Matt’s Five Points

Matt’s Five Points is a newsletter that analyzes U.S. politics and political science with an emphasis on the Republican Party's internal dynamics, legislative procedures, and the influence of social media on political engagement. It also includes reflections on local politics, personal insights from card games, and institutional changes in electoral processes.

Republican Party Legislative Processes Political Engagement Institutional Change Social Media Local Politics Card Games

The hottest Substack posts of Matt’s Five Points

And their main takeaways

On Electoral College by Congressional District

0 implied HN points • 14 Sep 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Voting Rights Political parties Legislation Elections
  1. The winner-take-all system in most states was shaped by history, specifically the push for universal suffrage and the desire for states to maximize their political influence. States prefer a system that draws more attention from presidential candidates, ensuring their interests are acknowledged.
  2. As political parties have become more ideologically sorted, states might look to change their electoral systems to congressional district methods. This could reflect a growing national concern over state interests, as parties now align more closely across states than in the past.
  3. However, changing to a congressional district system is unlikely soon, particularly in Pennsylvania. Political motivations and the need for favorable conditions make it hard for state legislators to push for such changes, as they usually prefer to maintain the status quo unless there's a clear advantage.

Debate Post-Mortem

0 implied HN points • 13 Sep 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election Strategy Public Opinion Media influence
  1. The debate format was seen as tiring and not effective, especially with live voter questions feeling forced and unproductive. Many viewers preferred more direct, engaging interactions between candidates instead.
  2. Romney and Perry are the main contenders in the race, with Romney appealing to the strategic thinkers while Perry connects more emotionally with conservative voters. Their strategies are shaping the primary outcomes significantly.
  3. Perry struggled to respond effectively to certain controversial topics, indicating he needs stronger messaging to maintain his support. His missteps could benefit Romney as the race progresses.

Five Things I Expect to See in Tonight's GOP Debate

0 implied HN points • 12 Sep 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Debates Candidates Political strategy Elections Public Policy
  1. Perry is expected to have a better plan for discussing Social Security than in the past. He has been preparing to counter attacks from other candidates.
  2. Bachmann is likely to launch a strong attack against Perry to boost her own standing in the debate. She risks being pushed out of the race if she does not perform well.
  3. Romney will probably take a more indirect approach to criticize Perry, aiming to unify GOP support against him while maintaining his own position in the race.

Best otherwise unreleased B-side ever?

0 implied HN points • 08 Sep 11
🎶 Music Genres Artists Albums
  1. Some famous B-sides might be better than the A-sides they were paired with. For example, "Strawberry Fields Forever" by The Beatles was a double A-side but left off their album.
  2. B-sides can sometimes surprise fans who only know the hits. Songs like Pearl Jam's "Yellow Ledbetter" started as B-sides, showing a different side of the band.
  3. Many classic bands have hidden gems among their B-sides, like Madonna’s "Into the Groove" and U2's "Sweetest Thing," which fans might not realize weren't on the main albums.

On Presidential Debates and Antebellum Nostalgia

0 implied HN points • 08 Sep 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Campaign Strategy Political History Voter Engagement
  1. Presidential debates are very controlled events, limiting candidates' freedom to speak openly. The rules often make debates feel more like scripted shows than real discussions.
  2. Nostalgia for historic debates, like Lincoln-Douglas, might not reflect what voters want today. Those debates were lengthy speeches without direct engagement or questions.
  3. In debates, candidates often focus on attacking each other's positions rather than clearly sharing their own. Debates mainly show how well candidates think on their feet rather than informing voters about policies.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

On longshots

0 implied HN points • 07 Sep 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Campaigns Legislation Political Ideology Public Policy
  1. Not all candidates run for president to win. They might have other reasons like raising awareness for issues or building their political network.
  2. Some candidates aim to change their party's views or set themselves up for future elections, even if they know they are longshots.
  3. Similarly, politicians introduce lots of bills that won't pass for various reasons, like showing their ideals or gaining media attention, which is usually a cheap and easy process.

On little-known books with large political impacts

0 implied HN points • 06 Sep 11
📚 Literature Political Impact Historical context Book analysis Social Change Class conflict
  1. Some little-known books have had big effects on politics, like _The Impending Crisis of the South_ by Hinton Helper. This book challenged the idea that all white people in the South benefited from slavery.
  2. Helper's ideas created fears among plantation owners, as they showed that non-slaveholding whites could be united against them. This was a big threat to the existing power structure.
  3. The spread of Helper's book led to more control in the South and fear of anti-slavery movements, changing the political landscape as groups like the Republican Party gained strength.

Sundry baseball thoughts

0 implied HN points • 06 Sep 11
🎾 Sports Baseball Athletics Sports culture
  1. There's concern that Stephen Strasburg may not meet the high expectations set for him, and it's possible that his best performances are behind him.
  2. Safeco Field, while modern and full of amenities, lacks the traditional feel of a baseball game, making it less enjoyable for some fans.
  3. Little League pitch count rules change how teams strategize during games, which might affect both player development and the overall fun of the game.

On iconic lunch spots that smell like public bathrooms

0 implied HN points • 30 Aug 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Politics Culture Society History Food
  1. Some lunch spots can be iconic even if they don't smell great. It shows that popularity is more about the experience than cleanliness.
  2. The Hawk n' Dove was a unique place where different types of people came together. It had a special charm that reflected life on Capitol Hill.
  3. Change is inevitable, and even beloved places have to close or change. It's a reminder to appreciate what we have while we still can.

On candidates holding odd jobs

0 implied HN points • 16 Aug 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Candidates Political Science Political History Campaigns
  1. It's very rare for someone who's currently in the House of Representatives to run for president. Only a few have even won significant votes in the past.
  2. Being a sitting Representative often means lacking enough political experience and stature that voters expect from presidential candidates.
  3. Representatives can have a lot to lose if they run for president because they might have to give up their powerful roles in Congress, and their long voting history can be used against them.

End of an Era

0 implied HN points • 08 Aug 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation History Government Education Youth Programs
  1. The Page Program, which allowed young people to work in the House of Representatives, has ended after being around since the 1820s. It's sad to see a program that provided valuable experiences to many young Americans come to a close.
  2. Technology has changed how work is done in Congress, making the need for Pages less important. With most communication happening electronically, Pages are no longer needed for tasks they used to perform.
  3. The cost of maintaining the Page Program was high, and many felt it wasn't justified given its diminishing benefits. Officials recognized that it was time to end the program and focus on new ways for young people to engage with Congress.

Poelittlekul EKonnome

0 implied HN points • 08 Aug 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Analysis Market Reaction Economic Policy Public Opinion
  1. When someone says a market movement was 'obvious,' they are probably not telling the truth. People who can predict the market usually keep quiet about it and don't broadcast their insights.
  2. Most market predictions you see on TV are not very reliable. The market is pretty efficient, and the news often just reflects what is already known, not new information.
  3. Political explanations for events like market downgrades can be confusing and often contradict each other. Different sides blame each other without clear logic.

On hair metal political analogies

0 implied HN points • 27 Jul 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political History Cultural Commentary
  1. People often change their opinions about political figures over time, even if they previously criticized them harshly. It's funny to see this shift, especially when both sides are praising leaders they once disliked.
  2. The concept of nostalgia plays a big role in how we view the past. Just like with music, what people liked or disliked can change as time goes on.
  3. Comparing politicians to musicians can highlight how our perspectives change. Just like some albums may not seem as fun later, political opinions can shift based on current events.

On Courage

0 implied HN points • 19 Jul 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political theory Elections Public Policy Legislation
  1. People often think politicians lack courage when they don't support unpopular policies. But the reality is that voters usually don't want those policies, so politicians respond to their preferences.
  2. Many people who criticize politicians for not being brave wouldn't personally make the same sacrifices. It's tough to expect someone to risk their job for a policy they might not fully believe in.
  3. 'Political courage' is often used as a way to blame politicians when policies don't align with certain people's views. It might be more about understanding the political environment and voter opinions.

On winning lotteries

0 implied HN points • 05 Jul 11
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Ethics Social theory Metaphysics Political Philosophy
  1. Life has factors beyond our control that shape our destinies. It's important to recognize that genetics, geography, and financial status play roles in our opportunities.
  2. Different political views may accept the idea of unequal starting points, but they react differently to the consequences of that inequality.
  3. There are three main 'lotteries' in life: your genetics, where you're born, and your family's financial situation, and it's worth thinking about how you would prioritize these in terms of their impact on your life.

Hollow Victory

0 implied HN points • 25 Jun 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Civil Rights Social Issues Governance Equality
  1. Legalizing gay marriage may not fully solve the problem of marriage inequality. It still leaves out unmarried couples and those who prefer different relationship structures.
  2. The author believes that marriage and government should be separate. Ending state involvement in marriage would treat all relationships equally, without special benefits.
  3. It's unfair that married couples receive government benefits while others in similar lifestyles do not. True equality means everyone should have the same rights, regardless of marital status.

Hypocrisy and Libertarianism

0 implied HN points • 22 Jun 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Libertarianism Authoritarianism Political culture
  1. Hypocrisy in politics often comes from people promoting strict rules they don't follow themselves. For example, a politician who wants to ban something but does it anyway shows personal or political hypocrisy.
  2. The idea of hypocrisy is mainly linked to authoritarian views. If someone supports a policy that restricts others' freedoms but doesn't follow it, that's when the accusations fly.
  3. Even if someone benefits from a policy they oppose, like a politician using Medicare, it doesn't always make them a hypocrite. People can still operate within the system while wanting to change it.

Research Note: On Staffing Up

0 implied HN points • 10 Jun 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Legislation Elections Political Analysis
  1. The number of staffers in the Speaker's Office has changed a lot over the years. This shows how staffing needs can grow or shrink based on different situations.
  2. Understanding staffing levels can help us see how Congress operates better. It gives us ideas about how work is managed and who is doing it.
  3. Tracking staffing over time can also help in planning for future needs. Having the right people in place is important for getting things done effectively.

More on the anti-empire amendment

0 implied HN points • 10 Jun 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Military Executive Power Congress
  1. Limiting military deployment without a declaration of war can reduce the chances of entering unnecessary conflicts. This means fewer soldiers would be put at risk without Congress's approval.
  2. If Congress declares war, it gives the President more power, but if no declaration exists and military action is taken, the President loses some legislative influence. This balances the powers between Congress and the President.
  3. The proposed amendment aims to discourage both Congress and the President from engaging in military actions lightly, promoting accountability and encouraging the end of wars when necessary.

On watching battles unfold

0 implied HN points • 03 May 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Governance Public Policy Political Events Media Coverage
  1. Media coverage of important events can often feel dull and uninteresting. It's important to look for captivating images that give a new perspective.
  2. Photos taken in key moments can be strategically released. This raises questions about what the official narrative wants us to see.
  3. The setting of important meetings, like the Situation Room, can be surprising. It's easy to imagine it looking high-tech, but reality might be much simpler.

On Searches and Seizures

0 implied HN points • 25 Apr 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Civil Rights Law enforcement Constitutional Law Libertarianism Criminal Justice
  1. The Fourth Amendment protects against unreasonable searches and seizures, meaning the police need reasonable suspicion or consent to stop you and check your belongings.
  2. While you should know your rights during police encounters, it's sometimes practical to comply rather than escalate the situation, especially if you're unsure of the laws in your area.
  3. Many people don't know their rights, which can lead to unfair treatment by law enforcement. Being aware and asserting your rights can help discourage police misconduct.

Broken Windows

0 implied HN points • 15 Mar 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economics Public Policy Political theory Disaster Response Wealth Distribution
  1. Destruction does not create wealth; it only redistributes what already exists. So, if something is destroyed, we don't end up with more overall value.
  2. While rebuilding after a disaster might temporarily boost certain economic indicators, it doesn't mean the total wealth has increased. It's just replacing what's lost, not adding more.
  3. Using GDP to measure economic growth after a disaster can be misleading because it doesn't account for the negative impacts of the destruction. It can give a false impression of prosperity.

Madness

0 implied HN points • 14 Mar 11
🎾 Sports Events Teams Culture Rules Media
  1. The NCAA uses formal language that annoys fans, like calling the tournament 'the national semi-finals' instead of the popular 'Final Four'.
  2. They've changed round names in a confusing way that only complicates the terminology without adding any real change to the tournament.
  3. Nobody outside of the NCAA or CBS will use the new terms, showing a disconnect between the organizations and the fans.

If you like it so much, you defend it

0 implied HN points • 24 Feb 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Constitutional Law Executive Power Legislative Process Civil Rights Policy Debate
  1. It's okay for a president to not defend a law they think is unconstitutional. It doesn't mean they're ignoring it, just that they don't want to fight for it in court.
  2. Not enforcing a law is very different from not defending it legally. Not enforcing can lead to big problems, but not defending doesn't change how the law is followed.
  3. If the government believes a law is unconstitutional, it might be better for supporters of that law to find different lawyers to defend it, as the government might not do a good job of it.

On political assassination

0 implied HN points • 10 Jan 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Rhetoric Violence Assassination Mental health
  1. Political assassinations, especially of legislators, are rare and usually don't lead to real political change. Killing one person doesn't change the whole system, which is part of why it's so tragic.
  2. Political language often includes terms related to war, which might influence how people think about violence in politics. However, this influence is likely small and not the main reason for acts of violence.
  3. While violent political rhetoric can impact actions on the fringe, it's important to remember that the assassination of a politician doesn't mean we need to change the entire political system or how we do politics.

Your own wikileak cable

0 implied HN points • 20 Dec 10
🎭️ Culture Games Diplomacy Strategy Social Interaction Board Games
  1. The game 'Diplomacy' is special because winning relies more on negotiation than just strategy on the board. You have to really work with others to succeed.
  2. Playing the game online brings a new level of intrigue because all conversations happen through messages, making it feel more secretive and strategic.
  3. The online format allows for longer times between moves, which encourages deeper conversations and planning among players, enhancing the overall experience.

Posterior probabilities: A Bayesian update of the Miami Heat

0 implied HN points • 27 Oct 10
🎾 Sports Analysis Teams Statistics Basketball
  1. The updated probability of the Miami Heat being a top team, after their first game loss, is still high at 76%.
  2. The terms 'juggernaut' and 'disappointment' need clearer definitions when analyzing the team's performance.
  3. Revising the probabilities based on better historical data showed that even with a lower win rate, the Miami Heat's potential can still be seen positively.

Social Network

0 implied HN points • 12 Oct 10
🕹 Technology Internet Communication Social media Innovation Education
  1. People who started college in 1996 had a unique experience with the internet, mostly because their peers were not using it as much yet. This created a big difference in how each group interacted online.
  2. During those early internet days, the excitement was about simple things like chain emails and basic search engines. There weren't many online activities besides looking at silly games or adult content.
  3. Looking back, students had opportunities like creating websites or starting social networks but didn't recognize their potential. Ideas like Facebook seemed silly at the time, even though the seeds for them were there.

On the idea of a "taxpayer's receipt"

0 implied HN points • 01 Oct 10
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government spending Taxation Public Policy Political Debate
  1. The idea of a 'taxpayer's receipt' sounds useful because it could show exactly where your taxes are going. But it’s really hard to make it accurate and complete.
  2. Mixing different types of taxes on the receipt may confuse people about how their money is actually spent. Not everyone's tax burden looks the same, and this might lead to misunderstandings.
  3. There are many political challenges with this idea. For example, many people don’t pay federal income taxes, so their receipt could look empty, which might cause more division than clarity.

Mother 93

0 implied HN points • 13 Sep 10
🎶 Music Rock Pop History Culture Events
  1. The song 'Mother 93' by Danzig became a huge hit in early 1994, marking an exciting moment in music history. People everywhere, even those who had never heard of Danzig before, were suddenly talking about it.
  2. At that time, many other major music releases were still to come, which made 'Mother 93' feel like it appeared out of nowhere and filled a gap in popular music.
  3. The impact of Kurt Cobain's death shortly after the song's rise likely changed the music scene and Danzig's future, showing how quickly everything can shift in pop culture.

On The Idea of Repealing the 17th Amendment

0 implied HN points • 08 Sep 10
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Constitution Federalism Elections Legislation Governance
  1. Repealing the 17th Amendment would mean that state legislatures, not the people, would choose Senators again. Some people think this could make Senators focus more on state interests.
  2. Many argue that direct election of Senators helps reduce corruption and ensures that states are represented fairly. They worry about empty seats and political manipulation when legislators choose Senators.
  3. Changing how Senators are elected might change who can become a Senator. Elections could favor more seasoned politicians, rather than regular people, which could affect the diversity of the Senate.

More on ending state marriage...

0 implied HN points • 11 Aug 10
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Civil Rights Political theory Legal Reform Social justice
  1. Human relationships exist independently of the government. People should have the freedom to form relationships without worrying about government approval or judgment.
  2. Government benefits for marriage create unfair advantages and discriminate against those in different kinds of relationships. Ending these benefits would promote true equality for all types of partnerships.
  3. Instead of extending marriage benefits to more relationships, it's better to eliminate all government involvement in marriage. This would treat all intimate relationships the same and remove favoritism.

Five Points Podcast: Episode Zero

0 implied HN points • 25 Jul 10
🎙 Podcasts Political Analysis Current Events Media Critique
  1. A new podcast is being launched to give quick insights about politics and political science. The episodes will be between 10 and 20 minutes long.
  2. The podcast will be available on platforms like iTunes and Spotify for easy listening. It's meant to complement an existing newsletter.
  3. Feedback is welcome on various aspects of the podcast, such as content and sound quality. This will help make it better over time.

On federalism, pot, and this November

0 implied HN points • 08 Jul 10
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Federalism Political strategy State Rights
  1. If California legalizes marijuana, it could change the marijuana market in the whole country. Prices would likely drop and the state could make over a billion dollars in taxes.
  2. The federal government might struggle to enforce its marijuana laws if states keep changing theirs. This could cause conflicts, especially as more states consider legalization.
  3. Politicians in California might support legalization if the people vote for it. If it passes big, they could push back against federal laws and become advocates for marijuana rights.

Coupon Maven Update: Watch me ransack CVS

0 implied HN points • 08 Jul 10
💰 Finance Savings Shopping Retail Money Management
  1. CVS has tons of sales and discounts that make it easy to save money. You can often find great deals on everyday items like toothpaste and laundry detergent.
  2. The 'buy one, get one free' sales at CVS can stack with manufacturer coupons. This lets you get items for free or even make money on some purchases.
  3. CVS's Extra Bucks program gives you store credit for future purchases. You can get these credits by buying certain items on sale, and they can make your next shopping trip even cheaper.

Research Note: Defining "the South"

0 implied HN points • 06 Jul 10
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Regional politics Cultural Identity History Polling Data Social Science
  1. Defining 'the South' can vary a lot depending on the perspective. It could be based on historical factors like the Confederacy, slavery, or segregation.
  2. Different definitions of 'the South' can lead to different interpretations of cultural or political data, affecting conclusions drawn from research.
  3. People often manipulate definitions of 'the South' to support their arguments, making it important to be clear about which definition is used in discussions.

Executive Power: A quick note from the Kagan hearing

0 implied HN points • 29 Jun 10
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Executive Power War Powers
  1. The Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) is very vague and does not provide clear guidance on presidential power, making it problematic to rely on for decision-making.
  2. The Youngstown test divides presidential power into three categories, but using the AUMF as proof of Congress's authorization raises questions about its true validity and support.
  3. To strengthen Congress's control over presidential powers, it's suggested to have all presidential powers expire at the end of each Congress, so they can be re-evaluated and voted on anew.