[Linkpost] “One Year in DC” by tlevin

This is a link post.

(h/t Otis Reid)

I think this post captures a lot of important features of the US policymaking system. Pulling out a few especially relevant/broadly applicable sections:

1. There's No Efficient Market For Policy

There can be a huge problem that nobody is working on; that is not evidence that it's not a huge problem. Conversely, there can be a marginal problem swamped with policy work; that's not evidence it's really all that big of a deal.

On the upside, this means there are never-ending arbitrage opportunities in policy. Pick your workstreams wisely.

2. Personnel Really Is The Most Important Thing

The quality of staffers varies dramatically and can make or break policy efforts. Some Hill staffers are just awesome; if they like your idea, they'll take it and run with it, try to find the right cosponsors, understand where it fits procedurally, etc. Other staffers [...]

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First published:
May 19th, 2025

Source:
https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/posts/mucxWxKjpPQpj5FsD/untitled-draft-eid3

Linkpost URL:
https://www.greentape.pub/p/one-year-in-dc

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Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.