The hottest Policy Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top U.S. Politics Topics

Biden’s brain, Trump’s brain

Robert Reich • 36282 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Election Policy Scandal Justice
  1. Special counsel Hur cleared Biden of any criminality due to memory lapses, sparking concerns about Biden's aging brain.
  2. Hur's lack of medical background and Trump's own memory issues bring into question the validity of his assessment.
  3. The focus in electing a president should be on knowledge, temperament, and judgment, qualities where Biden stands out compared to Trump.
  4. The issue of Biden's memory should not overshadow Trump's indictments and lack of cooperation with investigators.
  5. Hur's previous affiliations with Trump raise suspicions about the political motivations behind his statements.

One Man

Steady • 45343 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Policy Elections Partisanship Leadership
  1. One man has fundamentally changed the political landscape and societal norms.
  2. He has impacted various aspects of life, from personal interactions to policies and climate change efforts.
  3. His influence has provoked divisions and challenges that require collective effort to address.

The Dirty Business of Clean Blood

BIG by Matt Stoller • 32315 implied HN points • 03 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Healthcare Policy Innovation Monopolies Patient Care
  1. Dialysis industry is controlled by two powerful corporations - DaVita and Fresenius - impacting over half a million lives. Non-compete agreements could potentially change this monopoly.
  2. Dialysis is a critical treatment provided under universal healthcare for end-stage renal disease patients, but monopolistic control has led to issues like patient coercion and quality concerns.
  3. The lack of competition and consolidation in the dialysis market has led to lower survival rates in the US compared to other countries. Eliminating non-compete agreements for healthcare professionals could foster innovation and improve patient care.
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Cheap Signals

Sarah Kendzior’s Newsletter • 6250 implied HN points • 22 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Policy Election Bipartisanship Foreign Relations
  1. The importance of holding onto simple dreams and moments of peace amidst political turmoil and corruption.
  2. The narrative discusses the dangers of political manipulation, corruption, and the impact on democracy, emphasizing the need for vigilance and critical thinking.
  3. Reflection on how societal issues such as genocides, pandemics, and political forces shape the daily lives of individuals and communities, urging readers to remain aware and engaged.

BS on the border

Robert Reich • 23998 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Immigration Border Security Election Policy Reform
  1. The bipartisan Senate deal on immigration focuses on border security and lacks real reforms like a pathway to citizenship.
  2. Political posturing over border security has intensified as a key issue for the 2024 election.
  3. Trump's rhetoric on immigration, laden with false claims, is evocative of neofascist language and a troubling historical parallel.

Did immigration bring down inflation?

Noahpinion • 9647 implied HN points • 03 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Immigration Economy Policy Labor Market Inflation
  1. Paul Krugman suggests that increased immigration led to a positive supply shock, boosting growth and lowering inflation.
  2. Immigration's impact on reducing costs for companies and expanding aggregate supply is complex, involving immigrant and native-born wage dynamics.
  3. There are differing perspectives on the role of immigration in reducing inflation, with suggestions including a combination of immigration, Fed action, and pandemic-era supply shocks.

Prime Time

Doomberg • 6766 implied HN points • 12 Mar 24
🔬 Science Energy Technology Policy Climate Nuclear
  1. The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is expected to significantly increase power demand, potentially impacting the journey towards electrifying everything.
  2. The nuclear industry is experiencing a resurgence as evidenced by Amazon's move to power a data center with nuclear energy, reflecting a larger trend of increasing nuclear capacity globally.
  3. There is growing concern about whether the uranium fuel supply chain can meet the demand created by the rapid pivot towards nuclear energy, highlighting the importance of understanding the nuclear fuel cycle.

What Trump's lawyer was really advocating

Robert Reich • 26140 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government History Policy Democracy Leadership
  1. Trump's lawyer argued for immunity from criminal trial through impeachment, resembling the 1933 Enabling Law in Germany.
  2. American democracy is stronger than Weimar Republic's but caution is needed to protect it.
  3. Author highlights the importance of upholding democratic norms, media truth-telling, and citizen participation for safeguarding democracy.

Just for Xeets and Giggles (2.10.24)

The Status Kuo • 12539 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Government Policy Congress Media
  1. In a political event, candidate Dean Phillips experienced unexpected setbacks, despite his initial high expectations.
  2. The talk in the media about Black voters shifting support didn't translate into actual votes for other candidates.
  3. House Speaker MAGA Mike Johnson compared himself to Moses leading the GOP, sparking humor and mockery in response.

America, please be reasonable on immigration

Noahpinion • 13000 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Immigration Border Security Policy Public Opinion Bipartisanship
  1. Immigration is important for the American economy and societal dynamism, but the current situation at the border is a major problem causing logistical, fiscal, and psychological challenges.
  2. Americans have shifted towards more restrictive views on immigration, with a majority now calling for tougher policies, as seen through rising support for measures like mass deportations and a border wall.
  3. To address the immigration issue, Americans need to embrace compromise on how people enter the country and who is allowed to come in, prioritizing solutions over political opposition.

Atlas Won’t Shrug

Doomberg • 7754 implied HN points • 20 Feb 24
💰 Finance Energy Commodities Economics Markets Policy
  1. The human need for energy continues to grow despite various historical crises and catastrophes.
  2. Energy is not just an input into the economy but is actually the foundation of the economy itself.
  3. The idea of peak cheap oil being a crisis is challenged, with the belief that humanity would adapt swiftly to any temporary constraints in energy availability.

Congressman urging Texas to ignore the Supreme Court is backed by major law firms

Popular Information • 11203 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Law Elections Policy Campaign Finance
  1. Congressman Chip Roy is urging Texas to ignore the Supreme Court due to a specific ruling he opposes
  2. Major law firms and corporations are financially supporting Roy's re-election campaign
  3. Other Republican politicians like Oklahoma Governor Stitt and Congressman Higgins have also challenged the authority of the Supreme Court

Between a Rock and a Hard Place

Sarah Kendzior’s Newsletter • 6549 implied HN points • 21 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Age Corruption Leadership Policy
  1. The US is facing a debate about the impact of an aging leadership and how it affects the country's decline, highlighting the importance of focusing on corruption rather than age.
  2. The oldest and least popular Congress and presidential candidates reflect an issue of endemic corruption in the US, with senior citizens disproportionately in power for extended periods.
  3. The challenge lies in distinguishing between age-related concerns and corruption, recognizing the importance of holding officials accountable and seeking out truth despite the complexities of political dynamics.

MAGA freaks out over Taylor Swift

Today's Edition Newsletter • 10593 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election Foreign Policy Campaign Extremism Policy
  1. President Biden issued a threat to Iran-backed militias following the deaths of US soldiers in a drone attack.
  2. Campaign developments show Trump's desperation as economy performs well under Biden and Nikki Haley criticizes Trump.
  3. MAGA extremists are in panic over the possibility of Taylor Swift endorsing Biden, showing fear of young voter motivation.

"America last."

Today's Edition Newsletter • 8333 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Analysis Policy Immigration Election Legislation
  1. Senate Republicans blocked funding for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, prioritizing Trump and Putin's interests over America's.
  2. The GOP is being surreptitiously controlled by Vladimir Putin through Trump, as seen through Tucker Carlson's actions.
  3. Immigration actually contributes a lot to the US economy, as reported by the CBO, despite common misconceptions.

Thinking points, February 9, 2024

uTobian • 7311 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Health Government Society Media Policy
  1. Logic and reason are important and should not be banned, even if powerful entities try to suppress them.
  2. The biggest global risks in 2024 involve various organizations and entities that hold significant power and influence.
  3. Vaccines and the pharmaceutical industry are controversial topics, with strong opinions about their safety and impact.

Getting serious about wage theft

Popular Information • 6918 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Legislation Labor Rights
  1. Over $203 million in wages were stolen from workers in New York between 2017 and 2021, with the most theft happening in industries like restaurants, health care, and construction.
  2. New York lawmakers are introducing bills to combat wage theft by suspending licenses, certificates, and issuing stop-work orders for businesses that violate wage laws.
  3. States like California and Colorado are also taking action against wage theft by holding accountable large companies and subcontractors who exploit workers by stealing wages.

Shut up About Race and IQ

Richard Hanania's Newsletter • 5144 implied HN points • 19 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Race Ideology Policy Social Issues Political Movements
  1. Discussions about race and IQ often lead to the clash between differing ideologies, with individuals having strong motivations underlying their beliefs and interpretations.
  2. Accepting group differences doesn't rigidly determine an individual's political views; people can have diverse perspectives, even if they agree on certain facts.
  3. Implementing ideological changes in society often involves motivating individuals based on a larger vision or political agenda, rather than directly debating opposing beliefs.

"Person, woman, man, camera, TV."

Today's Edition Newsletter • 8097 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election Government Policy Justice Campaigns
  1. Donald Trump's cognitive ability and recent statements raise concerns about his mental fitness.
  2. Republicans in New Hampshire used deceptive tactics in the primary election, prompting investigation for voter suppression.
  3. US Supreme Court's recent decision highlights the importance of expanding the Court to uphold federal supremacy.