The hottest Policy Making Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top World Politics Topics

What would making America healthy really mean?

Your Local Epidemiologist • 1742 implied HN points • 30 May 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Policy Making Health Systems Community health Healthcare Innovation
  1. America's health system is facing serious problems, with cuts to important services like Medicaid and a lack of support for scientists. This is making it harder for people to get the care they need.
  2. We need to imagine a better future where everyone has access to clean air, healthy food, and support systems that actually work for families. This means integrating health services and making them easy to access.
  3. It's important for leaders to listen to people and build a health system that is fair, data-driven, and responsive. We must prioritize long-term health over short-term fixes.

How Zeynep Tufekci and Jeremy Howard Masked America

The New Normal • 7724 implied HN points • 26 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Health Policy Making
  1. The Cochrane review concluded that masks had little to no impact on preventing COVID or flu.
  2. Zeynep Tufekci and Jeremy Howard played a decisive role in shifting CDC guidance and ushering in mask mandates across America.
  3. Zeynep's advocacy for masks and other COVID interventions, based on information from China, had significant influence despite lacking relevant expertise.

Amnesty? What? Let me Dr. Paul Alexander be as clear as I can be Dr. Emily Oster & all you INSANE illogical Branch COVIDian MADMEN & WOMEN; there must be no fuck*ng forgiveness, EVER, for fake COVID!

Alexander News Network -Dr. Paul Elias Alexander's substack • 2240 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health COVID-19 Response Medical Ethics Healthcare system Policy Making
  1. Dr. Paul Alexander emphasizes no forgiveness for fake COVID.
  2. Punishment and justice are demanded for those who caused harm.
  3. Calls for accountability, no closure, and proper public inquiries.

Samuel Charap's "Peace" Plan for Putin

Phillips’s Newsletter • 126 implied HN points • 28 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Making Foreign Relations Political Analysis Conflict resolution
  1. Samuel Charap's peace plan favors Russia and doesn't meet Ukraine's main goals. This makes it controversial and not well-received.
  2. Many people who opposed arming Ukraine have been influential in shaping U.S. policy, even though their views are now seen as harmful.
  3. Access to important decision-makers in Washington is key for getting ideas heard, and Charap has had that access despite his past positions against supporting Ukraine.

Friederich Hayek and Will Rogers on the Democratic Party

David Friedman’s Substack • 350 implied HN points • 04 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political parties Elections Political theory Policy Making Political Behavior
  1. The Democratic Party often acts more like a collection of individuals than a unified organization. This means that each member prioritizes their own goals, which can lead to conflicting actions and beliefs.
  2. Politicians, like Biden, may not shift their policies towards the center because it could risk their own elections and support. They often focus more on their personal objectives than the party's overall strategy.
  3. The behavior of political parties can reflect individual interests rather than a cohesive plan. This can result in decisions that don't necessarily align with making the party stronger or defeating opponents.
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Decapitation Strike (December)

Thinking about... • 582 implied HN points • 01 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Governance Political parties Policy Making Political theory
  1. Trump's proposed appointments seem surprising but may be part of a larger plan to undermine the government. It's important to recognize this and not just react with shock.
  2. Health and law are vital for a democratic society. Appointing people who threaten health and the rule of law could damage the country significantly.
  3. Historical patterns show that control over key areas like defense and intelligence can lead to regime change. The individuals Trump chose have backgrounds that suggest they might weaken American institutions and empower personal agendas.

I got hold of a copy of the "Woke Agenda"... and it's SUPERBAD

So Here’s a Thing • 1435 implied HN points • 12 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social Issues Political Ideologies Political Discourse Policy Making Voting behavior
  1. The concept of extending care and compassion to all individuals, regardless of differences, is crucial in today's world.
  2. The 'Woke Agenda' is often misrepresented by some as promoting communism when in reality, it advocates for simple kindness and understanding.
  3. The divide between right-wing and left-wing ideologies lies in the willingness to bridge gaps or widen them, with the importance of empathy and unity being central to societal progress.

An end to firefighting

The Uncertainty Mindset (soon to become tbd) • 79 implied HN points • 08 May 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Making Public Sector Crisis Management Organizational Behavior
  1. Regular management practices often assume stability, which makes teams weak when unexpected events happen. Instead of relying on these outdated methods, teams should prepare for unpredictability.
  2. To stop 'firefighting', organizations need to adjust their staffing expectations and allow roles to evolve as needed. This helps teams stay adaptable in changing situations.
  3. It's important to make experimentation a part of policymaking. By training teams to test ideas effectively, they can respond better to new challenges and avoid being stuck in old ways.

Are They Better Off?

News Items • 255 implied HN points • 21 Feb 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social Security Policy Making Debt Ceiling Congress
  1. Key Census data may undercount the retirement income of older Americans by hundreds of billions of dollars a year.
  2. America needs to address the unsustainability of the Social Security program through benefit reductions, tax increases, or a combination of both.
  3. Recent data suggests that American retirees, on average, are wealthier than commonly believed, which may impact policy decisions regarding Social Security reform.

"Confessions of a Former Carrier Executive": my keynote address at the 2023 YOU Powered Symposium

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 279 implied HN points • 17 Feb 23
🏥 Health Politics Health Insurance Policy Making Public Health Healthcare Costs Corporate ethics
  1. Big health insurance companies mainly focus on making their shareholders richer, often at the expense of patients.
  2. The speaker shared personal experiences from a career in the industry, highlighting the luxury lifestyle financed by policyholders and taxpayers.
  3. Despite record profits for insurance companies, many American families remain uninsured or underinsured.

✅ A call for fresh, bold thinking to reimagine Britain’s future and its role in the world

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 22 Apr 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Relations Corporate Communications Policy Making Future studies International relations
  1. A new project called Renewal aims to gather fresh ideas on Britain's future through contributions from public relations experts. They want to address important topics affecting society and the economy.
  2. David Miliband outlines four crucial questions for Britain's future: where to start, what values to uphold, where to build relationships, and what resources are available.
  3. The public relations community is encouraged to share essays that provoke thought and inspire change, with a submission deadline set for mid-July.

The End of Allyship

Gideon's Substack • 116 implied HN points • 24 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social Issues Diversity Conflict resolution Policy Making Democracy
  1. The concept of 'allyship' may have reached its end due to complexities and conflicts that arise when trying to be allies with different groups.
  2. Being an ally often requires adopting language and views of one group, which can create enemies with another group, leading to division and conflict.
  3. Institutions may need to move away from 'allyship' and focus on making decisions based on what they believe is right, rather than following the demands of particular groups.

An Easy Way to Forecast Disaster

Think Future • 39 implied HN points • 17 Aug 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Federal Agencies Policy Making National Security
  1. The federal government departments and agencies serve as defenses and insurance policies against disasters, as well as engines for future growth through infrastructure and economic development.
  2. We need to appreciate the role of civil servants and government agencies in preventing disasters and providing for the general welfare of citizens.
  3. Understanding the importance of well-funded and functional disaster prevention agencies is crucial for forecasting potential future disasters and their impacts.

Conspiracy? Or Incompetence?

Anxiety Addiction & Ascension • 39 implied HN points • 14 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Conspiracy Incompetence Policy Making Decision-making Governance
  1. Hanlon's Razor suggests not attributing to malice what can be explained by incompetence, a reminder to consider human fallibility.
  2. The intention behind dismissing failures as basic ineptitude is often to maintain trust in the system and those in power.
  3. Whether actions are driven by conspiracy or incompetence, what truly matters is the impact of those actions and the need for accountability.

Interview with Alondra Nelson

Science Forever • 39 implied HN points • 06 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Making Equity Diversity STEM
  1. Alondra Nelson focused on improving trust and transparency in science policy during her leadership at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, emphasizing the importance of restoring trust and being more transparent in government work.
  2. She highlighted the need for scientists to engage with broader societal contexts, advocating for scientists to consider the social implications of their work, especially in the intersection of science and society.
  3. Nelson prioritized advancing equity in the scientific workforce and grant-making, underscoring the significance of coordinated efforts across various government agencies and partnerships to drive meaningful change towards STEM equity and inclusion.

A Way Forward For America ...

Diane Francis • 139 implied HN points • 21 Jan 21
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political system Policy Making Political parties Electoral process Leadership
  1. America could benefit from a system like a parliamentary government. This would encourage leaders to work together and pass laws more effectively.
  2. The two-party system limits political options and makes it hard for new ideas to emerge. Other countries with more parties often create laws that serve the public better.
  3. A strong, coalition-building leader could help address America's issues, such as improving the economy and healthcare, while also restoring trust in politics.

Why Does the State Have a Monopoly on Money?

Economic Forces • 8 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
💰 Finance Monetary System Central Banks Inflation Policy Making
  1. The state's monopoly on money is motivated by the ability to generate quick revenue.
  2. One key reason for this lasting monopoly is the state's need for emergency financing, especially during wars.
  3. For the state to maintain the monopoly over money, it needs to commit to long-run price stability, ensuring the currency's purchasing power is preserved over time.

Executive sidestepping

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 24 Oct 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Executive Power Legislative Process Policy Making Constitutional Law
  1. The president has to follow legal authority and can't act like a king. His power comes from the Constitution or laws made by Congress, so saying he's sidestepping Congress isn't really correct.
  2. Executive power in domestic policy mostly comes from Congress giving it to the president. This means he can't make decisions that go against what Congress has already decided without specific permission.
  3. Congress can take back powers it has given to the president whenever it wants. If lawmakers don’t like what the president is doing, they can change the laws to restrict his authority.

The Difficulty of Institutional Reform

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 03 Jan 12
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Democracy Policy Making
  1. It's hard to push for changes in institutions because people's short-term interests often clash with what's good in the long run. If a reform might hurt someone's immediate goals, they’re less likely to support it.
  2. Changing rules like the filibuster or primary system affects many outcomes, making more people worried about losing. When everyone feels they might be hurt, it's tough to get agreement on reforms.
  3. There are rules that make reform hard, like needing a supermajority vote. People also tend to stick to the known, even if it’s not great, because they fear new changes might bring about unexpected bad results.

Review of Michael Lewis's Premonition

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 09 May 21
🏥 Health & Wellness Pandemics Public Health Policy Making Social Distancing
  1. Social distancing as a pandemic control measure has only been accepted for about 15 years by epidemiologists and public health experts.
  2. Understanding first-order effects is crucial in formulating policies and responses, as they present fundamental insights that apply universally.
  3. The resistance to social distancing as a policy option before 2006 highlights the importance of prioritizing logical reasoning over data-driven decision making in certain cases.