The hottest Policy Substack posts right now

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Top U.S. Politics Topics

Super Mailbag

Slow Boring • 2024 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. Historically, the US aimed to industrialize with high immigration, tariffs, subsidies, and public education.
  2. Individual efforts can hype up political candidates like Andy Beshear for the future.
  3. Ethiopian cuisine could become more mainstream in American dining.

Monthly Roundup #32: July 2025

Don't Worry About the Vase • 2060 implied HN points • 21 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. The FDA is testing a new program to speed up drug reviews, which could make medicines available much faster than before. It's surprising that this approach isn't more common already.
  2. Recent trends show that people are increasingly betting on sports, especially college students. This raises concerns about the potential risks and impacts on young people's lives.
  3. Dining out has become more complex and sometimes more expensive, especially with services like Uber Eats. People might want to rethink their delivery habits, especially if they’re single.

TGIF: Be (My Limestone) Mine?

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 4920 implied HN points • 14 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. Elon Musk's team is trying to modernize government processes, like digitizing how federal employee retirements are handled. This could save time and money compared to current methods that involve a lot of manual labor.
  2. There's a focus on cutting unnecessary expenses, like the cost of minting pennies, which is more than their value. Efforts are being made to remove these inefficiencies.
  3. A young adviser at the State Department, known as 'Big Balls,' has gained attention for his unusual online name. This sparked discussions in the media, showcasing how things can get blown out of proportion in public conversations.

Mitch Heimpel: The Liberals have more than just a communications problem

The Line • 2142 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. The problem for Liberals isn't just about communication, but deeper issues related to perception and brand association.
  2. Attempting to rebrand policies like the carbon tax won't succeed if the fundamental problem of public perception isn't addressed.
  3. The dependence of the Liberal Party on Justin Trudeau's personal brand and politics may pose a challenge as public priorities evolve.

TGIF: Mar-a-Gaza

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 4971 implied HN points • 07 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. Trump has proposed a controversial plan to take over the Gaza Strip for real estate development, aiming to create a luxurious area reminiscent of the Riviera.
  2. Musk's DOGE team is shaking up government spending, looking closely at agencies like USAID, which has ties to political funding and previous controversial figures.
  3. There are concerns about the influence and past actions of individuals within the DOGE initiative, highlighting potential issues with government reform efforts.
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Coleman Hughes: The End of DEI

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 5258 implied HN points • 23 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. Trump's recent executive order aims to end racial preferences in various sectors, promoting a merit-based approach instead. This move is seen as a step towards a society that treats everyone equally, regardless of race.
  2. The author supports the idea of color blindness in policy, arguing that people should be judged on their abilities and not their race. This concept has sparked debate, with some critics labeling it as overly simplistic.
  3. There is a pushback against Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs, with arguments suggesting they might create more division instead of harmony. The belief is that true equality should not focus on race or gender.

Our Promise to You

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 5133 implied HN points • 27 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. Some people believe traditional media has too many rules that limit honest inquiry into controversial topics. They think this has hurt real journalism.
  2. There's a feeling that breaking the usual journalistic standards was okay to fight against what they see as extreme actions by certain political figures.
  3. Many in the media don't apologize for getting things wrong because they feel the greater goal justified those errors.

The Pardon Arms Race Escalates

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 6145 implied HN points • 09 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. The Senate is investigating the origins of COVID-19 more thoroughly, despite previous reports suggesting a conclusion. They believe there is still important information missing.
  2. Several federal agencies are being asked to preserve documents related to COVID-19, indicating ongoing concerns and potential for new inquiries.
  3. Lawmakers, especially from the Republican side, are frustrated with the lack of transparency from health agencies about research funding, particularly regarding the Wuhan lab.

The Disappearing Democratic Coalition

The Liberal Patriot • 1886 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. Biden is falling behind Trump in key areas like the economy and border security.
  2. The Democratic coalition is losing support among core groups like Hispanics, Blacks, and Youth.
  3. To win in the 2024 election, Democrats need to focus on persuasion over mobilization and address voter concerns like the economy and tough issues.

🧬✨ An AI-genetics revolution — and arms race: A Quick Q&A with Bill Drexel

Faster, Please! • 365 implied HN points • 18 Dec 25
🕹 Technology Policy
  1. AI is rapidly boosting genetic engineering, making it much easier to design and optimize genes in powerful new ways.
  2. That combo could trigger a dangerous international arms race, with China appearing willing to push ahead aggressively.
  3. The moral and ethical stakes are huge but aren’t getting enough public attention, so we need more debate, oversight, and urgency.

TGIF: War Room Correspondent

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 4739 implied HN points • 31 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. Trump's press team is changing how the White House briefing room works by opening it to more journalists, which is a big shift from the past. It means that anyone can now apply for access, rather than just be invited.
  2. Federal workers are upset about being told to return to the office, with some even suing over how the message was delivered. The email they received wasn't well received, and many are worried about juggling work and childcare.
  3. Colombia's president wrote a strange poem in response to Trump after initially refusing to take back migrants. This unusual communication shows the unpredictable nature of international relations in the current political climate.

Getting to Denmark

Wrong Side of History • 460 implied HN points • 22 Nov 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. Denmark is admired for its wealth and egalitarian society, especially its history of helping during tough times, like World War II. The rescue of Danish Jews shows the country's strong sense of community and morality.
  2. Denmark's immigration policies are stricter than many think, aiming to protect social solidarity and public support for welfare. This approach challenges the idea that all progressive countries should have open immigration.
  3. Despite international criticism, Denmark's handling of immigration has not led to chaos. Political stability remains, and the public's views align with the government's policies, unlike in some other European countries.

Write-in mailbag

Slow Boring • 2004 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. The internet and social media have changed political engagement by fostering 'political hobbyism'.
  2. Participating in internet arguments about politics can be a hobby for some, providing engagement and entertainment.
  3. The current Democratic Party does not have a clear path to secure a 55+ seat majority in the Senate.

Are carers of New Zealand’s gender-confused kids in state care now being told they must transition them to the opposite sex?

A B’Old Woman • 399 implied HN points • 27 Jun 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. In New Zealand, there are new policies that suggest foster carers must help transition gender-nonconforming children to the opposite sex. This is causing concern among some people.
  2. A request for information about how many children in state care are being transitioned revealed that the government doesn't have clear data on this issue, which raises questions about their policy-making processes.
  3. Critics argue that current policies are based on flawed research and may be influenced by a generation that supports transitional practices without proper scrutiny.

TGIF: Thankful Edition

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 5995 implied HN points • 29 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. It's easy to think about what we don't have, like Bitcoin, especially when we see others doing well with it. Reflecting on missed opportunities can make us appreciate our current situation even more.
  2. Jill Biden's presence and support for her husband, the president, highlights the importance of having a supportive partner in leadership. It's nice to recognize her role during Thanksgiving.
  3. Thankfulness can come from recognizing both what we have and what has passed us by. Even if we feel we've missed out on trends, focusing on family and good moments is what really matters.

America First vs. MAGA. Plus. . .

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 361 implied HN points • 11 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. The Republican coalition is fracturing as many populist voters shift from MAGA toward a purer "America First" stance, empowering hardline figures who feel betrayed by party leaders.
  2. Republicans keep failing to present a clear, credible healthcare plan, leaving them politically vulnerable when costs and expiring subsidies become front‑page issues.
  3. The post‑Trump political climate has eroded norms and amplified fringe voices and self‑dealing concerns, prompting renewed debates and calls for ethical and policy reforms.

The power of having the same teacher again

Granted • 3234 implied HN points • 31 Oct 23
🚌 Education Policy
  1. Looping, which involves keeping students with the same teacher for multiple years, has shown to have benefits like increased test scores, attendance, and decreased disciplinary incidents.
  2. Small effect sizes in looping studies may have practical significance when aggregated across many students; looping could have stronger effects on attitudes and behaviors than standardized test scores.
  3. When considering looping in education, it's important to address concerns such as potential teacher burnout, unintended consequences, and the misattribution of successful educational practices in other countries to looping.

I Once Thought Europeans Lived as Well as Americans. Not Anymore.

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1720 implied HN points • 20 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. Living standards in America are believed to be 20 to 30 percent higher than in Western Europe. This includes things like better access to conveniences.
  2. More Europeans die from heat-related issues due to less air-conditioning compared to Americans who die from gun violence. This highlights some dangerous bureaucratic restrictions in Europe.
  3. Many European countries have strict regulations on installing air-conditioning units, making it difficult for people to stay cool during heatwaves.

"The Global Fertility Crisis is Worse than You Think"

The Honest Broker Newsletter • 2159 implied HN points • 13 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. Fertility rates are dropping globally, and it's happening faster than expected. This decline is seen in both wealthy and poorer countries.
  2. Many countries' fertility rates have fallen below the replacement rate required to sustain their populations. This means that if it continues, the world's population will eventually shrink drastically.
  3. Experts are concerned that the global fertility crisis could lead to significant economic and social issues in the future, making it a serious issue that might need international attention.

Revisiting the Pyramid of Inequality that is Streaming Music

Dada Drummer Almanach • 173 implied HN points • 15 Jan 26
🎶 Music Policy
  1. Streaming payouts are massively concentrated, with a tiny share of tracks getting nearly all the money while most tracks earn nothing.
  2. Per-stream payments are extremely small — artists often receive only a fraction of a cent per play — so even millions of streams usually don’t produce a livable income.
  3. Systemic change is needed, like laws requiring platforms to pay musicians directly per stream, and that will take fans, music workers, and artists organizing and supporting reform.

Friday Funnies: Morning in America

Who is Robert Malone • 43 implied HN points • 20 Feb 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. Cartoons criticize political leaders for disrespecting national symbols like the American flag.
  2. There is a call for an America First agriculture policy, arguing the government should prioritize fixing U.S. farming instead of focusing on feeding other countries.
  3. Humor and satire are used to make political points, with jokes and quotes stressing that laughter can help convey uncomfortable truths.

Famed Florida Retirement Community, The Villages, is Being Fed Medicare Advantage Propaganda

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 559 implied HN points • 30 May 24
🏥 Health Politics Policy
  1. Medicare Advantage plans are getting a lot of positive coverage, but they can have significant downsides that aren't being reported. Many seniors might not understand the risks involved with these plans.
  2. Recent changes in funding might lead to reduced benefits for seniors using Medicare Advantage. This could mean higher costs or lower quality care as insurers respond to cuts.
  3. Some experts believe Medicare Advantage plans are overstated and actually cost the Medicare system more. Seniors are encouraged to consider traditional Medicare options with supplemental plans for better coverage.

My Head Is Spinning. Is Yours Too?

Spilled Coffee • 40 implied HN points • 25 Feb 26
🕹 Technology Policy
  1. Nobody really knows what will happen next with AI, so most confident predictions are just educated guesses and should be taken with caution.
  2. AI is already disrupting large swaths of white-collar work and is moving toward physical tasks with robotics, which is causing real market anxiety and rapid industry shifts.
  3. The real conversation needs to be about people: retraining, who pays for transitions, and which institutions will support workers, because the pace of change feels much faster than past revolutions.

Vaccine policy meeting: The essentials

Your Local Epidemiologist • 2040 implied HN points • 26 Jun 25
🏥 Health Politics Policy
  1. Flu shots are recommended for everyone over 6 months, but some types might not be used due to misinformation about a preservative called thimerosal. Understanding what's safe is important for public trust in vaccines.
  2. New options for RSV protection are available this fall, including a vaccine for pregnant women and a monoclonal antibody for infants. This gives families more choices to protect their little ones from serious illnesses.
  3. COVID-19 vaccines are expected to be available, but there are many unanswered questions about who will qualify for them and how much they will cost. It's crucial for health leaders to provide clear information to avoid confusion.

New Capitalism II: Compositional vs income inequality

Global Inequality and More 3.0 • 1494 implied HN points • 26 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. There are different ways to measure inequality, like compositional inequality, which looks at how people earn their money from labor versus capital. This shows us that income can be unequal even if the sources of income are similar for everyone.
  2. The elite class in a capitalist society often makes money from both high wages and investment, and they strongly support capitalist ideas. This creates a different dynamic than what we see in the broader workforce.
  3. Countries with lower inequality usually have less compositional inequality too. This suggests that income distribution and the sources of that income are connected in ways we need to better understand.

RFK Jr. guts the U.S. vaccine policy committee

Your Local Epidemiologist • 2249 implied HN points • 10 Jun 25
🏥 Health Politics Policy
  1. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has removed all members of the U.S. vaccine policy committee, which has been a trusted part of vaccine safety and recommendations for decades.
  2. The change raises concerns about who will be appointed next and whether they will rely on scientific evidence or personal beliefs to guide vaccine policy.
  3. If vaccine recommendations change or lose credibility, it could affect insurance coverage, access to vaccines for children, and create inconsistent state policies that may risk public health.

How to build the perfect city

Chris Arnade Walks the World • 2094 implied HN points • 20 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Policy
  1. People really need community to be happy and healthy. If they can't find good communities, they might turn to unhealthy ones.
  2. City planning is usually done by experts, and that's okay. However, these experts should understand the communities they are planning for and not be too removed from people's everyday lives.
  3. Culture shapes how cities are designed and how policies work. Good urban planning can help change culture for the better.

EXCLUSIVE: PBS Disappears DEI Department in Wake of Free Press Investigation

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 4029 implied HN points • 11 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. PBS has decided to close its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) department. This happened after an investigation by The Free Press raised questions about the department's role in relation to an executive order.
  2. The CEO of PBS informed staff about the departure of two DEI executives. She mentioned that this move was to ensure compliance with the president's order.
  3. This change at PBS reflects broader tensions and changes in how organizations handle diversity initiatives, especially under political scrutiny.

America, please be reasonable on immigration

Noahpinion • 13000 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. Immigration is important for the American economy and societal dynamism, but the current situation at the border is a major problem causing logistical, fiscal, and psychological challenges.
  2. Americans have shifted towards more restrictive views on immigration, with a majority now calling for tougher policies, as seen through rising support for measures like mass deportations and a border wall.
  3. To address the immigration issue, Americans need to embrace compromise on how people enter the country and who is allowed to come in, prioritizing solutions over political opposition.

Germany under the sun

GEM Energy Analytics • 459 implied HN points • 10 Jun 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Policy
  1. Solar energy in Germany is rapidly increasing, with over one gigawatt installed each month. This growth is important because it helps meet their energy goals for the future.
  2. Solar power is very concentrated during certain months. In winter, it barely impacts energy supply, while spring and summer see a big increase in generation.
  3. Negative prices for solar energy are rising, meaning that sometimes the energy is worth less than nothing during high production times. This creates challenges for both producers and market management.

AI #121 Part 2: The OpenAI Files

Don't Worry About the Vase • 1971 implied HN points • 20 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Policy
  1. Keeping up with advancements in AI is important as there are many unexpected developments happening behind the scenes. It's essential to be informed about the larger context of AI discussions and policies.
  2. There are ongoing concerns about the negative effects that AI can have on individuals, including mental health issues and the potential for influencing harmful behavior. It's crucial to have a conversation about these risks.
  3. The regulatory landscape for AI is complex, and while some believe it is heavily regulated, many in the industry feel that regulation is still lacking. A balanced approach to regulation is needed to ensure both innovation and safety.

Why I still believe in HS2

Odds and Ends of History • 2278 implied HN points • 30 May 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy
  1. HS2 is important for connecting cities quickly and improving transportation. Finishing the railway is seen as essential for the country's future.
  2. Even though the project has faced delays and rising costs, stopping it now would mean losing valuable benefits that HS2 could bring.
  3. Investing in HS2 will help relieve pressure on existing train lines, allowing for more local services and better freight transport, which is crucial for overall infrastructure.

Links For January 2024

Astral Codex Ten • 13145 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Policy
  1. The US government has a database of dad jokes
  2. Low fertility rates may correlate with beliefs about parenting tasks
  3. Republicans might shift towards small-government libertarianism due to challenges in governance