Archives: January 2023
Excerpts from Reason's vaults
Politics
In 2023, People May Finally Be Breaking Their Obsession With Politics
In the mid-'70s, people disengaged from political conflict and took up jogging. Maybe it's time to do the same.
Charity and Capitalism Are Better Than Government
When I was young, I assumed government would lift people out of poverty. But those policies often do more harm than good.
Why Take Responsibility When You Can Blame Somebody Else?
The year’s highlights in buck passing feature petulant politicians, brazen bureaucrats, careless cops, loony lawyers, and junky journalists.
Why Did George Santos Lie About His Past To Get Elected to Congress?
The massive power of federal government attracts frauds.
'The Principles Should Endure': Sen. Pat Toomey on Fusionism, Tariffs, and What's To Blame for FTX's Collapse
After two terms in the Senate as a champion for free markets and limited government, Pennsylvania's Republican senator is heading into retirement.
Brickbats: January 2023
News of politicians, police, and bureaucrats behaving badly from around the world.
Against Game of Thrones Christianity
To truly care about virtue is to recognize that it matters how you win: Ends don't justify means.
Don't Count on Criminal Prosecution To Hold Trump Accountable for His Egregious Post-Election Behavior
The final report from the January 6 select committee falls short of proving the elements required to convict the former president.
Short Circuit: A Roundup of Recent Federal Court Decisions
Cicero, Bentham, Coke, and Kierkegaard.
Maybe 'Marshal Law' Can Save the Republican Party?
Unfortunately, the reality is something far more sinister.
Congress Can Reduce the Deficit by $7.7 Trillion in 10 Years
The Congressional Budget Office projects that future deficits will explode. But there's a way out.
GOP Lawmaker Blocks IVF Protection Bill
Plus: Diminishing differences in regional attitudes, IRS begins monitoring small transactions, and more…
$70 Million for Salmon, $3 Million for Bee-Friendly Highways, and More Absurdities in the Omnibus Spending Bill
Plus: An attempt to criminalize porn, D.C. hopes making tourism more expensive will boost tourism, and more…
The January 6 Committee's Suggested Charges Against Trump May Be Hard To Prove
The leading possibilities include knowledge and intent elements that have to be established beyond a reasonable doubt.
Congress Moves Forward on Electoral Count Act Reform
The new legislation would fix many of the problems that helped lead to the attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 election.
Congress Yet Again Fails To Pass Crack Cocaine Sentencing Reforms
A compromise to cram crack sentencing reform into the year-end omnibus spending bill fell apart at the last minute.
Georgia Secretary of State: Democrats 'Double Down on False Claims' About Elections
Brad Raffensperger compares President Joe Biden and Sen. Raphael Warnock to Donald Trump.
Why Does Funding Government Take $1.7 Trillion and 4,000 Pages?
Plus: Title 42 order termination is on hold, the FTC vs. Meta, and more...
Will the Uvalde Shooting Prompt Texas To Finally Close a Police Secrecy Loophole?
Texas law allows police to withhold records of suspects who were never convicted. Police abuse it to hide records from families, reporters, and lawyers investigating deaths in custody.
Biden Is Set To Sign $858 Billion Pentagon Budget—One of the Biggest Ever
Plus: North Carolina strikes down voter ID law, more turmoil at Twitter, and more...
Happy Saturnalia!
The Volokh Conspiracy tradition of marking the occasion of this ancient Roman holiday continues.
Short Circuit: A Roundup of Recent Federal Court Decisions
Feather bans, tent curtilage, and youngsters and their sweets.
What Do Republicans Want To 'Prosecute Fauci' for, Exactly?
Elon Musk reignited the GOP’s interest to bring charges against Anthony Fauci.
Elon Musk Kicks Tech Journalists, Mastodon Off Twitter
Plus: Sen. Mike Lee wants to remove First Amendment protections for porn, IRS doxxes taxpayers, and more...
Review: Is Andor the Most Political Live-Action Star Wars Release?
Star Wars remains an epic tale of good vs. evil, but underneath the myth are ordinary human motivations.
Subsidies To Help Workers Would Hurt Poor People
Some people would benefit. Others would lose money or be rendered unemployable.
Marian Tupy and Gale Pooley: More People Means More Wealth
The Superabundance authors make a compelling case that the world is getting richer for everyone.
