Favorite Rejects 2022-05-25

Josh Lerner @joshalerner

“Anytime a volunteer is talking (or writing) to a stranger, it's basically a mistake. It's like a Band-Aid for the lack of actual civic engagement.” @eitanhersh Before spending time on more mistakes, read this interview with @Mlsif 👇🏼 theconnector.substack.com/p/if-politics-…

theconnector.substack.comIf Politics is Your Hobby Horse, You’re Riding to NowhereA conversation with Eitan Hersh, author of the 2020 book Politics is for Power, on what has, or hasn’t, changed since he wrote it.

Chris Elmendorf @CSElmendorf

⬇️ Excellent @mishachellam post on the ideology of YIMBYism and its reach beyond housing.

modernpower.substack.comBuilding The YIMBY FactionPositive-Sum Culture in Pursuit of Broader Prosperity

Matthew Yglesias @mattyglesias

When people work remotely they save on commuting costs and other expenses but also want more space — a bigger house, no roommates, etc — to do their work leading to a large quasi-permanent increase in housing demand that’s contributing to inflation. slowboring.com/p/remote-work-…

Matthew Yglesias @mattyglesias

Something I’ve been thinking about lately is the only partial overlap between the concept of “promoting competition” and the stuff that goes under the header of antitrust enforcement. This, not mergers, is how home builders avoid competition. slowboring.com/p/trailer-regu…

Matthew Yglesias @mattyglesias

It seems like one useful thing we could do on guns without new legislation is actually punish gun shops that get caught breaking the existing rules.

chicago.suntimes.comATF cited stores that most often sold guns used in Chicago crimes, then let them off easyCity Hall identified stores whose weapons regularly were used in crimes. ATF has been lenient with those stores for violations such as selling to straw buyers, transferring guns without background checks and doctoring records.

Miles Riehle 🚌 @riehle_deal

just called my Assemblymember to voice my support for AB 2079. the bill would "eliminate expensive parking mandates for homes and commercial buildings near transit, or in neighborhoods with low rates of car use." -@cayimby it takes ~1 min and you can too!

cayimby.orgCall the State Legislature in Support of AB 2097!AB 2097 will reduce the cost of housing while slashing the pollution that causes climate change.

Mountain View YIMBY 🥑 @MVyimby

hi @California_HCD i'd like to report a constraint

mv-voice.comMountain View approves fees on housing already considered too costly to buildPaying for infrastructure is expensive, and Mountain View is going to need a lot of cash to build out new areas of the city poised for massive growth. But the city may run the risk of rendering new housing infeasible.

Noah Smith 🐇🇺🇦 @Noahpinion

Do not place your hopes for political change in either A) the young generation, or B) racial-demographic change. Those hopes will be dashed. Instead, place all your hopes in persuasion, and the righteousness and reasonability of your own positions. Then you can win.