The hottest Government Policy Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top U.S. Politics Topics
Steve Kirsch's newsletter β€’ 12 implied HN points β€’ 31 Oct 24
  1. There is no clear medical reason for COVID vaccines to prevent infection. Natural infections can create immunity, but not the kind from an injected vaccine.
  2. After vaccines were given out, the data showed that the rate of deaths actually increased and stayed the same for a year, even though it was going down before the vaccines.
  3. Some people in the medical field believe vaccines can cause harm, but are pressured not to publish their findings because of funding and institutional pressures.
Resilient Cyber β€’ 79 implied HN points β€’ 11 Dec 22
  1. Federal agencies must collect self-attestations from software vendors about their secure development practices, following NIST's guidelines.
  2. The NIST Secure Software Development Framework (SSDF) encourages integrating security early in the software development process, rather than addressing it later on.
  3. Industry groups are raising concerns about the requirements for transparency in the software supply chain, which could lead to delays in implementing necessary security measures.
Steve Kirsch's newsletter β€’ 10 implied HN points β€’ 08 Nov 24
  1. If AI models had to tell the truth, we could expect more honest answers to important questions. This could change how we interact with technology and rely on its information.
  2. There have been claims and studies suggesting a link between vaccines and autism, but many scientists disagree. It's a complex issue that needs more open research.
  3. Government oversight of AI and medical research could ensure better transparency and accountability. This would help the public trust information provided by these systems.
Diane Francis β€’ 219 implied HN points β€’ 18 Jan 21
  1. January 6 was a chaotic day in America, which coincided with Russian holidays. This situation didn't go unnoticed in Russia, and many people thought it was a gift to Putin.
  2. There is a connection between Russia's political actions and the rise of white supremacist groups in America. The writer argues that Putin's influence has been used to promote division and chaos.
  3. The FBI has shown confusion about foreign interference in American politics, but there is evidence of Russian involvement in stirring up domestic unrest. A new approach to handling Putin's actions is needed to prevent future problems.
Outspoken with Dr Naomi Wolf β€’ 10 implied HN points β€’ 17 Oct 24
  1. A large group of doctors and scientists studied 450,000 pages of Pfizer's documents, uncovering serious issues with their COVID vaccine trials. They found that Pfizer may have harmed a lot of people, especially regarding reproductive health.
  2. Many adverse effects from the vaccine were reported, including severe health problems and deaths that were not fully disclosed by Pfizer. This lack of transparency raised serious concerns about the vaccine's safety.
  3. The collective efforts of these volunteers led to important findings being published, which ultimately helped inform the public and pushed back against vaccine mandates and misinformation.
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Steve Kirsch's newsletter β€’ 9 implied HN points β€’ 01 Nov 24
  1. People feel restricted from asking questions about vaccine safety and effectiveness. This can make discussions less open and honest.
  2. There are concerns that AI tools are being programmed to avoid certain topics, limiting the information available to the public.
  3. Some individuals believe that questioning vaccine data is legitimate, and they feel frustrated when they can't get clear answers.
Japan Economy Watch β€’ 79 implied HN points β€’ 16 Feb 22
  1. Japan's GDP in 2021 was just 2% above its level from 14 years ago in 2007, showing a stagnant long-term economic performance.
  2. The growth Japan has seen has largely been dependent on government deficit spending, with private domestic demand remaining below pre-2007 levels.
  3. Economists predict Japan's GDP growth to continue in a saw-toothed pattern, with the economy expected to grow by 3.3% in 2022 and 1.8% in 2023, but still lagging behind other major economies like the US and Eurozone.
Striking 13 β€’ 6 HN points β€’ 02 Feb 24
  1. The UK government introduced an income threshold for spousal visas, impacting many families and making it difficult for partners with lower incomes to live together in the UK.
  2. This policy change affects a large percentage of UK employees, potentially separating families and forcing tough choices between love and country due to financial requirements.
  3. The policy represents an ideological assault on liberalism, demonstrating a disregard for individual freedoms and highlighting the importance of caring for people regardless of their background or income level.
The Uncertainty Mindset (soon to become tbd) β€’ 139 implied HN points β€’ 11 Mar 20
  1. Extraordinary situations, like a rapidly spreading virus, require extreme measures. Normal responses may not be enough to prevent serious issues.
  2. It's important for both individuals and governments to take immediate, strong actions to slow the spread of infections. Delaying these actions can lead to much bigger problems later on.
  3. By practicing social distancing and being cautious, you can help protect yourself and others. Small inconveniences now can save lives and prevent overwhelming the healthcare system.
The Fat Software Engineer β€’ 20 implied HN points β€’ 12 Jul 23
  1. To reduce inflation, we need to increase supply or decrease demand.
  2. Wealthy individuals can theoretically impact inflation by spending less, but it's unlikely many will collaborate on this.
  3. Government policies play a significant role in managing inflation, but current strategies might not be effective.
HEALTH CARE un-covered β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 25 Feb 22
  1. The majority of revenues for Centene and Humana come from taxpayers, with about $209 billion in total revenues last year. This means the public is funding a big part of their business.
  2. Almost 44 million Americans were enrolled in plans from these two companies, but only a small fraction, about 3.7 million, were private-paying customers. Most of their earnings rely on government programs.
  3. Both companies have not seen much growth in their individual plans over the past decade, and costs like deductibles for private patients have increased significantly. This shows a shift in focus towards government-funded health programs.
Arpitrage β€’ 1 HN point β€’ 05 Nov 23
  1. Cities are considering converting older office buildings to residential spaces to address urban challenges like reduced foot traffic, high carbon emissions, and housing affordability.
  2. Local and federal policymakers play vital roles in facilitating these office to residential conversions through regulatory changes, property tax relief, and financial incentives.
  3. Conversions may face challenges due to interest rate shifts, building constraints, and alternative real estate uses, but proactive measures can help make them financially viable.
Klement on Investing β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 15 Jan 25
  1. Germany has a strict rule called the 'debt brake' that limits how much money the government can borrow and spend. Changing this rule is not as easy as some people think.
  2. There is a belief among some experts that the next German government will loosen this rule to allow more investment. However, there are significant challenges that may prevent this from happening.
  3. Public discussions often overlook the complexity of Germany's fiscal rules, leading to misunderstandings about how changes might be made. It's important to recognize the deeper issues at play.
Tech Buzz China Insider β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 30 Sep 21
  1. Tech Buzz China offers a community where insiders can engage in discussions and access exclusive content like livecasts with industry experts.
  2. The Chinese government plays a significant role in economic development by actively supporting businesses through financial assistance, investment facilitation, and other means.
  3. Alipay's recent split into separate apps was a response to government directives to address issues like unfair competition and financial product integration.
Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 07 Aug 22
  1. The Indian government has taken back a law about personal data protection. They want to create a better plan for how digital data is managed.
  2. This move came after suggestions to change the law were made by a committee. The government is looking for a more comprehensive solution.
  3. It's important to keep an eye on how this will affect people's privacy online in the future.
Something to Consider β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 07 Aug 24
  1. Having more children could lead to more ideas and innovations that benefit society. More people might help drive technological progress.
  2. Abortion can have negative effects on society because it reduces the number of potential new contributions from unborn children. This creates a cost to society, even if the immediate benefits are for the mother.
  3. Just like with pollution, we might consider taxing abortions to offset their societal costs. This could help fund programs that support more births and balance the effects of abortions.
Something to Consider β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 16 Jun 24
  1. Innovating is risky, and many people are afraid to invest in new ideas because the outcomes are uncertain. Government help might be needed to encourage more people to take these risks.
  2. One idea for helping innovation is to give tax breaks to companies that offer stock options to their employees. This could motivate workers to take more risks with their projects.
  3. There are challenges with making this system fair and preventing abuse, but finding ways to promote innovation is crucial because it benefits everyone in society.
Matt’s Five Points β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 08 Feb 12
  1. Legalizing gay marriage is a step forward, but it doesn't fully solve the issue of marriage inequality.
  2. Marriage should not involve government benefits for anyone, regardless of their relationship type.
  3. The government should not favor one type of relationship over another, as this creates unequal treatment among people living similar lives.
Matt’s Five Points β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 20 Sep 11
  1. It's important for political leaders to clearly state their plans in writing. This helps them show their true intentions instead of being vague.
  2. Changes in policy proposals can happen depending on who is in power. Certain proposals that would have been unthinkable before might be on the table now.
  3. Strong political figures can greatly influence debates and decisions in Congress. Their presence can lead to more accountability and dialogue about important issues.
Musings on Markets β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 17 Apr 12
  1. Nationalization can greatly affect the value of companies, especially in countries with unstable governments. Investors need to consider the risk of losing their ownership rights when valuing businesses in such places.
  2. To account for nationalization risk, investors can adjust their cash flow expectations or increase the required return on investments. This helps them understand how much risk they are taking.
  3. When valuing companies based on financial multiples, be careful, as firms in high-risk countries might seem cheap but can be risky investments. It's important to evaluate the real reasons behind these low valuations.
Musings on Markets β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 27 Nov 09
  1. A tax on financial transactions might raise a lot of money for the government since there’s a lot of trading happening. But it's important to realize that a small tax on many trades can add up quickly.
  2. The idea behind the tax is to discourage risky trading and punish those who are seen as speculating rather than investing. However, it's tricky to differentiate between what's speculation and what's genuine investing.
  3. If this tax isn't well thought out, it could make trading more expensive and push traders to find ways around it, like moving to places without the tax. This could hurt the markets we rely on.
Resilient Cyber β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 22 Nov 22
  1. The DoD aims to modernize its software to keep up with technology and improve national security. This modernization will help deliver better tools to military operations and humanitarian efforts.
  2. A big focus is on using cloud technology and DevSecOps for faster software delivery. This means creating safer software that can adapt quickly to changing needs.
  3. Changing policies and processes is just as important as new technology. The DoD needs to make sure the people involved are on board and that rules are updated to help speed up innovation.
Alex's Personal Blog β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 21 Jan 25
  1. AI is now in high demand. Companies are scrambling to keep up with the need for AI solutions, marking a shift from earlier concerns about AI being useful.
  2. Media companies are struggling, with layoffs happening as they try to refocus their operations. The advertising market for media remains unstable, pushing companies to rethink their strategies.
  3. Recent political actions, particularly from Trump, highlight ongoing tensions around issues like gender rights and environmental policies. Changes in government priorities signal a shift in how policies will be approached moving forward.
SP-AND-EX β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 17 Jan 25
  1. Singapore has experienced rapid economic growth, significantly improving the living standards of its people since independence. This growth created a sharp divide in experiences between the wealthy and average citizens.
  2. The government's strategy attracts high-value industries, making Singapore a highly investable environment. This stability fosters even more prosperity and helps maintain a strong economy.
  3. Singapore's success shows how good governance and strategic economic policies can lead to impressive outcomes, though it raises concerns about value capture rather than creation in the region.