Publisher's Synopsis
While working with a publisher to publish the full version of this book in late 2024, I was encouraged by mentors to release this shorter abridged version for quick consumption and feedback. I see this version of the book as a reminder of the Constitution, founding ideals, powerful symbolism, and sacred responsibility of the judiciary.
I have always been fascinated by the American legal system and its foundational principles. While the authors of the Constitution tried to create an original document, I know they were grateful for the thousands of years of experience and history available ranging from the Code of Hammurabi to contemporary nations. As I studied the U.S. Constitution and compared it to the constitutions of other nations, I understood that our Constitution is all-encompassing - leaving the door open for both Judicial Restraint and Judicial Activism. I can empathize with why some thinkers such as Plato thought that it is not the design of the institutions or operations that is important, but rather the character of their stewards. As societies matured, law evolved with the concept of government established first on the basis of a state of nature governed by natural law, and then by a social contract or contract sharing an underlying natural or social law. It was the social states upon which governments were formally established. Some, like Montesquieu, considered how to properly divide the functions of government into branches, such as the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. The main theme of these authors was that constitutional design is not entirely arbitrary or a matter of preference. Brownson argued that a government's written constitution is not only legitimate if it is ratified, but also if it is competently drafted, applied, and practiced. The Constitution says, "Establish justice" is one of its objectives in the Preamble. James Madison, the Father of the Constitution wrote in Federalist No. 51: "Justice is the end of government. It is the end of civil society. It ever has been and ever will be pursued until it be obtained, or until liberty be lost in the pursuit." As a student of law with interests in Constitutional Law, Civil Rights Law, and Immigration Law - I do believe that our legal system needs to be fixed. During my extensive research and study for this book, I realized that the fix is already available within. As I reviewed dozens of court cases and sought opinions, it became increasingly clear to me that we have one of the best constitutions, great intent, but we need courageous stewards to do right and unafraid to administer the law faithfully to those who Seek Justice - then only we can establish justice, truly.
