Tuesday, August 07, 2012

Book Review: Me the People by Kevin Bleyer

Hardcover: 323 pages
Publisher: Random House (May 29, 2012)

Kevin Bleyer, a writer for The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, has done the impossible.  He has rewritten the Constitution of the United States of America.  Bleyer also did a large amount of research in the process, including meeting with Supreme Court Associate Justices Stephen Breyer and Antonin Scalia.

This book, in large part, is not what you would call a laughfest.  It's not written that way.  It's a far cry from that, to be honest, but it's still very well written.

In reading Me the People, one can see the passion that comes from Kevin Bleyer in his quest.  He didn't get the crazy idea to steal the Constitution like Benjamin Gates did in National Treasure, although the fictional Disney film is invoked quite a few times early on.

Thomas Jefferson's idea was for the document to "naturally expire at the end of 19 years."  That did not happen.  If it did, the country would be in a never-ending state of strife and unable to get things done.  Just look at what happens in Washington every time they try and pass a law!

In reading this book, I learned that the author flew to Greece, traveled to Philadelphia, met with Supreme Court justices, and even met someone named John Hancock.  Unlike many politicians, Bleyer has read the document from start to finish.

If you call yourself a politico, you'll enjoy this book.  But do make sure to come pre-armed with a sense of humor.

I highly recommend Kevin Bleyer's selfless quest to rewrite the Constitution.

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