How to read the Constitution and why / Kim Wehle.

Includes the complete text of the United States Constitution.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 295-322) and index.

Part I: Structure. The basics: each branch has a job description--and two bosses -- Congress: lots of power to a herd of cats -- The (real) powers of the President: no more kings -- The courts: what was that about kings? -- Part II: Rights. Speech, religion, and the first amendment -- Guns and the second amendment -- Crime and the fourth, fifth, sixth, and eighth amendments, -- Liberty and equality: fifth and fourteenth amendments -- What does the Constitution say about the states? -- Part III: Why care? Why it matters how politicians get hired and fired -- If the Constitution stops functioning, why should I care? -- Sustaining democracy: some takeaways -- Glossary -- The Constitution of the United States.

"The Constitution is the most significant document in America. But do you fully understand what this valuable document means to you? In How to Read the Constitution--and Why, legal expert and educator Kimberly Wehle spells out in clear, simple, and common sense terms what is in the Constitution, and most importantly, what it means. In compelling terms and including text from the United States Constitution, she describes how the Constitution's protections are eroding--not only in express terms but by virtue of the many legal and social norms that no longer shore up its legitimacy--and why every American needs to heed to this "red flag" moment in our democracy. This invaluable--and timely--resource includes the Constitution in its entirety and covers nearly every significant aspect of the text, from the powers of the President and how the three branches of government are designed to hold each other accountable, to what it means to have individual rights--including free speech, the right to bear arms, the right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures, and the right to an abortion. Finally, the book explains why it has never been more important than now for all Americans to know how our Constitution works--and why, if we don't step in to protect it now, we could lose its protections forever. How to Read the Constitution--and Why is essential reading for anyone who cares about maintaining an accountable government and the individual freedoms that the Constitution enshrines for everyone in America--regardless of political party."--Amazon.com