Simon Hill

International Politics & Public Money

Simon Hill follows international politics, budgets, and the public money underneath diplomatic smiles. He asks who benefits, who pays, and which cost vanished from the communique. He brings a calculator to a geopolitical knife fight.

Articles By Simon Hill

86 published articles

Democrawonk — Editorial cartoon of a coal executive beside a closed Planning doorway while a politician displays a Special Bill drawing of a larger coal-wagon entrance.

The Coal Mine Lost In Court. Luckily, It Knows Someone Who Makes Laws.

PoliticsOctober 19, 2026 at 7:18 AM EDTBy Simon Hill

Protecting miners should not require giving a mining company its own legislative entrance.

Democrawonk — Cartoon official relaxes in an office chair with a heavy Responsibility weight across his lap and a map of France behind him.

France’s Interior Minister Takes Full Responsibility. It Fits Nicely In His Existing Office.

PoliticsOctober 19, 2026 at 6:23 AM EDTBy Simon Hill

Keeping a minister in an emergency may be defensible. Keeping the explanation private is not an acceptable substitute for accountability.

Democrawonk — Editorial cartoon of a statistician measuring a towering rental building with a tiny ruler while a renter looks on.

The Poverty Line Has Apparently Never Looked For An Apartment

PoliticsOctober 18, 2026 at 6:27 PM EDTBy Simon Hill

California doesn’t get to declare families comfortable just because the more flattering poverty measure gives housing costs less attention.

Democrawonk — Editorial cartoon of JD Vance at a lectern pointing toward a Biden portrait while a large mirror reflects Vance himself.

JD Vance Would Like To Blame Biden Without Discussing The Past

PoliticsOctober 18, 2026 at 6:30 PM EDTBy Simon Hill

The vice president’s town-hall answers suggest history is essential until someone asks about his own administration.

Democrawonk — An oil barrel occupies a huge pink chair marked GROWTH beside a tiny stool and hard hat marked NEW JOBS, in an ink editorial cartoon.

Great News For Everyone Who Happens To Be A Barrel Of Oil

PoliticsOctober 18, 2026 at 9:17 PM EDTBy Simon Hill

Canada's pipeline ambitions may increase oil output without reviving the old jobs bonanza. Workers deserve more than a flattering production forecast.