The hottest Civic engagement Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top U.S. Politics Topics

Research Note: On writing your congressman

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 26 Sep 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Civic engagement
  1. The internet has changed how Congress works by making information fast and accessible. Now, people can feel more involved in the decision-making process because news spreads quickly.
  2. Emails to Congress have greatly increased since 2002, while traditional postal mail has decreased. This shows that people prefer emailing their representatives over sending letters.
  3. The volume of emails spikes from 2007 onwards due to issues with spam. There hasn't been much data before 1998, but we know emails have become the main way to contact lawmakers.

A Most Unusual Artifact

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 0 implied HN points • 28 Oct 21
💾 History Civic engagement
  1. Carol Whipple discovered a glass eye that belonged to her great-grandfather, Justice Roger Sherman Greene, while going through a box of family photos. It was a surprising and memorable moment for her.
  2. Roger Sherman Greene was a Civil War veteran and served as Chief Justice in Washington. He stood up for justice, even when it was dangerous, like when he tried to protect two men from a lynch mob.
  3. Despite his anti-Chinese views, Greene worked against racist mobs in Seattle to uphold the law. His life reflected a complex mix of beliefs, focusing on justice and community issues.

MAHA In Middle School

Outspoken with Dr Naomi Wolf • 0 implied HN points • 15 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Civic engagement
  1. Political movements need to grow up and adapt. Relying on personal drama and immature tactics can derail important agendas.
  2. Listening and respecting constituents, especially women, is key. Strong female voices are essential to foster a successful movement.
  3. A clear and effective communication strategy is vital. A solid press office can help maintain relationships and convey progress consistently.

Policy Design: Ideas into Proposals

the best of a great lot • 0 implied HN points • 09 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Civic engagement
  1. Belocracy is a system that helps gather and evaluate policy ideas from citizens. People can suggest problems and solutions, and the best ideas rise to the top.
  2. Policy designers turn these ideas into detailed proposals that consider current laws and societal needs. It's important to have both research and design skills to create effective policies.
  3. In this system, professionals help ensure quality and consistency, but amateurs can still contribute. Lobbyists and political influences are welcome, but they will face scrutiny to ensure policies help society as a whole.