The hottest Transparency Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top News Topics

Elon Musk Left DOGE, but Democrats Want to Close the ‘Self-Dealing’ Loophole

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 60 implied HN points • 11 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Transparency
  1. Lawmakers are moving to close loopholes for special government employees and curb potential self-dealing.
  2. The proposed bill would bar many SGEs and their companies from getting more than $1 million a year from the federal agencies where they work.
  3. It would also create a searchable database to track SGEs because there’s currently no centralized disclosure system.

Senate Did NOT Just Unanimously Pass a Bill Requiring Declassification of "All of the Information" Regarding the Origins of Covid

husseini • 550 implied HN points • 05 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Transparency
  1. The Senate bill only requires the release of information related to the Wuhan Institute of Virology, not all Covid origins information.
  2. Claims by sponsors like Sen. Hawley that the bill mandates declassification of all relevant Covid origins information are inaccurate.
  3. The bill focuses on declassifying information about the Wuhan Institute of Virology, leaving out other institutions and possible pandemic origins.

Anonymous access to Other Transaction Agreement summaries was just re-enabled

All-Source Intelligence Fusion • 610 implied HN points • 28 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Transparency
  1. Anonymous access to Other Transaction Agreement summaries is back online. This means people can again view some important government contract information without logging in.
  2. The General Services Administration has not explained why Other Transaction Agreements are missing from the USASpending.gov website. This lack of information makes it harder to understand government spending.
  3. There are concerns that the U.S. government's efforts for transparency in military contracts are not keeping up with their advanced technology plans. More openness is needed to build trust in how funds are used.

Social Security for 200-Year-Olds?

OpenTheBooks Substack • 272 implied HN points • 07 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Transparency
  1. There are huge discrepancies in the numbers of old people listed in the Social Security database, creating confusion and concern. Some figures, like those stating millions are aged over 100 or even 200, seem unbelievable.
  2. Major efforts are being made to clean up the Social Security records, with millions of potentially obsolete numbers being removed. This process aims to prevent fraud and ensure accurate records.
  3. The Social Security Administration has been criticized for lacking transparency and not providing clear data about its beneficiaries. This makes it difficult for taxpayers to understand how funds are being managed.
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IMPACT: PAUL, ERNST ADVANCE ROYALTY TRANSPARENCY ACT, ACKNOWLEDGE OPEN THE BOOKS

OpenTheBooks Substack • 172 implied HN points • 07 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Transparency
  1. Senator Rand Paul is pushing for the Royalty Transparency Act to reveal secret royalty payments in healthcare. This act aims to show how much money changes hands between the government and pharmaceutical companies.
  2. The NIH has made billions in royalty payments to its scientists, raising questions about potential conflicts of interest. People deserve to know who benefits financially from public health decisions.
  3. The Royalty Transparency Act would require more honesty about financial dealings in the health sector. It’s important for the public to understand the interests behind the scientific advice they receive.

OPEN LETTER TO ELON: Let's Build "America's Checkbook"

OpenTheBooks Substack • 465 implied HN points • 05 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Transparency
  1. Creating a tool called 'America's Checkbook' can help Americans see government spending in real time. This tool would make it easier for taxpayers to understand how their money is being used.
  2. Transparency in government spending is important. The founders of the United States believed that the public should have access to detailed records of expenditure.
  3. By working together, Americans can push for more accountability and efficiency in how government funds are managed. This will ensure that future administrations remain open and responsible to the public.

The JFK Assassination “Smoking Gun” That Wasn’t

Public • 196 implied HN points • 07 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Transparency
  1. Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in the assassination of JFK, and there's no solid evidence that the CIA was involved in planning or executing it.
  2. Past government investigations into the JFK assassination were mishandled, leading to public distrust and conspiracy theories because of the secrecy surrounding the investigation.
  3. Recent claims about CIA officer George Joannides show that while he monitored Oswald, there’s no direct evidence linking him or the CIA to JFK's murder.

Elon is out. Excessive spending is not.

OpenTheBooks Substack • 197 implied HN points • 28 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Transparency
  1. Change in government spending is possible with today's technology. We can find and track wasted taxpayer dollars.
  2. Many Americans want more accountability from the government. They were upset about the waste exposed by DOGE.
  3. Making real change is tough because some politicians want to keep things as they are. But it's important to keep pushing for transparency.

Fear and Loathing at AARO

ᴋʟᴀᵾs • 334 implied HN points • 21 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Transparency
  1. Blatant withholding of information admitted to on live television, without media attention
  2. Concerns raised about the control of the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO)
  3. Power struggles and lack of transparency in handling UFO/UAP data within government agencies

December 20, 2025

Letters from an American • 25 implied HN points • 21 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Transparency
  1. A new law required the Department of Justice to publish all Jeffrey Epstein–related records within 30 days, but the DOJ released only a small portion, omitted key materials like survivor interviews and internal memos, and missed the deadline.
  2. The released documents were heavily redacted, some files disappeared, and unrelated public photos of figures like Bill Clinton, Michael Jackson, and Diana Ross were inserted, all of which suggest manipulation and undermine claims of transparency.
  3. Democratic lawmakers say the DOJ and the administration are violating the law and are exploring legal options, and critics argue the actions amount to shielding allies and treating Congress and voters with contempt.

40 Months? The Eternal FOIA Backlog

OpenTheBooks Substack • 137 implied HN points • 17 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Transparency
  1. FOIA requests are taking way too long to process, with some taking up to 40 months. This makes it hard for the public to hold the government accountable.
  2. Many government agencies are not responding to FOIA requests on time, often claiming backlog issues. This lack of transparency is harmful to public trust.
  3. There are calls for better management of FOIA processes, including higher staffing and better training, to ensure public records are accessible in a timely manner.

DOGE due diligence at treasury

bad cattitude • 314 implied HN points • 12 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Transparency
  1. Since 1946, U.S. presidents and their advisors haven't had access to the government's payment system. This lack of transparency has been a long-standing issue.
  2. Many former treasury secretaries are upset about attempts to make the payment system more visible. They believe this openness threatens the way things have always been done.
  3. There's a push for greater auditing and transparency in government spending. People want to hold officials accountable and make sure tax dollars are spent properly.

An open letter to Congress: Is health care at a tipping point?

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 419 implied HN points • 24 May 23
🏥 Health Politics Transparency
  1. Health care costs are rising rapidly, putting financial pressure on employers. Many companies might struggle to afford these increased costs, which could lead to bigger changes in the health care system.
  2. The recent health care law aims to make pricing and quality data more accessible. This means employers can now better compare health care providers and make informed choices about where to direct their health care spending.
  3. There's a shift towards valuing better health outcomes rather than just more services. This change could transform the health care industry by encouraging competition based on quality and efficiency.

You Should Know Who’s Funding Your Local Paper

Second Rough Draft • 235 implied HN points • 28 Sep 23
📰 News Transparency
  1. Nonprofit ownership of local newspapers is beneficial but requires transparency in funding sources.
  2. Transparency in newspaper ownership funding helps maintain trust and credibility in the press.
  3. Disclosing the donors of nonprofit newspaper ownership signals independence and strengthens public confidence.

The Alimonti Addendum

The Honest Broker Newsletter • 1266 implied HN points • 26 Aug 23
🔬 Science Transparency
  1. A scientific paper was retracted due to negative press and criticism, not due to substantive issues.
  2. The retraction was driven by a single sentence in the paper, not related to data or analysis.
  3. Peer review process irregularities and external influences impacted the retraction, highlighting issues in scientific publishing.

Congress' Lack of Transparency is a Choice

OpenTheBooks Substack • 347 implied HN points • 19 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Transparency
  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.

DOGE Is Coming...

OpenTheBooks Substack • 383 implied HN points • 16 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Transparency
  1. A new initiative called DOGE aims to make the government more efficient and cut wasteful spending. They have a huge database of public spending to help identify areas for improvement.
  2. Key leaders, including Trump and Musk, have set ambitious goals to cut $2 trillion from the budget by 2026. This aims to create a smaller government that works better for taxpayers.
  3. The public can help by sharing reports on wasteful spending and using the available database to uncover more issues. It's a group effort to bring attention to these spending problems.

That Might Have Been The Strangest Thing That Has Ever Happened To Me On Twitter

Singal-Minded • 1670 implied HN points • 21 Feb 23
📰 News Transparency
  1. A controversy on Twitter erupted when a researcher accused a writer of misinterpreting a sentence in the Standards of Care document
  2. The writer engaged in a debate on social media to defend their interpretation of the sentence
  3. The controversy reached a dramatic conclusion when it was revealed that the writer was falsely accused, leading to public embarrassment for the accuser

How we discovered Fauci's secret $15 million taxpayer-funded security detail

The Dossier • 341 implied HN points • 11 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Transparency
  1. Dr. Fauci has received a $15 million security detail funded by taxpayers even after leaving his government job. This detail provided him with constant protection, which is unusual for someone who is no longer in office.
  2. The details about this security arrangement were hidden for a long time, and it took over a year of work to uncover this information. It highlights the challenges involved in obtaining transparency from government agencies.
  3. Many Americans are upset about the misuse of taxpayer funds for Fauci's security while others, like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., were denied similar protections. This has sparked calls for more accountability regarding how public money is spent.

Colleague on Jennifer Friedenbach: 'She doesn’t want to kill the goose that lays the golden egg'

Gotham by Susan Dyer Reynolds • 196 implied HN points • 07 Aug 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Transparency
  1. Jennifer Friedenbach is the executive director of Coalition on Homelessness and has faced criticism for her lack of qualifications and questionable financial decisions.
  2. The Coalition on Homelessness lacks transparency in their financial reports, with questionable classification of expenses and no clear demonstration of results.
  3. Friedenbach's involvement in conflicts of interest, such as granting her own nonprofit a large grant from an oversight committee she chairs, raises concerns about ethical practices in addressing homelessness issues.

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT: HONORING ADAM ANDRZEJEWSKI’S LEGACY

OpenTheBooks Substack • 68 implied HN points • 23 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Transparency
  1. A new scholarship named after Adam Andrzejewski will be awarded annually to students who show strong leadership in government transparency. This honors his dedication to making public spending accessible.
  2. Open the Books has made a significant impact by filing over 550,000 requests for information to hold the government accountable. This effort helps taxpayers see how their money is spent.
  3. The organization aims to raise $100,000 to keep the scholarship running for years. This funding will support future leaders who are passionate about truth and transparency.

VSRF LIVE TONIGHT: Episode 214: Tamara Ugolini

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 2 implied HN points • 12 Feb 26
🏥 Health Politics Transparency
  1. Public health institutions in Canada often prioritize protecting institutions over protecting people, creating a pattern of regulatory capture and failing to deliver accountability.
  2. Transparency is being blocked by slow, heavily redacted information releases and a vaccine injury support program that is delayed and difficult to access, which prevents independent scrutiny.
  3. Specific controversies — including delayed acknowledgment of AstraZeneca-related injuries and a very permissive Medical Assistance in Dying regime — raise serious safety and ethical concerns.

How we set salaries

computers suck • 176 implied HN points • 01 Jun 23
💼 Business Transparency
  1. Traditional salary-setting processes can feel like a black box, leaving employees with little insight.
  2. Transparency in salary information contributes to equity and equality in pay.
  3. The Skill Tree process at garden3d empowers individuals to advocate for themselves and others in a fair and transparent manner.

Anthony Fauci Defended NIH Culture Of Secrecy: The $325M Third-Party Royalty Complex... Now We Know More Details.

OpenTheBooks Substack • 779 implied HN points • 09 Aug 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Transparency
  1. Anthony Fauci defended NIH culture of secrecy regarding third-party royalty payments.
  2. Chinese and Russian companies paid NIH for licensing technologies developed with U.S. taxpayer money.
  3. Companies like Purdue Pharma paid royalties to NIH scientists, raising questions about conflicts of interest.

Trump's Transparency Opportunity

OpenTheBooks Substack • 172 implied HN points • 20 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Transparency
  1. Transparency is crucial for holding the government accountable. Citizens have the right and duty to know how their tax money is spent.
  2. The previous administration made it hard to access information quickly, which undermined democracy. People should be able to get answers about government spending without long waits.
  3. The new administration has a chance to improve transparency immediately. Quick access to government data can help build trust and ensure better decision-making.

Silver Bulletin pollster ratings 2025 archive

Silver Bulletin • 6 implied HN points • 14 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Transparency
  1. Pollsters are ranked by historical accuracy and transparency using a Predictive Plus-Minus score that is converted to letter grades. A negative plus-minus means the pollster is expected to be more accurate than average.
  2. The ratings use multiple measures — simple and advanced plus-minus, mean-reverted bias, house effects, and an ADPA herding penalty — and give bonuses for transparency like AAPOR or Roper Center sharing. These metrics together adjust for sample size, timing, and how a poll compares to others.
  3. The archive was updated with hundreds of new polls from the 2024 presidential, congressional, and gubernatorial elections, and full datasets (pollster stats and raw polls) are available for download. The update shifted some ratings but the top pollsters remained largely the same.

The Incompatibility of Open Core and Profit

Bytes, Data, Action! • 109 HN points • 28 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Transparency
  1. Open core business models may have conflicting incentives with profit goals.
  2. Open core companies often start with free products to attract users, then shift focus to monetizing through premium features and services.
  3. There are alternative strategies to align incentives better in open source businesses, such as keeping proprietary data, clear expectations, and open source components.

DOJ Asks for 18-Month Stay in Eight FOIA Lawsuits Against FDA Seeking Basic Information

Injecting Freedom • 63 implied HN points • 17 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Transparency
  1. The DOJ is asking for more time—18 months—to respond to lawsuits seeking public information from the FDA. This raises questions about what the FDA might be trying to hide.
  2. The lawsuits aim to uncover details about past vaccine trials and safety reports, including those related to COVID vaccines. People want to know how these vaccines were tested and their safety records.
  3. There is a push for more transparency in how the FDA operates and makes decisions, especially regarding vaccines and public health. Delays in providing information can be seen as violating the right to access public records.

Straight Talk

The Radar • 39 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
💼 Business Transparency
  1. Dishonesty has become the norm in today's world, so being honest can help you stand out as a leader and build stronger relationships.
  2. Different types of misleading tactics like withholding information, spin, doublespeak, manipulation, and tactical deniability are commonly used in organizations.
  3. Practicing transparency, providing rationale for decisions, and communicating honestly can lead to increased trust within teams and ultimately improve overall performance.

Open the Books Testifies Before Senate Small Business Committee

OpenTheBooks Substack • 8 implied HN points • 15 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Transparency
  1. Federal spending per person has ballooned and the government often spends more without getting better results; rising federal salaries and big safety-net costs are major drivers of debt.
  2. Small-business programs and pandemic aid were often misdirected to large firms, wealthy entities, and dubious borrowers, while fraud and improper payments were widespread and harmed true small businesses.
  3. Increasing real-time transparency and using better data systems and AI can empower citizens to spot waste and fraud and hold government accountable.

Surviving SVB 😰😕😅

The SaaS Baton • 78 implied HN points • 15 Mar 23
💼 Business Transparency
  1. Surviving a crisis like the SVB chaos requires staying solution-oriented, generating multiple outcomes, and reaching out for support.
  2. In the early days, focusing too much on Product-Led Growth (PLG) without testing through outbound sales can be risky.
  3. Transparency in recruiting, from defining assessments to sharing feedback, can lead to better alignment with candidates and improvement in the hiring process.

How AI Can Benefit Blockchain and Vice Versa

Rod’s Blog • 39 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Transparency
  1. AI can enhance the security, efficiency, and transparency of blockchain systems.
  2. AI can help improve blockchain security by detecting and preventing threats using machine learning algorithms.
  3. AI can optimize blockchain efficiency by automating processes and enhancing performance through data analysis.

"Top Employer"

The Radar • 39 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
💼 Business Transparency
  1. Being named a 'Top Employer' by the Top Employer Institute involves a process audit - it doesn't necessarily reflect on all aspects of being a great place to work.
  2. The certification criteria for 'Top Employer' mainly focus on HR processes and branding, leaving out key factors like employee sentiment, safety, turnover, and retention.
  3. The process of getting certified as a 'Top Employer' raises questions about transparency and whether the opinions and experiences of employees are truly being considered.

The Battle for the Treasury Market

Concoda • 502 implied HN points • 21 Mar 23
💰 Finance Transparency
  1. There is a hidden battle within America's sovereign debt market that is about to transform.
  2. The regulatory focus is shifting towards increasing transparency in the Treasury market to subdue systemic risk.
  3. Implementing all-to-all trading in the Treasury market could democratize the market, enhance liquidity, and improve market resilience.

Software Transparency

Resilient Cyber • 119 implied HN points • 30 May 23
🕹 Technology Transparency
  1. Software supply chain attacks are increasing rapidly, with a reported rise of 742% in the last three years. This highlights the need for better security measures in software development.
  2. The book discusses various strategies for managing supply chain risks. It covers topics like vulnerability databases, software bills of materials (SBOM), and practical guidance for both suppliers and consumers.
  3. There is a growing push for software transparency to address systemic risks. This involves collaboration between development, security, and operations, as well as understanding regulations and emerging best practices.