte Ledger • 0 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Candidates Issues Legislation Elections Candidates Primary Senate Congress
  1. The post provides detailed information about candidates on the Republican ballot for the 2024 primary election in Mecklenburg County, covering various positions like the council of state, US Congress, and the NC Court of Appeals.
  2. There are intriguing storylines in the Republican primary, such as candidates vying for governor, congressional seats, and lieutenant governor, including figures like Dale Folwell, Mark Harris, and Jim O'Neill.
  3. The article highlights the backgrounds, key issues, and noteworthy aspects of the candidates, ranging from their experience in politics, stances on critical matters like education and healthcare, to any controversies or unique characteristics.

Matt's Five Points, October 12, 2018 — The Kavanaugh Circus is Democracy in Action

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 16 Oct 18
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political strategy Party Dynamics Public Opinion
  1. The Senate confirmation process can show democratic politics really happening. It's normal for people to clash and for the public to get involved, so calling it a circus might not be fair.
  2. Term limits for the Supreme Court could actually make things more political, not less. If every election focused on Court nominations, it could overshadow other important issues.
  3. When looking at polling data, it's tricky to connect it directly to elections. Just because many people oppose something doesn't mean they'll vote based on that issue.

The SCOTUS Nomination, Senate Procedure, and Democratic Strategy

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 28 Jun 18
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Supreme Court Senate Legislation Political strategy Public Opinion
  1. Democrats can't block a Supreme Court nominee like Republicans did with Garland because they don't have a majority in the Senate. This means they can't stop the nomination process directly.
  2. If Democrats want to slow down the Senate's work to increase the costs of a nomination, they would need to use complicated strategies like dragging out debates or refusing to agree on routine procedures. However, this is likely to backfire politically.
  3. Since they probably can't stop the nomination, Democrats will likely focus on shaping public opinion and preparing for future elections rather than trying to defeat the nominee outright.

AUMFs, Status-Quo Bias, and Congressional Power

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 19 Apr 18
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics War Powers Military Action Legal issues Public Opinion
  1. Warmaking is mostly a political issue, not a legal one. Courts usually avoid deciding if a war is legal, leaving it to Congress and the President to argue.
  2. Congress still plays an important role in war decisions, even if presidents sometimes act alone. A lack of congressional support can limit the scale of military actions.
  3. The U.S. Constitution favors keeping things the same, making it hard to change or limit presidential powers once granted. To help Congress keep control, war authorizations should have expiration clauses to reassess their necessity regularly.

Sweet Home Chicago

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 06 Apr 18
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Legislation Political strategy Political parties Public Policy
  1. Swing Republicans are worried because Trump is focusing on divisive topics instead of tax policy, which they prefer to talk about as it helps them secure votes in their districts.
  2. Candidates in elections aim to win, not just increase their vote share. They are careful not to jeopardize their stable support for the sake of a small improvement in overall votes.
  3. The 2018 Congress is likely to focus on messaging rather than major legislation. Both parties are not eager to collaborate on big topics, leading to many symbolic bills without much chance of passing.

FIVE POINTS: The Worst Job in Washington

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 02 Feb 18
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Congress Legislation Political Process Campaigns Governance
  1. Being a Congressman is getting less enjoyable. Many members are spending more time on boring tasks and fundraising rather than making laws and engaging in policy discussions.
  2. The budget process is messy and needs reform, but figuring out how to change it is complicated. Many agree it's broken, but the details of how to fix it are hard to sort out.
  3. There's a lot of talk about an infrastructure plan, but it seems to keep getting delayed. With so many other issues on the table, it's unclear when or if it will actually happen.

FIVE POINTS: Those Midwinter Divided-Caucus Blues

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 26 Jan 18
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Congress Legislation Political parties Governance Political Process
  1. Party caucus rules are crucial but not well understood. These rules help shape how decisions are made in Congress without input from the opposing party.
  2. Control over the agenda can prevent a bill that has majority support from being passed. This means that even if most members want something, they might not get to vote on it if the majority party decides against it.
  3. Many people are actively thinking about Congress and its function today. There are lots of good discussions and articles that you can read to learn more about how it all works.

FIVE POINTS: Meet the new year, same as the old year

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 09 Jan 18
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Congress Elections Political Analysis Government Political History
  1. The way Congress is scheduled affects how decisions are made. Members plan their work around breaks and weekends, which changes how laws are discussed and voted on.
  2. Having a celebrity like Oprah as a presidential candidate raises concerns about their ability to govern. While she might attract votes, a celebrity's lack of experience could be risky for important national decisions.
  3. Retiring committee chairs in Congress leads to a loss of expertise and reduces their effectiveness. Strict rules on how long someone can serve in leadership roles can harm the quality of governance.

FIVE POINTS: Your Thanksgiving Briefing Book

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 17 Nov 17
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Tax reform Government Elections Political strategy
  1. When talking politics at Thanksgiving, focus on safe topics like local politics or education to avoid arguments. Prepare a bit beforehand to steer the conversation in a good direction.
  2. The upcoming tax bill has challenges as popular support is dropping and some Republicans are unhappy with the current plan. There’s urgency to pass something, but it might end up being a simpler tax cut rather than a major reform.
  3. The budget process is influencing a lot of what Congress is doing now, and both parties need to negotiate carefully to avoid a government shutdown. Changes in spending caps will likely be part of the discussions as they try to come to agreements.

FIVE POINTS: You Can't Always Get What You Want

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 12 Oct 17
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Executive Power Legislation Political Leadership Judiciary Separation of powers
  1. The idea that a president has complete control over the executive branch is a myth. In reality, they often have to work hard to get their policies implemented, and Trump's administration has struggled with this.
  2. Being smart isn't enough to succeed in politics. Leadership and the ability to connect with people matter much more than having high intelligence.
  3. Changing the judiciary takes time and can't happen overnight. Even if Trump gets a few judges confirmed, truly reshaping the federal courts typically requires much longer than two years.