The Take (by Jon Miltimore)

The Take by Jon Miltimore explores societal and political issues, focusing on the consequences of government actions, individual rights, censorship, and manipulation. It critically examines historical and contemporary events, advocating for skepticism, liberty, and the dangers of centralized power and political correctness.

Societal and Political Issues Government Actions and Individual Rights Censorship and Information Control Historical Analyses Economic Observations and Critiques Media and Cultural Criticism Science and Skepticism

The hottest Substack posts of The Take (by Jon Miltimore)

And their main takeaways

The Most Chilling Paragraph I've Read in Years

353 implied HN points • 03 Oct 23
  1. Various institutions such as media, schools, and corporations have been influenced by neo-Marxism.
  2. Influential individuals like Coleman Hughes have faced backlash for promoting messages that go against this ideology.
  3. There is concern that the spread of neo-Marxist ideology may lead to societal division and potential unrest.

Why Ghostbusters Might Be the Most Libertarian Movie of the '80s

275 implied HN points • 01 Nov 23
  1. Ghostbusters presents a cautionary tale about empowering clueless bureaucrats over individuals with local knowledge.
  2. The movie demonstrates the importance of decision-making based on localized knowledge rather than centralized control.
  3. The film serves as a humorous reminder of the consequences of delegating economic planning to state officials instead of individual actors.

'Surreally Good': The Economic Dishonesty of Paul Krugman

373 implied HN points • 23 Sep 23
  1. Median household income in the U.S. has been declining, with the sharpest drop in 2023.
  2. Economist Paul Krugman insists the economy is thriving, despite data showing household incomes falling due to inflation.
  3. Inflation is causing a disconnect between economic realities and public perception, with many Americans feeling financially squeezed.

'The Executioner’s Song': The Best Nonfiction Novel Ever Written

137 implied HN points • 01 Jan 24
  1. The Executioner's Song by Norman Mailer is considered the best nonfiction novel ever written.
  2. The book tells the story of Gary Gilmore, a convict who commits two murders and demands to die.
  3. The writing in The Executioner's Song captures the beauty and ugliness of life with great restraint.
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The Anti-Democratic Attack on Trump, Explained

157 implied HN points • 21 Dec 23
  1. Social democracy is collapsing and resorting to illiberal means to protect institutions.
  2. Colorado's Supreme Court ruled Trump ineligible to be on ballot due to insurrection allegations.
  3. Institutions of social democracy have faced discreditation, leading to growing tensions and a need for reevaluation.

Assistant to Top Illinois Covid Official RESIGNS After Newspaper Inquires about $1 Million in Payments

235 implied HN points • 05 Nov 23
  1. An assistant to a top Illinois Covid official resigned after questions about $1 million in payments, causing embarrassment for Illinois officials.
  2. Congress's $5 trillion federal spending spree during the COVID-19 pandemic has led to fraud and abuse, with cases of fraud amounting to billions of dollars.
  3. The story highlights the opportunity cost of government spending, emphasizing economics' principle of scarcity and the dismal science of acknowledging wasted resources.

A New AI Hit Reveals Just How Far Pop Music Has Fallen

176 implied HN points • 30 Nov 23
  1. The AI-generated pop song 'Betrayed By This Town' reveals a dark and depressing trend in modern pop music.
  2. AI artists are not a genuine threat to human artists because they lack soul and genuine emotion.
  3. The shift in tone of pop music reflects a troubling trend towards dark, desperate, and isolating themes.

Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter Have a Similar Moral Lesson on Power

117 implied HN points • 02 Jan 24
  1. Both Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter share a similar moral lesson on the corrupting influence of power.
  2. The stories highlight the importance of understanding the dangers of power and the ability to walk away from it.
  3. The Founders of the American system, like Tolkien and Rowling, recognized the susceptibility of power to abuse and implemented checks and balances to limit it.

Can Taylor Swift Upend Hollywood? (and more)

255 implied HN points • 15 Oct 23
  1. Taylor Swift's deal with AMC may have a big impact on entertainment.
  2. Pfizer's new Covid vaccine is 500% more expensive.
  3. Coaching youth football can be a rewarding experience.

Leo Tolstoy's Philosophy, in His Own Words

117 implied HN points • 30 Dec 23
  1. Leo Tolstoy's philosophy reflects Christian pacifism, asceticism, and anarchism.
  2. Tolstoy's philosophical works are as significant as his fiction, with over 50 pieces exploring various themes.
  3. Tolstoy's quotes on truth, violence, and government remain relevant and thought-provoking today.

Justin Trudeau Is Lying about Inflation

235 implied HN points • 23 Oct 23
  1. Canadian grocers are not responsible for the high food prices; Justin Trudeau and the Bank of Canada are.
  2. Inflation in Canada is attributed to policies by politicians and the money printing by the central bank.
  3. Blaming corporations like grocers for inflation is a deflection from the real causes.

What Ten Lepers in the Book of Luke Can Teach Us about Gratitude

176 implied HN points • 23 Nov 23
  1. Gratitude is a quality that's difficult for humans to embrace.
  2. Research shows that gratitude makes people happier, more successful, and better leaders.
  3. The story of Jesus and the ten lepers illustrates the struggle humans have with gratitude.

Why Elon Musk Was 100% Right to Allow Alex Jones to Return to Twitter (X)

137 implied HN points • 15 Dec 23
  1. Elon Musk's decision to allow Alex Jones back on Twitter was the right call.
  2. Banning Alex Jones on Twitter in 2018 led to further restrictions on free speech.
  3. The censorship on social media platforms has escalated to include various individuals who oppose government policies.

Author on the 'Single Biggest Determiner' of Being a Good Mother

235 implied HN points • 18 Oct 23
  1. Having a supportive partner is crucial in being a good parent.
  2. Being a parent is demanding and requires a lot, so having support is important.
  3. Creating a nurturing environment for children involves the support of both parents.

History's First Libertarian?

275 implied HN points • 28 Sep 23
  1. Zhuang Zhou was possibly the first thinker to understand that force doesn't build a harmonious society.
  2. Karl Marx and Adam Smith had predecessors like Francois-Noel Babeuf and Anders Chydenius respectively.
  3. Zhuang Zhou, a Chinese philosopher, can be seen as history's first libertarian, advocating for spontaneous order and emphasizing laissez faire economics.

Carl Sagan's Prophetic Warning about 'Charlatans' in Government Running Our Lives

393 implied HN points • 05 Aug 23
  1. It's important for citizens to practice skepticism, educate themselves, and question authority to avoid being run by the government.
  2. Sagan warned about the danger of a society built on science and technology when people don't understand or question it.
  3. Science is not about blind trust; it requires skepticism, questioning, and challenging authority to prevent manipulation.

The U.S. Has the Fattest Poor People in the World. Why?

294 implied HN points • 16 Sep 23
  1. Low-income people in the US are more likely to be overweight due to consuming too many calories.
  2. Government policies, such as food stamp programs, may be contributing to the obesity epidemic.
  3. Increased food stamp assistance has coincided with a rise in US obesity rates, prompting questions about the impact of federal food assistance policies.

The FDR Pearl Harbor Question That People Are Afraid to Ask

137 implied HN points • 07 Dec 23
  1. FDR may have known about the Pearl Harbor attack beforehand and wanted the US to enter World War II.
  2. Declassified documents and testimonies reveal evidence suggesting forewarning of Japan's intentions.
  3. Despite warnings, FDR did not take definitive action to bolster defenses at Pearl Harbor, leading to a devastating attack.

Even the CIA Now Admits There Was a 'Cover-Up' Following the JFK Assassination

117 implied HN points • 20 Dec 23
  1. The CIA's in-house historian concluded there was a 'benign cover-up' following the JFK assassination.
  2. The CIA has been deflecting and withholding information about JFK's assassination for 60 years.
  3. It is troubling that the CIA continues to hide the truth and not release all documents related to the JFK assassination.

80% of Democrats support price controls to fight inflation, new CBS poll finds

117 implied HN points • 18 Dec 23
  1. 80% of Democrats support price controls to fight inflation based on a new CBS poll
  2. History has shown that government-imposed price controls can lead to disastrous outcomes, as seen during the Nixon era
  3. Economists argue that price controls cannot solve scarcity, a fundamental economic reality

The WikiLeaks Video That Made Julian Assange a Marked Man

235 implied HN points • 06 Oct 23
  1. A video released by WikiLeaks in 2007 exposed a war crime by the US government.
  2. Julian Assange faced repercussions for exposing the truth about the war crime.
  3. Assange's actions in releasing the 'Collateral Murder' video led to his imprisonment and extradition attempts.

When Cheers Exposed the Sheer Stupidity of American Politics

176 implied HN points • 08 Nov 23
  1. Frasier Crane in Cheers showcased the banal nature of American politics by running Woody for city council.
  2. The episode revealed the easily manipulated nature of voters through meaningless platitudes and rhetorical gimmicks.
  3. Cheers cleverly highlighted that both the right and left in politics can be susceptible to similar rhetorical games.

The Dystopias of Orwell and Huxley Had One Big Thing in Common

334 implied HN points • 11 Aug 23
  1. Orwell's 1984 and Huxley's Brave New World both shared a government that controlled society.
  2. Both Orwell and Huxley saw a powerful, centralized government as dangerous.
  3. American founding fathers also distrusted centralized power, creating a government with checks and balances.

Yes, Biden's Vehicle 'Kill Switch' Is as Dystopian as It Sounds

157 implied HN points • 14 Nov 23
  1. Massie and Ocasio-Cortez oppose Biden's vehicle 'kill switch' mandate due to civil liberty concerns.
  2. The mandate requires new vehicles to have technology that can turn off vehicles if impairment is detected.
  3. The provision slipped into a $1 trillion spending bill without public discussion or debate.

Why Black Friday Is Called Black Friday

137 implied HN points • 24 Nov 23
  1. The origins of why Black Friday is called Black Friday are unclear and have multiple explanations.
  2. One possible origin is the day after Thanksgiving in the 1950s when people would skip work, leading to chaos and heavy shopping, contributing to the name.
  3. Another explanation is that retailers embraced the term 'Black Friday' as a positive signal of profitability, marking the shift from financial losses to gains.

Dying Words From 7 Founding Fathers

393 implied HN points • 01 Jul 23
  1. George Washington's last words were 'Tis Well.'
  2. Alexander Hamilton told his wife to remember she's a Christian before he died.
  3. Benjamin Franklin said to his daughter, 'A dying man can do nothing easy.'

The 14 Early Warning Signs of Fascism

275 implied HN points • 27 Aug 23
  1. The US economic system is identified as fascistic, with an antidote being capitalism.
  2. The 14 early signs of fascism include nationalism, human rights disdain, and military supremacy.
  3. Fascism is described as socialism disguised with a capitalist appearance.