The hottest Policy Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top U.S. Politics Topics

There is a reason politicians don't want pregnant women getting divorced

Men Yell at Me • 540 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Abortion Marriage Gender Laws
  1. In some states, pregnant women are not allowed to divorce, even in cases of domestic violence.
  2. Forcing pregnant women to stay married can lead to financial and emotional vulnerability, especially in states with abortion bans.
  3. Laws restricting pregnant women from divorcing are not about the well-being of the child or mother, but rather about controlling women and limiting their freedoms.
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Beware the Weak Man

Thinking about... • 538 implied HN points • 22 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Leadership Democracy Republicans Fear
  1. Identify weak men by their actions, like avoiding real issues and spreading fear rather than facing challenges head-on
  2. Weak men consume the energy of others, pushing for inaction, spread fear, and normalize fear in institutions, leading to harmful consequences
  3. Courage is essential in times of crisis, like supporting Ukraine and democracy, and standing up against the weak men who drive a politics of fear

Ozempic is Showing Us That a Cure for Addiction is Possible

Curing Addiction • 99 implied HN points • 05 Apr 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Addiction Medication Treatment Research Policy
  1. Addiction might be curable by modifying addictive drive biologically, shifting treatment significantly.
  2. Evidence supports the idea that addiction can be biologically changed, opening doors for potential cures.
  3. New medications like GLP-1 drugs show promise in reducing addictive behaviors, offering hope for addiction treatment advancement.

The SDA’s Inertia-imposed Challenges

Ill-Defined Space • 19 implied HN points • 20 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Defense Military Aerospace Policy Industry
  1. The Space Development Agency (SDA) is struggling with supply chain issues for satellite manufacturing. This is partly due to a past focus on slow production, which created a system that favors large companies over smaller, more agile ones.
  2. The SDA's contracts often go to established companies that have experience writing proposals but may lack the capability to produce satellites quickly. This means the SDA risks getting solutions that aren't as effective as what smaller, more innovative companies could offer.
  3. The SDA aims to increase the number of satellites produced swiftly, but many contractors may not be able to meet these high demands. This situation emphasizes the need for a more responsive and effective satellite manufacturing base.

New Zealand’s Ministry of Transport urges its staff to go vegan (no, not really).

A B’Old Woman • 319 implied HN points • 25 Sep 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Policy Social Issues Public Opinion Activism
  1. New Zealand's Ministry of Transport didn't actually ask its staff to go vegan; the title was misleading. It's important to check the facts before jumping to conclusions.
  2. The Ministry is criticized for promoting gender ideology and paying an outside group to influence its employees. This raises questions about the use of taxpayer money.
  3. Some people feel that pushing certain beliefs in the workplace blurs the lines between personal beliefs and professional duties. It can be hard to accept when facts seem to be ignored.

Imprisoning innocent people is bad

Adam's Legal Newsletter • 319 implied HN points • 02 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Justice Legislation Reform Courts
  1. Imprisoning innocent people is bad. It's crucial to ensure that those who were wrongfully convicted are not kept in prison.
  2. The rules on post-conviction challenges for prisoners need to be fixed. The current system can prevent innocent prisoners from proving their innocence.
  3. Congress should amend Section 2255 to allow prisoners to bring successive challenges when new Supreme Court decisions establish their innocence. This fix is important to rectify an unfair system.

Anthony Fauci Continues To Collect Huge Benefits From Taxpayers

Unmasked • 37 implied HN points • 13 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Public Health Policy Accountability Corruption
  1. Dr. Anthony Fauci has been accused of misleading the public and not being honest during his media appearances and testimony.
  2. He reportedly used a private email for work-related communication to hide information, which raises concerns about transparency.
  3. Despite controversies, Fauci continues to receive significant benefits funded by taxpayers.

Sports New Zealand is kicking women into touch again. It's getting to be a habit.

A B’Old Woman • 519 implied HN points • 19 Apr 23
🎾 Sports Women Inclusion Fairness Policy Advocacy
  1. Women have fought hard for the rights to participate in sports, but now there are concerns about fairness when men claim to be women and join women's sports.
  2. Some believe that men maintain a physical advantage over women, even after lowering their testosterone levels, which raises safety and fairness issues in competitions.
  3. Policies that allow men in women's sports are seen by some as disrespectful to women and their achievements, prompting calls for clearer rules that protect women's categories.

Where Have the Good Oligarchs Gone?

God's Spies by Thomas Neuburger • 55 implied HN points • 24 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political theory Oligarchy Democratic Party Influence Policy
  1. The real Left opposes the idea of the rich ruling over everyone else. If they don't get rid of the oligarchs, true self-rule won't happen.
  2. Oligarchs are gaining more power, especially with political figures like Donald Trump. This shift is concerning for democracy.
  3. Some political groups appear to embrace certain wealthy individuals, calling them 'good billionaires.' The actual Left wants to challenge and limit the power of all oligarchs, not just pick favorites.

The impact of renewable energy on electricity costs

Klement on Investing • 4 implied HN points • 20 Jan 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Energy Renewables Economics Policy Sustainability
  1. Renewable energy, like wind and solar, generally helps to lower electricity prices rather than raise them. In Spain, for example, these sources cut prices by up to 58% compared to using only fossil fuels.
  2. The recent energy crisis was mainly due to rising natural gas prices, not the shift to renewable energy. Without renewables, the costs and inflation would have been even worse.
  3. While renewables can be less reliable at times, investing in energy storage and other clean sources can solve the supply issues. Stopping the shift to renewables will likely lead to higher electricity bills and inflation.

Joe Biden’s Parting Gift to America Will be Christian Fascism

The Chris Hedges Report • 266 implied HN points • 17 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Elections Partisanship Social Issues Government
  1. The Democratic Party failed to implement New Deal reforms to prevent Trump presidency and Christian fascism.
  2. Biden and the Democrats, alongside the Republicans, contributed to the erosion of the nation through deregulation and corporate servitude.
  3. Fear of Trump's return and Christian fascism is the last strategy Democrats hold, while ignoring and dismissing the economic challenges faced by the working class.

What the executive order means for openness in AI

AI Snake Oil • 489 implied HN points • 31 Oct 23
🕹 Technology AI Policy Compliance Research
  1. The executive order on AI strives to address various benefits and risks, impacting openness in the AI landscape.
  2. The EO does not include licensing or liability provisions, which could limit openness in AI development.
  3. The EO emphasizes defense against malicious AI uses, registration and reporting requirements, and transparency audits to ensure security and accountability.

Build Nuclear. Frak. Drill.

Erik Torenberg's Thoughts • 455 implied HN points • 14 Nov 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Energy Renewables Emissions Policy
  1. Nuclear energy is a cost-effective and clean solution for reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
  2. Modern nuclear energy plants are safe, produce minimal waste, and are more efficient than other renewable energy sources.
  3. Choosing nuclear energy is crucial for addressing climate change and has been successfully implemented in countries like France.

Grievance Training

Heterodox STEM • 370 implied HN points • 07 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy History Education
  1. Grievance training in American schools is presenting a one-sided and divisive narrative about land appropriation and cultural genocide.
  2. Teachers are asserting that U.S. lands were stolen from Native Americans, pushing for reparations or land return without room for questioning.
  3. The article argues against collective guilt narratives, emphasizing the importance of individual accountability and due process.

Mifepristone ruling is classic anti-science strategy

Science Forever • 278 implied HN points • 13 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Abortion Science Policy Judiciary Conservatism
  1. Conservatives often create confusion about science to avoid debating real issues, a strategy seen in various historical and political contexts.
  2. The recent mifepristone ruling in Texas reflects the attempt to cast doubt on scientific evidence by individuals without the necessary qualifications, which could have significant consequences for public health policies and the credibility of regulatory agencies like the FDA.
  3. The ruling not only poses a threat to abortion access but also carries broader implications by potentially undermining the FDA's authority and the trust in established medical science.

The lies we tell ourselves

Known Unknowns • 275 implied HN points • 03 Apr 23
💰 Finance Economy Policy Banking Investments Regulations
  1. Interest rates may not return to normal, so be cautious. Collective DC plans might not be as ideal as they seem.
  2. Don't expect a recession to automatically solve inflation issues; it may not work as expected.
  3. Inflation brings uncertainty, making high real yields essential, and planning for Social Security reforms could involve risky collective DC plans.

Don't Worry, Just Behave

Variations on a Theme • 119 implied HN points • 22 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Governance Rights Lockdowns Elections Policy
  1. Stay in line and keep your head down. Powerful people can impact anyone, even if you lack the same resources.
  2. Lockdowns have shifted the focus from protecting rights to mandating behavior. Your rights may be forfeited if you don't follow approved behavior.
  3. Political leaders' actions often contradict their words. The narrative of 'behaving' may overshadow the reality of governance.

November 8, 2024

Letters from an American • 30 implied HN points • 09 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Voting Media Policy Immigration Economy History
  1. Many Trump voters are surprised to find out that tariffs will increase prices, like gaming consoles going up significantly in cost. This raises questions about the effectiveness of Trump's policies.
  2. Voters who chose Trump for economic relief are unhappy with his harsh immigration policies that threaten their undocumented friends and family. This highlights a disconnect between voter expectations and the reality of Trump's agenda.
  3. Right-wing media plays a major role in shaping how voters perceive issues, often spreading misinformation. It's important to understand how this affects political choices and voter awareness.

Voices for Children - a rally at NZ's Parliament grounds on 31st Oct.

A B’Old Woman • 239 implied HN points • 30 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Activism Policy Gender Issues Children's rights
  1. There is a rally happening at New Zealand's Parliament on October 31st, focused on children's issues.
  2. Organized by a Māori women's group, this event will feature strong voices speaking on current gender topics affecting kids.
  3. Activities and policies regarding youth, like a secret program in Christchurch, are being highlighted as concerns during the rally.

The EV Revolution in Five Charts and Not Too Many Numbers

Renewable Revolution • 259 implied HN points • 15 Sep 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Sustainability Energy Transportation Technology Policy
  1. Electric vehicle (EV) sales are rapidly increasing, with countries reaching significant market shares in about six years. In 2023, around 20% of car sales will be EVs.
  2. Experts continuously revise their predictions upward for EV growth as prices drop and more people prefer EVs. Many now expect about 40% of cars sold in 2030 to be electric.
  3. The rise of EVs is pushing down sales of traditional gas cars and oil demand. As more EVs are sold, we could see a significant drop in oil use within 15 years.

The Last Flight on Mars.

News Items • 137 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
💼 Business Economy Market Policy
  1. The US economy outperformed China's in 2023, showing strong growth post-pandemic.
  2. Consumer spending in the US prevented a recession in 2023, with the economy growing 3.1%.
  3. Chinese leaders are taking urgent measures to revive the economy, showing concerns about economic stability.