Letters from an American $5 / month

'Letters from an American' is a newsletter by Heather Cox Richardson that delves into the historical context behind current political events and societal changes. It emphasizes the importance of community, democracy, and personal reflections on nature, peace, and heroism, while also documenting the author's personal experiences and thoughts amidst the political landscape.

Political History Democracy and Society Personal Reflections Community Engagement Historical Perspectives on Current Events

The hottest Substack posts of Letters from an American

And their main takeaways

February 15, 2024

11 implied HN points • 16 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Congress Elections Impeachment National Security
  1. House speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) canceled votes & sent House into recess until Feb 28 over national security funding disagreement
  2. Delay in passing national security measures puts critical aid for Ukraine at risk & demonstrates political gridlock
  3. Chaotic environment in the House, with discussions about appropriations delays, Homeland Security secretary impeachment, and escalating power of Trump's base

March 4, 2024

10 implied HN points • 05 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Supreme Court Congress
  1. The Supreme Court ruled that states cannot remove Donald Trump from the 2024 presidential ballot, leading to a unanimous decision.
  2. The court avoided defining the events of January 6, 2021, as an insurrection and went beyond the necessary scope in their ruling.
  3. The court's decision hinted at a larger issue where courts are involving themselves in lawmaking rather than just judicial review.

February 12, 2024

11 implied HN points • 13 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics NATO National Security Foreign Aid Supreme Court Republican party
  1. Trump's statements regarding NATO and Russia have been met with strong opposition from both Democrats and Republicans, with concerns about potential consequences for national security.
  2. NATO is an alliance designed for collective defense where each member agrees to aid one another if attacked, based on the principle that an attack on one is an attack on all.
  3. There is ongoing bipartisan support in Congress for aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, despite opposition from Trump-aligned Republicans.

March 1, 2024

10 implied HN points • 02 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Budget Taxation Social Security Corporate Government
  1. President Joe Biden signed a resolution giving lawmakers more time to finalize government funding bills, as Republicans have been stalling by inserting cultural demands and seeking budget cuts.
  2. There are discussions about creating a 'debt commission' to address the budget deficit, even though it faces opposition from 70% of voters.
  3. The ITEP report revealed that many profitable corporations paid very low effective tax rates due to loopholes, raising questions about the fairness of the tax system.

February 6, 2024

11 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Impeachment Foreign Relations Media
  1. MAGA Republicans attempted to block a national security bill by demanding border security measures, hoping to avoid support for Ukraine and blame Democrats for the border crisis.
  2. Democrats prioritized aid to Ukraine over other measures and compromised on the border security issue to secure the bill.
  3. Former President Trump influenced Republican lawmakers to reject the national security bill, leading to its likely failure, while facing legal challenges regarding immunity from criminal prosecution.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

February 5, 2024

11 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Parties Foreign affairs Election Security
  1. The national security supplemental bill included funding for military, security, and humanitarian aid but faced opposition from MAGA Republicans who focused on the border issue.
  2. The bill was primarily aimed at funding Ukraine's war against Russia's invasion, highlighting the importance of supporting Ukraine for US national security.
  3. The Republican party's actions in blocking the bill, despite demanding specific policies within it, were criticized as irresponsible and could have detrimental consequences.

March 14, 2024

9 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
🌍 World Politics Israel United States Democracy Alliances
  1. Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer urged Israelis to call new elections to replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu due to his prioritization of personal political survival over the best interests of Israel.
  2. The recent U.S. ambassador to Hungary criticized Prime Minister Viktor Orbán for embracing Russian President Putin, undermining support for Ukraine, and openly supporting the return of former U.S. President Trump, warning of the risks of damaging relationships with democracies.
  3. In both Israel and Hungary, there is growing discontent with current leadership, signaling a potential shift towards more moderate government choices and renewed focus on democratic values and global alliances.

February 1, 2024

11 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economy Legislation Policies Republicans Media
  1. The U.S. economy experienced significant growth compared to other G7 nations, showcasing the effectiveness of demand-side economic policies embraced by Democrats.
  2. Democrats passed popular economic measures like the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act without much Republican support, leading to a shift in Republican attitudes towards these policies.
  3. Republicans are facing challenges due to their focus on obstructionism, loyalty to extreme views, and a disconnect between right-wing media influencers and governing efforts.

February 20, 2024

10 implied HN points • 21 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Global Affairs National Security Political parties Elections Legislation
  1. Global affairs are affected by not stopping the aggression of Russia's president Vladimir Putin, with Trump's MAGA Republicans inadvertently strengthening Putin's position.
  2. MAGA Republicans have delayed a national security bill providing aid to Ukraine, despite bipartisan support, reflecting potential consequences on Ukrainian security and pressure on democracies to oppose dictatorships.
  3. International responses to Russian actions in Ukraine include aid packages, calls for more sanctions, and also highlight the reluctance of some House Republicans to commit aid, contrasting with broader American support for involvement.

February 19, 2024

10 implied HN points • 20 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics History Law Immigration Civil Rights Policy
  1. Executive Order 9066, signed by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1942, led to the forced imprisonment of Japanese Americans in concentration camps during World War II.
  2. The laws and court decisions of the early 20th century, such as the _Thind_ case, restricted citizenship and property rights for Asian immigrants based on race and ethnicity.
  3. After facing discrimination and a loss of rights, Asian Americans, including Japanese Americans, fought to serve their country during World War II, leading to changes in citizenship laws and the eventual closure of internment camps.

June 10, 2023

25 implied HN points • 11 Jun 23
📚 Literature Author Book release Writing process
  1. The writer finished a book called 'Democracy Awakening: Notes on the State of America'.
  2. Writing the book was a challenging experience due to juggling other commitments.
  3. The book reworked its thesis during the writing process.

October 8, 2023

17 implied HN points • 09 Oct 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Personal Reflection
  1. The author took a day off to celebrate her birthday with family and friends.
  2. She enjoyed spending time on the water on her birthday.
  3. The author plans to get back to work the day after her birthday.

February 13, 2024

10 implied HN points • 14 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Foreign Policy Impeachment Elections Security
  1. President Biden is emphasizing the importance of supporting Ukraine and passing a national security supplemental bill.
  2. There is bipartisan support in the Senate for funding Ukraine, but there are challenges in the House, particularly related to far-right opposition.
  3. Former President Trump's influence is causing divisions within the Republican Party and impacting crucial legislative decisions.

Audio version of Letters from an American

10 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🎙 Podcasts Audio Information Election
  1. Audio versions of 'Letters from an American' by Heather Cox Richardson are now available after years of requests.
  2. The audio versions will be free and accessible on Substack, Apple Podcast Channel, and other platforms.
  3. This initiative will be tested for three weeks, aiming to provide solid information leading up to the election.

March 3, 2024

9 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Supreme Court Republican party Elections
  1. Vice President Kamala Harris is pushing for a ceasefire in the Middle East, putting forward a six-week deal that Israel has reportedly accepted, waiting on Hamas' response.
  2. Former SC governor Nikki Haley won a Republican primary, showing soft support for Trump, who has upcoming financial and legal challenges.
  3. Super Tuesday could solidify Trump's Republican nomination while he faces financial obligations, with the Republican Party potentially facing a dilemma as Trump gains control amidst legal problems.

February 29, 2024

9 implied HN points • 01 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Border Security Political Dynamics Government funding
  1. MAGA Republicans are struggling in negotiations to fund the government and pass the national security supplemental bill, with Biden trying to weaken them by highlighting their role in preventing new border security legislation.
  2. House Republicans backed off expecting a shutdown and instead passed a short-term continuing resolution to extend funding deadlines, showing divisions within the party.
  3. The struggle for control between Biden and Trump was evident in their contrasting views on immigration in Texas, with Trump blaming Biden for migrant-related issues while Biden emphasized the need for government action to address the situation.

February 27, 2024

9 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation National Security Impeachment
  1. The House of Representatives is facing challenges with passing crucial legislation due to the influence of MAGA Republicans, especially in relation to the farm bill and appropriations bills.
  2. The farm bill, which expired and was extended to September 2024 as a stopgap, needs to be passed, along with appropriations bills to fund the government for fiscal year 2024.
  3. National security measures, including a bill to aid Ukraine and other critical regions, are stalled due to House Republicans' demands and House Speaker Johnson's reluctance to act, impacting national security.

February 26, 2024

9 implied HN points • 27 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics NATO Middle East Gaza International Aid
  1. The United States appointed a special envoy for Sudan to address the civil war and refugee crisis in the country, showing commitment to ending hostilities and supporting humanitarian efforts.
  2. NATO expanded with the approval of Sweden, influenced by Hungary's negotiation tactics; this addition signifies evolving geopolitical dynamics in the region.
  3. There are ongoing complexities in the Middle East, such as the resignations within the Palestinian Authority, discussions on a postwar settlement, and the challenges surrounding Israeli-Palestinian relations.

August 20, 2023

19 implied HN points • 21 Aug 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Photography
  1. The author shared a sunrise photo taken by Buddy after a long wait.
  2. The image was considered worth the wait by the author.
  3. The author mentioned looking forward to waking up early the next day.

February 2, 2024

10 implied HN points • 03 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Iran Sanctions Middle East Conflict
  1. The U.S. military conducted strikes on multiple targets in Syria and Iraq connected to attacks on U.S. personnel, aiming to degrade capabilities and send a message to stop the attacks.
  2. Targets were selected carefully to avoid civilian casualties, showing a strategic approach to the military action.
  3. The U.S. administration seeks to prevent conflicts with Iran by responding to attacks on U.S. troops, imposing sanctions, and cutting off funding for paramilitary groups.

History Extra for November 3, 2024

1 implied HN point • 04 Nov 24
💾 History American history Civil Rights Political History
  1. Abraham Lincoln used math to challenge the idea of slavery. He argued that if one person can claim the right to enslave another, then the enslaved person can claim the same right to fight back.
  2. The Kansas-Nebraska Act and its impact were significant factors in the lead-up to the Civil War. This act showed how divided the nation was over the issue of slavery.
  3. Lincoln’s thoughts on slavery reflect a deeper moral question about rights and freedom. It sparked important conversations about who holds power and who should have rights.

February 3, 2024

9 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Middle East International relations
  1. US and British forces launched strikes against 13 military targets in areas of Yemen controlled by Iran-backed Houthis, to defend international shipping and vessels
  2. National Security Council spokesperson confirmed additional responses to attacks on U.S. troops, signaling a strong stance against threats to national security
  3. The coalition targeted deeply buried weapons, missile systems, air defense systems, and radars in Yemen, emphasizing the commitment to safeguard lives and maintain smooth commerce in vital waterways

April 22, 2023

20 implied HN points • 23 Apr 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Photography Painting Inspiration
  1. Taking a break and disconnecting from news can lead to relaxation and calmness.
  2. Visiting familiar places can evoke sentimental memories and connections to the past.
  3. Appreciating art and nature can create bridges between generations and time periods.

March 18, 2024

5 implied HN points • 19 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economy Health Environment Social Issues Foreign Relations
  1. The American economy has been showing strong growth compared to other major economies like the European Union, Japan, and Britain, with a significant increase in entrepreneurship and real wage gains benefiting those who need them most.
  2. The Biden administration has been taking steps to improve various aspects of American life, such as reducing out-of-pocket costs for inhalers, banning asbestos, and advancing women's health research initiatives.
  3. Former President Trump's recent actions and statements, including financial struggles, desperate rhetoric, and connections to individuals like Paul Manafort, reflect a contentious and tumultuous political landscape leading up to the 2024 election.

How to opt in to (or out of) the audio version

2 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
🎙 Podcasts Instructions Platforms
  1. Use the browser version of Substack to adjust settings for receiving the audio version of the newsletter.
  2. For existing subscribers who want the audio, change settings in the Subscriber Settings to receive audio emails.
  3. New subscribers after February 22, 2024, will automatically get the audio version but can opt out following specific directions.

February 25, 2025

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.