Our Failing Constitution
How Our Constitution is Failing and Taking All of Us into Chaos, Anarchy, and Revolution
Our Failing Constitution may have a dark outlook for the Trump administration, but it also compellingly suggests powerful, positive solutions for cleaning house and moving forward.
The United States has weathered many disasters, both natural and political. However, it wasn’t prepared for the presidency of Donald J. Trump, writes Hugh Butler in Our Failing Constitution, a book that explains how Trump exploits the Constitution in order to further his own selfish agenda while trampling on the rights of Americans.
Our Failing Constitution offers a detailed, well-considered, point-by-point explanation of how constitutional law affects the daily lives of millions of people. Although the book’s bullet points call to mind a mad-as-heck Facebook post, the text also has the proof to back up its claims.
For example, America isn’t a democracy, it proclaims—it’s a duopoly. “Single member congressional districts necessarily create a de facto two-party system that does not work well for average Americans,” Butler writes. Sounds strong, but more information completes the picture. Butler effortlessly transitions from an attention-grabbing zinger of an argument to a smart explanation of voter disenfranchisement, voter ID laws, and “dark money.” Such explorations flesh out Butler’s arguments, which are compelling and well-reasoned.
Butler, a retired attorney, brings substantial personal experience to his analysis of the problems of the Trump presidency. He incorporates his experiences as a soldier, Vietnam veteran, husband, father, grandfather, small business owner, cancer survivor, and caretaker in his book, resulting in incredibly rich and varied insights. His perspective as an American, a citizen, and a concerned community member adds significant depth to the book and makes it very easy to relate to its arguments.
Our Failing Constitution also leaves plenty of room for disagreement. The book talks at length about the consequences of disengaging from the political system and burying our heads in the sand. Butler’s arguments may be provocative, but they are designed that way; the book looks to elicit a strong response. Butler is free with his doomsday predictions, saying that the US is headed for “chaos, anarchy, and revolution” if its citizens don’t correct course. At first, these claims may sound overblown, but they quickly find traction.
The emotional material and sound research in Our Failing Constitution are its strongest points. The book feels like a long, intense lecture from a legal expert who, unlike many talking heads, actually has a dog in the fight. Butler cares about America and what the future holds for it. His enthusiasm is contagious.
Our Failing Constitution may have a dark outlook for the Trump administration, but it also compellingly suggests powerful, positive solutions for cleaning house and moving forward.
Reviewed by
Claire Foster
Disclosure: This article is not an endorsement, but a review. The publisher of this book provided free copies of the book and paid a small fee to have their book reviewed by a professional reviewer. Foreword Reviews and Clarion Reviews make no guarantee that the publisher will receive a positive review. Foreword Magazine, Inc. is disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
