The hottest Policy Substack posts right now

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

Joe Biden’s Silent War on America’s Steel Industry

Peter Navarro's Taking Back Trump's America • 982 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Trade Presidency Economy National Security
  1. Joe Biden's actions have negatively impacted the U.S. steel and aluminum industries, leading to a decline after years of Trump's tariffs.
  2. Imports of steel and aluminum surged under Biden as he dismantled Trump's tariffs, causing a decrease in domestic manufacturing jobs.
  3. Reinstating Trump's tariffs could help revive the steel industry, and forming domestic partnerships like U.S. Steel with Cleveland Cliffs may be beneficial for national security.

The Biden-McCarthy Memorial Weekend Surrender Institutionalizes Stagflation

Peter Navarro's Taking Back Trump's America • 2044 implied HN points • 29 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Government Economy Partisanship Leadership
  1. Historians may see Kevin McCarthy's quick surrender to Biden as a footnote in history, not a turning point.
  2. Biden's spending may lead to both demand-pull and cost-push inflation, similar to the stagflation of the 1970s.
  3. McCarthy missed a chance to assert America's energy dominance and combat inflation by caving to Biden's spending plans.

Trump Wins Bigly in Iowa. Fentanyl for Minors in Canada. And, Is the Golden Age of TV Over?

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 2457 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Policy Media Social Issues Legislation
  1. Donald Trump set a new record for the largest margin of victory by a Republican in Iowa caucus history, with a lead of nearly 30 points over his closest competitors
  2. The divide between college-educated and working-class voters is a significant factor in American politics, causing fractures in both the Republican and Democratic parties
  3. Ron DeSantis faced challenges in the Iowa caucus, showing that embodying a political agenda and connecting with voters is more important than competence or experience
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Infographics: The TGA Drawdown

Concoda • 367 implied HN points • 25 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Economics Policy Infographics
  1. The U.S. government is depleting its bank account during a debt limit issue. This means they have less money available to spend.
  2. There are flows and processes involved when the government runs out of money. Understanding these flows can help clarify the financial situation.
  3. The information is presented in both dark and light mode, which makes it easier for different people to read and understand.

How Trump Won, What Happens Next, and How Disconnects Drove Democracy

Kyla’s Newsletter • 178 implied HN points • 14 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Policy Economy Trust Media
  1. Trump won the election due to a mix of voter unity, economic dissatisfaction, and a desire for change among a diverse group of voters. Many believed he could restore stability and address their economic concerns better than his opponent.
  2. There's a noticeable disconnect between how people feel about the economy and the actual economic data. Even with good indicators, many voters feel burdened by high prices and economic inequality, leading to frustration and distrust.
  3. The way people receive information shapes their understanding of politics and policy. Social media influences voter perception significantly, and there's a need for clearer communication and engagement on multiple platforms to rebuild trust and convey policies effectively.

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality—The SubStack

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 215 implied HN points • 09 Nov 24
💼 Business Economics Finance Policy Investing Market Trends
  1. The newsletter aims to make readers smarter and more informed about economic topics. It's designed to keep readers engaged and entertained while learning.
  2. Readers can expect economic insights, historical context, and thoughtful recommendations in the newsletter. The goal is to offer clarity and understanding of complex issues.
  3. The newsletter also seeks to enhance public discourse by steering readers away from sensationalism and clickbait, promoting a more thoughtful examination of current events.

The Musk-a16z administration

Alex's Personal Blog • 230 implied HN points • 14 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Administration Policy Government Leadership
  1. Inflation is slowing down, which is good news, but there are still bumps to deal with. It makes it less of a worry than before.
  2. Elon Musk seems to have a big role in the Trump administration, influencing political decisions and interactions. His support is seen as a key factor in Trump's election success.
  3. Despite concerns about AI development hitting a wall, there is optimism from leaders like Sam Altman at OpenAI, indicating that progress continues.

The Truckers Won. Everything.

Anarchonomicon • 1886 implied HN points • 07 Jun 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Protest Government Policy Power Revolution
  1. The trucker convoy in Canada was extremely successful and led to significant political shifts in a short amount of time.
  2. The actions of the trucker convoy resulted in the government caving on key issues and policies within a week.
  3. This protest demonstrated the power of coordination and initiative among middle-class groups and hinted at larger societal changes.

Useless Partisanship Weakens Necessary Partisanship

Drezner’s World • 1100 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Government Partisanship Oversight Congress
  1. Partisanship is important in politics but can become harmful if taken too far, leading to government dysfunction.
  2. Transparency and proper communication are essential in high-ranking government positions, like Secretary of Defense.
  3. Having a functioning opposition party is crucial for proper governance, as it ensures accountability and oversight.

“Dey Took Err Jerbs”: Immigration and the Lump of Labor Fallacy

Center for the Study of Partisanship and Ideology • 24 implied HN points • 23 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Immigration Economics Labor Policy Partisanship
  1. The idea that there's only a fixed number of jobs is a myth. More workers, especially immigrants, can actually create new jobs and grow the economy.
  2. High-skilled immigrants contribute significantly to innovation and entrepreneurship. Many big companies in the U.S. were started by immigrants or their children.
  3. Allowing more immigrants into the workforce benefits everyone. It can lead to economic growth and better job opportunities for all, rather than taking jobs away from Americans.

BIWEEKLY BRIEFLY NOTED: For 2024-12-18 Sa

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 84 implied HN points • 19 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Policy Economics Government Administration
  1. Automation and AI are changing jobs in many industries. It could either lead to job losses or new kinds of jobs, just like what happened with tractors in farming a century ago.
  2. Students find it easier to ask ChatGPT questions instead of going to a teacher. This could mean they get less accurate answers, which is a concern for education.
  3. Economic forecasts are changing with the Federal Reserve adjusting interest rates. It’s an important factor for understanding the overall economy and its direction.

🌍📈 The world is a less impoverished and more equal place than you think

Faster, Please! • 1736 implied HN points • 06 Mar 24
🕹 Technology AI Business Policy Health Clean Energy
  1. Productivity and worker pay have increased together over the years, contrary to popular belief.
  2. Income inequality has actually decreased since 2007, suggesting concerns might be overstated or outdated.
  3. Global poverty and inequality have declined since the 1980s, even after adjusting for systematic survey misreporting.

A Massive Win, and What It Means

The Crucial Years • 2002 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Policy Energy Health Agriculture Research
  1. A huge victory against the fossil fuel industry has been achieved by halting new licenses for LNG export terminals.
  2. Biden's decision sets a climate test for American fossil fuel expansion plans, signaling a transition from natural gas as a 'bridge fuel'.
  3. The fight for climate justice needs to include considerations for impacts on communities and involve effective monitoring and engagement with frontline leaders.

Biden’s Legacy: Covid Persecution, Censorship, and Across-the-Board Oppression

QTR’s Fringe Finance • 33 implied HN points • 20 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Elections Policy Civil Rights Censorship
  1. Biden's presidency has faced criticism for increasing censorship and limiting freedom of speech. Instead of protecting democratic values, many believe he's used government power to suppress dissent.
  2. There are concerns about the unequal application of the law, with claims that Biden and his allies evade consequences while political opponents face serious legal challenges. This creates a sense of unfairness in how justice is applied.
  3. The Biden administration is accused of expanding its authority beyond reasonable limits, such as implementing strict vaccine mandates and surveillance practices. Critics feel this overreach undermines personal freedoms and individual rights.

taylor swift made fox news care about climate change

Airplane Mode with Liz Plank • 864 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change Conservation Policy Media
  1. Fox News has acknowledged the reality of carbon emissions after reporting on Taylor Swift's private jet use.
  2. Private jets contribute significantly to carbon emissions, with celebrities like Swift producing much more than the average person.
  3. Progressives have proposed various solutions to address private jet emissions, but face resistance from conservatives.

Things To Do Before Trump Takes Office

OK Doomer • 171 implied HN points • 21 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Elections Policy Society Activism
  1. Be prepared for real changes when Trump takes office. These changes will affect everyone personally, so it's better to act now.
  2. Many people believe 2030 is a key year to have plans in place. It's important to focus on surviving these next few years under a challenging regime.
  3. Contributing ideas and discussions can help build a helpful list of actions to take. Sharing strategies now can make a difference later.

What's Trump's Game on Tariffs?

I Might Be Wrong • 7 implied HN points • 12 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Policy Government Trump Trade
  1. Trump's strategy with tariffs might be complicated, but it could also be based on game theory, similar to poker. This means he could be pressuring others to make concessions while playing a risky game.
  2. Nate Silver argues that Trump could be using a rational approach to tariffs, where he leverages his power against weaker opponents. The idea is that sometimes the stronger player can force the weaker player to back down or give in.
  3. However, relying on incorrect strategies can lead to failure. If Trump's inputs are wrong, his rational approach could result in negative outcomes for America.

13% of British athletes admit to doping, new study finds

Honest Sport • 99 implied HN points • 24 Jul 24
🎾 Sports Doping Athletics Research Health Policy
  1. A study found that 13% of British athletes admitted to using banned substances. This suggests that doping may be more common in sports than people think.
  2. UKAD, the organization in charge of anti-doping in the UK, needs more responses from athletes to better understand the full scale of the problem.
  3. The study reveals a big gap between how many athletes might be doping and how few get caught. This raises concerns about the effectiveness of current anti-doping efforts.

Comrade Musk

Diane Francis • 1179 implied HN points • 04 Dec 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Governance Policy Military Technology Regulation
  1. Elon Musk has significant power due to his wealth and technology, but this has raised concerns about his influence on global events. His actions, like limiting access to his satellite service, can have serious implications for security.
  2. Musk's past decisions have created tension and controversy, especially regarding his relations with Russia and Ukraine. His choices, such as withholding satellite support, have directly affected military operations.
  3. Many believe that Musk's actions, which intertwine technology with foreign policy, should be examined by government authorities to ensure proper oversight and prevent one person from having too much control over important matters.

A Super Tuesday for Donald Trump

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1502 implied HN points • 06 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Policy Legislation Media Government
  1. Primary voters chose Trump and Biden, indicating a desire for a rematch, despite other challengers trying to offer alternatives.
  2. Nikki Haley's supporters continued to back her financially even when it became clear that her campaign wasn't successful, demonstrating loyalty and belief in her message.
  3. Across the Western world, new hate speech laws threaten freedom of speech, with Ireland, Canada, and Britain considering strict legislation.

UnitedHealth’s self-dealing is accelerating

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 899 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🏥 Health Politics Health care Insurance Policy Corporate ethics Financial Analysis
  1. UnitedHealth is increasingly making money through its own subsidiaries, which means it's doing more business with itself. This raises concerns about whether patients are getting the best options and quality of care.
  2. A significant portion of UnitedHealth's revenue comes from internal transactions with its subsidiary, Optum. This could limit competition and hurt other healthcare providers.
  3. Using its own doctors and services helps UnitedHealth avoid spending obligations meant for patient care, potentially leading to reduced quality for patients.

Economics Links, 2/10/2025

In My Tribe • 227 implied HN points • 10 Feb 25
💼 Business Economics Trade AI Entrepreneurship Policy
  1. Phil Gramm and Larry Summers believe that tariffs harm economic growth and could lead to trade wars. They recommend against implementing broad tariffs.
  2. Aswath Damodaran discusses how the entry of DeepSeek could change the AI landscape, creating both low-cost alternatives and maintaining a premium market for AI.
  3. Magatte Wade argues that Africa's poverty is largely due to over-regulation and difficult business conditions, making it hard to trade and grow economically.

The Global Food Institute, an update

Longer Tables with José Andrés • 825 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
🍲 Food & Drink Education Policy Innovation Humanities Sustainability
  1. The Global Food Institute aims to inspire a new generation to solve big food problems through policy, innovation, and humanities.
  2. The Institute has made progress, including participation in events like the World Food Forum and the launch of the Alliance for a Sustainable Future.
  3. Key leaders like Bill Dietz and Tara Scully are driving research, policy work, and curriculum development at the Institute.