The hottest Government Substack posts right now

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

The People's Cabinet

Thinking about... • 680 implied HN points • 11 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. A people's cabinet is a new idea for positive opposition to the current government. It's made up of elected officials who are responsible and can guide public opinion.
  2. The term 'shadow cabinet' doesn't resonate with Americans, so better names like 'people's cabinet' or 'alternative cabinet' should be considered. The name should reflect equality and a focus on serving the public.
  3. Creating a people's cabinet can provide a way to hold the government accountable. It can also offer new ideas and perspectives during times of political conflict.

Sophie Lewis is a revolting dunce

White Hot Harlots • 139 implied HN points • 16 Apr 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. The 'family abolition' movement is seen as extreme and regressive, causing divisions even within the left.
  2. Sophie Lewis, a prominent figure in the 'Family Abolition' movement, advocates for the dismantling of traditional family structures and promotes controversial views on gender and sexuality.
  3. Lewis argues that children should have full legal agency from birth and aims to create a society where kids are liberated from the influence of their parents, leading to skepticism about the practicality and implications of such ideas.

IPP sentences: the fight continues

A Lawyer Writes • 275 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Government
  1. Fresh attempts are being made to reform the IPP sentences during the committee stage of the Victims and Prisoners Bill in the House of Lords.
  2. An amendment proposed by Lord Moylan, supported by the Bar Council, aims to shift the burden of proof from the prisoner to the state in proving risk to the public.
  3. The proposed amendment by Lord Moylan is considered elegant, legally sound, and a risk-based solution for injustices caused by IPP sentences, according to barristers.

My Takes on the Election

In My Tribe • 865 implied HN points • 06 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. People can argue about why the Democrats lost, but there are many reasons to consider. Each side will focus on factors that support their views and can raise their status.
  2. J.D. Vance could keep Trump voters happy, but many voters are unsure about Trump. If things go wrong, there might be a quick change in popularity for him.
  3. The government can't keep increasing debt forever. The challenge will be finding ways to cut spending that don't upset voters. Intelligence agencies also need to be managed well to make sure they work effectively.

House builders are not a bunch of bankers

Odds and Ends of History • 268 implied HN points • 14 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. Housing developers aren't the greedy land-bankers people often think they are. In fact, many factors affecting their work are quite broken.
  2. There's a new plan to possibly build Heathrow's third runway before the election, which could change how we handle infrastructure projects.
  3. Focusing on time management can help speed up large projects. A surprising example is how a nuclear plant was approved in just three days!
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John Bolton: Why America Needs Greenland

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 709 implied HN points • 03 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. The idea of the U.S. buying Greenland isn't new, and Trump has talked about it several times, suggesting it's important for national security.
  2. Greenland has historical ties to U.S. security interests, especially since World War II, when it helped protect against threats in the North Atlantic.
  3. Ambassador John Bolton believes there's a strong case for the U.S. to pursue this acquisition, although he thinks Trump's approach has complicated things.

Top Links 636 Government by executive order. Deepseek & uranium. Avian flu and the supply chain. A natural history of the studio (Kentridge).

Chartbook • 615 implied HN points • 01 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. The government is increasingly using executive orders to make decisions quickly. This shows how urgent some issues are right now.
  2. There's a connection between Deepseek, uranium, and current events. This is an important topic as it relates to energy and security.
  3. Avian flu is impacting the supply chain. This situation highlights how health issues can affect product availability.

Keir Starmer's Reality Avoidance Field

The Ruffian • 264 implied HN points • 12 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. Keir Starmer seems unprepared for the challenges of being Prime Minister, focusing more on image than on actual governance. He needs to seriously confront the issues facing the country and not just rely on his past record.
  2. Starmer appears to avoid difficult topics and has not clearly articulated a comprehensive plan for his government. Good leaders need to have strong ideas and be willing to take risks.
  3. Even though Starmer still has support, he risks losing it if he doesn't quickly adapt and face the realities of Britain's problems. Change is crucial, and only decisive actions will help him regain public trust.

Dingus of the week: Matt Yglesias

Men Yell at Me • 885 implied HN points • 08 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. The election results show that many Americans chose Trump, which reveals a lot about what people really want and believe. It's a wake-up call about the reality we live in.
  2. Blaming specific groups or feelings won't solve the bigger issues at play. Both major parties have failed to connect with people's true needs and concerns.
  3. No matter who is in power, the fight for equality and justice continues. Real change takes long-term work, and we must keep pushing for a better future.

The Mafia State

The Chris Hedges Report • 575 implied HN points • 15 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. The current economic system is leading to great inequality, where the rich get richer while many others suffer. This creates a 'mafia state' that prioritizes the wealthy and exploits the rest.
  2. The degradation of environmental and social protections is harmful to everyone. Decisions being made today are damaging the planet and the well-being of many people.
  3. Reforming this system is not enough; systemic change is needed. Collective action and new ideas for social structure can help address these deep-rooted issues.

UK Government And Media Spread Disinformation About Southport Killer, Evidence Suggests

Michael Shellenberger • 862 implied HN points • 30 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. The UK media and government initially blamed far-right groups for spreading false information about a stabbing incident, claiming a Muslim migrant was the attacker. However, this was later disproven.
  2. The police have charged the suspect with producing a deadly poison and possessing an al-Qaeda training manual, suggesting a possible link to radical groups.
  3. There are questions about whether the UK government knew about the suspect's background earlier than they revealed, raising concerns about their handling of information during the incident.

Bowling with Bowe Bergdahl on Bragg

The Hunt for Tom Clancy • 275 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Government
  1. The event took place on the day before a pre-trial hearing at Fort Bragg for the Bowe Bergdahl trial.
  2. There was a festive atmosphere at Fort Bragg, with paratroopers, families, and press attending a Christmas/holiday concert.
  3. Significant costs were incurred for the legal proceedings of Bergdahl's case, estimated to be in the millions of dollars.

Odds and Ends #48: The most important week of Labour government so far?

Odds and Ends of History • 737 implied HN points • 23 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. New Zealand's Parliament is unique and different from what you might expect. The atmosphere there is more relaxed and open to discussions.
  2. There's a discussion about a very significant week for the Labour government, suggesting it may have impacted its future direction strongly.
  3. A British tech company has reached unicorn status, showing that innovation and success are happening in the UK tech scene.

Kyrsten Sinema and the Problem of Toxic Capitalism

Changing The Channel • 737 implied HN points • 12 Dec 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. The American economic system favors the wealthy and neglects those in greatest need, creating challenges for many people.
  2. Toxic late-stage capitalism is described as a system lacking decency, ethics, and morality.
  3. Kyrsten Sinema, an Arizona Senator, is criticized for prioritizing the interests of the wealthiest Americans over supporting essential initiatives for the broader population.

Anonymous access to Other Transaction Agreement summaries was just re-enabled

All-Source Intelligence Fusion • 610 implied HN points • 28 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. Anonymous access to Other Transaction Agreement summaries is back online. This means people can again view some important government contract information without logging in.
  2. The General Services Administration has not explained why Other Transaction Agreements are missing from the USASpending.gov website. This lack of information makes it harder to understand government spending.
  3. There are concerns that the U.S. government's efforts for transparency in military contracts are not keeping up with their advanced technology plans. More openness is needed to build trust in how funds are used.

i-SOON: Kicking off the Year of the Dragon with Good Luck … or Not

Natto Thoughts • 199 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Government
  1. The leaked documents provide valuable insights into the business culture and practices of China's hacker-for-hire industry, showing the importance of connections and relationships in the pursuit of profits.
  2. The relationship between i-SOON and Chengdu 404 is complex, involving not just business partnerships but also competition, bid rigging, and sharing of tools and vulnerabilities.
  3. i-SOON's business struggles illustrate that the commercial hacking industry in China is profit-driven and reliant on navigating relationships and government policies to secure contracts and business opportunities.

Biden's AUMF Lie

Eunomia • 235 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. President Biden is claiming that the 2001 and 2002 AUMFs justify ordering attacks in Iraq and Syria, but this is not accurate.
  2. Biden's official policy includes repealing the Iraq AUMF, and skepticism is raised regarding justifying recent strikes under the 2001 AUMF.
  3. Past attempts to use outdated AUMFs for military actions have been widely criticized as unjustified and not applicable.

Chechnya and Dagestan

kamilkazani • 412 implied HN points • 06 Nov 23
🌐 International Government
  1. Chechnya and Dagestan are two regions in Russia with contrasting characteristics - Chechnya is monoethnic, while Dagestan is highly diverse.
  2. Chechnya has an absolutist regime led by Kadyrov, enforcing extreme compliance and limited displays of wealth, in contrast to Dagestan's anarchic oligarchy with wealthy officials.
  3. Despite Chechnya's tribalist society, the ruling group consists of individuals who have abandoned their kinship allegiances.

Durham Eve

FOIA Around And Find Out • 471 implied HN points • 21 Jun 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. Key questions raised may not be addressed in the upcoming Durham hearing
  2. Signs indicate that the attribution for the DNC hack is linked to the Alfa Bank hoax
  3. There is frustration over lack of public attention to important information and a call for more accountability in addressing the issues

Donald Trump and AG Pam Bondi Have Just Put Themselves Into An Epic Epstein Catch-22 That No One Is Talking About Yet

Proof • 61 implied HN points • 21 Nov 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. Reopening the Epstein investigation has added procedural constraints and public scrutiny that make quietly burying or shielding files much harder.
  2. That move creates a catch-22 for Trump and AG Pam Bondi: any overt attempt to hide records would heighten suspicion and legal exposure, while leaving the probe open risks more damaging revelations.
  3. Commonly suggested secretive gambits in the press now look unlikely to work, because the way the inquiry was restarted reduces the plausible paths for suppressing the Epstein files.

Odds and Ends #55: The left needs to learn to love AI

Odds and Ends of History • 603 implied HN points • 29 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Government
  1. The left is often more skeptical about AI compared to the right. Understanding and embracing AI could help reshape perceptions and foster positive changes.
  2. There are important logistics infrastructures that many people overlook in their everyday lives. These systems keep society running smoothly, and it's worth acknowledging their significance.
  3. Google's plans for autonomous vehicles are becoming clearer, which suggests a shift in their business approach. This could mean more practical applications of self-driving technology in the near future.

How Low Wages Made Japan A Deficit Addict

Japan Economy Watch • 339 implied HN points • 07 Dec 23
💰 Finance Government
  1. Low wages in Japan lead to decreased consumer purchasing power, causing a need for government intervention through deficit spending.
  2. Household income in Japan has been declining over the years, affecting consumer spending and economic growth.
  3. Government deficits in Japan are used to finance consumer spending and support the economy due to stagnant wages and decreased savings.

Dispatches from the Group Chats vol. 1

Erik Torenberg's Thoughts • 715 implied HN points • 06 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. Some CEOs are debating if San Francisco is truly recovering, with mixed views on safety and enthusiasm for the city's comeback. While some see improvements, others are skeptical about the long-term outlook.
  2. There's a lot of internal talk about the Biden administration's approach to debanking, particularly among those aligned with Elizabeth Warren. They believe tech and finance are damaging the economy, and there's a push to reduce their influence.
  3. Many executives are worried about safety, hiring private security, and making changes to their social media presence. There's a noticeable shift in the urgency of these concerns in the recent months.

What's a prez to do? Polk and Mexico

A User's Guide to History • 275 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. James Polk was a president focused on territorial expansion and was successful in acquiring Texas and Oregon from Mexico.
  2. Polk used strategic military maneuvers to provoke Mexico into a war, ultimately leading to the acquisition of California and New Mexico.
  3. The Mexican-American War, despite facing criticism for its motives, resulted in significant territorial gains for the United States.

Matt Goodwin's train nightmare

Odds and Ends of History • 268 implied HN points • 30 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. Getting good phone service on trains is tough. There's a new government plan to fix this problem.
  2. Some official economic data might be messed up, which makes it hard to know how the country is really doing.
  3. Growth is important for spreading wealth, and there's a push to make a specific philosophy part of the government's plans.

DELETE, DELETE, DELETE, DELETE

OpenTheBooks Substack • 580 implied HN points • 28 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. There are 75 federal agencies listed as defunct in the Federal Register. Many of these agencies haven't been active for years but are still listed.
  2. The Federal government lacks good record-keeping, leading to confusion about which agencies are still operating. This makes it hard for taxpayers to know where their money is going.
  3. To improve government efficiency, a new department aims to identify and eliminate these ghost agencies. This could help save money and streamline government functions.

Nudge and Behavioral Governance- Systematic Government Thought Modification

Who is Robert Malone • 17 implied HN points • 24 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. Governments and agencies now use “nudge” techniques—behavioral science, defaults, emotional framing, and algorithms—to steer people’s choices without overt coercion. This approach can undermine individual autonomy and informed consent.
  2. In the U.S., behavioral science was formalized across federal agencies through an executive order, creating permanent teams and tools. Those systems were scaled up during emergencies like COVID to shape public behavior.
  3. Governments worked with Big Tech, contractors, ad firms, and academic centers to gather behavioral data, micro-target messages, and adjust platforms in real time. This formed feedback loops and algorithmic controls that engineered public consent while reducing transparent democratic debate.

The Deluge

Disaffected Newsletter • 639 implied HN points • 16 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. Vermont is facing serious flooding that is leaving many people without homes, but there are acts of kindness among the chaos. The National Guard is doing a great job helping those in need.
  2. A listener took a stand against an Oregon school board for forcing employees to wear masks and get vaccinated, showing real bravery. This kind of courage can inspire others to speak up too.
  3. There are smartphone games that promote communist ideas in silly ways, like farming. It sounds strange, but it's actually happening and reflects some odd influences in popular culture.

Bring back the bosses!

A User's Guide to History • 255 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. Politicians in the past like Plunkitt mixed philanthropy with smart politics to gain support.
  2. The approach of providing needed services in exchange for votes persisted for decades in American cities.
  3. A more practical approach to politics, focused on problem-solving and bettering lives, could be beneficial in modern public affairs.

Gigaheroes

Trantor Publishing • 319 implied HN points • 14 Dec 23
⚔ Fiction Government
  1. The story 'Gigaheroes' is set in a post-apocalyptic America with a focus on politics, superpowers, and the struggles of regular people.
  2. Being a superhero in the 22nd century involves being a civil servant, complying with strict rules, and facing consequences for going against the system.
  3. The protagonist showcases a mix of reluctance, inner turmoil, and complexities in navigating the expectations and pressures of being a superhero.