The hottest Public Policy Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Education Topics

Friday Funnies: Incoming

Who is Robert Malone • 33 implied HN points • 06 Mar 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. Both the “woke” left and the “woke” right are portrayed as extreme groups that share similar flaws but don’t actually work together.
  2. A major fraud surge in Minnesota prompted congressional scrutiny of the governor, yet the story was largely ignored by mainstream media.
  3. The piece mixes sharp political criticism with light, humorous content—personal anecdotes about noisy teen interns and praise for a standout Australian commercial.

Why I'm nervous about what happens after Starmer

Odds and Ends of History • 1139 implied HN points • 21 Nov 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. Keir Starmer seems to be losing influence and might not be effective in the long run. Many people feel he is like a 'lame duck' leader.
  2. There's concern about what will happen to the leadership and direction of the party after Starmer. This uncertainty raises questions for supporters.
  3. The future of political strategies and decisions is in doubt, which makes many people anxious about upcoming changes.

Abigail Shrier: How the Gender Fever Finally Broke

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 9626 implied HN points • 30 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. There has been a significant shift in the conversation around gender identity, with actions taken to limit certain medical practices for children. This shows a growing recognition of the complexities involved with gender issues.
  2. Concerns have been raised about how young people, particularly young women, are navigating their identities. There were many urgent appeals for surgeries that might have long-term consequences.
  3. The debate around gender identity has become highly polarized, with some voices being suppressed, especially those that challenge popular narratives. This highlights the tension between free speech and activism in this area.

The Watchdogs Who Are Building a ‘Moneyball’ for Politics

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 190 implied HN points • 03 Feb 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. A new data tool will let people directly compare what politicians say with what they actually spend and do, making it easier to spot gaps between words and actions.
  2. It merges a massive government spending database with an archive of officials’ speeches and interviews, using large datasets to power those comparisons.
  3. The goal is to create a nonpartisan “Moneyball” for politics that better informs public debate and helps hold officials accountable on major policy decisions.

the chocolate helmet of government accountability

bad cattitude • 226 implied HN points • 22 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. Government oversight systems are hollow or intentionally toothless, leaving widespread fraud, opaque payments, and mismanagement unchecked.
  2. This isn’t merely incompetence — people and rules have been arranged to protect insiders and prevent real accountability.
  3. The only lasting fix is to follow the money, map and prosecute the networks (using tools like RICO), and roll up the whole corrupt ecosystem rather than just treating symptoms.
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Note on the FBI

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 11481 implied HN points • 02 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. The FBI has changed a lot over the years, especially after 9/11 and during Trump's presidency. Its focus has shifted from solving crimes to gathering information about people, sometimes even based on their beliefs.
  2. Historical patterns show that the FBI has often acted politically, targeting groups they consider threats. This raises concerns about their current role in monitoring American citizens.
  3. There's a call for the FBI to undergo a major overhaul. Some believe that new leadership, like Kash Patel, could help redirect the agency towards a more lawful mission.

Thinking about "temporary hardship"

Noahpinion • 12823 implied HN points • 31 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. The US economy is doing well, but the government has high borrowing and deficits that need to be addressed. People are worried about rising interest costs eating into the budget.
  2. Elon Musk is suggesting big cuts to federal spending to help reduce the deficit, which could lead to temporary economic hardship for many. This has raised questions about how much pain people might actually feel if these cuts happen.
  3. There's a debate over the best way to handle spending cuts and taxes. Some believe there are better methods to manage these changes without causing so much impact on everyday people, especially the poor and middle class.

WARNING: Elon Musk is crippling the future of the United States

Marcus on AI • 8457 implied HN points • 09 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. Drastic cuts to funding for science and universities could hurt America's future. Less money means fewer resources for research and education.
  2. Many talented scientists and academics might leave the country because of these funding cuts. This can damage the reputation of American universities.
  3. The decisions being made could have negative effects even on people in red states, showing that these cuts impact everyone, not just certain areas.

The Taiwan posts

Noahpinion • 9706 implied HN points • 09 Jan 25
🌍 World Politics Public Policy
  1. Taiwan has a unique culture that combines influences from both Chinese and Japanese traditions. It's famous for its delicious food and vibrant nightlife, making it a fun place to visit.
  2. Taiwan's public health system is highly effective, demonstrated by how well they handled the COVID-19 pandemic. They used strict measures and technology to keep their population safe.
  3. Taiwan is a progressive society, leading in areas like gender equality and LGBTQ+ rights. It's known for being tolerant and open-minded, setting an example in a region often dominated by conservatism.

A Year On: The DOGE Disaster

Can We Still Govern? • 311 implied HN points • 16 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. DOGE acted as a vehicle for tech billionaires to capture state power, pushing deregulation of crypto and AI, securing favorable appointments, and creating business opportunities for allies.
  2. DOGE’s actions hollowed out government capacity through mass layoffs and contract cancellations; cuts like those to USAID weakened services and likely caused hundreds of thousands of deaths while protecting ideologically aligned agencies and donors.
  3. DOGE failed to deliver promised savings or service improvements, routinely exaggerated its achievements, misunderstood how government budgeting and public services work, and operated with little public accountability.

Hey Chicago, It's Not a "Branding Problem"

Points And Figures • 1119 implied HN points • 13 Nov 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. Chicago's problems are structural and not just about branding or image. Many believe issues like crime and governance are deep-rooted and can't be easily fixed.
  2. The leadership and institutions in Chicago are seen as disconnected from business and responsible governance, causing a loss of confidence and a trend of people leaving the city.
  3. There's a strong belief that real change can't happen within the current political system, and a revolutionary approach is necessary to address the city's challenges.

ScienceVs: Trans Kids Health Care: Are We Getting It Wrong? (II)

Carolina Curmudgeon • 39 implied HN points • 12 Oct 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Policy
  1. The podcast only featured experts who support gender-affirming care, not those who might question its effectiveness. This creates a one-sided view of a complicated issue.
  2. The discussion did not challenge any ideas about gender identity or question the idea that being trans is just as normal as being cisgender. This could limit understanding of the topic.
  3. A study noted that using a preferred name can significantly reduce suicidal thoughts in gender dysphoric kids. However, instead of pushing for medical treatments, maybe simple name changes and support could be a better first step.

Russiagate Remnants

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 9972 implied HN points • 10 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. Many people who were targeted during the Russiagate investigations feel their lives were significantly harmed. They lost jobs, faced harassment, and some even had to move away from their homes.
  2. There’s a call for ongoing investigations into the original Russiagate allegations, as those impacted want accountability rather than revenge. They believe the truth should be uncovered.
  3. The effects of the Russiagate scandal are still being felt today, with some of the original conspirators still active in politics. Those affected hope for justice and reform in the system.

A Small Tip Jar for the Administrative State

Bet On It • 216 implied HN points • 23 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. Allow taxpayers to use a small part of their taxes to raise or lower the pay of specific government employees each year, with caps, limits on percentage changes, and a short written reason.
  2. The system acts like tipping to create individualized accountability, encouraging faster, kinder, and more responsive service from bureaucrats who currently face little personal feedback.
  3. It won’t fix major structural problems, but it’s a cheap, practical way to improve how government feels to citizens, increase everyday accountability, and reduce populist frustration.

Dare To Hope

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 2673 implied HN points • 04 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. A large demonstration for Gaza in Australia featured notable figures like Julian Assange. This event shows hope and growing public support for the cause.
  2. The term 'hasbara,' used to describe Israel's public relations efforts, is being replaced due to its negative reputation. This change highlights ongoing issues about transparency and accountability.
  3. Accusations of antisemitism against critics of Israel often lack evidence. This tactic is used to silence opposition and distract from discussions about human rights for Palestinians.

Twenty-two observations about American politics

Matt’s Five Points • 419 implied HN points • 19 Jul 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. The Republican Party is likely to move away from a national abortion ban due to changing public opinions on the issue. This change could lead to policies that are more moderate and similar to those in other countries.
  2. Many voters are concerned about Biden's age and health, which could lead to significant political shifts. There are worries that his age might hurt the Democratic Party in upcoming elections.
  3. Getting involved in local politics can be very rewarding and impactful. Participating in community decisions can lead to real changes and is a more effective way to influence politics than just voting or donating.

The People's House

Thinking about... • 709 implied HN points • 22 Nov 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. The White House used to feel like a place for everyone, but now it seems more exclusive and closed off. This change gives a sense of loss and rejection of shared spaces.
  2. The destruction and current state of the White House reflect a mindset where leaders treat public spaces as private property. This attitude undermines the idea of democracy and community.
  3. Rebuilding America requires changing the focus from the past to a better future, emphasizing collective work and courage instead of division and barriers.

Public Choice Links, 1/9/2026

In My Tribe • 258 implied HN points • 09 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. Basic goods and services like housing, healthcare, childcare, education, and electricity are getting less affordable even while the economy grows, and many argue the root causes are supply-restricting regulations and demand-boosting subsidies.
  2. Policies that subsidize consumers or providers can raise overall demand and costs, shift burdens to taxpayers, and create opportunities for fraud or misuse.
  3. Effective cooperation and lasting policy fixes depend on careful systems of monitoring and incentives rather than goodwill alone, but political realities — like tax rules that penalize rentals and powerful interest groups opposing liability reforms — make those fixes hard to implement.

What do Statistics NZ and Sall Grover - Aussie femina suprema & creator of the Giggle app - have in common?

A B’Old Woman • 819 implied HN points • 10 Jun 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. Sall Grover created the Giggle app for women, but faced legal issues when a trans woman was removed from it. This highlights ongoing debates about gender and women's spaces.
  2. Stats NZ has changed its census questions from 'sex' to 'gender', raising concerns about the reliability of data. Many feel this could mix up important information about biological females.
  3. There is a call for better representation from gender-critical voices in discussions about gender identity. People want to ensure that women's perspectives are included in these important conversations.

Fine Woke Cannibals

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 8966 implied HN points • 14 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. The term 'symbolic capitalists' describes professionals who focus on ideas and narratives rather than physical labor. This group spans various fields like education, media, and consulting.
  2. The book examines modern politics, claiming that recent conflicts were more about upper-class struggles rather than genuine ideological fights. It suggests that both sides misunderstood each other's motivations.
  3. The author reflects on his role in promoting 'woke' movements, showing how political actions often come from a desire for social status rather than true concern for people on the ground.

Could Massachusetts Become the First State to Undo Legal Weed?

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 663 implied HN points • 03 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. Activists in Massachusetts gathered over 74,000 signatures to try to repeal recreational marijuana and put the question on the 2026 ballot; the measure now goes to the state legislature, and if lawmakers don’t pass it organizers will need about 12,000 more signatures to force a statewide vote.
  2. There’s a broader anti-weed backlash nationwide, with Idaho moving to block future legalization ballot measures and a recent federal provision that would ban many hemp-derived THC products.
  3. Kevin Sabet and his group Smart Approaches to Marijuana have been leading and funding these efforts, arguing legalization harms public health and likening the cannabis industry’s tactics to Big Tobacco.

Public Choice Links, 12/29/2025

In My Tribe • 334 implied HN points • 29 Dec 25
🌍 World Politics Public Policy
  1. Nonprofits can operate with less public scrutiny and often rely on government subsidies to preserve affordable housing, which effectively shifts costs onto taxpayers.
  2. India’s pre-1991 policy reserving many consumer goods for small firms blocked large-scale manufacturing and stunted growth, and the 1991 liberalization was a major turning point for the economy.
  3. If the public is disarmed, policing becomes the primary means of protection and that tends to expand government power, a risk that many libertarians find especially worrying.

Mamdani’s Revolution Is in Plain Sight

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 728 implied HN points • 27 Nov 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. The mayor-elect is appointing dozens of activists and organizers — including police abolitionists, DSA members, and an anti‑Zionist rabbi — to his transition and administration teams.
  2. These appointments suggest he plans to pursue bold progressive and socialist policies on policing, immigrant justice, and worker rights rather than moving to the center.
  3. Ideas once confined to academia and activist circles, like calls to 'end policing,' are now directly shaping city policy through advisory roles.

Destitution Fair

Chris Arnade Walks the World • 2909 implied HN points • 18 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. Meeting people on buses reveals surprising stories and challenges. Everyone has their own struggles, but they still show resilience and humanity.
  2. City life can sometimes feel empty and depressing, especially in downtown areas where homelessness and addiction are visible. These social issues affect everyday experiences for everyone.
  3. Belief in the American Dream persists among many, despite tough circumstances. People express hope for happiness, stability, and the idea that hard work can lead to better lives.

Reflections on the Caplan-Bruenig Poverty Debate

Bet On It • 306 implied HN points • 07 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. There’s surprising agreement on supply-side reforms like more immigration, housing deregulation, and nuclear power, but some on the left resist labeling these measures as free-market policies.
  2. A core moral disagreement is over private property and 'factor payments'—some deny that earnings are morally owned, a view that undermines ordinary property rights and even self-ownership with radical justice implications.
  3. Because of those deep moral differences and an emotional anti‑market stance on the left, practical cooperation between libertarians and the left looks unlikely even when they agree on specific reforms.

Jon Stewart is Right

a newsletter for infovores. • 132 implied HN points • 10 Feb 26
💼 Business Public Policy
  1. Economics usually models people as rational, self-interested agents and often prioritizes shareholder value, so it emphasizes market efficiency more than fairness or direct help for the poor.
  2. Behavioral nudges can move behavior a bit, but many problems—like healthcare or climate—need stronger interventions such as taxes, regulations, or system redesigns rather than only subtle nudges.
  3. Political feasibility and public sentiment matter a lot: an economically optimal policy can still fail if voters reject it, so persuading people and designing politically realistic solutions is essential.

Abortion and Adoption: The Crone Critiques

Bet On It • 130 implied HN points • 03 Feb 26
🏥 Health Politics Public Policy
  1. A rescue-style thought experiment doesn’t settle whether embryos and babies have equal moral worth because the likely chances of survival and future life matter, and different technologies or circumstances could change people’s intuitions.
  2. Making abortion illegal would likely increase the number of infants available for adoption, but real-world data show only a small fraction of women denied abortions choose adoption, so policy design and financial support for parents are crucial and costly considerations.
  3. Claims that moving children to richer countries or preventing abortions clearly improves outcomes deserve humility, since survival and quality-of-life comparisons across contexts are complex and shouldn’t be assumed without careful evidence.

*Unbeatable* Round-Up

Bet On It • 196 implied HN points • 22 Jan 26
📖 Philosophy Public Policy
  1. A wide-ranging, original case that free markets deserve stronger defense and often produce better outcomes than government alternatives.
  2. Many popular government policies sound appealing but often do real harm, and most market failures trace back to human irrationality rather than fundamental flaws in markets.
  3. The argument confronts mainstream assumptions and offers bold policy challenges—like revisiting Friedman's abolition ideas and accounting for social-desirability bias—to persuade unconvinced skeptics.

🛑🚼 The end of (demographic) history

Faster, Please! • 548 implied HN points • 14 Dec 25
🔬 Science Public Policy
  1. The global fertility transition seems to have largely finished, so the classic story of steadily falling birth rates is no longer the clear master narrative.
  2. Even with that shift, the demographic future is uncertain — demographers don’t know exactly how birth rates, aging, and migration will evolve next.
  3. That uncertainty has big policy and economic implications, because different population paths lead to very different outcomes for growth, labor markets, and public finances.

I Am Launching the Free Speech Legal Defense Fund

The DisInformation Chronicle • 475 implied HN points • 09 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. Free speech is facing serious challenges in Europe, with laws that can punish people for what they say online. This situation affects not just locals, but Americans too.
  2. Frivolous lawsuits, called SLAPPs, are being used to silence individuals and reporters. These lawsuits can be costly and stressful for those targeted.
  3. A new initiative, the Free Speech Legal Defense Fund, aims to help those caught in these legal battles and to promote stronger protections for free speech in Europe.

the servant becomes the master

bad cattitude • 297 implied HN points • 31 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. Large-scale fraud involving immigrant communities and NGOs is described as blunt and easy, targeting programs like daycare, welfare, SNAP, and PPP.
  2. Politicians and officials are said to have enabled and protected these networks by importing voters and buying loyalty, then became trapped and dependent on the corrupt machines.
  3. Citizen reporting is credited with exposing the schemes, and the proposed solution is to shrink big government so the state can’t be used to capture and plunder society.

Abigail Shrier: Stop Asking Kids If They’re Depressed

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 2128 implied HN points • 11 Aug 25
🚌 Education Public Policy
  1. Asking kids repeatedly if they're feeling depressed could make them think they are. Children are very impressionable and might come to believe they have a mental illness just from being asked.
  2. Illinois has become the first state to require mental health screenings for kids in public schools. Some people worry that this could lead to unnecessary diagnoses for children who are actually doing okay.
  3. Many young people without serious mental health issues end up using therapy and medication for years. This can make them feel dependent and may even lead to more problems instead of helping them.

“We Are Not as Wealthy as We Thought We Were”: Part 2

Erdmann Housing Tracker • 421 implied HN points • 22 Dec 25
💰 Finance Public Policy
  1. Home prices jumped far above their long-term trend even though residential investment and real housing consumption fell, meaning the housing stock didn’t improve while market values rose.
  2. Rising rents drove much of the value increase — rent inflation has outpaced overall prices and a 1% rise in rent is associated with about a 1.68% rise in price/income, in part because land trades at higher price/rent multiples than structures.
  3. Because real investment in homes has declined, families pay more for housing, and if demand-side forces are blamed for higher prices that necessarily implies very tight supply; historically, large federal homeownership programs raised ownership without inflating values when they boosted housing supply.

Zohran’s high-risk, high-reward strategy

Silver Bulletin • 247 implied HN points • 12 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. He mixes outsider, risk-taking politics with a cosmopolitan, media-friendly persona. He proudly calls himself a democratic socialist while also looking like the kind of NYC striver many young professionals like.
  2. His coalition is a strange mix: big margins in Muslim, Black, Hispanic and gentrified neighborhoods but weak with many Jewish, East Asian, and fiscally conservative voters. He won by just over 50 percent, so his majority looks fragile and might be hard to expand.
  3. He’s promising bold, transformative policies and says City Hall will act audaciously. But city institutions and political polarization — from the council and state legislature to the police and media — create veto points that could limit what he can actually achieve.

Stop Trying to Ban Teens from the Internet

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 486 implied HN points • 09 Dec 25
🕹 Technology Public Policy
  1. Policymakers are treating teen internet use like a crisis without strong evidence, relying more on panic than solid logic. Banning teens outright ignores the complexity of costs and benefits.
  2. Research finds some negative effects from screen time, but the measured harms are modest and often blown up by headlines. Small average effects don’t automatically justify sweeping bans.
  3. Blanket bans are a blunt, likely counterproductive tool and better replaced by targeted, evidence-based policies. Thoughtful interventions can address harms while preserving social and developmental benefits.

Democrats should not be kissing up to Musk

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 3164 implied HN points • 06 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. Democrats should think carefully before welcoming Elon Musk back into their fold. His actions and views may harm the party's credibility in the long run.
  2. Trying to make alliances with rich and controversial figures like Musk can make voters feel like the party stands for nothing important.
  3. Musk is mainly looking out for himself, and cozying up to him may not be a smart move for progressive leaders.

Conservatives are dumb and lonely

Sex and the State • 39 implied HN points • 20 Feb 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. Research links lower measured intelligence and lower cognitive flexibility with higher social conservatism, with less cognitive comfort in uncertainty leading people to prefer rigid rules and resist rapid social change.
  2. Chronic loneliness, trauma, and poverty erode cognitive complexity and make people more vulnerable to bigotry, authoritarianism, and conspiracy thinking, creating a self-reinforcing cycle.
  3. Being less intelligent isn’t a moral failing, and practical solutions focus on reducing loneliness and strengthening social and family ties so people become more open to complex ideas and evidence-based policies.

The Battle for Britishness

Wrong Side of History • 579 implied HN points • 19 Nov 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. National identity can be complex and isn't just about where someone is born. It's important to consider cultural and ancestral backgrounds when discussing identity.
  2. In Britain, the idea of what it means to be 'British' has changed over time and is now something many people are debating. It's not as clear as it once was.
  3. Public discussions about nationality can be controversial, especially when they involve current issues like immigration and cultural integration. People's views on these topics can often lead to heated disagreements.