The hottest Political Ethics Substack posts right now

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Two Cheers for the Democratic Establishment?

Richard Hanania's Newsletter • 3706 implied HN points • 28 May 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Governance Political parties Political Ethics Media
  1. Biden's leadership has faced criticism due to his declining health, but it’s important to compare how the Democratic establishment handles challenges versus the Republican side. The Dems seem to prioritize accountability and ethics more.
  2. Even when Democrats make mistakes, the ethical standards they follow make them different from leaders like Trump. They seem to genuinely care about the rule of law, unlike some in the Republican party.
  3. It's crucial to recognize that while both sides have flaws, the Democratic establishment has dealt with its issues more honestly. We shouldn’t ignore their mistakes, but we also shouldn't pretend they're as severe as the problems on the other side.

Blinken Is Pushing For Ukrainian Teens To Die For US Hegemony

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 1671 implied HN points • 05 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy War Government Public Opinion Political Ethics
  1. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken wants Ukraine to send younger soldiers, specifically teens, to fight in the ongoing war with Russia. This is concerning because many Ukrainians want peace instead.
  2. There's a feeling that those in power treat people as pawns, ready to send youth into danger for political goals. It seems very unfair and selfish.
  3. The article discusses a divide in leftist views on different conflicts, highlighting a split between those who understand the impact of US global policies and those who follow mainstream narratives.

PREEMPT-ive Pardon for Fauci

A Biologist's Guide to Life • 356 implied HN points • 20 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Ethics Government Accountability Legal issues Public Health Pandemic response
  1. A preemptive pardon for Fauci raises serious questions about its legality and ethics. It's unusual to pardon someone before they are even charged with a crime.
  2. Concerns exist that Fauci's actions may have contributed to the COVID-19 pandemic. Investigations have found troubling evidence regarding the research funded by his agency.
  3. The call for further investigation into Fauci's NIAID is essential for understanding the truth about the pandemic. Many believe that stopping these inquiries is like obstructing justice.

The Ben Shapiro "Honesty" Hustle

Slack Tide by Matt Labash • 203 implied HN points • 15 May 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Commentary Election Analysis Media Critique Political Ethics Trump administration
  1. Donald Trump is often seen as a conman who focuses on personal gain rather than the needs of his supporters. Many people find it ironic that he seeks luxury, like a $400 million private jet, while his followers struggle financially.
  2. Ben Shapiro, a prominent right-wing commentator, has sometimes pointed out Trump’s wrongdoings. However, he continues to support Trump despite these criticisms, which raises questions about his integrity.
  3. The Republican Party has shifted under Trump's influence, seemingly moving away from traditional values to support his more questionable actions, leading to a perception of corruption within the party.

Congress' Lack of Transparency is a Choice

OpenTheBooks Substack • 347 implied HN points • 19 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Legislation Transparency Accountability Political Ethics
  1. Congress often rushes through big budget bills, expecting quick approvals without proper review. This approach makes it seem weak and disconnected from the people it serves.
  2. Taxpayers deserve transparency and more straightforward processes in how Congress handles budgets. Fewer agencies and clearer debates would make it easier for everyone to understand government spending.
  3. Just like in hard jobs, Congress members need to roll up their sleeves and work through tough issues. They have the power to make significant changes, so they should step up and do just that.
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Saudi Arabia Now Owns Golf, GOP's Fake Outrage at Trump Indictment, "Woke" Companies Republicans Refuse to Boycott, Hero Cop--Except to Other Cops, Sarah Silverman Soars, Marvin Gaye Sings

kareem • 6525 implied HN points • 12 Jun 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics International relations Human Rights Political critique Political Ethics Party Politics
  1. Saudi Arabia now owns professional golf, raising ethical concerns
  2. Sportswashing in sports is a real issue where countries use sports to improve their image
  3. Ethics can sometimes take a back seat to financial gains in the professional sports industry

Hunter’s Pardon

David Friedman’s Substack • 323 implied HN points • 04 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Legislation Judiciary Political Ethics Public Policy Government
  1. Joe Biden's decision to pardon his son, Hunter, shows how complicated family loyalty can be versus the idea of justice. Many people believe a good father protects his child, even if it looks bad politically.
  2. The discussion over Biden's actions raises questions about what makes someone a good person. Is it better to prioritize family or to uphold laws and promises to the public?
  3. Biden's claim that politics affected Hunter's legal troubles highlights concerns about how political status influences justice. Some feel that Hunter received special treatment because of who his father is.

Fani Willis is Disqualified

The Reactionary • 148 implied HN points • 19 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legal issues Elections Judicial system Political Ethics Government Accountability
  1. Fani Willis, the Fulton County District Attorney, has been disqualified from the criminal case against Donald Trump. This means she and her office can no longer lead the prosecution.
  2. A judge noted serious concerns about fairness and honesty in how the prosecution was handled. It was found that there were problems with the relationships and testimonies of those involved in the case.
  3. The ruling from the Georgia Court of Appeals emphasized that the disqualification is needed to maintain public trust in the court proceedings. Without this action, the legitimacy of the prosecution was seen as compromised.

Our New Pandemic: Moral Cowardice

Slack Tide by Matt Labash • 359 implied HN points • 12 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Commentary Leadership Political Ethics Public Discourse Authoritarianism
  1. Moral cowardice is widespread today, causing people to lie and betray their own beliefs. This issue affects many public figures who prioritize loyalty over truth.
  2. Alexei Navalny is presented as a true example of courage and moral strength. He stood up against corruption in Russia, even knowing it could lead to his death.
  3. The piece encourages individuals to reject lies and strive to do what is right, emphasizing that life is too short to remain silent and complacent.

What the heck, Joni Ernst?

Men Yell at Me • 508 implied HN points • 18 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Commentary Social justice Feminism Political Ethics Government Policy
  1. Just because someone has experienced a problem doesn't mean they will automatically be kind or supportive about it. Life experiences don't guarantee empathy.
  2. Many people want to change big issues like sexual assault but struggle to confront the systems that allow these problems. It's harder to stand against the power structures that protect wrongdoers.
  3. The conversation around #MeToo has evolved, and now some are using its language to target others unfairly. This reveals how deeply personal and complex these issues can be.

Breaking the Democratic Double Standard

American Dreaming • 169 implied HN points • 08 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Political parties Campaign strategies Voter Behavior Political Ethics
  1. The Democratic Party faces a tough challenge because they are seen as less trustworthy than Republicans. This double standard means that any mistake by Democrats is heavily criticized, while Republicans get a pass for bigger wrongdoings.
  2. Democrats have a harder time selling their ideas because they tend to be more complex and unfamiliar. This makes it difficult to convince voters, especially as people often prefer sticking with what they know.
  3. The structure of the Electoral College favors Republicans, allowing them to win without the popular vote, while Democrats struggle to do the opposite. This system is unlikely to change, which adds to the challenges for the Democratic Party.

No bridge too far

Disaffected Newsletter • 1658 implied HN points • 13 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Ethics Political Identity Social Issues Government Policy
  1. Many progressive liberals seem to lack a moral line that they won’t cross, even when their party takes extreme actions.
  2. There are serious issues in society like the education system failing kids, rising fatherlessness, and the controversial handling of child gender identity that should concern everyone.
  3. Supporting political parties that endorse harmful policies is seen as a moral failure, with the belief that it creates a divide between people who care about ethics and those who don't.

Dingus of the week: Patrick Soon-Shiong

Men Yell at Me • 406 implied HN points • 25 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Media Public Opinion Political Commentary Political Ethics
  1. Patrick Soon-Shiong, the owner of the Los Angeles Times, stopped the editorial board from endorsing Kamala Harris. This caused the head of editorials to resign because it felt unprincipled to oppose a Democratic candidate.
  2. Soon-Shiong wanted the board to provide a neutral analysis of candidates instead of making a clear endorsement. This approach confused reporting with opinion, which are usually different in journalism.
  3. Many believe it's important for newspapers to take a stand on critical issues, especially when democracy is at stake. Stopping a strong editorial voice can send mixed messages to readers.

Can Great Power Politics Be Ethical?

Castalia • 299 implied HN points • 27 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy International relations Political theory Political Ethics Military Strategy
  1. Great power politics often involves tough choices where states prioritize their own interests. This leads to conflicts and a belief that violence can sometimes be necessary to maintain power.
  2. Realism, a key theory in international relations, suggests that international laws and good intentions often don't work. Instead, powerful nations will act according to their own interests, regardless of fairness.
  3. Despite hopes for a more cooperative international system, powerful states rarely act differently than weaker ones, and this creates a cycle of conflict driven by the pursuit of power.

Joe Biden, liar liar liar

Unreported Truths • 80 implied HN points • 02 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Legislation Political media Campaigns Political Ethics
  1. Joe Biden recently pardoned his son Hunter after promising he wouldn't. This raises questions about his honesty.
  2. The media has often labeled Donald Trump a liar, but they tend to be more lenient when it comes to Biden's false statements.
  3. Biden's actions, like the recent pardon and prior vaccine mandate reversals, suggest he has not been truthful, yet the media continues to frame these events lightly.

Hunte(d) Biden

Diane Francis • 419 implied HN points • 12 Jan 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Investigations Elections Political Ethics Government oversight
  1. Republicans in the House plan to investigate the Biden family, especially focusing on Hunter Biden, which they believe will hurt President Biden politically.
  2. Despite some poor decisions made by Hunter Biden, there's no solid proof of illegal activities involving him or his father regarding their business dealings in Ukraine.
  3. There are concerns that the investigations could backfire on Republicans, as many see targeting someone with addiction issues as cruel and not resonating well with the public.

Six Weeks Into Poverty

The False Consensus Effect • 39 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Poverty Government Action Protest Political Ethics
  1. Living in poverty challenges the norms and calls for embracing hardship to break free from society's expectations.
  2. Questioning the definition of poverty in the context of governmental thresholds and the need for societal reforms like universal healthcare.
  3. Exploring the idea of indirect action against corrupt government policies by advocating for living in poverty as a form of rebellion.

Commentator

Castalia • 39 implied HN points • 19 Jan 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Commentary Election Analysis Defense Spending International relations Political Ethics
  1. People often focus on flashy news stories, like celebrity scandals, while ignoring important issues like government spending or international conflicts. This shows how storytelling can capture our attention in odd ways.
  2. The situation with George Santos highlights how some people fabricate their backgrounds to fit societal expectations. It's a reflection of a culture obsessed with success and appearances, which can sometimes lead to dishonest representations of oneself.
  3. The continuing protests and crackdowns in Iran show the harsh reality many face for fighting for their rights. It’s easy for such serious issues to fade from the headlines, but the personal struggles of individuals involved deserve attention and recognition.

Authenticity in politics

Theory Matters • 0 implied HN points • 22 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Political culture Political Trust Political Ethics Political Communication
  1. Authenticity means accepting ourselves, flaws and all. It's not about being perfect, but being real and honest.
  2. We often want authenticity in politics, but many politicians hide their true selves. This creates a gap between them and the public, making it hard to trust them.
  3. Some famous figures, like Trump, are seen as authentic because they openly show who they are, even if it's not always good. This honesty can help voters make better choices.