The hottest Federal Spending Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top U.S. Politics Topics

Will Elon's Team of Elite Math Twinks Tell Him That You Can't Close a $1.8 Trillion Budget Gap By Eliminating a $0.04 Trillion Agency?

I Might Be Wrong • 25 implied HN points • 06 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Budgeting Government Federal Spending Policy Analysis Economic Theory
  1. Elon Musk's team is trying to find ways to cut a massive budget deficit, but suggestions like eliminating a small agency won't make a real difference.
  2. Young and inexperienced teams can bring fresh ideas, but they might also lack the courage to challenge big figures when things don't add up.
  3. Real budget solutions will likely involve tough decisions like tax increases or cuts to popular programs, which are often avoided in flashy discussions.

OPEN LETTER TO ELON: Let's Build "America's Checkbook"

OpenTheBooks Substack • 465 implied HN points • 05 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Transparency Public Policy Federal Spending Accountability
  1. Creating a tool called 'America's Checkbook' can help Americans see government spending in real time. This tool would make it easier for taxpayers to understand how their money is being used.
  2. Transparency in government spending is important. The founders of the United States believed that the public should have access to detailed records of expenditure.
  3. By working together, Americans can push for more accountability and efficiency in how government funds are managed. This will ensure that future administrations remain open and responsible to the public.

Republicans Should Aim for Canada-Size Cuts

QTR’s Fringe Finance • 16 implied HN points • 05 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Federal Spending Economic Policy Fiscal Responsibility Political Reform
  1. Canada did well economically in the 1990s after making big cuts to spending and focusing on privatization. This shows that similar actions could help stabilize a country's finances.
  2. In the 1990s, both Canada and the U.S. managed to cut spending successfully. However, Canada stuck to its cuts longer than the U.S. did, which helped their economy grow.
  3. To avoid a financial crisis, the U.S. government needs to consider making substantial and sustained cuts to spending, similar to what Canada achieved. A goal of reducing spending by a few percentage points of GDP might help stabilize the economy.

Top Links 591 Place-based Bidenomics did not help Harris. The ghost particle gap & the terrors of nuclear tripolarity.

Chartbook • 271 implied HN points • 18 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Policy Federal Spending Democrats
  1. Place-based federal spending didn't support Harris in the elections. Many hoped that local investments would change voter opinions, but that didn't happen.
  2. There's a focus on nuclear tripolarity and its risks. This situation highlights increasing global tensions, especially with nuclear powers.
  3. The importance of understanding scientific concepts, like the ghost particle gap, is emphasized. It shows how complex scientific ideas affect broader discussions.

Reducing Spending Now: The Key to Growth, Not Austerity

QTR’s Fringe Finance • 17 implied HN points • 17 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Federal Spending Economic Policy Debt Management Tax reform
  1. Cutting government spending can actually help grow the economy instead of slowing it down. It frees up resources for private businesses to invest and expand.
  2. By reducing spending now, it can lead to higher incomes for Americans in the future. People can earn more if the government manages debt and keeps taxes low.
  3. Spending cuts can avoid future tax hikes, which can be harmful, especially for low-income families. Less spending now can protect people from financial strain later.
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House passes the Biden-McCarthy debt limit/spending bill

Speaking Security • 275 implied HN points • 01 Jun 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Bipartisanship Fiscal policy Federal Spending Budgeting
  1. The House passed the Biden-McCarthy debt limit/spending bill with a 314 to 117 vote.
  2. The bill places strict limits on discretionary budget spending, giving less money to non-military initiatives and more to the Pentagon.
  3. The Biden-McCarthy bill reflects a bipartisan consensus to prioritize military spending over other areas, with the Pentagon receiving a record-setting budget while other sectors face cuts.