The hottest Policy Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top U.S. Politics Topics

The bottomless financial insanity of the Rwanda scheme

Striking 13 • 2515 implied HN points • 01 Mar 24
🌍 World Politics Policy
  1. The UK's Rwanda scheme is shown to be financially insane, with exorbitant costs and no real impact, according to a recent report.
  2. The Home Office's approach to the scheme is criticized for its irrationality, waste of money, and failure to address the asylum backlog effectively.
  3. Comparison with the costs of a functioning asylum system highlights the extreme financial inefficiency and lack of logic in the Rwanda scheme.

POSIWID and the Moderate Liberal Meltdown

Letters from Fiddler's Greene • 3478 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. POSIWID principle emphasizes that the purpose of a system is what it does, leading to accountability and prevention of excuses.
  2. Political discourse on the right is increasingly incorporating the POSIWID principle to analyze and address complex system-level issues.
  3. There is a disconnect in moderate liberal views, as they advocate for meritocracy while ignoring the actual results of policies and systems, highlighting the importance of honesty in addressing societal issues.

The Titanic Sub Saga, Jim Jordan's Remark Backfires, DeSantis' Street Poop, Dan Crenshaw Wants Biden to Dive for Debris, Lawyers Use AI Fake Cases, Fox News Alters Quotes, "Fiddler on the Roof" Sings

kareem • 5975 implied HN points • 27 Jun 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. The story of the Titanic submarine tragedy reveals societal value placed on lives.
  2. Blaming the Titanic sub deaths on 'wokeness' was misguided.
  3. Different perspectives on faith and science emerged from the Titanic sub and Greek shipwreck tragedies.

TGIF: In a Sense, Aren’t We All African American?

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 3111 implied HN points • 11 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. The TSA has lifted the rule that forced people to remove their shoes at airport security, which many busy travelers are celebrating. This change is seen as a small win for convenience amidst larger issues of privacy and security.
  2. The TSA's security measures often feel more like a performance than real safety, with studies showing low effectiveness in catching dangerous items. Many feel that the process is more about making people feel secure rather than actually providing safety.
  3. Overall, the article reflects on the balance between security measures and personal privacy, highlighting how people have to give up certain freedoms for perceived safety. It's a reminder that safety and comfort can sometimes conflict.

Breaking echo chambers, white-label resources, and this month’s top science picks

Your Local Epidemiologist • 625 implied HN points • 12 Dec 25
🏥 Health Politics Policy
  1. There’s growing investment in infrastructure to connect institutions, experts, and the public for better health communication. A new social-media program has launched with support from parent advocates.
  2. White-label scientific briefs are now available so people can share evidence with decision-makers under their own branding. The latest downloadable guide focuses on community water fluoridation.
  3. Five recent studies were highlighted, including a rise in parents refusing newborn vitamin K shots and notable oral GLP-1 trial results. These findings are being tracked because they could affect clinical choices and public health messaging.
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Fifteen thoughts on Kevin McCarthy's downfall

Slow Boring • 5837 implied HN points • 04 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. Kevin McCarthy's downfall was triggered by his decision to not do a government shutdown that Matt Gaetz wanted.
  2. Donald Trump did not try to save McCarthy, showing his self-serving nature.
  3. The dysfunction in the Republican caucus was highlighted by the rebels' actions and the refusal of mainstream Republicans to cooperate with Democrats.

The UK's censorship catastrophe is just the beginning

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 2687 implied HN points • 01 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. The UK's Online Safety Act is leading to mass censorship of important content. This includes blocking access to news and health information, which can restrict young people's understanding of the world.
  2. Age verification rules may seem like a way to protect kids, but they actually make it harder for young people to access crucial information. Instead of being safer, they face greater privacy risks just to browse online.
  3. Similar censorship laws could soon emerge in the U.S. Democrats and Republicans are both pushing for stricter rules online, which threatens free speech and our right to share information freely.

The Empire Is A Nonstop Insult To Our Intelligence

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 2891 implied HN points • 10 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. The idea that those speaking out against genocide are labeled as terrorists while the ones committing these acts receive peace prizes is deeply concerning. This shows a big disconnect in how actions are judged.
  2. Misinformation and propaganda play a huge role in keeping people uninformed about serious issues. This ignorance allows harmful actions to continue unnoticed.
  3. The current state of events shows a disturbing trend where the truth is manipulated, and the public is treated like they can't see what's really happening. This highlights the need for critical thinking and awareness.

He is Defunding the State and Running for Missouri Treasurer. Ope! He's Also Uncontested.

The View from Rural Missouri by Jess Piper • 2209 implied HN points • 02 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. Uncontested seats in elections can lead to undemocratic outcomes.
  2. Missouri Representative Cody Smith has been focusing on defunding public libraries, Planned Parenthood, and public schools.
  3. Efforts to contest every seat in elections can help prevent unopposed politicians from implementing extreme measures.

Mailbags (and movies) need writers

Slow Boring • 3164 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. Movies rely on a variety of roles, including writers, for their success.
  2. Positive trends in the labor market include record enrollment in ACA exchanges, booming construction jobs, and falling greenhouse gas emissions.
  3. The outcome of historical events, like the American Revolution, can have a significant impact on future developments and trajectories.

DisInformation Chronicle Podcast with NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya

The DisInformation Chronicle • 290 implied HN points • 31 Dec 25
🎙 Podcasts Policy
  1. A new podcast will interview interesting, smart thinkers and plans to release new episodes about twice a month at first.
  2. The first episode features NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya discussing his move from Stanford professor to the government role that manages a huge chunk of biomedical research funding.
  3. Future guests will be announced ahead of time so paid subscribers can suggest questions, and listeners are invited to suggest guests and consider subscribing.

Obamacare Could Save the GOP Majority—or Doom It

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 213 implied HN points • 20 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. Rising healthcare costs are now voters' top concern and pose a real threat to the GOP’s slim Congressional majority, since losing the House or Senate would wreck the party’s domestic agenda.
  2. About 17 House Republicans from swing districts voted to extend COVID-era Enhanced Premium Tax Credits for three years, showing pressure to act on health costs even against party leadership.
  3. Extending Obamacare subsidies could help Republicans keep vulnerable seats, but it clashes with conservative orthodoxy and creates a tough trade-off between electoral survival and ideology.

The Coming Working Class Election

The Liberal Patriot • 2751 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. Working-class voters will likely determine the outcome of the 2024 election.
  2. Biden needs to address the concerns of working-class voters to improve his chances of victory.
  3. Democrats should focus on economic issues that directly impact the working class to secure more support.

Niall Ferguson: Milei’s Manmade Miracle

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 2457 implied HN points • 22 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. Argentina's president, Javier Milei, is working to fix a deeply troubled economy, which struggled for many years. His efforts are showing promise and could lead to real change.
  2. Milei has made significant progress in just over a year, turning around the country's financial situation, which had been in decline for over a decade. His leadership is inspiring hope among economists and politicians.
  3. Despite his unusual personality and style, Milei's bold strategies resonate with those who believe in free-market principles. His approach stands out in a world where many leaders take a different path.

Lawler: Update on GSEs and Early Read on Bank Response

CalculatedRisk Newsletter • 124 implied HN points • 04 Feb 26
💰 Finance Policy
  1. A housing economist shared updated data and commentary on upcoming GSE MBS purchases and recent movements in mortgage yields and spreads.
  2. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac released their December volume summary reports, the latest monthly data ahead of a key early-January policy milestone.
  3. The update gives an early read on how banks may respond to GSE actions and market shifts, which could influence mortgage spreads and market liquidity.

Rochelle Walensky’s Terrible Testimony

The New Normal • 4894 implied HN points • 15 Feb 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. CDC Director Rochelle Walensky indicated that CDC's masking guidance in schools won't change despite evidence that masks are ineffective.
  2. Walensky mentioned that the CDC did not conduct randomized controlled trials on masks as they believed it was obvious masks worked.
  3. Walensky stated that COVID vaccines were added to child immunization schedule to provide to uninsured children, despite low risk of COVID for young children.

The good, the bad, and the open data of the Budget

Odds and Ends of History • 670 implied HN points • 27 Nov 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. The Budget outlines the government's economic strategy and priorities for the country. It's a critical event that influences the political landscape.
  2. There are both positive and negative aspects to the Budget, reflecting a mix of good and bad policy decisions. This is similar to how we see different stories unfold in a TV show.
  3. The discussion around the Budget also hints at its impact on individual political careers, particularly for certain politicians.

Why have Reform's poll numbers declined? How worried should we be about Palantir? How long does Starmer have left?

Comment is Freed • 83 implied HN points • 14 Feb 26
📰 News Policy
  1. Since 2008 it’s become much harder for social democratic governments to boost living standards and public services because slower growth, ageing populations, and rising health costs have squeezed budgets.
  2. The big political shift is that the right has fractured, leaving centre-right parties often dependent on radical-right support, which lets extremist parties win power even where economic growth exists.
  3. That dynamic raises real risks for democracy and puts huge pressure on social democrats; the only clear solution is for centre-right parties to learn to win without the radical right, which is a very tough task.

The Silver Bulletin Year in Review

Silver Bulletin • 336 implied HN points • 31 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. The newsletter experienced a post-election normalization: overall subscriptions rose about 12% but paid subscribers fell roughly 27%, with realized revenue down less (around 17%) while median post readership stayed strong.
  2. The team is hiring an editor to raise the baseline output while keeping quality high, and plans to diversify beyond politics and sports by launching new forecasting products like a generic ballot, COOPER for college basketball, and continued work on ELWAY/QBERT.
  3. The editorial approach centers on data-driven forecasting and testable predictions, producing notable hits and some misses, and the plan is to be more forward-looking and varied in 2026.

Trump Has Completely Dropped His "Populist" Act

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 2426 implied HN points • 17 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. Trump has stopped pretending to care about ordinary people and is acting more like a typical Republican. This change came right after he was re-elected.
  2. He is pushing back against issues his supporters used to care about, like the Jeffrey Epstein case, and is now backing controversial foreign policies.
  3. Despite his shift away from populism, many supporters still seem ready to follow the next political figure that promises a similar message, showing a cycle of repeated beliefs.

Activism, Uncensored: Christopher Columbus and Stephen Colbert

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 2297 implied HN points • 24 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. A tweet from 2020 sparked a big debate about Christopher Columbus, especially among Italian-Americans who see him as a symbol of pride.
  2. People protested against a politician named Mamdani due to his opinions on Columbus statues and his proposed policies in NYC.
  3. There was also a protest against CBS for cancelling Stephen Colbert, where some people expressed concerns about free speech and censorship.

Why Can’t Biden Move to the Center?

The Liberal Patriot • 2476 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. Biden struggles to move to the center due to pressure from college-educated voters and activists.
  2. Despite efforts to shift stance on immigration, Biden faces challenges from the party's left.
  3. Biden is advised to focus on appealing to working-class voters and break free from elite influence.

The Art of the Pardon. Plus. . .

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 384 implied HN points • 23 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. President Trump has dramatically expanded clemency in his second term, and the pardon process increasingly benefits people with wealth or close ties to the administration.
  2. J.D. Vance is urging the MAGA movement to drop purity tests and broaden its base, a deliberate strategy that risks embracing people who flirt with conspiracy theories and antisemitism.
  3. There’s a growing alarm about generational economic strain, with expensive entitlements that funnel money from younger people to retirees being called “Total Boomer Luxury Communism” and argued to be unsustainable.

Our climate change debates are out of date

Noahpinion • 25588 implied HN points • 08 Sep 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Policy
  1. Climate change debates need to adjust to the reality of cheap renewable energy like solar and batteries
  2. Solar and batteries are leading a true technological revolution that is changing the energy landscape
  3. The solar and battery revolution is reshaping climate debates towards optimism and away from outdated ideas like degrowth

What’s the plan for fall vaccines? If you're confused, you're not alone.

Your Local Epidemiologist • 2119 implied HN points • 06 Aug 25
🏥 Health Politics Policy
  1. This year, there is a lot of confusion around fall vaccines because key decisions that usually happen aren't taking place. Experts are worried this could affect how easily people can get vaccinated.
  2. The FDA hasn't made clear recommendations for the Covid-19 vaccine, and this could limit who gets access. Many people might have a harder time getting the vaccine than in previous years.
  3. Although some vaccines are ready, there's still uncertainty about who will be eligible and whether insurers will cover the costs for everyone. Staying informed and advocating for yourself and others is important.

Abortion, Every Day (2.1.24)

All in Her Head by Jessica Valenti • 2378 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. The Oregon Supreme Court ruled against ten Republican state senators who staged a walkout over abortion, disqualifying them from reelection.
  2. Kentucky and Tennessee lawmakers are working on abortion legislation, with focus on repealing bans and providing more resources for patients.
  3. The anti-abortion movement is facing backlash, including activists violating the FACE Act and attempts to repeal clinic protection laws.

A Continual Christmas

Where's Your Ed At • 18249 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. Allowing hate speech can lead to a platform becoming a safe haven for harmful ideologies like nazism.
  2. Media properties have a responsibility to act ethically and not empower intolerant and genocidal ideologies.
  3. Journalism should prioritize clarity and truth over the illusion of objectivity, especially when addressing harmful content.

BIG NEWS!

TRANSFORM with Marianne Williamson • 4500 implied HN points • 27 Feb 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. Marianne Williamson is announcing her candidacy for the Democratic nomination for president on March 4th.
  2. She advocates for a transformational politics that addresses the root causes of issues, not just symptoms.
  3. Williamson aims to disrupt the political status quo and create a new beginning for the country.

The Hyperbole of Backlash

Bet On It • 85 implied HN points • 08 Feb 26
🌍 World Politics Policy
  1. Backlash means two different things: temporary resistance to faster immigration, and a self‑defeating decline in long‑run immigration; only the latter would justify cutting immigration.
  2. Short‑term resistance is common, but that doesn't prove immigration is self‑defeating because cities and markets can adjust over time (more housing, assimilation, etc.).
  3. Claims that immigration produces a self‑defeating backlash need stronger empirical evidence — analysts should distinguish change versus level effects, control for selection, and consider whether later policy reversals would overturn the supposed backlash.

The Ashes Will Come First

imetatronink • 4402 implied HN points • 04 Sep 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. Representative democracy in the US is irredeemably corrupted and an existential threat to the world.
  2. The American political system is controlled by powerful entities beyond individual elected officials.
  3. Change for the better in the US political landscape is unlikely, as the system continues to be driven by the interests of those in power.

Odd bedfellows: Moving with MAHA from conversation to collaboration

Your Local Epidemiologist • 2004 implied HN points • 30 Jul 25
🏥 Health Politics Policy
  1. Collaboration between public health experts and grassroots movements is powerful. By working together, they can tackle important health issues that directly affect communities.
  2. Addressing health problems can involve simple, effective solutions like providing grocery access to low-income patients. This approach shows how public health can be practical and impactful.
  3. Building trust and relationships is key in public health. It's important to listen to local voices and work with those who have firsthand experience with health challenges.

Thank You

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 7304 implied HN points • 11 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. The author is grateful to teachers who shared their thoughts about the DOE's possible changes. It's important to acknowledge the valuable input from educators.
  2. The author has learned a lot from the teachers' responses about classroom challenges. This shows how complex education issues can be.
  3. The author is still replying to teachers and values their insights. Ongoing communication is key to understanding problems in education.