The hottest Policy Analysis Substack posts right now

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

Israel's 9/11

Castalia • 619 implied HN points • 14 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Middle East Global Affairs Security Issues Policy Analysis Historical comparisons
  1. The attack on Israel is being compared to 9/11, marking a significant and tragic shift in the region's dynamics. This event signals a move away from a long-term cease-fire and the hopes for better relations in the Middle East.
  2. As a result of the attack, there is a global understanding that the world might be entering a new era of chaos, where traditional power structures are challenged. Countries are reacting to events like these in ways that break from established norms.
  3. It’s important for Israel to handle the aftermath wisely, avoiding the mistakes made by the U.S. after 9/11. Maintaining perspective and understanding the complexity of politics will be key in navigating this new reality.

Election Countdown, 240 Days to Go: The General Election Campaign Has Begun.

Breaking the News • 564 implied HN points • 11 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election Foreign Policy Policy Analysis
  1. The speech by Joe Biden at the State of the Union address effectively shifted audience focus and message from previous years.
  2. The speech avoided the typical laundry-list approach, presenting a more cohesive thematic structure to deliver key points.
  3. Biden's speech reflected a strong stance against Putin and Trump, aiming to motivate and connect with his own base rather than attempting to win over Trump's supporters.

Whither the Democrats?

KERFUFFLE • 51 implied HN points • 16 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political parties Elections Policy Analysis Political strategy Campaign Finance
  1. The Republican Party is firmly under Trump's control, with no opposition left inside the party. This makes it hard to predict where the party is headed, as Trump often changes direction.
  2. The Democratic Party lacks a clear leader or owner, making it complicated to assess its future. Many different groups have a stake in the party, but none can steer it effectively.
  3. Some people believe the Democrats have become a liability and might be better off switching to the Republicans, where they see more potential for success.

Fixing the Web with Warning Labels?

Unmoderated Insights • 59 implied HN points • 22 Jun 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social media Public Health Policy Analysis Censorship
  1. The U.S. Surgeon General is suggesting that social media should have warning labels. This idea is controversial because it assumes social media only causes negative effects, while it can also have positive impacts.
  2. Warning labels might not stop people from using social media and could even backfire by making them more curious or anxious. Past experiences with fear-based campaigns show that they don't always work as intended.
  3. These warning labels might shift focus from the companies responsible for harmful designs to the users, putting pressure on parents instead of changing how social media platforms operate.

What is Going on With These Tariffs?

Economic Forces • 4 implied HN points • 03 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Tariffs Economics Policy Analysis Trade Trump administration
  1. Tariffs are often seen as not helpful for goals like reducing trade deficits, so many economists criticize them. However, understanding the different reasons behind tariffs can help us see their impact better.
  2. The motivations of policymakers when using tariffs can be complex and aren’t always clear in traditional economic discussions. If we consider these motivations, we might get a clearer picture of their potential effectiveness.
  3. It's essential to look beyond conventional views in economics to really understand how policies affect the real world. Digging deeper into these ideas can help us think differently about economic policies.
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Can Community Navigators Increase Access to Unemployment Insurance?

Can We Still Govern? • 48 implied HN points • 31 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social programs Policy Analysis Community Organizing
  1. Many people who qualify for unemployment benefits don't get them because applying can be really hard and confusing. Community navigators can help make this process easier for those who are struggling.
  2. Research in Maine found that community navigator programs made it more likely for people to apply for and receive unemployment benefits faster. These navigators also helped reduce stress for applicants.
  3. While community navigators can improve access, they can't solve all the problems. The unemployment system still needs more funding and better rules to work effectively for everyone.

Edition 27: Secure by Design is important, but requires a different kind of industry effort to achieve it

Boring AppSec • 38 implied HN points • 10 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Cybersecurity Software Development Policy Analysis Vulnerability Management
  1. The Secure by Design initiative aims to improve software security, but it's unclear how effective it will actually be. Companies might just treat it as another compliance standard without real change.
  2. CISA's approach mixes good ideas with vague guidelines, making it hard for security teams to use effectively. This can lead to companies focusing on basic compliance instead of deeper security improvements.
  3. Awareness initiatives can be helpful, especially for new issues in cybersecurity, but they often become outdated. What worked in the past, like OWASP Top 10, may not be useful for current complex security challenges.

The state of China's small and micro companies

Pekingnology • 52 implied HN points • 11 Feb 25
💼 Business Economics Entrepreneurship Market Trends Employment Policy Analysis
  1. Small and micro businesses are crucial for China's economy, providing services and jobs to many people. They help support bigger companies and industries in different areas.
  2. These businesses employ around 400 million people, making them essential for social stability. The livelihoods of many families depend on their success.
  3. Small and micro businesses face challenges like weak demand and high operating costs. They need better financial support and policies to thrive and stimulate the economy.

The best reason to hate international aid

Unreported Truths • 49 implied HN points • 10 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Aid International relations Economics Policy Analysis
  1. International aid can create a dependency that hurts the receiving countries more than it helps. Instead of promoting self-sufficiency, it often makes governments rely on outside support.
  2. Foreign aid often leads to corruption, where local leaders treat it as an easy resource to exploit for their own gain. This can divert attention from genuine development efforts.
  3. Countries that focus on growing their own economies, like China, often do better than those that rely heavily on foreign aid. Sustainable development is more effective when it comes from within, rather than depending on help from others.

Chinese economy hinges on market reform & rule of law, NOT monetary or fiscal policy, says Zhang Weiying

Pekingnology • 109 implied HN points • 26 Nov 24
💼 Business Economics Entrepreneurship Policy Analysis Global Trade
  1. The success of the Chinese economy is rooted in market reforms and the rule of law, rather than just government spending or interest rates. This means that true economic growth comes from creating a system that supports freedom and innovation.
  2. Addressing first-order issues, like improving legal systems and personal freedoms, is crucial. These foundational changes spark real confidence among entrepreneurs, driving sustainable economic growth instead of just relying on short-term financial fixes.
  3. China's approach to opening up and internal liberalization must be seen as interconnected. For China to thrive globally, it needs to embrace both international cooperation and reform at home, trusting in the creativity and initiative of its people.

An unforced error for Donald Trump

Unreported Truths • 51 implied HN points • 31 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Commentary Policy Analysis Public response Crisis Management Leadership
  1. It's important to show empathy and support for the families affected by tragedies, especially immediately after such events. Instead of discussing political topics, leaders should focus on comforting those in grief.
  2. Having a diverse workforce in fields like aviation is important, but safety and competency should always come first. Standards should not be lowered just to meet diversity goals.
  3. Making political comments during sensitive times can come off as insensitive. It's better to take a respectful approach than to push a political agenda when people's lives have been lost.

The ETC report on fossil fuels in transition

Renewable Revolution • 239 implied HN points • 21 Nov 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Energy transition Fossil fuels Policy Analysis Sustainability Technological Innovation
  1. Fossil fuel demand has peaked, and we need to reduce it over the next three decades to tackle climate change effectively.
  2. By 2030, we can cut down fossil fuel use significantly with existing solutions, showing that change is not only possible but also necessary.
  3. New fossil fuel exploration is unnecessary because we need to focus on speeding up the transition to renewable energy instead.

Correction on Measure FF

The Discourse Lounge • 37 implied HN points • 18 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Local Governance Policy Analysis Election Issues
  1. There was a visual mistake regarding how the blue color lines were shown, which made it hard to read. It's important to have clear visuals in reports.
  2. Measure FF is expected to keep Berkeley's road quality at a score of 57 without any further city council changes. This means it's important to pay attention to government actions that could affect road conditions.
  3. Measure EE will lower the road quality score from 57 to 54 since it only funds overdue road repairs and not new ones. This shows that funding decisions can have a big impact on infrastructure.

Elevance's Q2 profits make Wall Street investors (and company executives) happy and wealthy

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 359 implied HN points • 20 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Healthcare Economics Corporate Governance Social Issues Policy Analysis
  1. Elevance's profits for the second quarter were better than expected, making Wall Street investors very happy. The company is on track to earn even more this year than previously thought.
  2. The company spent less on patient care compared to previous years, which boosted their profits. However, this came at the expense of providing necessary care for low-income and vulnerable populations.
  3. Elevance is growing mainly through its Medicare and Medicaid programs, while its private insurance enrollment is declining. The growth in revenue comes from premium increases and government subsidies.

Covid's most dangerous moment

Unreported Truths • 86 implied HN points • 29 Nov 24
🏥 Health Politics Pandemic response Public Health Policy Analysis Media Critique Government actions
  1. In March 2020, WHO suggested that health authorities might need to remove infected people from their homes to control Covid spread. This was a controversial idea, especially considering the risks involved.
  2. At that time, public health officials were in a state of panic, even when it was clear that Covid posed a low risk to most healthy adults. This led to extreme measures that many thought were unnecessary.
  3. If things had been worse, the proposals for quarantining families could have gained more traction. It's important to learn from this history to prevent similar approaches in the future.

Eating out, helping out

Logging the World • 239 implied HN points • 07 Jun 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Public Health COVID-19 Government Response Policy Analysis Preventive measures
  1. The UK's Eat Out to Help Out scheme of August 2020 is under scrutiny in connection with the COVID public inquiry.
  2. Data suggests that admissions were shrinking during the Eat Out to Help Out period, and growth started after the scheme ended.
  3. It's crucial for inquiries to consider instances when warnings were ignored but outcomes weren't catastrophic, to avoid future overreactions.

HWFO Reading List, February 2024

Handwaving Freakoutery • 237 implied HN points • 21 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Conspiracy Theories Policy Analysis Media influence Political Commentary
  1. The foundation of SETI uses the Drake Equation to estimate the existence of extraterrestrial life, similar to how an estimate could be made for the likelihood of someone shooting Trump.
  2. James Hankins' anti-diversity statement may signal shifts in ideologies and academic environments.
  3. Studies on topics such as car seat laws affecting fertility rates and brain structures defining self-perception shed light on various intriguing scientific findings.

Are We in a Time Loop?

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 26 implied HN points • 26 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Climate Elections Public Opinion Policy Analysis Media influence
  1. Many people feel like we're caught in a cycle where history seems to repeat itself, especially when it comes to politics. This sense of déjà vu makes it feel like we're experiencing similar patterns over time.
  2. There's a growing frustration with mainstream political systems, leading some individuals to resort to extreme options, even supporting controversial figures like Trump. This shows how deep the anger and disillusionment run.
  3. Economic inequality and the decline of unions have led to a lot of social unrest. Many people feel powerless, which contributes to the rise of populism and support for figures who promise drastic changes.

The choice between traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage? It’s easier than you think. (PART 2)

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 419 implied HN points • 07 Mar 23
🏥 Health Politics Medicare Health Insurance Healthcare Costs Policy Analysis Patient rights
  1. Traditional Medicare can be expensive upfront due to high out-of-pocket costs, especially if you need supplemental coverage. Many people choose Medicare Advantage for its lower immediate costs and out-of-pocket limits.
  2. Companies often push retirees into Medicare Advantage plans because they save money and get better benefits for these groups. However, retirees might lose important access to doctors and hospitals by switching.
  3. Medicare Advantage plans may advertise extra benefits, but these can come with hidden costs. People often struggle to access the care they need due to strict rules and limited provider networks.

Nyhetsbrev steigan.no 07.01.2025

steigan.no • 7 implied HN points • 07 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Elections Foreign Policy Policy Analysis Public Opinion
  1. Yemen continues to launch missile attacks on Israel, promising to keep the pressure until the Gaza conflict ends. This ongoing conflict highlights the complex dynamics in the region.
  2. Justin Trudeau announced his resignation, reflecting backlash against his leadership during challenging times. His term saw significant controversies, including handling of pandemic measures and international relations.
  3. Amidst reports of human rights violations, the U.S. is set to approve a large arms sale to Israel, raising concerns about its impact on the ongoing violence and humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Tulsi Gabbard's DNI Nomination

God's Spies by Thomas Neuburger • 55 implied HN points • 20 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Politicians National Security Policy Analysis Election Commentary Intelligence Community
  1. Tulsi Gabbard is a complex candidate for the DNI position. She has stood against U.S. wars, but has also supported traditional national security policies.
  2. Her support for controversial actions, like military strikes and strong ties to certain political groups, raises concerns among critics.
  3. Despite mixed opinions, some believe Gabbard could be the lesser evil compared to other potential candidates, making her confirmation potentially more favorable.

Trans-Reality

Disaffected Newsletter • 399 implied HN points • 18 Dec 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gender Issues Media representation Policy Analysis Current Events Social Commentary
  1. A person known for stealing women's underwear has faced serious consequences from the Department of Energy.
  2. The first transgender Navy SEAL has changed their mind and is publicly expressing regret about supporting transgender issues.
  3. A platform called Patreon has significantly reduced funding for a content creator, prompting a call for listener support.

Overthinking Transportation Funding Reform & Policy: Steelmanning Reauthorization II(a)

Exasperated Infrastructures • 12 implied HN points • 25 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Transportation Legislation Policy Analysis Infrastructure Federal Funding
  1. Reading transportation bills can be tricky because they are full of legal jargon. Most of the text isn't that important, so focus on the key sections that really change policies.
  2. Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) play a crucial role in transportation planning. They help ensure local needs are considered when deciding how to spend federal money.
  3. Transportation laws evolve over time, reflecting changes in society and policies. It's important to stay updated on these changes to understand how they affect public transportation and infrastructure.

Thoughts on the contract-for-differences (CfD)

GEM Energy Analytics • 179 implied HN points • 31 May 23
💰 Finance Energy markets Investment Strategies Renewable Energy Risk management Policy Analysis
  1. A contract-for-difference (CfD) helps energy producers by giving them a stable price. This way, they won't lose money if market prices drop.
  2. CfDs can reduce the risk of high profits during energy crises, aiming to keep electricity prices lower for consumers. They're designed to share some of the financial risks between producers and the government.
  3. The success of CfDs depends on accurately predicting future energy prices, which is really hard. If prices drop too low, it could hurt new energy projects and make it tougher for power producers to plan.

Desperation Time in Ukraine

John’s Substack • 12 implied HN points • 24 Nov 24
🌍 World Politics International relations Conflict Studies Policy Analysis Military Strategy Geopolitics
  1. The situation in Ukraine is very serious and there is a sense of urgency. Many people are feeling desperate as the conflict continues.
  2. The Biden Administration's actions in Ukraine are being closely examined. There are concerns about how these decisions may affect the future of the country.
  3. Conversations around the conflict reveal a lot of different opinions and predictions. It's important to stay informed and understand the different perspectives involved.

Economics still matters for policy

Economic Forces • 14 implied HN points • 14 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Analysis Economics Political theory Market Dynamics Public Administration
  1. Prices show us what's scarce and push us to change our behaviors. They aren't just random numbers—they have meaning.
  2. When something gets more expensive, people usually try to find a cheaper alternative. Higher costs lead to less demand.
  3. Every choice we make comes with trade-offs. If we spend on one thing, we might have to give up something else.

Nyhetsbrev steigan.no 13.11.2024

steigan.no • 8 implied HN points • 13 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Analysis Political Commentary International relations Economic Impacts Military Affairs Media Criticism
  1. China's surplus might be much larger than reported. This means their economy is stronger than many in the West believe.
  2. Jeffrey Sachs explains that the Ukraine war has roots in NATO's expansion and U.S. actions since the 1990s. He suggests that the narrative about Russia being the aggressor might be overly simplified.
  3. Modern farming practices are making our food less nutritious. Over the decades, fruits and vegetables have lost many essential vitamins and minerals due to a focus on higher yields and longer shelf life.

Pfizer's secret documents reveal that their COVID vaccine actually made you 8.7% more likely to get COVID

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 14 implied HN points • 08 Jan 25
🏥 Health Politics Vaccination Public Health Policy Analysis Safety concerns Clinical Trials
  1. Pfizer's documents suggest that the COVID vaccine may have actually increased the chance of getting COVID by 8.7%.
  2. The data showed that vaccinated individuals were less likely to develop N-antibodies, which means they might have had more infections than those who weren't vaccinated.
  3. There are serious concerns about the effectiveness of the vaccine, and some people believe it may have contributed to a rise in COVID deaths after it was rolled out.

Official New Zealand vaccine safety analysis: Nothing to be concerned about

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 10 implied HN points • 16 Jan 25
🏥 Health Politics Vaccine Safety Public Health COVID-19 Policy Analysis Medical Ethics
  1. The New Zealand vaccine safety report found only a few side effects like anaphylaxis and myocarditis, suggesting overall safety. Most people won’t face serious issues from these side effects.
  2. The report says there's no strong link between the vaccine and more severe problems like thrombosis. The experts believe incidents reported by embalmers are likely misunderstandings.
  3. They claim that elderly people are mostly safe from serious side effects after vaccination. Some deaths after vaccination were labeled as coincidences by the experts.

Policy analysis in the wild

Hypertext • 19 implied HN points • 27 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Analysis
  1. Open societies are complex due to layers of values, norms, and rules, leading to challenges in predicting policy effects
  2. Unpredictability in open societies arises from complexity and reflexivity, showcasing the need for adaptive policy approaches
  3. Policy analysts can navigate complexity by focusing on the adjacent possible, hindering hindrances, and designing rules to address social challenges

Interested in health care? This is what you should be reading.

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 199 implied HN points • 13 May 22
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare system Insurance Issues Policy Analysis Patient Advocacy
  1. Healthcare in the U.S. can be very expensive, even for people who have insurance. Many are struggling to pay out-of-pocket costs and are skipping necessary doctor visits or medications.
  2. People often turn to GoFundMe pages to raise money for their medical expenses. Sadly, those who are most likely to succeed in this fundraising are usually the privileged ones, making the problem worse for those in need.
  3. There are serious flaws in Medicare's prescription drug coverage, leading to high costs for many older Americans. Some can face over $10,000 a year on medications, which highlights the need for better healthcare solutions.

Nyhetsbrev steigan.no 16.10.2024

steigan.no • 7 implied HN points • 16 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics International relations Legislation Elections Policy Analysis
  1. Ukraine is considering giving up some land to end the war with Russia. Many believe that even just holding onto their current territory would be a significant win.
  2. In Germany, two opposition parties, AfD and BSW, may be finding common ground on issues like immigration and the war in Ukraine. They both want to focus on negotiations rather than military solutions.
  3. Israel is planning to attack Iran before the upcoming US election, as they believe waiting could show weakness. This escalation adds to the existing tensions in the Middle East.

Why Can’t Harris Say “We Moved Too Slowly on Asylum Because We Were Afraid of Denying Valid Claims”?

I Might Be Wrong • 5 implied HN points • 01 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Immigration Asylum Policy Analysis Political strategy Campaigns
  1. Kamala Harris often avoids admitting when her beliefs have changed. Politicians might think it's safer not to own up to mistakes, but that leads to complicated explanations.
  2. Harris struggles with her role in handling immigration issues, especially since voters tend to favor the opposing views. This makes her position difficult and often puts her under criticism.
  3. When asked about the Biden administration's slow response to asylum claims, instead of addressing the past, Harris tends to focus on future plans. It might be more honest to acknowledge past decisions.

EXCLUSIVE: The CDPH is unable to explain the rise in the COVID Case Fatality Rate (CFR) after the COVID shots rolled out

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 9 implied HN points • 23 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Vaccination COVID-19 Policy Analysis Health data
  1. The California Department of Public Health struggled to explain why the COVID death rate increased after the vaccines were rolled out. Their response did not make sense.
  2. With a majority of nursing home residents vaccinated, we expected the death rate to go down, but it actually stayed flat for a long time and didn't fall until a new, less deadly variant appeared over a year later.
  3. Questions about the data offered by health officials were often ignored, leading to a distrust in their claims about the effectiveness of the vaccines.

Commentator

Castalia • 119 implied HN points • 22 Jul 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Analysis Public Discourse Political Movements Government Accountability Social Issues
  1. Naive environmentalism can lead to real-world problems. For example, Sri Lanka faced a crisis partly due to harmful green policies pushed by outside influences.
  2. The debate between the 'wokes' and 'anti-wokes' highlights serious issues in society. While there are valid points on both sides, there's a risk of getting lost in arguments instead of addressing real problems.
  3. The Guantánamo Bay prison remains a troubling subject. Despite efforts to close it, there hasn't been much progress, showing the strong grip of the security state and a lack of national reflection on past actions.

India’s economic pivot from rules-based reform to deals-based tinkering

Get Down and Shruti • 5 implied HN points • 07 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Economy Policy Analysis Corruption Regulation Government reform
  1. India's economic focus has shifted from broad reforms that help all businesses to a system where a few large companies get special deals. This switch encourages favoritism and makes things harder for smaller companies.
  2. The Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a key example of this change. Instead of simplifying taxes, it's become complicated, leading to confusion and more lobbying by big companies to get favorable treatment.
  3. The government's support for specific big firms has created an uneven playing field. This setup harms innovation and investment because businesses need connections to succeed rather than competitive practices.

Tsunami invariant

Model Thinking • 39 implied HN points • 18 Dec 22
🔬 Science Research Economics Immigration Policy Analysis
  1. This post explores how factors like remittances, capital stocks, and immigrant effects on productivity impact the population trajectory under open borders.
  2. The analysis shows that the case for open borders remains robust even with substantial negative impacts on productivity, suggesting significant population growth under various scenarios.
  3. Limitations of the model include the lack of consideration for certain effects on total factor productivity in origin countries and the absence of estimates on global welfare and utility changes due to migration.

Term time

Model Thinking • 39 implied HN points • 20 Nov 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Analysis Elections Government spending Accountability
  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.