A review by sehixson
Me the People: One Man's Selfless Quest to Rewrite the Constitution of the United States of America by Kevin Bleyer
1.0
First, the good: The idea behind this book, that the Constitution needs revisiting is one with merit. As Bleyer points out, many of the Founders (notably Jefferson) thought it should be done with regularity (and throughout US history, people such as Lysander Spooner have pointed out the wisdom of that idea). Bleyer also includes lots of great anecdotes - many about the Founders that aren't usually known outside history-geek circles as well as some about living people that are highly entertaining. I personally loved his lunch with Justice Scalia - wish I could do the same! Also, in the beginning of the book, Bleyer is remarkably even handed politically - something quite rare these days!
However, as the book goes on, Bleyer's politics become increasingly apparent - by the amendments, there is no longer any attempt at even-handedness. Throughout the book, what is constant is an "I'm better and smarter than you" attitude that is exactly why I can't stand many contemporary comedians and pundits. By the end of the first chapter, I as a reader felt alienated by the author's attitude - and though the ego was presented as a source of humor, it wasn't amusing and by the end of the book, felt increasingly less satiric.
However, as the book goes on, Bleyer's politics become increasingly apparent - by the amendments, there is no longer any attempt at even-handedness. Throughout the book, what is constant is an "I'm better and smarter than you" attitude that is exactly why I can't stand many contemporary comedians and pundits. By the end of the first chapter, I as a reader felt alienated by the author's attitude - and though the ego was presented as a source of humor, it wasn't amusing and by the end of the book, felt increasingly less satiric.