The hottest Political Reform Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top World Politics Topics

The stars are aligning for proportional representation

Odds and Ends of History • 938 implied HN points • 05 Mar 26
🌍 World Politics Political Reform
  1. British politics has fractured into a de facto five‑party system, with Reform eroding Tory support, the Greens rising on the left, and the LibDems holding a centrist lane.
  2. That fragmentation has quietly aligned the incentives of the major parties so they could all stand to gain from a move to proportional representation.
  3. Because of that alignment, now may be the closest real chance we've had to push through electoral reform and adopt PR.

Joe Biden's final act is a message for boomers

Jeff Giesea • 638 implied HN points • 23 Jul 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Reform
  1. Joe Biden's recognition of his age highlights the need for younger leaders in politics. It's important for the older generation to acknowledge when it's time to step aside.
  2. As demographics shift, more younger workers are entering the workforce, creating a chance for change in leadership. This can help keep America competitive and engaged in global issues.
  3. Trust in institutions is low, so reform is needed. Fresh ideas and perspectives from younger leaders can help rebuild trust and improve how things work.

URGENT: Poll, reader thread, and podcast discussion today on what the ouster of Vinay Prasad means for the FDA and the future of medical reform in the United States

Unreported Truths • 24 implied HN points • 07 Mar 26
🏥 Health Politics Political Reform
  1. The U.S. spends about $5 trillion a year on healthcare but still has poor outcomes, which has helped fuel the grassroots MAHA movement focused on personal responsibility and questioning the medical establishment.
  2. Political answers are unclear: Democrats mostly push more government-funded coverage that could raise costs, while Republicans lack a unified reform plan and many policymakers are tied to industry interests.
  3. The ouster of Vinay Prasad from the FDA feels like a pivotal setback for aggressive medical reform, suggesting big pharma influence remains strong as promised changes to drug advertising and other reforms stall.

DeSantis is Half-Right About Property Taxes

Progress and Poverty • 1885 implied HN points • 16 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Reform
  1. DeSantis wants to remove property taxes, but he should keep the tax on land. Building taxes can hurt investment and should be removed since they don’t help with housing affordability.
  2. Land taxes are important because they make sure the community benefits from land value. If landowners aren't taxed, they might just sit on land without developing it, which can hurt the economy.
  3. DeSantis has a chance to be a leader in property tax reform, but he needs to understand the difference between building and land taxes. Removing just the building tax but keeping the land tax could lead to better development and growth.

About my smashed shed

Jeff Giesea • 359 implied HN points • 15 Jul 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Reform
  1. Events happen that we can't control, like storms or trees falling, but how we react to them can make a difference. We can shape some outcomes by our actions.
  2. American democracy is fragile right now, much like a damaged shed. It needs rebuilding and improvement to feel secure again.
  3. Choosing to engage in democracy and work together for reforms is essential. It's up to us to strengthen the system for the future, especially for the next generation.
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Is Elon Musk the New Ross Perot?

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 649 implied HN points • 08 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Reform
  1. Elon Musk is trying to start a new political party called America Party, similar to how Ross Perot started the Reform Party years ago. People are curious about what this party will really do.
  2. Musk believes both Republicans and Democrats are not addressing the important issues, like the country's debt. He wants to bring change from outside traditional politics.
  3. There are still a lot of questions about Musk's new political venture, like whether he has done the necessary paperwork to officially start the party. Until then, it's unclear how serious this effort really is.

Frail Infirm Grifters

Points And Figures • 1145 implied HN points • 06 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Reform
  1. Many politicians in Washington are quite old and some are not able to fulfill their duties. There's a belief that term limits could help keep Congress fresh and accountable.
  2. Political dynasties are common, with certain families holding positions for generations. This makes it hard for new ideas and leaders to emerge.
  3. To improve politics, ideas like limiting the number of years someone can serve, taxing former politicians who lobby, and changing their retirement benefits are suggested.

If I Ran the DOGE

In My Tribe • 1199 implied HN points • 17 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Reform
  1. Reorganizing the government can make it more efficient by reducing the number of management layers and clarifying who is in charge. This could lead to better decision-making and less wasted effort.
  2. Creating a Chief Operating Officer to manage executive branch operations would help streamline authority and reduce overlap between agencies. This would allow a focus on running the government smoothly.
  3. The government could be simplified by cutting down from many agencies to just eight main ones, which would help eliminate redundancy and make it easier to manage services for the public.

The Physiocratic Platform: Land Tax

Contemplations on the Tree of Woe • 1108 implied HN points • 27 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Reform
  1. A land value tax (LVT) is different from a property tax because it only taxes the value of the land itself, not any buildings on it. This means it encourages landowners to use their land efficiently.
  2. Implementing a 2% LVT could raise a lot of money for government services while avoiding economic issues that other taxes might cause. It's seen as a less harmful option for funding government needs.
  3. There are ways to protect homeowners from being forced out of their homes due to rising land taxes, like exemptions for primary residences or allowing tax deferrals until the property is sold.

Why I Signed On To the Manhattan Institute Call to Reform Academia

Unsafe Science • 143 implied HN points • 23 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Reform
  1. The Manhattan Institute is calling for big changes in universities, saying they should focus more on truth rather than politics. They think colleges have lost their original purpose and have embraced a narrow political agenda.
  2. The proposed reforms include banning political activism in schools, ensuring equal treatment for all races, and promoting free speech. They want universities to be places where a variety of ideas can be discussed openly.
  3. There is concern that academia is not able to reform itself effectively. Many believe that strong external measures are needed to encourage change, as previous internal calls for reform have largely been ignored.

The vocabulary of democracy's architecture

Demodexio • 264 implied HN points • 10 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Reform
  1. We need new words to describe democracy better, especially as society becomes more complex. Current terms like 'capitalism' and 'socialism' don’t really help much anymore.
  2. Demodexio is a proposed system that combines the needs of the people with the expertise of skilled individuals. This approach aims to create a more effective democracy suited for our specialized world.
  3. It's important to standardize terms when discussing threats to democracy, like misinformation. This clarity can help us address issues more effectively.

Jimmy Carter as public manager

Can We Still Govern? • 205 implied HN points • 30 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Reform
  1. Jimmy Carter was the last U.S. President to pass significant civil service reforms, focusing on modernizing and protecting government workers from political interference. This shows how important it is to balance accountability and ethics in government.
  2. Carter introduced the idea of Zero-Based Budgeting to the federal government, but it didn't work. This highlights the challenges of applying private sector methods in a political system that operates differently.
  3. The principles set by Carter's reforms for federal employees emphasize fairness and merit, which are important for creating a trustworthy government. Striking the right balance between political influence and protection for government workers is still an ongoing debate.

Will some Democrat Senators vote for RFK Jr?

Vinay Prasad's Observations and Thoughts • 107 implied HN points • 10 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Reform
  1. Some Democrat Senators might support RFK Jr. because they believe he can bring about important changes, especially in food policies and health regulations.
  2. Concerns about infectious diseases like measles and polio are overshadowed by the more pressing issues of chronic diseases caused by poor diet and exposure to harmful substances.
  3. Partisan politics and groupthink may prevent more Democrats from supporting RFK Jr., even when they see the benefits he could provide in health and wellness.

Tax Policy: Breaking the Impasse

Comment is Freed • 93 implied HN points • 16 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Reform
  1. Tax reform in the UK is really hard because changes lead to public outrage, making it tough for politicians to make sensible decisions. Politicians often focus on how changes will be viewed rather than on what makes sense.
  2. The current tax system is too complicated and has become a way to solve a variety of issues, leading to confusion and resistance. There needs to be a clearer and simpler approach to tax policy that takes all aspects into account.
  3. Creating a separate office for tax policy could help develop better ideas and solutions without getting caught up in daily politics. This could support governments in making more informed decisions about tax reform.

Confronting Hereditary Talent and Its Social Consequences

Holodoxa • 99 implied HN points • 14 Mar 23
📚 Literature Political Reform
  1. In his book _The Cult of Smart_, Fredrik deBoer argues against the notion that intelligence defines human worth, highlighting how society disproportionately rewards the academically gifted.
  2. DeBoer challenges the blank slate ideology, emphasizing the influence of genetic variation on cognitive traits over social or environmental factors, leading to implications in education and policy.
  3. DeBoer proposes societal reforms like universal healthcare and basic income to address the unequal distribution of inherited talents, challenging the idea of meritocracy as the ultimate goal for a fair society.

Dominic Cummings, An Underrated Precedent for DOGE

From the New World • 75 implied HN points • 04 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Reform
  1. The UK government’s quick adaptations in tech and services during crises show a more centralized political system. This makes it easier to change things than in the US.
  2. Bureaucratic hiring processes in America often lead to unqualified candidates, which slows down progress. A more efficient system is needed for better talent acquisition.
  3. Fundamental reforms in government agencies are essential for improving efficiency and competence in services. It's not just about ideology; it's about making systems work better.

Rule of Law for All Under Heaven

ChinaTalk • 163 implied HN points • 20 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Political Reform
  1. Jiang Ping played a key role in shaping China's legal system, advocating for individual rights, and promoting the rule of law over the ruling of law.
  2. Jiang's life reflected the transition in China from 'rule by law' to 'rule of law,' emphasizing the importance of connecting laws to higher ideals like human rights and democratic governance.
  3. Jiang's passing symbolizes a struggle in China's legal world between the Party's control-oriented legal reforms and the more liberal intellectual strand that aimed for the rule of law.

The Trump Administration Must Bring Moderna to Heel

QTR’s Fringe Finance • 29 implied HN points • 13 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Reform
  1. Moderna failed to report serious side effects, including a child's death during vaccine trials. This raises concerns about their compliance with federal laws.
  2. The new Trump administration has a chance to investigate these issues and hold pharmaceutical companies accountable for their actions.
  3. Past leadership at the FDA supported Big Pharma, but now there are new appointments that may promote a more honest discussion about vaccine safety.

People Want A Political Revolution. Let's Give Them One!

Creative Destruction • 26 implied HN points • 26 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Reform
  1. Many people are unhappy with politics and feel that their needs are not being met by the current system. This shows a desire for change in how political systems operate.
  2. Authoritarian trends are growing, and more individuals believe that the system is failing them. This trend highlights the need for a response to their concerns.
  3. This conversation isn't just about politics; it's about understanding people's real needs and finding ways to create a system that works better for them.

Republicans Should Aim for Canada-Size Cuts

QTR’s Fringe Finance • 16 implied HN points • 05 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Reform
  1. Canada did well economically in the 1990s after making big cuts to spending and focusing on privatization. This shows that similar actions could help stabilize a country's finances.
  2. In the 1990s, both Canada and the U.S. managed to cut spending successfully. However, Canada stuck to its cuts longer than the U.S. did, which helped their economy grow.
  3. To avoid a financial crisis, the U.S. government needs to consider making substantial and sustained cuts to spending, similar to what Canada achieved. A goal of reducing spending by a few percentage points of GDP might help stabilize the economy.

Politicians Won’t Solve Our Spending Problem Unless We Make Them

QTR’s Fringe Finance • 17 implied HN points • 09 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Reform
  1. Politicians often make big promises about cutting spending but don't follow through. It's easy to talk a big game when they're not facing any real consequences.
  2. Recent events show that only a few representatives are seriously committed to actual spending cuts. Many just go along with the flow when pressure builds.
  3. We need to actively push politicians to keep their promises and make real changes in government spending, as they won't do it on their own.

What Kennedy Must Do to Defeat Regulatory Capture

Who is Robert Malone • 15 implied HN points • 25 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Reform
  1. Regulatory capture means that big companies can influence government agencies to protect their interests instead of the public's. This often leads to policies that aren't in the best interest of consumers.
  2. The FDA and other agencies can make mistakes that harm people, and they often lack accountability. Without competition or choice, these agencies might not prioritize public safety.
  3. To truly improve healthcare regulations, we might need to rethink the role of government agencies altogether. Some suggest that eliminating these agencies could make the market safer and more effective for everyone.

Lottocracy review

Theory Matters • 3 implied HN points • 07 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Reform
  1. Lottocracy suggests a new way to choose government representatives by randomly selecting people instead of voting. This idea aims to create a more fair and inclusive political system.
  2. The book examines the problems with current electoral politics, highlighting how special interests and political pressures often lead to poor decisions. It argues that a sortition system could address these issues by encouraging diverse voices and ideas.
  3. Guerrero discusses challenges that come with this new approach, including how to ensure the legitimacy and effectiveness of randomly selected citizens in governance. There's a call for more public engagement and education to make this system work better.

Amending the Second: Bret Stephens on Gun Control after Parkland

The Octavian Report • 0 implied HN points • 23 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Reform
  1. Real change requires a constitutional solution: amending or repealing the Second Amendment to make gun rights clearly conditional and reduce the huge number of firearms in private hands.
  2. Small, incremental laws won't solve the root problem; we need strict, responsibility-based rules for who can own guns (testing, licensing, legitimate purposes) and practical measures to keep weapons out of dangerous hands.
  3. Success depends on building a sustained, well-organized movement with a big, ambitious goal and organizational strength like the NRA, pairing outspoken young activists with experienced political operators.