R.W. Bradford
(1947–2005)
founder

Stephen Cox
editor

Mark Rand
managing editor

John Hospers
Bruce Ramsey
Jane S. Shaw
senior editors

Jo Ann Skousen
entertainment editor

Kathleen Bradford
Jim Walsh
assistant editors

Brien Bartels
David T. Beito
David Boaz
Alan W. Bock
Douglas Casey
Eric D. Dixon
Brian Doherty
Lanny Ebenstein
Andrew Ferguson
David Friedman
Bettina Bien Greaves
Ronald Hamowy
Jon Harrison
Gene Healy
Robert Higgs
Gary Jason
Bill Kauffman
Dave Kopel
Bart Kosko
Richard Kostelanetz
Sarah McCarthy
Wendy McElroy
William E. Merritt
Robert H. Nelson
Randal O'Toole
Ross Overbeek
Durk Pearson
Patrick Quealy
Scott J. Reid
Ralph R. Reiland
Sheldon Richman
Timothy Sandefur
Sandy Shaw
Mark Skousen
Tim Slagle
Fred L. Smith Jr.
Martin M. Solomon
Clark Stooksbury
Thomas S. Szasz
Martin Morse Wooster
Leland B. Yeager
contributing editors

S.H. Chambers
Rex F. May
cartoonists

December 2008
Volume 22, Number 11

4 Letters The temperature's rising.
7 Reflections We long for Mussolini, hear the impossible, stand up to "Big Wind," see what the goverment really guarantees, ride the easy-money roller coaster, play "separated at birth," deny accusations of insanity, build a bigger bubble, can't say stupid isn't smart, second-guess Flash Gordon, and realize we're in a glass house.
Features
21 To Judge or Not to Judge Is an activist judiciary bad news for limited government? Sometimes, yes . . . but an unrestrained legislature is worse, contend Robert A. Levy and William Mellor.
25 From Reform to Crisis It wasn't a lack of government regulation, argues Jim Walsh, that caused the economic crisis.
33 A Nation Still at Risk The use of school vouchers was one of Milton Friedman's great ideas. A generation later, it remains controversial. Why? Gary Jason takes a hard look at the state of affairs in education.
Reviews
43 The Big Man of American Politics Stephen Cox considers the nearly-forgotten film star Robert Taylor, whose life and politics tracked Ronald Reagan's . . . but whose connection to ordinary Americans may be closer.
46 Tanks for the Memories Libertarian thinktanks, as Gary Jason discovers, have both a fascinating history and a promising future.
50 Better Miller Jo Ann Skousen revisits the work of Arthur Miller and finds that a left-wing play can transcend its origins.
52 A Good Vintage Gary Jason savors a jug of wine, a loaf of bread, and a fine light movie.
53 Two Women Jo Ann Skousen enjoys a classic from Hollywood's Golden Era and suffers through a witless remake.

44 Notes on Contributors We few, we merry few.
55 Terra Incognita 'Tis but a mooncalf!