The hottest Government spending Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Health Politics Topics

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

OpenTheBooks Substack • 405 implied HN points • 12 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government spending
  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.

CASH FOR MIGRANTS: FEMA NOT THE ONLY AGENCY SPENDING BIG

OpenTheBooks Substack • 343 implied HN points • 13 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government spending
  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.

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 Government spending
  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.

The Great VAT Panic

Comment is Freed • 102 implied HN points • 09 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government spending
  1. The introduction of VAT on private school fees did not cause a mass transfer of students to state schools, contrary to many predictions in the media. In fact, the number of private students only dropped slightly.
  2. While some private schools are struggling, the overall number of private schools has actually increased. Many new schools are opening, especially those catering to students with special educational needs.
  3. The reaction to the VAT policy reveals a disconnect between political lobbying tactics and actual outcomes. Campaigns based on fear and negativity didn't accurately reflect the reality of the situation.

TOO MANY SUBSCRIPTIONS? THERE’S AN APP FOR THAT

OpenTheBooks Substack • 281 implied HN points • 06 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government spending
  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.
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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 Government spending
  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.

Desired Fertility versus the Mueller Effect

Bet On It • 327 implied HN points • 26 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics 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.

Governments Can NEVER Invest

Points And Figures • 612 implied HN points • 01 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government spending
  1. Government spending comes from taxpayers, and it doesn't contribute to GDP or create wealth.
  2. Governments often misallocate funds by investing in private industries and projects that don't benefit the taxpayers directly.
  3. Government spending can crowd out private investment, impacting competition and innovation.

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
  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.

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 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.

Inexplicable Cuts at the Dept. of Education

The Good Science Project • 107 implied HN points • 14 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government spending
  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.

The Fed's Plumbing Dilemma

Concoda • 443 implied HN points • 05 Jul 23
💰 Finance Government spending
  1. The Federal Reserve faces challenges as excess liquidity re-enters the banking system.
  2. Investors are pulling money from money market funds to seek higher yields, potentially leading to a speculative spree.
  3. Money market funds are moving liquidity from the Fed's RRP facility to the U.S. government's bank account, impacting the monetary system.

The definition of madness

Comment is Freed • 112 implied HN points • 30 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government spending
  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.

Can the West Avoid Fiscal Armageddon?

European Straits • 8 implied HN points • 24 Nov 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government spending
  1. Governments can borrow money in ways that businesses can't. They have the ability to raise taxes and keep going even if they have a lot of debt, as long as the economy grows.
  2. After World War II, countries like the US and UK borrowed heavily but turned that debt into growth, creating jobs and boosting the economy. This shows that high debt can lead to positive results if handled correctly.
  3. Cutting government spending to reduce debt can actually hurt the economy more. Reducing spending might seem responsible, but it can lead to higher unemployment and slower growth.

The True Shape of America's Debt & Deficit "Burdens"

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 261 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government spending
  1. Debt-to-GDP ratio in the U.S. has fluctuated over the years, with significant changes under different administrations.
  2. The U.S. could manage its debt by matching program spending to taxes in the future, allowing it to gradually diminish.
  3. The current U.S. deficit is a concern as it exceeds the optimal level, posing a risk for the future due to political and economic factors.

Kishida May Raise Corporate Taxes, Part II

Japan Economy Watch • 139 implied HN points • 30 Nov 22
🌍 World Politics Government spending
  1. The Kishida administration is considering raising corporate taxes to double defense spending, which could impact pro-entrepreneur tax breaks.
  2. There is uncertainty around how different government entities, like METI and the Prime Minister's Office, will negotiate on tax policies amidst concerns and objectives.
  3. Japanese corporations have a significant surplus in cash and securities, leading to questions about the necessity and use of low taxes and potential changes in government deficits.

June 30, 2025

Letters from an American • 27 implied HN points • 01 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government spending
  1. A new bill is cutting healthcare for millions and giving tax breaks to the wealthy, which many senators are calling immoral and cruel. They argue this will lead to more children going hungry and losing essential healthcare.
  2. Senator Angus King shared a personal story about how health insurance saved his life, emphasizing the importance of access to healthcare for everyone. He criticized the push to take away health insurance from people who need it.
  3. The recent tax cuts mainly benefited the rich and led to increased national debt, while the government is now trying to cut social support for the needy. Senators are speaking out, calling the legislation corrupt and harmful to the public.

The $175.3 Trillion Doomsday Clock Is Ticking – That Is The Estimated Unfunded Social Security And Medicare Liability

OpenTheBooks Substack • 170 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
💰 Finance Government spending
  1. The estimated unfunded Social Security and Medicare liability is a staggering $175.3 trillion, which is a major financial crisis threatening the future.
  2. The funding gap for Social Security and Medicare over the next 75 years is projected to be $78.3 trillion, leading to potential options like increased borrowing, higher taxes, or reduced benefits.
  3. The $175.3 trillion gap is a result of a lack of significant reforms in recent decades, with the projection showing significant challenges with Medicare Part B, Social Security, and other programs in the future.

July 12, 2025

Letters from an American • 24 implied HN points • 13 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government spending
  1. FEMA struggled to answer emergency calls after recent floods in Texas due to budget cuts, receiving significantly fewer calls in the days following the crisis.
  2. Public opinion on immigration has shifted, with many Americans now believing that immigrants are beneficial to the country, despite strict policies from the current administration.
  3. The Trump administration is facing backlash for its handling of immigration and its connection to past issues, including the Jeffrey Epstein case, which has stirred controversy in the political landscape.

Federal Agencies Admit To $3 Trillion In Improper Payments Since 2004

OpenTheBooks Substack • 252 implied HN points • 13 Jun 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government spending
  1. Federal agencies have admitted to $3 trillion in improper payments since 2004
  2. The largest offenders are the Departments of Human Services, Treasury, Labor, and Education, along with the Small Business Administration
  3. Government waste is prevalent, with examples including billions in improper payments from various federal agencies

Only Bitcoin and Gold Can Stop Governments from Destroying the Currency

QTR’s Fringe Finance • 24 implied HN points • 18 Jun 25
💰 Finance Government spending
  1. Government spending is out of control, and politicians prefer to keep it high rather than balance the budget. This leads to inflation and dependence on government aid.
  2. Central banks are not controlling spending anymore, which lets governments accumulate more debt. This could cause economic problems in the future.
  3. Bitcoin and gold are becoming alternatives to traditional money, pushing back against government spending and inflation. They remind people that money can't be printed endlessly without consequences.

Conversation On Japan's Economic Vulnerability

Japan Economy Watch • 119 implied HN points • 08 Jul 22
💰 Finance Government spending
  1. In Japan, household income growth has shifted significantly towards relying on government transfers rather than private sector income, impacting consumer spending.
  2. The consumption share of real GDP in Japan has declined over the years, impacting economic growth and potentially leading to weaker consumption patterns.
  3. Japanese consumers have drastically reduced their saving rates, shifting towards a trend of living hand-to-mouth, which has implications on personal finances and economic stability.

Fifty years of putting off the inevitable

Comment is Freed • 102 implied HN points • 22 Feb 24
💰 Finance Government spending
  1. Jeremy Hunt may announce a tax cut that is not financially sustainable and could be misleading.
  2. The UK's tax burden is lower compared to other countries, partly due to lower spending on social programs.
  3. The UK's low tax burden is also a result of reduced spending on working age benefits, uniquely high housing benefit expenditure, and underinvestment in infrastructure.

Term time

Model Thinking • 39 implied HN points • 20 Nov 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government spending
  1. Politicians prioritize short-term gains for re-election over long-term investments due to the nature of regular elections.
  2. The optimal rate of investment for politicians is influenced by factors like capital elasticity and depreciation rates.
  3. Increasing political term lengths from 5 to 7 years could potentially boost real incomes significantly over a long timeframe, showing the impact of term lengths on economic outcomes.

A benefit greater yet

Model Thinking • 39 implied HN points • 06 Nov 22
💰 Finance Government spending
  1. Optimal population subsidies can differ greatly based on the discount rate assumption, with the model showing notable variations between a 5% and a 7% discount rate.
  2. There's evidence of a non-linear relationship between fertility rates and income, with high-income groups having more children in some cases, impacting population growth predictions.
  3. The marginal benefit of a birth is suggested to increase rapidly with population growth and discounts rates, leading to implications concerning government spending priorities and possible optimization opportunities.

The Fed Has Stopped Pretending that Price Inflation Is Going Away

QTR’s Fringe Finance • 23 implied HN points • 17 Feb 25
💰 Finance 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.

Abolish the SALT Deduction

California Thoughts • 19 implied HN points • 12 Feb 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government spending
  1. Repealing or increasing the cap on the SALT deduction would benefit the richest Americans and increase inequality.
  2. Factors like housing costs influence migration more than taxes, so removing the SALT deduction cap may not lead to as much migration as expected.
  3. It is suggested to abolish the SALT deduction and most other itemized deductions to prioritize spending on anti-poverty measures.

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 Government spending
  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.

The Legacy of Bidenomics: Overspending, Overtaxing, Overregulating

QTR’s Fringe Finance • 23 implied HN points • 30 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government spending
  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 To Cut $2 Trillion Of Fat From The Federal Budget

QTR’s Fringe Finance • 30 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government spending
  1. The U.S. government needs to cut $2 trillion from its budget to avoid financial disaster. This is important for maintaining democracy and economic health.
  2. To save this money, we can eliminate wasteful agencies, cut unnecessary spending, and reduce low-priority programs. It’s crucial to make these cuts soon to prevent further debt growth.
  3. The proposed savings can be grouped into three main areas: cutting unnecessary bureaucracies, downsizing defense spending, and reducing entitlement programs. Each area has specific targets for savings.

Money Supply Growth Accelerates And Hits A 27-Month High

QTR’s Fringe Finance • 24 implied HN points • 16 Jan 25
💰 Finance Government spending
  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.

Where does all the money go?

Comment is Freed • 90 implied HN points • 28 Sep 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government spending
  1. The Prime Minister is making decisions without proper advice, resulting in incoherent strategies.
  2. The government is focusing on saving money rather than making new policy announcements due to financial constraints.
  3. A series of posts will break down government spending, income, and options for a new Chancellor.

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 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.

It’s budget day in the UK

Klement on Investing • 2 implied HN points • 26 Nov 25
💰 Finance Government spending
  1. Changes in tax rates usually don’t alter long‑run economic growth and have little effect on equity market returns, so don’t buy or sell stocks just because taxes go up or down.
  2. Fiscal multipliers vary a lot: the OBR uses a tax multiplier of about 0.33 in year one, a capital investment multiplier of about 1.0, a regular (RDEL) multiplier of 0.34, and a welfare (AME) multiplier of about 0.6.
  3. What the government spends tax revenues on matters more than the tax increase itself — funding capital investment boosts GDP substantially, funding routine public services does little for growth, and cutting welfare to invest only yields a small net gain.

The Efficacy and Constitutionality of the Debt Ceiling

QTR’s Fringe Finance • 22 implied HN points • 23 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government spending
  1. The debt ceiling doesn't really help control government spending. Instead of a strict limit, we should look at reviewing and approving spending more carefully.
  2. There's a belief that the Constitution may not allow for default on public debt. So, some argue that the president could ignore the debt ceiling if Congress keeps spending money.
  3. Many experts think that the repeated struggle over the debt ceiling does more harm than good for the economy and suggest it's time to get rid of it altogether.

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

QTR’s Fringe Finance • 18 implied HN points • 07 Feb 25
💰 Finance Government spending
  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.