The hottest Government reform Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top U.S. Politics Topics

Betsy DeVos: Shut Down the Department of Education

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 6654 implied HN points • 06 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education & Policy Government reform Public funding Political Opinion
  1. The Department of Education has spent over $1 trillion since it started, but student performance gaps have only worsened. This shows that the department isn't fixing the issues it was made to address.
  2. Most students are falling behind, with many fourth graders struggling to read and do basic math. The scores for the lowest performing students are the worst they've ever been.
  3. The Department of Education mainly acts as a middleman that complicates funding without improving education. It doesn't run schools or employ teachers, so some believe it should be shut down.

Compelling Mass Civil Servant Resignations Will Create Chaos

Can We Still Govern? • 660 implied HN points • 29 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government reform Public Service
  1. Many federal employees are feeling uncertain about their jobs due to recent announcements, making them tempted to accept exit offers. These offers seem attractive after a lot of pressure from the government.
  2. The exit offer is misleading because it promises benefits that might not fully materialize. Employees who take the offer may find themselves without job security or clear benefits.
  3. Mass resignations of federal workers could harm important government services. Losing skilled employees impacts the ability to provide essential services to the public.

#5 TSP: What comes in 2025-6 as both parties & Whitehall fail? What can be done?

Dominic Cummings substack • 41 implied HN points • 13 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Change Civil Society Government reform
  1. Many people in power are just following trends instead of truly believing in something. This makes it hard for real solutions to emerge.
  2. There's a growing sense that the current political system is failing, especially among younger people. They want something new and better.
  3. To create change, it's important for both elite and everyday citizens to get involved in politics and push for a fresh approach, rather than sticking with old ideas.

This Dystopia Depends On Hiding Inconvenient Truths

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 2021 implied HN points • 29 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social Issues Government reform Media Control Public Policy Human Rights
  1. Our society often ignores uncomfortable truths to maintain a sense of normalcy. This hiding helps keep people from realizing the suffering that exists in the world.
  2. Inconvenient realities, like waste disposal and poverty, are often pushed away from our view. By doing this, we avoid facing the consequences of our actions.
  3. The truth eventually comes to light. Sooner or later, we will have to confront the realities we've been avoiding and take responsibility for them.

Whats next for CX in government?

Can We Still Govern? • 151 implied HN points • 27 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government reform Customer Experience Public Policy
  1. The federal government is working on improving customer experience with public services. This is meant to help citizens feel respected and decrease frustration with processes.
  2. Recent laws are pushing agencies to focus on better service delivery. Each agency will have to appoint someone to oversee these efforts, ensuring they prioritize public needs.
  3. Four key themes emerged for better service: putting the public first, having dedicated customer experience teams, collaborating across departments, and simplifying processes to make them easier for everyone.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

🏫 A DARPA for education

Faster, Please! • 1370 implied HN points • 13 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education & Policy Government reform Political Commentary Public Policy Economic Policy
  1. The U.S. Department of Education may need significant changes, focusing more on innovation and effective solutions rather than just maintaining the status quo. A proposed model inspired by DARPA could help create practical educational tools and practices.
  2. Shifting key functions of the Department of Education, like student aid and education research, to other agencies could improve efficiency. This would allow states to have more control over their education systems and tailor solutions to their specific needs.
  3. Using advancements in technology, especially artificial intelligence, could revolutionize education. A dedicated research organization for education could lead to important developments that enhance learning and address gaps created by recent challenges, like the pandemic.

Fifteen Years Ago Today I Became a Whistleblower

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 1039 implied HN points • 24 Jun 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Health Policy Whistleblowing Insurance Industry Government reform Political Advocacy
  1. Becoming a whistleblower can be a big, brave step. It means standing up for what's right, even when it could hurt your career.
  2. Working in healthcare, some companies mislead the public and lawmakers. This can lead to serious consequences, like denying care to patients who need it.
  3. Transparency and honesty are vital in healthcare. Sharing insider knowledge can help push for important reforms and make the system better for everyone.

Tough Love for California

In My Tribe • 1306 implied HN points • 10 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government reform Public Policy Environmental Issues Budgeting
  1. California will likely need financial help from the federal government due to massive damages from wildfires. This support should come with conditions to improve how the state manages its resources.
  2. The state's public employee salaries are much higher than the national average. A bailout should come with rules to give the federal government more control over salary adjustments and workforce management.
  3. California struggles with water and forest management. New laws should allow federal agencies to build necessary water infrastructure and implement better forest practices to prevent wildfires.

What I would change at NSF

Heterodox STEM • 355 implied HN points • 01 Dec 24
🔬 Science Research Funding Public Policy STEM Education Scientific Integrity Government reform
  1. The NSF should refocus on funding high-quality scientific research based solely on merit rather than identity politics.
  2. Key reforms include changing their vision and core values to prioritize excellence in science.
  3. Unnecessary offices and initiatives that do not contribute to scientific advancement should be eliminated to streamline the NSF's efforts.

dear washington DC

bad cattitude • 404 implied HN points • 14 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government reform Public Policy Political Commentary Civic engagement
  1. A new group of highly skilled and productive people is coming to Washington, D.C., and they are different from the usual insiders. They are capable of achieving remarkable things quickly.
  2. This new team operates with a mindset of moving fast and breaking things, challenging existing processes and norms in government. They are ready to disrupt the status quo.
  3. With their talent and determination, this group could bring significant change to government agencies, leaving the current officials surprised and unable to keep up.

The Physiocratic Platform: Taxation

Contemplations on the Tree of Woe • 1560 implied HN points • 11 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Tax policy Federal Budget Government reform Economic Theory Political Philosophy
  1. There are many types of taxes in the U.S., which can make the system very confusing. The government collects money through taxes like income tax, sales tax, and property tax to fund its activities.
  2. A proposed way of understanding taxes is to link them directly to the services the government provides. For example, taxes could cover the cost of maintaining order and protecting citizens.
  3. One suggested tax is a poll tax, which would be paid by everyone, regardless of income. This tax could help fund voting processes and personal protection, though it might be seen as unfair for low-income households.

Day one agenda items for the president-elect

The Dossier • 227 implied HN points • 14 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Executive orders Political strategy Government reform Health Policy National Security
  1. The president-elect should focus on removing policies related to DEI and ESG in the government. This means cleaning up programs that are seen as overly progressive.
  2. Taking care of military personnel affected by previous mandates should be a priority. Soldiers who faced penalties for not following vaccination orders deserve reinstatement and compensation.
  3. Using executive orders can help the new president quickly implement his agenda. This includes reversing previous harmful orders and tackling government waste effectively.

Trumped?

Diane Francis • 759 implied HN points • 25 Jul 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election Integrity Political strategy Voter sentiment Government reform
  1. Liz Cheney's leadership in the January 6 probe has put her in a tough spot politically but also ensured her legacy in history. She revealed significant details about Trump's actions before and during the Capitol riot.
  2. Trump and Bannon's actions were reckless and fueled a dangerous narrative that almost led to a coup. Their refusal to act during the riot showed a complete disregard for safety and order.
  3. To prevent similar events in the future, Congress needs to strengthen laws and remove any protections that allow a president to act without accountability during crises. Reforms are crucial to safeguard democracy.

Reforming Government: What's Up With That? (I)

Life in the 21st Century • 176 implied HN points • 10 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government reform Representation Institutional change
  1. Modern republicanism initiated in the United States is failing due to outdated structures.
  2. The American government's institutions have remained unchanged in over two centuries, despite the need for reform.
  3. Challenges with representation in government are key issues that need to be addressed to improve democracy.

A glimpse into the ongoing "zero-based budgeting" fiscal reform in Anhui

Pekingnology • 49 implied HN points • 20 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Fiscal policy Budgeting Government reform Public Administration Economic Policy
  1. Zero-based budgeting in Anhui means starting from zero each year rather than using last year's budget as a base. This change helps focus on the actual needs and priorities of programs.
  2. During the budgeting process, Anhui discovered many overlapping policies and wasteful spending practices. This shows there was a lack of coordination between different departments.
  3. The reform aims to reduce ineffective spending and improve efficiency, which includes cutting unnecessary policies and reallocating funds to areas that need it the most.

Javier Milei Ended a DC-Sized Deficit in...Nine Weeks

QTR’s Fringe Finance • 38 implied HN points • 27 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Government reform
  1. Javier Milei balanced a massive budget deficit in just nine weeks by cutting central government agency budgets and eliminating crony contracts and activist handouts.
  2. Despite his swift fiscal actions, Milei faces challenges such as opposition to privatizing state-owned companies and high inflation rates in Argentina.
  3. Milei's efforts towards dollarization and shrinking government serve as a potential model for other countries and could have significant implications beyond Argentina.

India’s economic pivot from rules-based reform to deals-based tinkering

Get Down and Shruti • 5 implied HN points • 07 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Economy Policy Analysis Corruption Regulation Government reform
  1. India's economic focus has shifted from broad reforms that help all businesses to a system where a few large companies get special deals. This switch encourages favoritism and makes things harder for smaller companies.
  2. The Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a key example of this change. Instead of simplifying taxes, it's become complicated, leading to confusion and more lobbying by big companies to get favorable treatment.
  3. The government's support for specific big firms has created an uneven playing field. This setup harms innovation and investment because businesses need connections to succeed rather than competitive practices.

The Paperwork Reduction Act Is Terrible, and We Should Eliminate or Reform It

The Good Science Project • 3 HN points • 28 Nov 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government reform
  1. The Paperwork Reduction Act can be a major obstacle to government reform, ironically hindering efforts to reduce paperwork and improve government efficiency.
  2. Proposed reforms to the Paperwork Reduction Act include raising the threshold for information collection to 1,000 people and exempting voluntary surveys from the process.
  3. OMB could help streamline the Paperwork Reduction Act by delegating review of low-burden information collections and expanding generic clearances to reduce bureaucratic burdens on federal agencies.

Going a bit Elton John, me

Digital Policy • 0 implied HN points • 17 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy Legislation Government reform
  1. The writer is finishing their role as a Research Fellow and preparing for a launch event of their final report. It's a big moment for them.
  2. They emphasize the importance of basics when it comes to creating effective public services. Simple, clear systems and communication are key.
  3. There’s a need for better training and engagement between policy and technical teams to ensure policies are effectively implemented using technology.

Flattened

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 25 Oct 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Tax policy Political theory Government reform Taxation Public Opinion
  1. Flat tax proposals often benefit the rich and hurt the middle class, making them unpopular and unlikely to pass.
  2. Simplicity in taxes doesn't only come from a flat tax; current tax systems can also be simplified without losing their structure.
  3. A progressive tax with fewer brackets and no deductions could be as simple as a flat tax and might be more widely accepted.