The hottest Government Substack posts right now

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

Obama is a liar

Thái | Hacker | Kỹ sư tin tặc • 0 implied HN points • 16 Apr 14
🌍 World Politics Government
  1. Google shows common negative phrases about Obama based on user search, reflecting public opinion.
  2. US power transition happens peacefully without bloodshed, highlighting stability.
  3. Freedom of speech is essential; media outlets expose government wrongdoing and can win awards for it.

Proof the Greens put ideology over facts in the "Atomausstieg"

aukehoekstra • 0 implied HN points • 26 Apr 24
🌍 World Politics Government
  1. The nuclear power debate in Germany is politically charged comparable to significant topics like abortion in the US or Brexit in the UK.
  2. Existing nuclear power plants are viewed as safe and environmentally friendly, with calls to keep them open until coal plants are phased out to avoid worsening climate change.
  3. Politicians, like Habeck, should prioritize facts over ideology and avoid distorting the truth for political reasons, as seen in the 'Atomausstieg' situation.

Republicanism and the Eudaimonic Economy

Logos and Liberty • 0 implied HN points • 22 Oct 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. We live in a post-industrial society with surplus wealth that needs to be distributed thoughtfully.
  2. Consumer economy in the US is unsustainable, and we should consider a shift towards a 'eudaimonic' economy focused on education and research.
  3. Universal access to postsecondary education can be a crucial step towards achieving a more balanced and sustainable economy.

Why America doesn't build things

America in Crisis • 0 implied HN points • 05 Mar 23
💼 Business Government
  1. Economic policy changes in the 1970s and 1980s have shifted business culture, discouraging investment in real projects.
  2. NIMBY opposition to development is a significant obstacle to building urgently needed infrastructure in the US.
  3. We need to restore a culture focused on accumulating 'real' capital to encourage building and infrastructure development.
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🔥 Compute as a Bond 🔥

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 0 implied HN points • 16 Jul 24
🕹 Technology Government
  1. India's moment in generative AI is here, but it needs better infrastructure to support billions of people. This is similar to how Microsoft enhanced Azure for OpenAI.
  2. The Indian government has a deal with NVIDIA to get 10,000 GPUs for local startups and researchers at a low cost. This is part of a larger plan, the India AI Mission.
  3. Determining which startups will get how many GPUs is complicated, according to a former Aadhaar architect.

We Should Test Programs

Something to Consider • 0 implied HN points • 10 Jul 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. We often assume government programs work well without checking. It’s important to test these programs to see if they truly have the intended benefits.
  2. Many times, the results of these tests show that some programs can even make situations worse. For example, some early education programs that seemed good have led to poorer outcomes for kids by third grade.
  3. We should consider making laws that require testing before funding new programs. This way, we can get rid of ones that don't work and focus on what really helps.

Infrastructure Costs in America

Something to Consider • 0 implied HN points • 18 May 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. Infrastructure costs in America are really high compared to other countries. This means we can't build as much as we need to because it's too expensive.
  2. Contracting practices lead to expensive overruns and dishonest bids. Many contractors misrepresent costs, leading to hidden fees and renegotiations that drive prices up.
  3. Local influences and regulations increase project costs even more. Communities often demand more expensive construction methods and designs, creating unnecessary expenses that tax dollars end up covering.

How did the people get angry?

Splattern • 0 implied HN points • 23 Nov 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. Ravish Kumar showcases the decline of independent journalism in India and highlights issues like unemployment and lack of basic services. He continues reporting despite facing state pushback and reduced resources, which shows his strong commitment to truth.
  2. Arlo Washington is helping his community in Arkansas by training barbers and providing financial support to those often excluded from traditional banking. His efforts are making a positive impact on the local economy and promoting inclusion.
  3. There are concerns about the rise of AI and its impact on jobs, even though the current unemployment rate seems low. Many people feel underemployed and may struggle to find purpose as technology evolves.

Free to Choose: A steel-man of Milton Friedman

Tranquil Thoughts • 0 implied HN points • 04 Sep 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. Milton Friedman argues that individual freedom in making economic choices leads to greater personal prosperity and liberty. When people decide for themselves, they're more likely to pick what's best for them.
  2. Friedman believes that government should be minimal. The more government tries to take charge, the less efficient it becomes and the less accountable it is to people’s needs.
  3. He emphasizes that local governments work better because they understand the community's needs firsthand. This allows for faster response and better accountability compared to larger governments.

Congress, Fix the Succession Act

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 28 Oct 20
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. The current Succession Act can create confusion during a crisis, as it lacks clear definitions for who can act as president and under what circumstances.
  2. Removing legislative officials from the line of succession and allowing the president to decide the order of cabinet succession would help stabilize the process.
  3. It's important to make these changes proactively rather than reactively because waiting for a crisis can lead to serious issues in government continuity.

Negative Agenda Setting Rules Us All

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 28 Dec 18
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. Negative agenda setting is when lawmakers don't bring up popular bills for a vote, even if they would pass. This can keep issues that many people support off the table.
  2. The current government shutdown highlights a lack of urgency to resolve issues, with party leaders using their power to control what gets voted on, leading to inaction.
  3. On the first day of Congress, changes might happen in leadership roles and rules, as well as efforts to address the ongoing government shutdown, showing how politics continuously evolves.

We're not shutting down this newsletter!

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 21 Dec 18
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. A government shutdown happens when Congress doesn't pass new spending laws, meaning the government can't spend money. This leads to many federal agencies stopping operations and employees being furloughed.
  2. During a shutdown, some employees, known as 'excepted' or 'essential,' still work, but they won't get paid until Congress passes new appropriations. Other employees are 'non-excepted' and are sent home without pay.
  3. The President's strength can affect how well they influence Congress and their agenda. Recent events have shown that Trump struggles to maintain support from key groups within his party, making his presidency look weaker.

How much would it cost to expand the size of the House?

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 13 Nov 18
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. Expanding the House of Representatives will have significant costs, both one-time and ongoing. Each new member could cost around $2 million a year, adding up quickly.
  2. The initial costs for space and resources for new members could reach around a billion dollars. This includes the need for new buildings and additional security.
  3. While the costs may seem high, they should not stop discussions about expanding the House if there are strong reasons to do so. Political concerns might influence decisions even if the costs are justifiable.

Matt's Five Points, October 24: Not Your Father's Divided Government

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 24 Oct 18
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. Divided government in the U.S. can look different depending on which party controls the House or Senate. Each setup affects how laws get passed and how conflicts play out between the branches of government.
  2. Donald Trump is considered a weak president because he struggles to maintain political power and often backs down from his public statements. This makes it harder for him to lead effectively.
  3. The size of the Democratic majority in the House doesn't matter as much as just winning control of it. Whether they win by a few seats or a lot, they will have the same power to set the agenda and conduct investigations.

Let's Do A Technical Corrections Amenment to the Constitution

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 18 May 18
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. Congress often makes small mistakes when they create big laws, and they usually fix these errors with technical corrections bills. This is a normal part of the legislative process.
  2. The Constitution has some outdated parts that could be fixed with a technical corrections amendment. This could clear up confusing language and bring the Constitution more in line with modern values.
  3. The proposed changes in the amendment would allow younger people to run for office, simplify the electoral process, clarify rules of presidential succession, and remove the outdated natural-born citizen requirement for the presidency.

FIVE POINTS: Shut the Front Door

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 19 Jan 18
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. A government shutdown doesn’t completely stop operations, but it does freeze funding for salaries and expenditures. The government can make contracts but can't pay for them without proper funding.
  2. The Democrats are hesitant to filibuster because they don't want to take the blame for a shutdown. If they see that the Republican side can muster enough votes, they might just go along and support the bill.
  3. Polling on issues like DACA can be misleading. Just because a lot of people support an idea doesn't mean it will help a politician's approval rating because many voters care about different issues when voting.

FIVE POINTS: Meet the new year, same as the old year

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 09 Jan 18
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. The way Congress is scheduled affects how decisions are made. Members plan their work around breaks and weekends, which changes how laws are discussed and voted on.
  2. Having a celebrity like Oprah as a presidential candidate raises concerns about their ability to govern. While she might attract votes, a celebrity's lack of experience could be risky for important national decisions.
  3. Retiring committee chairs in Congress leads to a loss of expertise and reduces their effectiveness. Strict rules on how long someone can serve in leadership roles can harm the quality of governance.

FIVE POINTS: End of Session Blues

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 21 Dec 17
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. The House GOP is facing challenges with the end-of-session spending bills and may need Democratic votes to pass them. They have to deal with different issues like health care and disaster relief all at once.
  2. They often use previously passed bills as vehicles for new funding to simplify the legislative process. This helps avoid certain delays and gives them a bit more control over the outcome.
  3. In 2018, the GOP might find it hard to pass new legislation, and they're likely to focus on big issues they've postponed. There's a chance for conflict over things like infrastructure since Democrats may want more favorable conditions.

FIVE POINTS: A Long December

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 14 Dec 17
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. The tax bill is likely to pass before Christmas, even though many believe it is unpopular. Members of Congress usually vote based on what their districts want.
  2. Conservative Republicans may face challenges in spending deals because they can't block legislation without Democratic support. This could lead to more centrist spending bills.
  3. Doug Jones's win in Alabama won’t change much in the short term, but it might make Republicans more cautious and strengthen the bargaining power of individual GOP senators.

FIVE POINTS: Your Thanksgiving Briefing Book

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 17 Nov 17
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. When talking politics at Thanksgiving, focus on safe topics like local politics or education to avoid arguments. Prepare a bit beforehand to steer the conversation in a good direction.
  2. The upcoming tax bill has challenges as popular support is dropping and some Republicans are unhappy with the current plan. There’s urgency to pass something, but it might end up being a simpler tax cut rather than a major reform.
  3. The budget process is influencing a lot of what Congress is doing now, and both parties need to negotiate carefully to avoid a government shutdown. Changes in spending caps will likely be part of the discussions as they try to come to agreements.

FIVE POINTS: December is the New September

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 08 Sep 17
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. The recent deal on hurricane relief and the debt limit has many political angles, with discussions on its impact on upcoming tax reform and GOP dynamics.
  2. Two moderate Republicans announced their retirement, but it's important not to overreact as this doesn't necessarily signal a major trend for the party as a whole.
  3. Approval for discharge petitions is rare due to risks for members of the majority, meaning lawmakers often find other ways to express their support without directly challenging leadership.

Supreme Court Justice Venn Diagaram #2: John Roberts

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 30 Mar 12
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. John Roberts is the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. He plays a big role in deciding important cases.
  2. Understanding how Roberts makes decisions can help us see how the Supreme Court works. His choices can have a major impact on laws and rights.
  3. Venn diagrams can help simplify complex relationships in the court. They show how justices might agree or disagree on different issues.

Supreme Court Justice Venn Diagram #1: Clarence Thomas

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 29 Mar 12
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. The Supreme Court has important roles that can impact laws in the country. It's crucial to understand the influence of each Justice.
  2. Clarence Thomas is one of the Justices, and his opinions are often unique and significant. Learning about his views can help people understand court decisions better.
  3. Using tools like Venn diagrams can help visualize complex relationships between ideas, especially in law and politics. They make it easier to grasp how different concepts connect.

How's your 302(b) looking? Strong...to quite strong

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 27 Mar 12
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. The congressional budget process is complicated but important. It involves planning for the next fiscal year's budget, and the President has to submit a budget to Congress each February.
  2. 302(b) allocations divide spending among subcommittees and set limits on how much each can spend. This means subcommittees can't really cut overall spending and instead fight for larger shares of the same budget pie.
  3. Changes in the budget process have shifted responsibility for controlling spending from the Appropriations Committee to the Budget Committee. This has affected how subcommittees operate and strategize for their funding requests.

Sad Tuesday

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 06 Mar 12
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. When a Representative dies, the Clerk of the House takes over their duties and the office continues functioning until a new Representative is elected.
  2. The deceased Representative's family receives financial benefits, including salary payments and a death gratuity.
  3. The House adjusts its total number of Members, and a special election is called to fill the vacant seat left by the Representative's passing.

Polarization and the filibuster

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 01 Mar 12
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. The system of government is designed to prevent majority rule, which can sometimes hinder consensus. There are many features, like the filibuster, that make it harder for one party to dominate policy-making.
  2. People often focus on the filibuster as the main reason for legislative gridlock, but it might not be as crucial as other factors. Even without it, there can still be significant barriers to passing laws.
  3. Removing the filibuster won't necessarily lead to more compromise. Instead, it could change how power operates in Congress without improving representation or leading to better decision-making.

Tonight: A Morman, a statesman, and a libertarian all slam Santorum!

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 22 Feb 12
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. A debate is happening tonight and it will showcase opinions from different political views. It should be interesting to see what everyone has to say about Santorum.
  2. The author plans to enjoy the debate with some drinks, likely making margaritas with tequila. It's a casual and fun way to watch the event.
  3. The author also plans to live-tweet their thoughts during the debate. It will be a way to engage with others and share reactions in real time.

Thy Rod and Thy Staff

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 16 Feb 12
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. There are over 30,000 people working in the legislative branch of the federal government. This number is small compared to the total of about 2.75 million employees in the executive branch.
  2. Members of Congress can hire their staff in various roles, but they have to follow certain rules and budget constraints. Each Representative can hire a maximum of 18 permanent staff members.
  3. In recent years, the number of staff working for congressional leadership has increased significantly, while the number of committee staff has actually decreased.

Required Reading

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 01 Feb 12
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. Members of Congress sometimes don't know what's in the bills they vote on. This concern has led to proposals for them to certify that they've read the bills.
  2. Legislation is often complex and requires precise language, which makes it hard to understand without help. That's why bills usually come with committee reports explaining them in simpler terms.
  3. Many bills reference existing laws to make their intentions clear. This can create a complicated web of legal references that makes understanding the new law difficult.

Fasten your wonk belts: let's talk rule layover waivers in the House

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 15 Dec 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. In the House, new bills can't be voted on the same day they're introduced. Usually, they need to wait one legislative day, but there are special rules to speed things up.
  2. The Rules Committee plays a big role in deciding which bills come to the floor and how they're discussed. They can create special rules that allow for quick consideration and limit debate.
  3. Special rules are common in the House and can waive many usual procedural requirements. This allows the majority party to manage legislation more flexibly.

On Supercommittees and Blooming

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 14 Dec 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. The proposal allows certain bipartisan legislation to skip filibusters and amendments for faster voting. This is meant to encourage more collaboration between political parties.
  2. There's a concern that the requirement for bipartisan support may favor Republican ideas over Democratic ones. Democrats would need more votes to pass their proposals than Republicans would.
  3. The likelihood of passing a moderate bipartisan bill under this plan seems low, as it may lead to passing more conservative legislation instead.

Talking about the filibuster

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 06 Dec 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. The term 'filibuster' can be confusing and it's important to use it correctly when discussing Senate events. Just because a vote fails doesn't mean the filibuster didn't happen.
  2. Using clear language like 'defeated by a motion to end debate' can provide better understanding than just saying 'filibustered.' It tells readers exactly what occurred.
  3. The concept of a filibuster is more about strategy and tactics than just blocking a vote. Various actions can lead to preventing a majority vote, and it's good to see it as a process, not just one event.

How a Bill Becomes a Law

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 05 Dec 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. A bill must be approved by both the House and Senate before it can become law. This process ensures that both chambers agree on the same version of the bill.
  2. The enrollment process is where the final version of the bill is prepared and verified after passing both chambers. This includes checking for any errors before it goes to the President.
  3. Delays in presenting a bill to the President can happen for strategic reasons, like gathering support for an override if a veto is expected or timing a bill's signing for maximum impact.

Good, Bad, Ugly. Well, at least the latter two.

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 01 Dec 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. A new bill may give the President more power to cut spending, which could weaken Congress's control over budgets. It could lead to the President influencing lawmakers more than ever, making it harder for them to secure funding for their projects.
  2. There was a discussion about whether U.S. citizens can be detained without trial. The debate showed that just because something is deemed constitutional doesn't mean it's the right or smart thing to do.
  3. Congress has the power to create or repeal laws on issues like detention. They shouldn't rely solely on court decisions to guide what policies they create, because the wisdom of those policies should be their responsibility.

Thanksgiving Briefing Book, Part I: The Outlook

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 21 Nov 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. Part I of the Thanksgiving Briefing Book gives an overview of current trends and issues. It's important to stay informed about what's going on right now.
  2. Readers can expect more detailed insights in the upcoming parts of the briefing. It's a series that builds on each section for a complete understanding.
  3. Sharing this information with others can help spread awareness of the topics discussed. Engaging with the material makes it more impactful.

More Congressional Jargon

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 12 Nov 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. Congress has its own special language filled with jargon that staffers use. Terms like 'BTU'd' and 'ping-pong' describe specific political situations.
  2. 'Push-back' refers to when groups disagree with proposed legislation, while 'face time' means the one-on-one time staffers get with their bosses.
  3. There are various informal processes, like 'hotline' and 'suspension,' that help move bills quickly through Congress, often requiring teamwork and negotiation.

Close enough for government work

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 07 Nov 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. Bills and resolutions are different in Congress. Bills can change laws, while resolutions do not.
  2. The titles of proposed measures indicate their type, like 'H.R.' for House bills or 'H.Res.' for House resolutions.
  3. Some resolutions deal with how Congress runs, but they can't create new laws or make major changes.

Off-Year

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 06 Nov 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. Local elections often happen in off-years, away from federal and state elections. This can change how people vote and participate.
  2. Sarah Anzia has researched how these off-year elections affect politics and voters' decisions. Her work provides useful insights.
  3. Understanding these local elections can help us see the bigger picture of how policies and interests play out in communities.

On figuring out what's important

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 02 Nov 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government
  1. The Joint Super Committee (JSC) has the potential for big changes, even if it seems unlikely to achieve much right now. Sometimes, it’s worth paying attention to small chances because the outcomes can be significant.
  2. How the JSC process fails could impact politics greatly, regardless of whether it achieves any policy changes. Politicians will try to manage that failure to turn it into a win for themselves.
  3. Media tends to focus on the JSC because it's seen as new and exciting, while the appropriations process is more complicated and less glamorous, even though it might have more immediate consequences.