More Perfect Constitution: 23 Proposals to Revitalize Our Constitution and Make America a Fairer Country
Author: Larry J Sabato
The political book of the year, from the acclaimed founder and director of the Center for politics at the University of Virginia.
A More Perfect Constitution presents creative and dynamic proposals from one of the most visionary and fertile political minds of our time to reinvigorate our Constitution and American governance at a time when such change is urgently needed, given the growing dysfunction and unfairness of our political system . Combining idealism and pragmatism, and with full respect for the original document, Larry Sabato’s thought-provoking ideas range from the length of the president’s term in office and the number and terms of Supreme Court justices to the vagaries of the antiquated Electoral College, and a compelling call for universal national service—all laced through with the history behind each proposal and the potential impact on the lives of ordinary people. Aware that such changes won’t happen easily, but that the original Framers fully expected the Constitution to be regularly revised, Sabato urges us to engage in the debate and discussion his ideas will surely engender. During a presidential election year, no book is more relevant or significant than this.
The New York Times - Robert A. Dahl
A reluctance to engage in public discussions that might challenge the prevailing view of the Constitution as a sacred document will doubtless inhibit debate on Mr. Sabato's proposals. This is not to say that they should all be adopted. But without a public discussion of proposals like this, too many American citizens will be unable to understand the virtues and problems of our Constitution and how it might be improved.
Publishers Weekly
Sabato, founder of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia, ventures bravely into the controversial waters of constitutional reform. Sabato argues that the founders never intended the Constitution to be timeless, but rather understood that "government structures, ossified by constitutional neglect [can] become fundamentally unfair and tilted to those already in power." Sabato's reforms are consistent with the values he believes underpin the Constitution-fairness, idealism, pragmatism and focus on the needs of the present and the future-while attempting to mitigate social inequities. His lucid if unorthodox suggestions include a single six-year presidential term that could be extended another two years by referendum; limiting federal and Supreme Court justices to a 15-year term; a larger House of Representatives that would, among other benefits, allow for greater diversity in Congress. His reforms encompass the entire citizenry, who would be required to perform two years of national civilian or military service in what he calls a "Bill of Responsibilities." While there's room for skepticism and unintended consequences in some of his suggestions, Sabato makes strong, cogent arguments. (Oct.)
Copyright 2007 Reed Business InformationMichael O. Eshleman - Library Journal
A familiar talking head on TV, Sabato (founder, Ctr. for Politics, Univ. of Virginia; The Sixth Year Itch: The Rise and Fall of George W. Bush's Presidency) doesn't actually propose anything that hasn't already been suggested to improve the Constitution: ex-presidents should get senate seats for life, judges should not have terms for life, mandatory national service should be revived, etc. Of course, the chances of any of these ever being voted on by Congress, let alone ratified by the states, is nil, yet they are all interesting and well conveyed here. This is food for thought deserving a place in public libraries.
School Library Journal
Adult/High School-The author has considerable respect for the Founding Fathers and makes level-headed, convincing arguments that they fully expected the Constitution to undergo revisions periodically. He leaves the Bill of Rights untouched in his proposals for change and focuses on the structure of government: Congress, the Presidency, and the Supreme Court. The Senate, for example, would be more representative by granting the 10 most populous states two more senators, and the next 15 one additional senator each. Sabato also proposes that the Constitution should have a "Bill of Responsibilities"-a national service requirement (think Peace Corps, VISTA, AmeriCorps). Back matter includes the full text of the document. Extensive chapter notes are awkward to follow due to the use of sometimes lengthy Roman numerals. The issues presented here will make for exciting discussions and debates in social studies classes.-Paula Dacker, Charter Oak High School, CA
Copyright 2007 Reed Business InformationThe New Case Against Immigration: Both Legal and Illegal
Author: Mark Krikorian
New research reveals why America can no longer afford mass immigration
Mark Krikorian has studied the trends and concluded that America must permanently reduce immigration- both legal and illegal-or face enormous problems in the near future.
His argument is based on facts, not fear. Wherever they come from, today's immigrants are actually very similar to those who arrived a century ago. But they are coming to a very different America-one where changes in the economy, society, and government create different incentives for newcomers.
Before the upheavals of the 1960s, the U.S. expected its immigrants-from Italy to India-to earn a living, learn English, and become patriotic Americans. But the rise of identity politics, political correctness, and Great Society programs means we no longer make these demands. In short, the problem isn't them, it's us. Even positive developments such as technological progress hinder the assimilation of immigrants. It's easy now for newcomers to live "transnational" lives.
Immigration will be in the headlines through Election Day and beyond, and this controversial book will help drive the debate.
Kirkus Reviews
Interesting take on the immigration debate posits that America can no longer absorb any newcomers. Executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies and longtime National Review contributor Krikorian takes a sober tone in his first book. Instead of blaming new immigrants and their failure to assimilate as quickly as most right-wingers would prefer, he argues that America has reached maturity as a nation and thus simply has no need for immigration, legal or otherwise. Back when the country was being settled, or when its economy was just ramping up, or even when it was expanding out into the suburbs, he argues, America required both the manpower and brain power of recent arrivals. Now that the roads and schools are overcrowded and porous borders threaten national security, it's time to lock down the gates to all but the most select few. This is an intriguing argument, and Krikorian does some meticulous economic and sociological number-crunching without ever quite making the sale. Most economists would refute his conclusion that immigrants are a net drain on the GDP, and most sociologists would disagree that they are assimilating at a slower rate than their predecessors. The author has an annoying tendency of taking out-of-context quotes from marginal political radicals and asserting that they speak truths for millions of people. He also harps on a shadowy band of conspirators he calls "elites," consisting of Democrats and Republicans who somehow scheme to keep the existing flawed immigration system intact against the will of the people. A flawed argument that seems passable only due to the paucity of serious discussion on the subject.
Table of Contents:
Introduction 1Assimilation: The Cracked Melting Pot 10
Mass Immigration Versus American Sovereignty 46
National Security: Safety in Lower Numbers 92
Economy: Cheap Labor Versus Modern America 133
Government Spending 167
Population 188
What Is to Be Done? 212
Acknowledgments 237
Notes 239
Index 287
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