The Constitution gives Congress the power to declare war, so presidents shouldn’t skip Congress or the public just to preserve a claimed tactical advantage.
Arguments that lawmakers will leak plans or that debate would give the enemy time are weak and don’t justify hiding broad war aims from Congress.
Pure tactical surprise rarely delivers lasting victory, and military success alone can’t solve political problems, so leaders should require clear goals, risks, and timelines before committing to war.
RFK Jr. has been a strong opponent of vaccines, which may influence U.S. vaccination policies if he takes a leadership role in the government. This could lead to less public support for vaccinations.
Beliefs can be useful for creating group unity, even if those beliefs are not based on facts. Sometimes, being a part of a group means accepting ideas that might not be true in reality.
The tension between what is real and what people believe can impact society. It shows how important it is to balance scientific facts with how communities view and accept those facts.
The U.S. government is taking significant actions to address privacy and data protection, with legislation forcing a divestment of TikTok being part of a broader strategy.
Recent legal actions by the Biden administration are reshaping how data brokers operate and enforce consumer protection laws in relation to sensitive consumer data.
The debate over TikTok ownership highlights concerns about foreign control of key social infrastructure and the need for governance to prioritize the sovereignty of the people.
The trend of 'cute winter boots' on TikTok actually references political resistance, especially against certain government policies. Users are using this code to talk about serious issues while avoiding censorship.
TikTok users are clever at using coded language to get around filters and alert others about government surveillance. This allows them to share information without detection.
The way users promote 'cute winter boots' shows their focus on reaching a wider audience using popular themes, while also educating on topics like rights and activism.
Heavy editing can take away a writer's unique voice. It's important for writers to maintain their style even when being edited.
Big organizations may see their employees as replaceable, which can affect morale and creativity. This can lead to a competition where everyone fears losing their job.
The pressures of being in an elite institution can change how content is produced. Writers may face strict guidelines that limit creative freedom.
Justin Trudeau resigned as Canadian Prime Minister after his approval ratings dropped significantly during his time in office. It marks a big change for someone who was once very popular.
His story serves as a reminder for men about the importance of maintaining respect and connection with the people they lead.
Trudeau's decline in popularity and embarrassing fall from grace will likely be talked about for generations as a cautionary tale.
Taxpayers are financing a massive immigration enforcement surge—ICE's budget roughly tripled after a $75 billion push. Removals did not rise proportionally, so the true cost per deportation is unclear and demands transparent ROI data.
Enforcement tactics and staffing raise serious safety and civil‑liberty concerns: officers have been masked, training was shortened to about six weeks, and aggressive raids and detentions have been tied to shootings, illegal detentions, and heavy judicial scrutiny.
DHS spent large sums on advertising and contracts that appear politically linked and sometimes noncompetitive, while economists warn mass deportation could shave about 1% off GDP and cost hundreds of billions; lower‑cost alternatives like self‑deportation stipends are being offered.
The newsletter aims to sharpen readers' judgment about a new and unsettling political era by using historical comparisons and concrete examples. It leans on the idea that judgment is honed through examples rather than rules.
Early fears of broad collapse have been tempered by a mix of alarming episodes and surprising civic resilience and sacrifice. Some once-marginal warnings have become common sense, even as the effort to change minds feels limited.
The plan is to slow the publishing pace and return to longer, more considered historical essays instead of constant news reactions. There's deep gratitude for reader support that turned the project into a sustainable career.
The idea of 'self-terrorism' suggests that provoking chaos can be used to tighten control over people. This can lead to creating a situation where violence is exploited for political gain.
There are fears that mass deportations and militarization of cities could mirror historical events that led to authoritarianism. It's important to recognize these patterns to prevent repeating them.
Awareness of these threats is crucial. Identifying the tactics used to manipulate public fear can help protect democracy and resist authoritarian movements.
Foreign governments and companies are spending big on Washington lobbyists to get access to the Trump administration.
Since the 2024 election there have been over 380 new foreign lobbying registrations, a higher total than in the comparable period under any of the last seven presidents.
Critics say this boom clashes with "America First" goals, because tariff fights and new trade deals are creating lucrative opportunities for lobbyists to influence policy.
He lays out an unapologetically left-wing, pro–big-government vision that rejects neoliberalism and promises City Hall will govern expansively and audaciously to restore public trust.
His policy agenda is framed as expanding real freedom rather than just fixing pocketbook problems, with proposals like rent freezes and free childcare and a heavy focus on actually delivering results through strong implementation.
He centers collective citizenship and the city’s diversity, calling for solidarity among residents and asking people to stay engaged and demand excellence from both public servants and themselves.
New laws like the Kids Online Safety Act could lead to censorship of important topics like abortion and sexual education. It's essential to be aware of how these laws might limit access to information.
Many groups, including tech and digital rights organizations, are concerned about these censorship laws and their impact on freedom of expression online. Engaging in discussions and asking questions is crucial.
Taking action by contacting representatives and advocating against harmful laws is important to protect online freedom and access to necessary health information. Every voice counts in this fight.
Mark Zuckerberg's call for free speech suggests a conflict between the U.S. and other countries over censorship laws. This highlights the challenges tech companies face globally.
Zuckerberg believes the U.S. has a strong foundation for free expression, but countries like Europe and China are enforcing more censorship. This creates a tough environment for innovation.
The recent changes in speech laws and agreements may lead to more battles over free expression. Zuckerberg's insights indicate that discussions on these topics are becoming more urgent.
Stable rent-to-income ratios hide a real housing shortage because families cope by downsizing, delaying household formation, and accepting lower-quality housing, while prices and low‑tier rents rise much faster than rents for high‑end homes. This means survey spending shares can look unchanged even as scarcity and displacement get worse.
Fixing housing requires a hierarchy of policies: expand single‑family rentals and mortgage access, then upzone to add dense, amenity‑rich housing, and only after that tackle hard socio‑economic planning like public safety and inclusion efforts; badly designed measures like inclusionary zoning can tax new supply and make shortages worse.
Most recent home price gains are driven by inflated land value from scarcity, and broad property taxes already act like a Georgist land tax; building more homes and freeing up supply will reduce the land premium and bring prices down, whereas restricting supply keeps the scarcity tax in place.
A political bargain has turned into “Total Boomer Luxury Communism,” where retirees — including wealthy ones — receive large government benefits that drive up national debt.
Rather than shrinking government since the 1980s, both parties expanded entitlement spending, which is weakening the economy, eroding the defense industrial base, and harming young people’s prospects.
If entitlements aren’t radically reformed, the country risks becoming dominated by retirees and facing broad decline, yet this dynamic is largely overlooked in public debate.
The 'Deaths of Despair' narrative linking declining life expectancy to social and political trends like right-populist politics has fundamental statistical flaws.
The increase in deaths of despair is mainly due to opioid overdoses and differences in pharmaceutical marketing laws between the US and Europe.
Public health outcomes differing between states can be attributed to the implementation (or lack thereof) of paternalistic health policies.
The idea of planning for the 2028 elections seems out of touch with current events. Many believe focusing on the present issues is more important than looking ahead to future elections.
The article pokes fun at the optimism around potential Democratic candidates without acknowledging the challenges they face now. People feel that this optimism might not reflect the reality of the political landscape.
There is a sense of urgency in dealing with current political changes rather than speculating about future candidates. It's like ignoring a fire while planning a barbecue.
The president is acting unpredictably and trying to personally influence foreign leaders and military decisions, pressuring allies and claiming authority over other countries' leadership.
The administration is facing growing legal and political setbacks at home, with courts ordering tariff refunds, lawsuits over new trade measures, and prosecutors backing away from politically driven inquiries.
Testimony about the homeland security department exposed accusations of corruption, obstruction, and the politicized labeling of opponents as "domestic terrorism," prompting bipartisan outrage and calls for accountability.
U.S. moves on Venezuela are mostly about oil and profit, with big oil companies and military contractors standing to gain from regime change.
Toppling a dictator can feel like a win, but forced regime change risks major instability and harm to ordinary Venezuelans even if some people celebrate.
Political leaders are likely to wrap resource grabs in patriotic or populist language, normalizing militarized actions and ignoring the hypocrisy of criticizing 'socialism' while seizing foreign assets.
Nevada is politically purple with a huge bloc of independents, many of whom lean conservative. Gerrymandering and closed primaries push candidates toward the extremes.
If you lean right, changing your registration to Republican gives you a real voice in picking primary candidates instead of being sidelined as an independent. Staying nonpartisan means you won’t help choose the party’s nominee.
Changing party registration is quick and simple: you can update online with a state ID, or do it in person or by mail through your county election office, and you’ll receive a new registration card when it’s processed.
Biden needs to step aside as he is not adding any value to the Democratic campaign. If he does so, the party could hold a convention and choose a new candidate who might have a better chance against Trump.
Biden's poor debate performance shows he may not realize how badly it went. It's important for influential people around him to help him see the truth for the good of the party.
Even if the Democratic convention seems messy, it's a valid way to choose a candidate. The party has strong talent and could effectively challenge Trump if Biden makes way for someone new.
Zohran's success was built on years of grassroots organizing and a strong message that connected with many New Yorkers. It wasn't just social media hype.
People want real political courage and solid policies, not just flashy TikTok posts or podcasts. Leaders need to genuinely connect with the public.
Democrats shouldn't rely on social media strategies alone to win. They need to address the real issues and be more in touch with the needs of everyday people.