The hottest Policy Substack posts right now

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

Exclusive: Trump Targets Biden’s $42 Billion Broadband Boondoggle

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 398 implied HN points • 06 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. Trump plans to change a $42 billion broadband program created by Biden because it hasn't successfully connected anyone to the internet yet.
  2. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration is looking to remove rules that are seen as burdensome, which could speed up the program's goals.
  3. This broadband program was started to provide internet access to 25 million Americans, but the proposed changes can happen without needing Congress's approval.

Trump Uses Legal Threats to Push Federal Reserve Member To Resign

Can We Still Govern? • 230 implied HN points • 20 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. Using legal threats to push out opponents is a sign of authoritarianism. It makes people question whether the law is being applied fairly.
  2. The way Trump is trying to push Federal Reserve member Lisa Cook to resign shows how he uses intimidation. This attack is not about Cook's qualifications but about controlling power.
  3. There seems to be a focus on attacking certain officials while ignoring similar actions from Trump supporters. This creates a double standard and makes it harder for those in positions of power to feel safe.

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 Policy
  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

Musk-Trump CASH application

Thinking about... • 703 implied HN points • 08 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. The fictional CASH application humorously critiques a political climate where unethical behavior is often overlooked. It's like saying you can get ahead despite serious issues if you play the game right.
  2. Affirmative answers on the application suggest that if you have questionable moral character, you might just be more likely to succeed in certain political circles.
  3. The essay part of the application adds a twist, asking candidates to contribute to a deceptive campaign. It shows a satirical take on how truth is sometimes twisted in politics.

Missouri Representative Ben Baker

The View from Rural Missouri by Jess Piper • 537 implied HN points • 31 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. Missouri Representative Ben Baker has undergone a remarkable transformation from a mild-mannered missionary to embodying toxic partisan politics and extreme masculinity.
  2. Baker has actively pushed for extreme legislation, such as opposing abortion care, attacking trans kids, and advocating for Bible studies in public schools.
  3. The concerning aspect of Ben Baker's character is his obsession with guns, despite the devastating gun violence statistics in Missouri, including issues like open carry for children and intimate partner violence.
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What's Next for ChinaTalk

ChinaTalk • 756 implied HN points • 22 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Policy
  1. ChinaTalk started as a small project and has grown to have 50,000 subscribers by focusing on tech developments in China.
  2. They aim to provide deep analysis on China's tech landscape, especially regarding AI, to help people understand its global impact.
  3. In 2025, ChinaTalk plans to expand into a think tank, hiring more staff to enhance their research and outreach efforts.

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (No. 65)

The Redneck Intellectual by C. Bradley Thompson • 353 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. The Good includes interesting news about Argentina's libertarian president and heartwarming stories like a heroic dog and a Florida couple adopting a baby.
  2. The Bad showcases negative aspects of current affairs like economic struggles, bureaucratic proposals, and societal challenges.
  3. The Ugly delves into disturbing societal trends such as children on puberty blockers, court battles over trans surgeries, and unsettling political scandals.

DC Elites Plan Biden Coronation

Krystal Kyle & Friends • 589 implied HN points • 08 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. The discussion revolved around key policy items for progressives in the upcoming presidential race.
  2. Marianne Williamson's 2024 bid for presidency was met with mockery and derision from the White House and corporate press.
  3. The condescension towards pro-working class ideas signals a tough fight for the 2024 election.

Qualified immunity

Logging the World • 458 implied HN points • 26 Nov 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. The discussion around qualified immunity, Great Barrington Declaration, and herd immunity during the COVID-19 pandemic raised complexities and challenges in their practical implementation.
  2. Patrick Vallance's statement on 'building up some kind of herd immunity' during the early stages of the pandemic was scrutinized, highlighting the complexity and potential consequences of different approaches.
  3. The importance of vaccines in ending the pandemic was emphasized, while also prompting consideration of alternative strategies if vaccines were not available.

Disaffected: Nov 11, 2023

Disaffected Newsletter • 479 implied HN points • 15 Nov 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. A recent podcast discussed a manifesto from a school shooter, highlighting troubling thoughts expressed in it.
  2. In Burlington, Vermont, there's a rise in visible homelessness and crime, but the city is choosing to spend on PR instead of real safety measures.
  3. There was a concerning incident where a mother filmed herself naked with her children, promoting a controversial message about gender identity.

Feeble Jobs Report

Points And Figures • 1039 implied HN points • 01 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. The recent jobs report shows a big reliance on government jobs, which many think is not a good sign for the economy. Without these jobs, things would look much worse.
  2. Government spending isn't really helping the economy grow. Taxes and debt fund this spending, but they don't create real jobs in the private sector.
  3. A potential change in leadership could mean a big cut in government jobs, which might lead to more opportunities in private industry instead.

Democrats Go Full Border Fascist

Krystal Kyle & Friends • 275 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. A bipartisan border bill stopped in the Senate by Republicans has sparked discussions on progressive border policies including the idea of open borders.
  2. John Washington, who has written a book on the topic, discusses the possibilities of open borders as a guest on the show.
  3. The post is reserved for paid subscribers, highlighting the depth of the content being shared.

Towards an Enlightened Centrism

Richard Hanania's Newsletter • 3950 implied HN points • 22 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. Enlightened Centrists value exposure to a wide range of political views without clinging to ideological diversity just for the sake of it.
  2. Enlightened Centrists share traits like rationalism, non-zero-sum thinking, belief in progress, and skepticism of old philosophy.
  3. Enlightened Centrists may come from different political ideologies but prioritize sound political and social analysis over tribal thinking.

Forget coalitions. Keir Starmer is heading for a landslide

Inside-Out, political commentary from Philip Stephens • 569 implied HN points • 05 Jun 23
🌍 World Politics Policy
  1. Keir Starmer is predicted to win the British election and may need to form a coalition with the Liberal Democrats.
  2. Britain is facing economic decline, breakdown in public services, and a Tory party more focused on internal conflicts than governance.
  3. Voters are disillusioned with the Conservatives due to failed promises, lack of delivery in public services, and divisive cultural wars.

Social Conservatism as 4D Chess

Richard Hanania's Newsletter • 2048 implied HN points • 11 Mar 24
📖 Philosophy Policy
  1. Social conservatives make claims about higher-order effects to justify their positions on issues like abortion and euthanasia, but these claims often lack evidence or are disproven by cross-national comparisons.
  2. Slippery slope arguments can be valid in limited contexts, but broad claims like legalizing prostitution affecting overall societal values need substantial evidence, which is often lacking.
  3. Government policies in free countries have limited influence on shaping culture predictably; the impact is often chaotic and hard to plan for, as seen by historical examples of social policies not aligning with expected cultural changes.

First half of 2023: 7 big health insurers pulled in $683 billion in revenues – largely through taxpayer-supported programs and the pharmacy supply chain

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 619 implied HN points • 06 Sep 23
🏥 Health Politics Policy
  1. In the first half of 2023, seven major health insurance companies made over $683 billion in revenue, mainly from government programs like Medicare and Medicaid. This shows a lot of reliance on taxpayer-supported programs.
  2. Despite these huge profits, Wall Street is not satisfied with the health insurers. Investors believe the companies are not raising premiums enough to keep up with demand for healthcare after pandemic delays.
  3. To please investors, these insurers may increase premiums for customers and limit coverage for medical care. This trend highlights the struggle between corporate profit motives and patient care.

Eyes on the Bleeding States

The View from Rural Missouri by Jess Piper • 398 implied HN points • 12 Dec 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. Red states have uncontested seats leading to extreme Republican representation caused by years of disinvestment by Democrats.
  2. Laws passed in red states can have far-reaching effects beyond their borders, affecting everyone regardless of the state they live in.
  3. The impact of oppressive legislation in bleeding states showcases the potential for similar actions to occur in any state, posing a threat to rights and safety.

Training large language models on my loved ones' data

Reboot • 26 implied HN points • 11 Jan 26
🕹 Technology Policy
  1. Expert data labelers produce the high-quality reasoning traces that power recent LLM advances, yet they work as precarious gig labor with opaque rules, unstable pay, and no real career path.
  2. AI companies capture huge value from this labor and then displace or sideline those workers as models learn to generate synthetic data, causing layoffs and downward pressure on wages.
  3. There are simple, practical protections that could help: portable credentials, transparency about how data is used, the ability for workers to communicate and appeal, and explicit credit or recognition for their contributions.

How are Trump and DOGE doing?

In My Tribe • 637 implied HN points • 11 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. There's a change in mood among people, with many feeling worried about job security and the future due to political changes. More people are looking to leave the country because of these concerns.
  2. The American political system is seen as deeply divided and dysfunctional. Despite this, there are opinions that some political figures can still gain support by appealing to certain segments of the population.
  3. Some believe that government agencies are wasting taxpayer money, highlighting a disconnect between those in power and the average citizen. This leads to discussions about accountability and how taxpayer money is spent.

On “Public-Private Partnership”

The Upheaval • 1065 implied HN points • 16 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. Public-private partnerships can help achieve goals, especially in global competition, but they also have risks. It's important to weigh these risks, as they can lead to significant problems in governance and society.
  2. A major concern with public-private partnerships is that they often leave out the public's voice. Decisions may be made without consulting the people affected, which can lead to widespread dissatisfaction and lack of trust in the government.
  3. While some level of cooperation between the government and corporations can be necessary, it's crucial to prioritize the nation's interests and ensure transparency. Keeping the public informed can help prevent misuses of power and maintain democratic accountability.

Should AI Be Allowed to Train On My Work?

I Might Be Wrong • 5 implied HN points • 25 Feb 26
🕹 Technology Policy
  1. New AI tools can make surprisingly good, cheap videos and deepfakes, including realistic-looking celebrity scenes.
  2. Hollywood studios and unions are already pushing back with legal threats, so litigation and new case law on AI are likely to grow.
  3. Creators are angry that AI is often trained on copyrighted work, since that can teach models before they displace people's jobs, and the debate over rights and remedies is messy and unresolved.

Policy Uncertainty, Not "AI"-Automation, Is Almost Surely Behind the Bulk of Recent Graduates' Job Discontent

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 253 implied HN points • 23 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. Many recent college graduates struggle to find jobs, but it's not because of AI. The real issue is job market uncertainty caused by various factors like economic policies and company investments.
  2. Employers are being cautious and delaying hiring due to unpredictable conditions. This makes it harder for newcomers to get jobs, as fewer openings are created when companies hold back.
  3. The value of a college degree is starting to plateau, meaning graduates may not earn significantly more than non-grads in the future. Companies are also moving towards temporary jobs, making career paths less stable.

✨ Central planning in the Age of AI: A Quick Q&A with … economist and regulation expert Lynne Kiesling

Faster, Please! • 1005 implied HN points • 29 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. Central planning has often failed in the past, but some people still find it appealing. It suggests that government control can better manage resources compared to free markets.
  2. Knowledge and data are different. Personal experience and understanding shape our knowledge, while data is just numbers generated from actions, like purchases.
  3. Markets are important because they turn personal knowledge into useful data. Through buying and selling, individual choices help coordinate production and drive innovation.

The New Medical Supernemesis

Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet • 794 implied HN points • 19 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Policy
  1. The concept of 'the Deal' suggests a future where people can live up to 280 years, but it comes with heavy trade-offs, like losing personal belongings and facing a controlled way of dying. It's a challenging idea about how we value life and death.
  2. In this future scenario, many might feel trapped in a fake version of life, where they experience pleasant distractions instead of actually living. The imagery of a body trying to escape emphasizes the struggle against a hollow existence.
  3. Reflecting on this situation can make us question our current medical practices and life choices, similar to how historical figures have critiqued society. It invites a deeper discussion about what it truly means to live and die in our time.

The State of Play

Points And Figures • 985 implied HN points • 25 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. Many people feel that the election process is unfair and that institutions lie to the public. This has led to a loss of trust in political leaders and the media.
  2. Voter sentiment has shifted, with issues like lockdown policies, economic struggles, and social issues influencing people to lean more towards Republican perspectives.
  3. The debates around social issues, like gender identity in sports, may be turning some voters away from the Democrats, especially among suburban women who value traditional rights.

Video Clips of Iraq Invasion Lies: Beyond Cheney/Bush -- From Biden to Powell to Pelosi

husseini • 530 implied HN points • 19 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. There were multiple lies about the Iraq invasion and these lies influenced the culture.
  2. The narrative that the Iraq invasion was a failure is actually a lie; it was a strategic success.
  3. The web of lies surrounding the Iraq invasion spanned multiple administrations, not just Bush and Cheney, including figures like Biden, Powell, and Pelosi.

Reflections on AHM v. FDA

Adam's Legal Newsletter • 679 implied HN points • 22 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. The Supreme Court's order in AHM v. FDA indicates the FDA will likely prevail; legal arguments have been thoroughly aired and further briefing is not expected to change the outcome.
  2. The litigation in AHM v. FDA will continue, with the Fifth Circuit hearing oral arguments next; the Supreme Court may reverse a Fifth Circuit decision if needed.
  3. Proposals to prevent similar situations include eliminating single-judge divisions to avoid forum shopping and improve the administration of justice without needing broader, unwarranted changes.

Trump nominates Jan 6 "bystander" to produce better job numbers

Can We Still Govern? • 208 implied HN points • 15 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. E.J. Antoni has been nominated to lead the Bureau of Labor Statistics, but he lacks the experience and qualifications typically needed for such an important role. Critics argue his rise is more about loyalty to Trump than actual merit.
  2. This nomination raises concerns about a trend of politicizing important government positions and undermining the credibility of economic data. It suggests that the administration values loyalty over expertise.
  3. Antoni's past actions and statements have made many question if he can be trusted with important economic data. His views and mistakes have already led some experts to doubt his ability to do the job effectively.

When Elon Musk Offers Government Buyouts

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 639 implied HN points • 05 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. Some federal workers feel insulted by the buyout offers they're receiving. They worry it doesn't truly benefit them.
  2. Employees are confused about whether to accept the deal or risk losing their jobs. It's a tough choice for them.
  3. Many workers are anxious about the future of their agencies and whether they will still exist in the months to come.

Economics Links, 5/16/2025

In My Tribe • 364 implied HN points • 16 May 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. The China shock might not be as bad as people think; cheap imports could help U.S. manufacturers by lowering their costs and making them more competitive.
  2. In Los Angeles, strict zoning laws have made housing scarce. This has led to high home prices and an increase in homelessness, making it tough for many to afford a place to live.
  3. Republicans are facing challenges with the federal budget, especially with rising entitlement spending. It's hard to fix the deficit by just cutting other spending without reforming entitlements.