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# Spring 2004 

Vol. 27 No. 1 

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##### From the Cover 

### [The New Age of Big Government ](/regulation/spring-2004/new-age-big-government)

By Daniel Shaviro 

Made worse by the 2001–2003 tax cuts, the looming federal fiscal crisis means more government intervention in human lives.

##### Features 

#### [The Real Oil Problem ](/regulation/spring-2004/real-oil-problem)

By M. A. Adelman 

Behind the myths of an oil crisis and an oil weapon is a very real danger posed by a clumsy and shortsighted cartel.

#### [Economics at the Pump ](/regulation/spring-2004/economics-pump)

By Cary A. Deck and Bart J. Wilson 

Does “anti–price gouging” legislation really help gasoline consumers?

#### [Politics and Coporate Crime Legislation ](/regulation/spring-2004/politics-coporate-crime-legislation)

By Vikramaditya S. Khanna 

If politically powerful corporations feared corporate crime laws, then why are so many statutes on the books?

#### [Another Look at Biotech Regulation ](/regulation/spring-2004/another-look-biotech-regulation)

By Nicholas Kalaitzandonakes 

Are Europe’s labeling laws for genetically modified foods cost-effective, or even necessary?

#### [A Troubling Requirement ](/regulation/spring-2004/troubling-requirement)

By Kevin A. Hassett 

Why should the FASB require the expensing of options if it has no idea how it should be done?

##### For the Record 

##### [Science and Preferences ](/regulation/spring-2004/science-preferences)

##### Mercatus Reports 

##### [OMB’s Annual Report to Congress on Regulation ](/regulation/spring-2004/ombs-annual-report-congress-regulation)

##### [CAFE Standards ](/regulation/spring-2004/cafe-standards)

##### [Contact Lens Prescription Release ](/regulation/spring-2004/contact-lens-prescription-release)

##### [Qualified Health Claims for Foods ](/regulation/spring-2004/qualified-health-claims-foods)

##### [Commentary: The IRS’s Missing “Check” ](/regulation/spring-2004/commentary-irss-missing-check)

By Jay Cochran 

##### Briefly Noted 

##### [Reconsidering the FHTF ](/regulation/spring-2004/reconsidering-fhtf)

##### [Do the Mutuals Need More Law? ](/regulation/spring-2004/do-mutuals-need-more-law)

By Larry E. Ribstein 

##### In Review 

##### [Book Review: *Skepticism and Freedom: A Modern Case for Classical Liberalism*](/regulation/spring-2004/book-review-skepticism-freedom-modern-case-classical-liberalism)

By [Donald J. Boudreaux](https://www.cato.org/people/donald-boudreaux) 

##### [Book Review: *Insurrection: Citizen Challenges to Corporate Power*](/regulation/spring-2004/book-review-insurrection-citizen-challenges-corporate-power)

By Neil Hrab 

##### Final Word 

##### [Psst… Janet — Can You Keep the FCC Distracted? ](/regulation/spring-2004/psst-janet-can-you-keep-fcc-distracted)

By Tim Rowland 

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