Who Killed The Constitution By Thomas E. And Kevin R. Gutzman

Who Killed the Constitution is an informative book that explains how different legislature has destroyed the Constitution. The authors, Thomas E. Woods, Jr., and

Kevin R.C. Gutzman, explain how every single piece of legislation that has become a law infracts the rights directly given to the people by the Constitution. Thomas E.

Woods, Jr., has his own political analysis show, and he has written twelve books that criticize and ridicule the United States government (Woods, par. 2). Kevin R.C. Gutzman is a professor of history at Western Connecticut State University, and he has written four books collectively (Gutzman, par. 1-2). Both authors are well-educated individuals who clearly have an extreme interest and dedication toward American history

Congress’s power to limit freedom of speech in any way is not included in the enumerated powers listed in Article I, Section 8 of the

Constitution (20-21). The states, if anyone, are the only governments that might posses the power to limit free speech (21). Government officials, however, obviously have no regard for the Constitution or freedom of speech and are acting upon their own desires and values (21).

Many examples of freedom of speech infringement are given throughout this book, and the author shows how these kinds of laws are enacted throughout history. It seems, however, that war time definitely results in a spike of these infringements due to the fear of a lack of war effort. Speech is not the only right that is guaranteed by the Constitution and is constantly being limited by new laws and executive actions. Harry Truman imposes on steelworker’s right to strike in 1951, when Truman takes and operates the steel mills under the federal government (23-24). This was, once again, during a war,

Page "2 and Harry Truman was afraid that the lack of steel being produced would damage the war effort in Korea (24).

Overall, the book continuously offers example after example showing how rights

It is concluded by the authors that the government will interpret the constitution in its own favor, and I believe this statement to be true.

However, I also believe that it is interpreted to keep the citizens out of harms way and keep our country secure and safe.

Thomas Jefferson believed that the government would create a monopoly on the

Constitution and only interpret it to benefit themselves (201). On some levels, Mr.

Jefferson was right. I agree that certain acts are ridiculous and unconstitutional, but I also feel that some acts are implemented to keep us safe. It seems there is a very thin line when it comes to violating the constitution, and the government sometimes crosses that line. The problem is that no one knows exactly where the line is, and different people have different views on where the the line is drawn. What I think seems necessary for national security is definitely not going to be the same as what every single American citizen thinks. The key is to educate ourselves on the matter and make our own choices when it comes to constitutionality. Who killed the constitution? I do not think anyone did. Some officials have beaten it down and made it weak, but I