Walter Olson, Author at Reason.com

Latest from Walter Olson

Guardrails NCC

Guardrails of Democracy, Extended: Comparing Notes On The Team Libertarian Report

Fifth post in the symposium on the National Constitution Center "Restoring the Guardrails of Democracy" project. Walter Olson of Team Libertarian comments on similarities and differences between the three reports.

Walter Olson |The Volokh Conspiracy | 9.1.2022 3:00 PM

Guardrails NCC

Restoring the Guardrails of Democracy: A Libertarian View

Third post in the symposium on the National Constitution Center "Restoring the Guardrails of Democracy" project. Walter Olson presents the Team Libertarian Report.

Walter Olson |The Volokh Conspiracy | 8.29.2022 12:00 PM

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Secret City Recounts the Gay History of D.C.

In his new book, James Kirchick focuses on homosexuals' relationship with national politics during a time when gays were banned from working for the federal government.

Walter Olson | 6.1.2022 6:00 AM

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Where Does Biden Get the Authority To Mandate Vaccination?

Emergency OSHA rules are frequently struck down by courts.

Walter Olson | 9.10.2021 1:35 PM

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Why Does American Infrastructure Cost More and Take Longer To Build Than It Used To?

A series of laws passed in the 1970s may have permanently hamstrung American infrastructure development.

Walter Olson | 3.25.2021 1:06 PM

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Why Redistricting Reform Goes Off the Rails

"Buddymandering" is the widespread map-related misconduct that's wrecking our elections.

Walter Olson | 6.28.2020 6:00 AM

Gift Cards

Regulations on Gift Cards Make It Harder To Support Local Businesses in a COVID Crunch

Restaurants and shops are already suffering enough.

Walter Olson | 4.23.2020 3:43 PM

Fentanyl

Congress Is Racing To Address a Fentanyl Problem That Fentanyl Experts Say Probably Doesn't Exist

You can’t overdose on fentanyl simply by touching it.

Walter Olson | 6.1.2019 9:00 AM

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How Far Should Blame for Asbestos Go?

Thanks to its role overseeing maritime law, the Supreme Court will soon rule on liability limits for manufacturers adjacent to the asbestos industry.

Walter Olson | 12.28.2018 1:30 PM

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Trump Turns One

A year into Donald Trump's presidency, how are things going?

Peter Suderman, Robert Poole, David Bier, Walter Olson, Gene Healy, Patrick Ruffini, Matt Welch, Jesse Walker, William Ruger, Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Veronique de Rugy | 1.18.2018 9:30 AM

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Gary Johnson and the Rise of Libertarian Centrism

Why moderate Republicans like Susan Collins and Mitt Romney are flirting with the Libertarian Party presidential ticket.

Walter Olson | 8.16.2016 2:00 PM

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Jail for Missed Days at School? The Madness of Truancy Laws.

The state finds ever more ways to menace you with imprisonment...for your own good.

Walter Olson | 6.6.2015 10:00 AM

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Department of Labor

Obama Administration Big on 'Hot Goods' Orders, Civil Forfeiture for Labor Regulations

Hot goods orders being used by the feds in attack on blueberry growers in the Pacific Northwest.

Walter Olson | 2.15.2015 10:00 AM

Rat Out Your Employer On Taxes. Win Cash Rewards!

Walter Olson | 8.9.2014 9:00 AM

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Sued for a Study

Unhelpful science?

Walter Olson | 12.28.2013 2:00 PM

A Step Toward Facebook.gov?

Get ready for the government to determine what bullying online is (and therefore, what free speech isn't)

Walter Olson | 10.12.2013 3:00 PM

The Constitutional Flaws of the Indian Child Welfare Act

The Supreme Court weighs a contentious dispute over adoption, Indian lineage, and child welfare.

Walter Olson | 4.22.2013 12:00 PM

The Most Important State-Federal Dispute You're Not Paying Attention To

The fight between HUD and Westchester County has implications for property owners in the rest of the country.

Walter Olson | 4.4.2013 5:00 PM

Nicholas Kristof's Bogus Anti-Beer Crusade

The New York Times columnist launches a sloppy attack against Anheuser-Busch based on beer sales to South Dakota's Pine Ridge Reservation.

Walter Olson | 5.18.2012 10:30 AM

What Would You Do to Improve Job Growth?

Reason asks economists, writers, and wonks for real ways to increase job growth

Robert Higgs, Deirdre Nansen McCloskey, Amity Shlaes, John Stossel, Donald J. Boudreaux, Bryan Caplan, Bruce Bartlett, Jeffrey Miron, John Berlau, Allan Meltzer, Ira Stoll, Walter Olson, Peter Schiff, Alex Tabarrok, Fred Smith, and Lucy Steigerwald | 8.12.2011 12:00 PM

Dangerous When in Power

Does government protect us from hazardous products, or does it put us in harm's way?

Walter Olson | 2.13.2007 7:15 AM

You May Already Be a Loser

Correcting California's antispam mistake

Walter Olson | 12.8.2003 12:00 AM

Courting Stupidity

Why smart lawyers pick dumb jurors.

Walter Olson | 1.1.2003 12:00 AM

Overlawyered & Overgoverned

An annual helping of tales from a litigious society.

Walter Olson | 3.1.2001 12:00 AM

Stale Claims

How long should the law nurse old grievances?

Walter Olson | 11.1.2000 12:00 AM

All About Erin

Heroine of screen and courtroom Erin Brockovich deserves a prize, all right. But not for what you think.

Walter Olson | 10.1.2000 12:00 AM

Confessions of a Macaulay Fan

The great liberal historian appreciated on his bicentenary

Walter Olson | 8.1.2000 12:00 AM

Look for the Kiwi Label

The "anti-sweatshop" movement has an elastic agenda.

Walter Olson | 7.1.2000 12:00 AM

A Smith & Wesson FAQ

A gun deal with many losers.

Walter Olson | 6.1.2000 12:00 AM

Access Excess

Walter Olson | 5.1.2000 12:00 AM

Office Managers

OSHA's retreat from its bid to regulate home workplaces sets a subversive precedent.

Walter Olson | 4.1.2000 12:00 AM

The Year in Double Takes

Did they really say that?

Walter Olson | 3.1.2000 12:00 AM

Gold Bugs

Class action lawyers discover Silicon Valley.

Walter Olson | 2.1.2000 12:00 AM

Puff, the Magic Settlement

The joy of enormous tobacco fees.

Walter Olson | 1.1.2000 12:00 AM

Reasonable Doubts: Felon Protection

Should employers be forced to hire ex-cons?

Walter Olson | 12.1.1999 12:00 AM

Reasonable Doubts: Dial 'O' for Outrage: The Sequel

Tales from an overlawyered America

Walter Olson | 11.1.1999 12:00 AM

Reasonable Doubts: Big Guns

Plaintiffs' lawyers declare themselves the "fourth branch of government" and go after firearms.

Walter Olson | 10.1.1999 12:00 AM

Reasonable Doubts: Title IX's Invisible Ink

How the Supreme Court made up "student-on-student" harassment law

Walter Olson | 8.1.1999 12:00 AM

Reasonable Doubts: Lawyers, Gums, and Rummies

Why do we hate attorneys?

Walter Olson | 7.1.1999 12:00 AM

Reasonable Doubts: Benighted Elite

Postmodernist critics of science get their comeuppance

Walter Olson | 6.1.1999 12:00 AM

Reasonable Doubts: Firing Squad

In the gun litigation wars, who really speaks for federalism?

Walter Olson | 5.1.1999 12:00 AM

Reasonable Doubts: A Woburn FAQ

On A Civil Action, skepticism is overdue.

Walter Olson | 4.1.1999 12:00 AM

Reasonable Doubts: Lost in the Wash

"Know your customer" rules send privacy to the cleaners.

Walter Olson | 3.1.1999 12:00 AM

Reasonable Doubts: Standard Accommodations

The road to universal disability

Walter Olson | 2.1.1999 12:00 AM

Reasonable Doubts: Dark Bedfellows

Postmoderns and traditionalists unite against the Enlightenment

Walter Olson | 1.1.1999 12:00 AM

Reasonable Doubts: Dial "O" for Outrage

Tales from The Excuse Factory's cutting-room floor

Walter Olson | 12.1.1998 12:00 AM

Yesterday's Tomorrows: 1968-1998

Books that got the future right--and wrong

Walter Anderson, Ronald Bailey, Gregory Benford, K. Drexler, Charles Paul Freund, Michael Fumento, Steven Hayward, Charles Murray, John V.C. Nye, Walter Olson, Randal O'Toole, John Pitney, Robert Poole, Virginia Postrel, Adam Powell III, John Reed, and Lynn Scarlett | 12.1.1998 12:00 AM

Reasonable Doubts: Invitation to a Stoning

Getting cozy with theocrats

Walter Olson | 11.1.1998 12:00 AM

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