The hottest Government Role Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Shibboleths of Stupid

Erick Erickson's Confessions of a Political Junkie • 2717 implied HN points • 09 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Ideology Power Dynamics Cultural Commentary Government Role Identity politics
  1. Every group has specific words or ideas that only insiders can understand. These 'shibboleths' help determine who belongs and who doesn't.
  2. Some people twist facts to gain power and control, often using absurd claims to rally supporters. This can happen on both sides of politics.
  3. When people prioritize political power over truth, they lose touch with reality and can end up promoting silly ideas, which can spread widely.

'Something Terrible Has Happened': Carl Sagan Saw What US Schools Were Doing to Children Decades Ago

The Take (by Jon Miltimore) • 594 implied HN points • 20 Oct 24
🚌 Education School System Child development Government Role
  1. Young children are curious and ask deep questions about the world, but as they grow older, that curiosity often fades away. This change happens during their school years.
  2. Simply throwing more money at schools does not solve the problem. Good schools need choices and options that meet students' needs rather than just more funding.
  3. Many believe that schools should be run more by the people and less by the government. This could help create better learning environments for children.

Fertility Decline

David Friedman’s Substack • 233 implied HN points • 20 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Demographics Social Policy Public Health Government Role Economic Impact
  1. Fertility rates are dropping worldwide, even in nations that used to have high rates. This is happening due to reasons like better job opportunities for women and fewer economic benefits from having children.
  2. The decline in fertility can have mixed effects, such as less housing and resources per person, but also potential challenges in creating new ideas and technology due to fewer people contributing.
  3. To address the fertility decline, options include promoting family support or medical advancements that make having children easier, although implementing these solutions can be complicated.

RFK Jr. Says Drug Addicts Need Tough Love. Is He Right?

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 769 implied HN points • 01 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Health Policy Addiction Treatment Government Role Public Health
  1. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. believes in a tough love approach to help drug addicts, which means putting pressure on them to quit using drugs. He feels this method can be more effective than just accepting their addiction.
  2. Kennedy wants the government to take a strong stance against drug use, suggesting that those who refuse help might face jail time. This idea aims to push addicts towards getting the help they need.
  3. His philosophy contrasts with harm reduction strategies that focus on minimizing the risks of drug use instead of forcing users to quit. This suggests a significant divide in how society views addiction treatment.

Big Vs Little

Points And Figures • 1279 implied HN points • 29 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Role Political divide Economic Systems Corporate Influence
  1. There's a big debate in America about the role of government and big corporations. Many people believe that smaller government is better because it allows more freedom and competition.
  2. Some folks trust experts and government to solve problems, thinking it will make life easier. Others worry that these experts aren't objective and can manipulate the system.
  3. Innovation in technology could change how businesses operate, potentially leading to better outcomes than government interventions. There's a hope that private industry can find new ways to help people without relying on government programs.
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How I Stopped Hating Guns

Disaffected Newsletter • 679 implied HN points • 12 Jun 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gun Control Self defense Government Role Mental health
  1. The author had a history of hating guns but began to rethink this perspective after personal experiences and conversations with a friend.
  2. Having a gun in the house made the author feel uneasy at first, but they took a step towards embracing self-reliance.
  3. The author realized that understanding guns was important for feeling more secure and less dependent on government protection.

Why CEOs and the Very Rich Should Receive Enhanced Protection

God's Spies by Thomas Neuburger • 125 implied HN points • 17 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Power Class conflict Corporate Influence Government Role Social Issues
  1. CEOs and the wealthy often receive a lot of protection and support from the government and media, especially after serious events. It's like they're getting special treatment to feel safe.
  2. There's a strong history of class struggle in the U.S., where the rich have often held power over the rest. This imbalance still affects how society functions today.
  3. People should notice how the rich are treated and protected because it shows the divide in society. Recognizing this can help create awareness about the class differences around us.

Xu Gao on Establishing a Govt-Market Relationship with Chinese Characteristics

Pekingnology • 64 implied HN points • 06 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economic Policy Income Inequality Government Role Trade Relations
  1. Xu Gao believes the government should play an active role in the economy, especially during crises. He suggests that when markets fail, government intervention is necessary to stabilize them.
  2. He emphasizes the importance of addressing income inequality, arguing that the government needs to redistribute wealth more effectively. This will help ensure social harmony and allow all citizens to benefit from economic growth.
  3. Gao also highlights that targeted government policies can promote industrial development. He points to China's new energy vehicle industry as a successful example of how strategic support can lead to significant economic advancements.

October 28, 2024

Letters from an American • 19 implied HN points • 29 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economic Policy Government Role Historical Analysis
  1. The stock market crash of 1929 marked the end of the economic boom of the 1920s, leading to severe impacts like high unemployment and food waste. Many people struggled to find jobs, and farmers had to let crops rot because prices were too low.
  2. President Hoover tried to fix the economy by cutting taxes and government spending, which didn’t help struggling Americans. Instead of providing public works, he believed private charity was the solution.
  3. Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal aimed to help everyone, not just the wealthy. It created jobs and set up regulations that supported workers and civil rights, helping the country recover from the Great Depression.

Possible Futures for American Democracy (2023-2040)

Think Future • 79 implied HN points • 13 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Democracy Political trends Partisan dynamics Political parties Government Role
  1. Cassidy Steele Dale forecasts possible futures for American democracy from 2023-2040, helping us understand and prepare for what may come.
  2. Forecasting American democracy is based on major trends, scenario planning, and understanding critical variables such as voting, governance, freedoms, rights, and demographic shifts favoring Democrats.
  3. Trends over the past 40 years, responses to them, and party actions define the potential paths for American democracy, leading to either Democratic majorities reshaping the political landscape or GOP securing minority rule.

Liz Truss is right – Britain has become more left-wing

Comment is Freed • 110 implied HN points • 21 Sep 23
🌍 World Politics Public Opinion Government Role Welfare Media influence
  1. The British public has shifted towards more left-wing views over the years based on surveys and data
  2. There has been a significant increase in support for government responsibility in areas like reducing income differences and providing a decent standard of living for the unemployed
  3. There is a noticeable change in attitude towards welfare recipients, with more people believing that many who receive benefits deserve help

More on decoupling marriage and the state

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 10 Aug 10
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Libertarianism Civil Rights Social justice Government Role
  1. The main issue with marriage inequality is not about love or tradition, but about access to government benefits. Only married couples get certain perks, which creates inequality between straight and gay couples.
  2. Marriage shouldn't rely on government recognition or benefits. It's a private agreement between people, and the government should not dictate the terms of it or monopolize marriage contracts.
  3. Removing state involvement in marriage allows for more freedom. People can create their own agreements without the pressure of government rules, and this change could also support a broader acceptance of different kinds of relationships.

Libertarian thoughts on MLK Jr. day

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 16 Jan 12
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Civil Rights Libertarianism Government Role Racial Justice Political Philosophy
  1. American greatness is shown through the struggles for civil rights, like the fights against slavery and segregation. These movements highlight the importance of moral justice in democracy.
  2. Libertarian values support equal opportunities in the market. If discrimination exists, it disrupts fairness, making civil rights essential even from an economic perspective.
  3. Civil rights laws help eliminate state-enforced discrimination and support a freer market. Proponents of anti-civil rights ideas aren't true libertarians but may be confusing their stance with conservatism.

Why I'm a libertarian and not a liberal, part one: consenting adults

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 31 Jan 12
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Libertarianism Government Role Civil Rights
  1. Libertarians believe that adults should be free to do what they want, as long as it doesn't harm others. Everyone has their own idea of happiness, and that's okay.
  2. The government should not give special benefits for marriage because it takes away individual freedom. Everyone should be able to create their own agreements without state interference.
  3. Getting rid of government involvement in marriage helps everyone, including those in non-traditional relationships. It's about allowing people to define their own relationships without government restrictions.