The hottest Political Opinion Substack posts right now

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

The Assholocaust

Slack Tide by Matt Labash • 266 implied HN points • 06 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political News Public Figures Media Commentary Political Opinion Pop culture
  1. There's a public feud happening between Elon Musk and Donald Trump, and it seems to be getting pretty heated. People are reacting to this drama with a mix of humor and surprise.
  2. Some folks find it amusing to watch two influential figures clash, even if neither is particularly liked. It's a bit like rooting for the lesser of two evils in a rivalry.
  3. The ongoing conflict might distract these leaders from causing further harm through their political actions. In a way, some are hoping that their fighting leads to less damage in the bigger picture.

Failing to Think About Immigration

News from Uncibal • 298 implied HN points • 22 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Immigration Political Opinion Sovereignty Border control
  1. Academics often share strong opinions, but many are stuck in echo chambers and fail to consider other perspectives. This can lead to their research being detached from reality.
  2. A recent symposium argued for open borders and questioned the authority of nation states over immigration. However, most contributors only shared similar viewpoints without challenging each other's ideas.
  3. While it's fine to support open borders, important aspects of sovereignty and immigration management need to be discussed more thoroughly. Without these discussions, the arguments made can seem incomplete.

Why the Danes do it better (and other stories)

Wrong Side of History • 289 implied HN points • 08 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Justice System Political Opinion Social Issues Public Policy Cultural Commentary
  1. Denmark's summerhouse culture promotes happiness, as many people have access to homes by the coast. This is different from the UK's struggle with second home ownership and the politics around it.
  2. Danish politics thrive on transparency and honesty, helping to maintain trust and satisfaction among the public. This contrasts with the perception of politics in countries like Britain, where trust has eroded.
  3. The discussion around welfare in the UK highlights a connection between social breakdown and dependency on benefits, raising concerns about long-term consequences and the need for systemic change.

False Flag Attack

KERFUFFLE • 35 implied HN points • 13 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Immigration Protests Legislation Political Opinion Public Reaction
  1. Waving Mexican flags in protests can symbolize pride and solidarity among immigrant communities, especially during challenging times.
  2. In past protests, the visibility of Mexican flags was criticized, but the current environment shows a shift in focus from seeking acceptance to defending against aggressive policies.
  3. Protesters aren't waving flags to win over public opinion but to affirm their identity and resist what they see as an attack on their community.

Betsy DeVos: Shut Down the Department of Education

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 6654 implied HN points • 06 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education & Policy Government reform Public funding Political Opinion
  1. The Department of Education has spent over $1 trillion since it started, but student performance gaps have only worsened. This shows that the department isn't fixing the issues it was made to address.
  2. Most students are falling behind, with many fourth graders struggling to read and do basic math. The scores for the lowest performing students are the worst they've ever been.
  3. The Department of Education mainly acts as a middleman that complicates funding without improving education. It doesn't run schools or employ teachers, so some believe it should be shut down.
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My view on Trump

Disaffected Newsletter • 4076 implied HN points • 03 Apr 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Opinion Political Leadership Political parties Elections Social Issues
  1. Donald Trump is a narcissist, but the author believes he's less dangerous than many think. He sees Trump as more like a child who needs flattery and doesn't have tyrannical ambitions.
  2. The author views many politicians, including other presidential candidates, as narcissists too. He thinks Trump's boldness makes him stand out, but not necessarily in a unique way.
  3. Despite his concerns about Trump, the author sees him as the better choice compared to Biden. He believes that Biden's actions have caused more harm, leading him to support Trump strategically as the lesser of two evils.

"Abundance? No thanks."

Unpopular Front • 75 implied HN points • 29 May 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Debate Populism Policy Analysis Political Opinion Voting behavior
  1. Many voters prefer populism over the abundance agenda because they want to see a struggle against big corporations. People connect better with stories that have heroes and villains, rather than just focusing on policy details.
  2. A recent poll shows that more than half of voters are attracted to the idea of populism, emphasizing the need for compelling narratives in politics. Voters want to feel like they are part of a movement with clear challenges to overcome.
  3. The current abundance argument might come off as too optimistic and academic, lacking the emotional pull that comes with a more mythic representation of politics. This suggests that politics is more about inspiring action than just discussing rational ideas.

The Canadians Who Say: ‘Trump, Take My Country—Please!’

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 3227 implied HN points • 27 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Opinion International relations National Identity Elections Media
  1. Some Canadians feel so frustrated with their country that they joke about wanting to become part of the United States. They believe life has become stagnant and see more opportunities in America.
  2. People like Ryan Hemsley express a longing for change and believe that becoming the 51st state could bring a fresh start and revitalization.
  3. Discontent with the current political leadership in Canada is leading some to fantasize about a different kind of future under the U.S. government.

Many Ukrainians Believed in Trump. Now They Feel Betrayed.

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 301 implied HN points • 24 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics International relations Political Opinion U.S. foreign policy Cultural impact
  1. Many Ukrainians once admired Trump and felt hopeful about American support. Now, they feel let down and have even removed American flags from their uniforms.
  2. Odesa's historic Bristol Hotel was badly damaged in a recent Russian missile strike, showing the impact of the war on civilian life and culture.
  3. This destruction reflects a larger war not just on Ukraine but on its identity and heritage as well.

Inauguration Links

In My Tribe • 288 implied HN points • 20 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Policy Elections Political Opinion Education
  1. Betsy DeVos suggests that getting things done in Washington takes a lot of time because many people are stuck in their ways. She believes it's important to focus on those who are open to new ideas.
  2. John Cochrane offers economic advice, saying a flat tax could work better than the current system, and that direct payments might be a smarter way to redistribute wealth. He admits he's leaning towards a libertarian view on taxes.
  3. Marc Andreessen praises Donald Trump's understanding of business and issues like energy management, suggesting that his experience can help tackle difficult problems effectively.

I Don't Think Dan Le Batard Should Dump on Trump Voters

House of Strauss • 80 implied HN points • 07 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Political Opinion Media Analysis Civic engagement Political trends
  1. Political discussions can get really intense because they affect people's lives. It's important to try to understand where others are coming from, even if you don't agree with them.
  2. Voting decisions are complicated and often involve many factors. People vote for candidates based on personal experiences and beliefs, not just political slogans.
  3. It's important to focus on connections with others and recognize their humanity, regardless of their political choices. Judging others harshly for their votes can create divides instead of understanding.

It’s Day 3 of a Disastrous Presidency and the Numbers Are In: No One Likes What Donald Trump Is Doing—Including MAGAs

Proof • 94 implied HN points • 23 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Policies Political Opinion Leadership Public Sentiment
  1. Many people are unhappy with the current actions being taken by the president, including his own supporters. This suggests a disconnect between leadership choices and public opinion.
  2. There's a question regarding who the president is really trying to help with his policies. It raises doubts about his priorities and motivations.
  3. The early days of this presidency are already marked by serious criticism, indicating potential challenges ahead for the administration.

Real American Decider™

Situation Normal • 111 implied HN points • 03 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Voting Political Opinion Campaigning
  1. Undecided voters in elections can seem confusing, like people who can't choose between chicken or something gross. It's important to make informed choices when voting.
  2. The idea of being a 'Real American Decider' means taking the time to understand politics and make a decision that matters. Being engaged and curious is key.
  3. Even casual conversations about politics can influence voting behavior. Engaging with others about their choices can lead to better decision-making for everyone.