The Constitution was once the bedrock of our country, an unpretentious parchment that boldly established the God-given rights and freedoms of America. Today that parchment has been shred to ribbons, explains Fox News senior judicial analyst Judge Andrew P. Napolitano, as the federal government trounces state and individual rights and expands its reach far beyond what the Framers intended.
An important follow-up to Judge Napolitano's best-selling Constitutional Chaos, this book shows with no-nonsense clarity how Congress has "purchased" regulations by bribing states and explains how the Supreme Court has devised historically inaccurate, logically inconsistent, and even laughable justifications to approve what Congress has done.
It's an exciting excursion into the dark corners of the law, showing how do-gooders, busybodies, and control freaks in government disregard the limitations imposed upon Congress by the Constitution and enact laws, illegal and unnatural, in virtually every area of human endeavor.
Praise for The Constitution in Exile from Left, Right, and Center
"Does anyone understand the vision of America's founding fathers? The courts and Congress apparently don't have a clue. But Judge Andrew P. Napolitano does, and so will you, if you read The Constitution in Exile."-BILL O'REILLY
"Whatever happened to states rights, limited government, and natural law? Judge Napolitano, in his own inimitable style, takes us on a fascinating tour of the destruction of constitutional government. If you want to know how the federal government got so big and fat, read this book. Agree or disagree, this book will make you think."-SEAN HANNITY
"In all of the American media, Judge Andrew P. Napolitano is the most persistent, uncompromising guardian of both the letter and the spirit of the Constitution, very much including the Bill of Rights. Increasingly, our Constitution is in clear and present danger. Judge Napolitano--in The Constitution in Exile--has challenged all Americans across party lines to learn the extent of this constitutional crisis." -NAT HENTOFF
"Judge Napolitano engages here in what I do every day on my program-make you think. There's no question that potential Supreme Court nominees and what our Constitution says and doesn't say played a major role for many voters in our last couple of elections. What the judge does here is detail why the federal government claims it can regulate as well as tax everything in sight as it grows and grows. Agree or disagree with him-you need to read his latest book, think, and begin to arm yourself as you enter this important debate." -RUSH LIMBAUGH
"At a time when we are, in Benjamin Franklin's words, sacrificing essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, here comes the judge with what should be mandatory reading for the executive branch cronies who are busy stealing power while they think we're not watching. Thank goodness the judge is watching and speaking truth to power. More than a book, this is an emergency call to philosophical arms, one we must heed before it's too late." -ALAN COLMES
Customer Reviews:
Customer Rating: Summary: Constitution revisited Comment: Napolitano is well-versed and eloquent. His is an interesting take on how the constitution has been interpreted down the years by various supreme courts. The real message that comes through is that the supreme court has really let the nation down by not upholding its part in our government triumvirate. Customer Rating: Summary: Must read Comment: Many people think that the government is doing there job, the job that we elect them to do. Unfortunately much of what they do is not authorized by the Constitution, and Judge Napolitano goes into great detail explaining many of the ways that our government legislates outside the boundaries of what is considered Constitutional.
I would recommend this book for each and every voting American. But then again, all they would have to do is read the Constitution and see what powers the government has. People are too lazy and apathetic to do that, so I can't see them reading a book about it either. Customer Rating: Summary: The Constitution in Exile Comment: This is a great book explaining the constitution and how we have veered so far from it. The last few chapters on the Patriot Act as very enlightning and bids you to take action! Customer Rating: Summary: Realistic and Refreshing Look at our Constitution and Its Demise Comment: In this book, Napolitano offers a clear, thoughtful analysis of our government's myriad violations of the specific Constitutional limitations on its power. He uses the wording of the Constitution itself, as well as background sources, to support his arguments. For example, he explores the debates and compromises of the Constitutional Convention, and he uses amendments considered but not passed to explain the intentions of our Founding Fathers. His discussion of governmental infringements upon the Constitution begins early in American history and ends in the present day. Such an encompassing work is admirable, but Napolitano's structure is easy to follow, and his writing style is engaging. The one drawback is he does not use footnotes consistently and often enough to adequately identify his sources and support his evidence. Customer Rating: Summary: Important Reading Comment: The chapter on the abominations of the PATRIOT Act alone is worth the price. Napolitano reveals that at least 120,000 Americans have had their bank, financial or other records searched by the FBI -- without a warrant from a judge! This is a clear violation of the Constitution, and all those involved should be imprisoned. Even worse, your bank or other institution (or even YOU, should you be directly investigated under this heinous legislation) is forbidden under the law to tell anyone about the search, under penalty of a prison term! So, guess what? It means that the government can spy on you without a search warrant and you'll never even know it. If you manage to find out somehow, and tell anyone, you'll find yourself under indictment and then in federal prison!
The only question is: what kind of government do we have now? Nazi Germany's or Stalinist Russia's? Also, why don't our "great" newsmedia report any of this? They should be doing so every day.
"Constitution in Exile" is easy to read and informative, but IMHO could have been written in a slightly more scholarly style. Additionally, the author tends to repeat himself, and the book could have had a bit more meat. Still, a solid 4 stars.