The hottest Government spending Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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​ GDP=C+G+I+NX

Points And Figures • 772 implied HN points • 04 Mar 25
💰 Finance Economics Investments Market Trends Government spending Inflation
  1. GDP is an important measure of how well an economy is doing. When GDP goes up, it usually means people are earning more and living better.
  2. Different economists have different views on government spending. Classical economists often see it as a negative thing for the economy, while Keynesians believe it can be beneficial.
  3. Current economic uncertainty affects business investment decisions, making it tough for the economy to grow. However, there are signs of recovery, like increased merger activity.

They So Want To Be Heroes

Points And Figures • 1359 implied HN points • 20 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Commentary Government spending Immigration Policy Party Politics Civic engagement
  1. To be a true hero, you need to fight for a good cause based on strong principles. It's not enough just to act; your actions need to be rooted in what is right.
  2. Many people today think they are being heroic but are actually harming society. For example, defending illegal immigration or certain changes in sports can lead to bigger problems.
  3. Wasteful government spending is not an act of heroism. Many politicians defend this spending while enriching themselves instead of helping the citizens.

CASH FOR MIGRANTS: FEMA NOT THE ONLY AGENCY SPENDING BIG

OpenTheBooks Substack • 343 implied HN points • 13 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Immigration Government spending Federal Agencies
  1. The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) has spent over $22.6 billion since 2020 to help immigrants and refugees with various services. This includes financial aid, legal assistance, and help with housing.
  2. There are concerns about transparency and accountability within ORR, especially regarding the awarding of grants to certain non-profits that have ties to former leadership. People are questioning if these organizations are getting special treatment.
  3. The issue of missing unaccompanied children from ORR programs highlights a significant problem. Reports suggest that around 300,000 children could be unaccounted for, raising serious concerns about their safety and the effectiveness of the agency's vetting process.

Final Tally for Biden-Era Improper Payments? $925 BILLION

OpenTheBooks Substack • 405 implied HN points • 12 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government spending Policy Analysis Fraud prevention Economic Impact Bureaucracy
  1. The total amount of improper payments during Biden's presidency is reported to be $925 billion. This means a lot of money was incorrectly sent out by the government.
  2. In just one year, federal agencies noted almost $162 billion in improper payments. This issue has been growing and was particularly bad during the COVID pandemic.
  3. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services had the highest amount of waste, totaling $87 billion. Also, many payments were sent to people who have died, showing problems with tracking who should receive money.

The Tariff Game

Points And Figures • 1918 implied HN points • 03 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Tariffs Political Economy Regulations Government spending
  1. Tariffs are often more about politics than economics, and many believe they don't help growth. They're seen as special favors rather than economic tools.
  2. While tariffs can raise prices, their real impact on the economy isn't as severe as some think. They could even lead to slower growth, which might help reduce inflation.
  3. There are concerns that government job cuts could hurt people who lack skills for other jobs. However, adapting and reinventing oneself is crucial, as others have had to do in tough situations.
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Strategic Funds

Points And Figures • 692 implied HN points • 05 Feb 25
💰 Finance Investment Economic Policy Taxation Cryptocurrency Government spending
  1. The idea of a Strategic Wealth Fund (SWF) and a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve (SBR) is seen as bad because they could go against individual freedoms and lead to misuse of taxpayer money.
  2. Government can't truly invest money; it can only spend what it collects from taxes or borrows. This means investments made by the government aren't genuine investments.
  3. Bitcoin is still mostly potential and hasn't proven its real-world value. Critics argue that despite years of development, it lacks practical uses in everyday life.

The Fed, With No Earnings, Is Taking Us on a Magic Carpet Trip

QTR’s Fringe Finance • 19 implied HN points • 26 Feb 25
💰 Finance Monetary Policy Federal Reserve Economic Theory Government spending
  1. The Federal Reserve is spending more money than it is earning, leading to significant losses. This means they can't send money back to the Treasury, which affects taxpayers.
  2. The Fed's unusual accounting strategy allows them to classify these losses in a way that keeps them operating. This raises questions about how they can sustain this approach in the long term.
  3. People are concerned about the impact of the Fed's spending on inflation and government debt. Many wonder how this will affect the economy and taxpayers in the future.

TOO MANY SUBSCRIPTIONS? THERE’S AN APP FOR THAT

OpenTheBooks Substack • 281 implied HN points • 06 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government spending Media Public Policy Political News Bureaucracy
  1. The federal government has spent $44 million on POLITICO subscriptions since 2017. This spending comes from various agencies, showing a trend of reliance on paid news sources.
  2. The White House, especially under Biden, dramatically increased its spending on subscriptions, reaching $7.8 million in 2023. This raises questions about efficiency and whether multiple officials need separate subscriptions.
  3. Many people are skeptical about supporting media outlets with tax dollars, especially when there are many who already don't trust these sources. It's worth considering if the government should be funding private news businesses at all.

The Trump EO on Grant Payments

Points And Figures • 959 implied HN points • 29 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Executive orders Government spending Economic Policy
  1. Many states and cities are worried about funding due to Trump's Executive Order on grant payments. They are concerned about how they will manage their budgets.
  2. A lot of government money goes to projects that might not be necessary or useful. There's a big issue with wasteful spending, which affects those who genuinely need support.
  3. Startups, especially in the medical field, are worried about losing funding because of this order. It makes it harder for them to develop new treatments and grow their businesses.

Tax Breaks for the Rich

Fake Noûs • 572 implied HN points • 25 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Tax policy Income Inequality Wealth Distribution Government spending Political theory
  1. The current tax system in the U.S. is very progressive, meaning the rich pay a larger percentage of their income in taxes, but some believe it's still not fair for the wealthy.
  2. There are different arguments about how taxes should be distributed, like paying based on ability, benefits received, or costs incurred, but many don't support the idea of higher tax rates for the rich.
  3. Some argue that high taxes on the rich hurt economic growth by discouraging investment and productivity, suggesting that everyone, including the middle class, should contribute to taxes more fairly.

Inexplicable Cuts at the Dept. of Education

The Good Science Project • 107 implied HN points • 14 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education & Policy Government spending Research Funding Federal Agencies
  1. The Department of Education recently canceled many important research contracts worth millions, which could hurt understanding of U.S. education performance. It's like throwing away progress that’s already been made.
  2. Some of the canceled projects were mandated by Congress, meaning they were created to meet specific educational goals. Stopping them now is not only wasteful but also goes against legislative intentions.
  3. High-quality education research is crucial for making informed decisions about teaching and learning. Canceling these studies may leave educators and policymakers without the data they need to improve education.

When is DOGE Going to Focus on Reducing Bureaucracy Rather Than Increasing It?

The Good Science Project • 152 implied HN points • 06 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Efficiency Bureaucracy Public Policy Innovation Government spending
  1. DOGE seems to be making government processes more complicated, which can lead to less efficiency. Instead of streamlining things, they are adding new layers of rules.
  2. Efforts to cut waste, fraud, and abuse might actually make things worse by creating more bureaucracy. It's often better to accept a little waste instead of drowning in paperwork.
  3. There are already dedicated agencies that can help reduce waste without reinventing the wheel. It makes more sense to work with existing organizations to become efficient.

X Is A Bully Whip

Points And Figures • 932 implied HN points • 19 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Congress Legislation Government spending Political Accountability Elections
  1. The recent failure of a big spending bill in Congress shows that there's a shift in how people view government spending. Many believe it's time to cut spending and start fresh.
  2. Social media platforms like X are giving people a way to hold Congress accountable. Now, politicians can't hide their actions as easily and are feeling pressure from their voters.
  3. There's a call for more transparency and accountability in Congress, like linking spending bills to the responsible lawmakers. Some even suggest changing how Congress members are paid based on their budget cuts.

⏩💳 How faster growth can offset America's debt problem. Really.

Faster, Please! • 913 implied HN points • 16 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economic Policy Debt Management Fiscal Responsibility Political strategy Government spending
  1. Faster economic growth can help reduce America's huge debt. If the economy grows by 3-5% each year, it can balance out the debt problems.
  2. Reforming big entitlement programs like Social Security and Medicare is essential. Doing so can both lower future spending and make these programs work better.
  3. While some people are skeptical about economic growth solving debt issues, it shouldn't be completely dismissed. A stronger economy can really aid in cutting down debt over time.

Solving America's Debt Crisis

Contemplations on the Tree of Woe • 2194 implied HN points • 07 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Debt crisis Fiscal policy Monetary Policy Government spending
  1. The U.S. is facing a serious debt crisis, with over $36 trillion in debt. This situation is dangerous and could lead to major economic problems if not addressed soon.
  2. The national debt has grown dramatically due to various factors like wars, tax cuts, and the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s now out of control and not sustainable.
  3. A proposed solution, the Chicago Plan, suggests that the government should only issue money without debt. This could help eliminate most of the national debt and create a more stable economy.

The Fed Has Stopped Pretending that Price Inflation Is Going Away

QTR’s Fringe Finance • 23 implied HN points • 17 Feb 25
💰 Finance Monetary Policy Inflation Interest Rates Economics Government spending
  1. The Federal Reserve recently cut interest rates, claiming confidence in lower inflation, but that confidence seems to have faded. The Fed is now uncertain about its inflation goals.
  2. Inflation remains high, especially for everyday necessities like food and housing, causing consumers to struggle with rising costs. Recent data shows that inflation is not improving as expected.
  3. Instead of lowering interest rates, which may not help ordinary people, the Fed should step back and allow the market to adjust naturally. This could help stabilize the economy and provide better opportunities for regular investors.

Top Links 590 The mad dash for Biden's climate dollars. How India and China's income distribution compare. The panzootic & getting beyond Confucius.

Chartbook • 371 implied HN points • 17 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Climate Policy Government spending International relations Economic Inequality Environmental Issues
  1. Companies are hurriedly completing the paperwork to get loans from the Department of Energy for climate initiatives. They want to secure funding before deadlines.
  2. There is a comparison between income distribution in India and China, indicating different economic conditions and social structures in these countries.
  3. The concept of a 'panzootic' is discussed, which refers to widespread disease among animal species, and explores ideas beyond traditional Confucian thought.

No, DOGE Checks Wouldn’t Cause Inflation

Economic Forces • 3 implied HN points • 27 Feb 25
💰 Finance Monetary Policy Inflation Government spending Public Policy
  1. Sending out DOGE checks is unlikely to cause inflation. It's because they would probably just raise the price level temporarily, not create ongoing inflation.
  2. The impact of these checks on the economy depends on how spending changes and whether the central bank keeps spending stable.
  3. Whether giving out DOGE checks is a good idea depends on how the saved money could be used instead, like paying off government debt or funding other programs.

Desired Fertility versus the Mueller Effect

Bet On It • 327 implied HN points • 26 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Demography Public Policy Social Issues Government spending
  1. Many women want to have more children than they currently do. Policymakers should focus on helping them achieve their desired family size instead of just worrying about low birth rates.
  2. People often say they want more government spending until they realize it means higher taxes. The same might apply to how people think about having kids; mentioning costs could change their responses about how many kids they want.
  3. It's possible that people are having fewer kids not just because they want to, but because they misunderstand things like genetics and the costs of raising children. Adjusting tax policies might encourage families to have more children.

Taxpayer Funded Censorship: How Government is Using Your Tax Dollars to Silence Your Voice

OpenTheBooks Substack • 349 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Censorship Misinformation Government spending Public Health Free speech
  1. A huge amount of taxpayer money, over $127 million, went to studying and fighting COVID-related misinformation. Much of this funding was aimed at promoting public health recommendations.
  2. The government has been closely working with social media companies to tag and remove content labeled as misinformation, raising concerns about free speech and trust in scientific advice.
  3. There are worries that the government’s approach to dealing with misinformation could be biased, leading to silencing dissenting voices and further eroding public faith in authorities.

Deficit-to-GDP Ratio Near World War II Levels, CBO Finds

QTR’s Fringe Finance • 18 implied HN points • 07 Feb 25
💰 Finance Debt Management Budgeting Economic Policy Government spending Fiscal Responsibility
  1. The U.S. government is facing huge deficits, with the deficit expected to be around 6.2% of GDP in 2025. This level hasn't been seen since World War II.
  2. Federal spending is outpacing revenue, primarily due to rising costs for programs like Social Security and Medicare. This is leading to increasing government debt.
  3. Despite the seriousness of the debt problem, it hardly gets discussed in politics, meaning there's little pressure to change how spending is managed.

Diversifying Doulas?! HHS Spends Hundreds of Millions Spreading DEI Through Medical Community

OpenTheBooks Substack • 265 implied HN points • 12 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government spending Health Policy Public Administration Public Health
  1. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) employs a large team focused on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), costing taxpayers around $38.7 million each year. This effort includes 294 employees dedicated to creating equitable healthcare practices.
  2. The term 'equity' appears frequently in HHS' budget, showing a strong emphasis on promoting fairness in health services, especially for underserved communities. This includes funding diverse healthcare initiatives and outreach programs.
  3. Federal agencies, like HHS, are combining DEI efforts with traditional civil rights initiatives. This blending can create confusion about how equity policies impact equal treatment in health and employment, leading to potential legal challenges.

The Legacy of Bidenomics: Overspending, Overtaxing, Overregulating

QTR’s Fringe Finance • 23 implied HN points • 30 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economic Policy Government spending Tax reform Regulations
  1. Biden's economic policies have led to a rise in national debt and inflation. This has made everyday life harder for many people, especially those with lower incomes.
  2. High taxes and strict regulations are making it tough for businesses to grow and for people to find work. These policies discourage investment and can lead to lower productivity.
  3. To improve the economy, there needs to be less government spending, lower taxes, and fewer regulations. This can help create a more favorable environment for growth and job creation.

How the national debt will play out

In My Tribe • 774 implied HN points • 21 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Debt crisis Government spending Political Conflict Fiscal policy Social Security
  1. Ignoring the national debt can lead to a sudden financial crisis. When people lose confidence, the government might face high interest rates quickly.
  2. Government spending is heavily tied to mandatory benefits like Social Security and Medicare, meaning cuts alone might not solve the debt issue. A lot of tax revenue will go just to paying interest on the debt.
  3. If a crisis happens, it could create intense political conflict over cuts to benefits, increased taxes, and how to handle debt. A balanced budget amendment could help avoid this but may be too late now.

The definition of madness

Comment is Freed • 112 implied HN points • 30 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Analysis Government spending Public Administration
  1. Governments often miss problems because they focus too narrowly on specific issues, ignoring bigger trends. This makes it hard to spot similar mistakes across different areas of policy.
  2. When the government tries to cut support in one area, it often leads to increased demand for even more expensive services elsewhere. For example, reducing GP appointments has pushed more people to hospital emergency services.
  3. Fixing these problems is tough because once people adapt to new habits, changing them back is hard. To really improve services, governments need to think more broadly and learn from past mistakes.

$10 Trillion Stolen Right Under Our Noses

COVID Reason • 1784 implied HN points • 28 Aug 23
💰 Finance Economy Public Policy Inflation Wealth Inequality Government spending
  1. Over $10 trillion was spent on the COVID-19 pandemic, with $6 trillion from CARES Act and $4 trillion from Biden's administration.
  2. Money was stolen through fraud and embezzlement during COVID relief, with the effects leading to inflation and societal wealth disparity.
  3. The spending spree due to the pandemic led to significant financial losses, missed opportunities, and wealth redistribution, impacting many aspects of people's lives.

Money Supply Growth Accelerates And Hits A 27-Month High

QTR’s Fringe Finance • 24 implied HN points • 16 Jan 25
💰 Finance Economic Policy Interest Rates Government spending Inflation
  1. The money supply in the economy is growing rapidly, reaching a high not seen in over two years. This growth is mainly driven by government spending rather than strong economic conditions.
  2. Interest rates are being pushed down by the Federal Reserve to help manage the government's large debt. This could lead to future inflation as more money is created to handle increasing deficits.
  3. Despite recent economic growth, many believe it isn't based on solid foundations. The reliance on government spending and credit could pose risks for the economy moving forward.

GDP: Six Years of Zero Growth

Japan Economy Watch • 199 implied HN points • 16 May 24
💰 Finance Economy Government spending Interest Rates
  1. Japanese GDP has experienced zero growth in the past six years, with household consumption and business investment showing no positive change.
  2. Government spending hikes have prevented a worse decline in GDP, increasing by 8% from 2018.
  3. Despite a significant depreciation of the yen, exports have only increased by 4% over six years, indicating modest growth.

3 Ways out of our "Fiscal Death Spiral."

cryptoeconomy • 707 implied HN points • 08 Jul 23
💰 Finance Debt Inflation Taxation Government spending Economy
  1. There are 3 ways to escape the fiscal crisis: reduce spending, raise taxes heavily, or resort to printing more money.
  2. The increasing debt and interest payments are approaching unsustainable levels, potentially leading to historic inflation rates.
  3. Regardless of the chosen path, the final destination seems to be inflation as the most likely outcome of the fiscal crisis.

2024 Predictions

The Dollar Endgame • 359 implied HN points • 13 Jan 24
💰 Finance Economy Monetary Policy Inflation Government spending Market Analysis
  1. The Federal Reserve is likely to start cutting rates by Q2 or Q3 and possibly implement quantitative easing, based on recent signals and market predictions.
  2. There is an anticipation that the Fed will eventually restart quantitative easing due to factors like high deficits and pressure from the Monetary Black Hole, impacting financial markets and assets.
  3. Inflation is expected to return in the near future as liquidity programs kick in, fiscal deficits grow, and government spending increases, potentially leading to economic challenges and a recession.

Debt Ceiling Threats Gets Ugly

cryptoeconomy • 609 implied HN points • 13 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Debt Ceiling Government spending Legislation Economic Impact
  1. Debt ceiling is approaching, and the government is trying to scare voters with extreme consequences like starving schoolchildren and financial market defaults.
  2. Negotiations involve significant spending cuts, particularly from rolling back spending to last year's level and applying a 1% annual cap for the next 10 years.
  3. If government spending reduces by roughly 50%, it could lead to a surplus to pay down debt, suggesting a need to cut unconstitutional and unnecessary programs.

Politicians Won’t Solve Our Spending Problem Unless We Make Them

QTR’s Fringe Finance • 17 implied HN points • 09 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Reform Government spending Party Politics Fiscal Responsibility
  1. Politicians often make big promises about cutting spending but don't follow through. It's easy to talk a big game when they're not facing any real consequences.
  2. Recent events show that only a few representatives are seriously committed to actual spending cuts. Many just go along with the flow when pressure builds.
  3. We need to actively push politicians to keep their promises and make real changes in government spending, as they won't do it on their own.

Nyhetsbrev steigan.no 05.02.2025

steigan.no • 6 implied HN points • 05 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy Political Accountability Military Affairs Government spending Intelligence Operations
  1. George Soros and USAID have collaborated for years, influencing political changes in countries like Ukraine. This partnership has raised questions about the motives behind foreign aid and its impact on democracy.
  2. Norsk aid (Norwegian aid) is deeply tied to USAID, and there are concerns about financial mismanagement and lack of transparency in how these funds are used. Critics argue this could be draining resources from Norway without effective oversight.
  3. In Denmark, the government's military spending may significantly increase, putting financial strain on families. Many believe this approach could lead to unnecessary conflict rather than security.

The US Is Now on Track for a $3.5 Trillion Deficit in 2025

QTR’s Fringe Finance • 28 implied HN points • 17 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Federal Budget National Debt Government spending Economic Policy Fiscal Responsibility
  1. The US government is expected to have a $3.5 trillion deficit in 2025, which is the largest peacetime deficit ever. This means spending is much higher than the money coming in.
  2. There is little chance that Congress will cut spending significantly. Most government spending is on essential programs like Social Security and defense, which people don't want to lose.
  3. As the debt grows, it might lead to higher interest rates and economic problems for consumers and businesses, but it seems unlikely that people will support major budget cuts until they feel the impacts more directly.