The Death of Common Sense: How Law is Suffocating America

by Philip K. Howard

    I made this selection for our book club without knowing its content. I liked the title. I have been breaking rules all my life when my common sense told me the rules made no sense. The book is a collection of specific anecdotes related to how laws, rules, regulations, so-called rights, etc., have overruled common sense to the detriment of all of our lives. The rule of law, as opposed to the rule of man/woman, is presented as the road to fairness and equality, when in fact it accomplishes the opposite (when common sense and taking personal responsibility are not part of the equation).

    Unfortunately, the book's content has become significantly political, even though the book was written in 2011. The use of the term "common sense" has found its way into the pronouncements of our President, to justify his so-called policies. Guaranteed he never read it but someone in his entourage must have. Our book group's opinion was that it was too one-sided, without providing any balance to its negative tone. It was universally reviled and hated. However, I am REALLY glad I read it. It makes a major contribution to knowing your enemy. 

— Laurence Lieberman