The Politically Incorrect Guide(tm) to the Constitution (Politically Incorrect Guides)
ISBN:9781596985056 read summary

This book starts out well, serving as it is presumably intended, as iconoclastic in nature. There are lots of cases, the facts pertaining to them, their resolution, and the precedent as set in many instances. While it is true that the preponderance of what is taught under the guise of American History is in fact myth, and the author is indeed quite correct in pointing out and shattering those myths,the overall tone of the book, by the time one reaches the final chapters, devolves from one of myth-busting to basic cynicism. It begins to sound as if criticism is being effected for little more than its own sake, until one at last sees through it: the author is advancing what appears to be his own religious agenda. He referred to creationism--the purely religious "explanation" for creation---as science. It is anything but. Indeed, no less than 72 Nobel-prize winning scientists and 17 state science academies filed amicus briefs pointing out that creationism is religion, pure and simple, and no science whatever is to be found in it. The author disdains this, and all other decisions maintaining the separation of church and state. All in all, the book is worth a read, but bear in mind that it isn't so much an education regarding the constitution you'll take from it, but a firm lesson regarding the author's right-wing, anti-democratic stance. If that is appealing to you (and it is--very--to many) then by all means, this book's for you. If, however, you are looking for an objective and enlightening view regarding the constitution, you may be a bit disappointed. The book doesn't sound so much "politically incorrect" as it does simply angry. While it is true that there is a lot anymore in our country to be angry about, I'm not certain that cynicism and the pushing of religious agenda is the answer. I tend to favour the framers' contention that religion can be freely practised only in a country in which no religion is espoused over any other by its government. While overall I do recommend the book, I should have preferred a bit less cynicism and a bit more respect for the understanding of the framers in pointing out that there is a reason, and a good one, for keeping government out of religion, even if that means keeping prayer out of schools. Besides, there's a good counterbalance already in place: kids don't pray in school, and churches don't teach algebra. And that seems to be working just fine.
Upon reaching the final three chapters, the book has degenerated to a full rant. The author decries virtually every decision made by the Supreme Court, including those mandating desegragation and expanding freedoms. It becomes apparent that his obvious fundamentalist views acquire full reign and shape his every sentence; he allows full freedom of his personal prejudices and beliefs to seize control. This right he reserves to himself; however, let a Justice express his or her human individuality and views, and he's down their throats. The book should have stayed as it started---an informative insight into some of the lesser known realities associated with the constitution. Unfortunately, the beginning seems instead to serve as means to allow the author to slide into a pointless tirade, a rant, furiously denouncing the court for virtually everything it ever did, stopping just short of name calling. Here, the book assumes rather a childish nature and ceases being informative; indeed, no platform for individual preference and religious fanaticism has ever been, nor shall ever be, informative. Political correctness is one thing. Ranting and raving, however, quite another.

'The Politically Incorrect Guide to American History', coupled with 'The Politically Incorrect Guide to the Constitution' are essential resources for those who are searching for exactly how the American Government has destroyed the 'American Dream' (as envisioned by the framers and ratifiers of our founding documents.) These are not theoretical books, rather, they are a recitation of the facts and actions that changed America from the Land of the Free and Hopeful, into the Home of the Dependent and Hopeless.

Viewed from the perspective of natural human behavior, nothing that has happened should be surprising, either from the side of the looters, or from the side of the looted. It has all happened many times before. Too bad it had to happen again here. As someone has wisely observed, "what we learn from history is that nobody learns anything from history".

Jesse Townsley

Erudite and written with clarity, this book is an invaluable guide to the many misconceptions about our Constitution and the true intentions of our founders. While the Federalist Papers are certainly an extremely important guide to original intent, they were written for the purpose of selling the Constitution to its opponents. Professor Guztman's book delves into the debate among the great thinkers of the time, their real concerns about ratification, and why they insisted that a Bill of Rights be amended to the Constitution. Dr. Gutzman, an expert on history, law, and the Constitution, has produced a succinct work that is carefully documented, compelling, and necessary for anyone interested in the study of law and constitutional history. He further demonstrates how the judicial branch of government has usurped legislative power from Congress and how our current "Constitutional" law has very little to do with our Constitution.

Why are so many Americans left scratching their heads after each Supreme Court decision? The average American with a high school education can read the Constitution in less than an hour. In doing so, one is struck by the remarkable absence of the arcane legal language and convoluted style that have become the hallmarks of contemporary `lawyer speak.' Thus, an ordinary citizen reading the text of the Constitution, given the plain English in which it is clearly written, could be excused for believing that he has at least a marginal grasp of the supreme law of the land. Well..........he would be wrong.

In this series of the `Politically Incorrect Guides' Gutzman does a superb job in chronicling the most significant events, judgements and judges effecting how our Constitution is interpreted today. The Supreme Court, as a purposely unelected body, was originally intended to be the high priests, the guardians, the gatekeepers of our sacred document. Instead, they have wrested power from the other two branches and blatantly misapplied the law to suit their individual preferences and personal agendas. Raw political power has long since supplanted circumspect jurisprudence. The titanic struggle between `nationalists' and `states rights' proponents that permeated the original ratification convention continues today. The difference is, the proponents of state sovereignty won the tactical battle at ratification, but lost the war to the `nationalists' in the ensuing years. That contest 221 years ago is the genesis of the contemporary clash between the liberal ideology of centralized big government and the conservative's quest to return to 'original intent.'

Much of what you thought you knew is simply wrong. This book connects the dots. It explores some of the most controversial, game-changing decisions effecting every American today, and presents them in the context of their day. Gutzman explains how it all went wrong, why citizens and lawyers can look at the Constitution and see two entirely different documents, and why it matters. Finally, Gutzman proposes a potential remedy.

Gutzman's fascinating and highly readable `Incorrect Guide' should be required reading for every politician in office, for every American contemplating a run for office, for every student of history, for every civic-minded American, for everyone who loves apple pie, their spouse, puppies, or .......have I left anyone out?

Fantastic book. Very informative and inspiring. Makes you made at what is happening to our country now.