2024 the best argument against democracy review

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Why President Trump has left us with no choice but to remove him from office, as explained by celebrated Supreme Court lawyer and former Acting Solicitor General Neal Katyal.

No one is above the law. This belief is as American as freedom of speech and turkey on Thanksgiving—held sacred by Democrats and Republicans alike. But as celebrated Supreme Court lawyer and former Acting Solicitor General Neal Katyal argues in Impeach, if President Trump is not held accountable for repeatedly asking foreign powers to interfere in the 2020 presidential election, this could very well mark the end of our democracy. To quote President George Washington’s Farewell Address: “Foreign influence is one of the most baneful foes of republican government.” Impeachment should always be our last resort, explains Katyal, but our founders, our principles, and our Constitution leave us with no choice but to impeach President Trump—before it’s too late.

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Mariner Books (November 26, 2019)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 224 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0358391172
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0358391173
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.31 x 0.6 x 8 inches
Reviewer: Fred Cheyunski
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Concise Clear Facts and Future Reforms
Review: Having heard author Katyal on public radio, I got this book for my wife to read which she shared with me as the Trump Impeachment inquiry and passage of articles unfolded. I was particularly impressed by how quickly the book had come out some two months after the Whistleblower complaint related to the President first came to light. Moreover, the book not only provided compelling background and a guide to help follow the information emerging about the facts, but also more significantly it proposes reforms to help enable improved safeguards for better treatment of such incidents in the future.Particularly, the contents of the book consist of 6 major chapters: (1) Introduction, (2) A Brief History of Impeachment, (3) The Evidence, (4) The Case Against President Trump, (5) Questions and Answers, and (6) Out of Many, One. In addition to Acknowledgments and information about the authors, there is a helpful Appendix that assembles The Whistleblower Complaint, The July 25th Call Summary, The Text Messages, and The White House Letter [from Counsel for the President regarding Congressional request for information and witness testimony].Among my favorite parts included those pertaining to impeachment foundations and the argument for this President’s inditement and removal. For instance, USA Founders 2 greatest fears were that a President might (1) seek electoral interference from a foreign power and/ (2) break his oath of office through self-dealing and pursuit of personal profit. The “Yardstick Rule” provides a standard that both parties could use to gage whether a Presidential act is fundamentally wrong and at odds with American democracy (e.g. would Republicans have tolerated the same behavior that Trump has exhibited if done by Obama). Unlimited Presidential powers include: pardon power except in cases of Presidential impeachment; control of the DOJ along with direction not prosecute or charge anyone; ability to declassify government documents and materials; and execution of wartime authority where the President functions as commander in chief of the armed forces. In additional to purported Congressional oversight to provide checks and balances of Presidential powers, whistle blowers perform a critical function. In fact, the Whistleblower Act, which had its origins in events in 1778, states that “it is the duty of all persons in the service of the United States “. . to give the earliest information to Congress or other proper authority of any misconduct, frauds or misdemeanors committed [or suspected] by any officers or persons.”Relevant to the current case, High Crimes include “soliciting foreign interference,” “bribery,” and “obstruction of justice.” According to pertinent documents and testimony it appears quite clear that President Trump did ask a foreign power for “favors” involving a quid pro quo. Namely, he sought information that CrowStrike/Ukraine hacked the US election, not Russia, and investigation of the Bidens/Barisma (Barr & Guliani to help). He conditioned sale of Javelin missiles, release of Congressional Approved Military Aid, and a meeting at the White House with Ukraine President Zelenskyy on that assistance. During this writing, we were awaiting a coherent case for Trump’s innocence and a fair trial in the US Senate with evidence and witnesses which unfortunately was not forthcoming.Moreover, there are the seven recommendations for reform where such proposals do not seem to have appeared elsewhere as of yet. These reforms include: (1) Define Exchanging a "Thing of Value” Related to an Election (2) Ensure Financial Interest/Tax Transparency including that Presidents Must Release Tax Information, (3) Clarify and Institutionalize Special Council Regulations, (4) Curtail Statute of Limitations When a President is Accused of Crimes, (5) Mandate Required Recusal Based on Ethics Committee Guidelines Adopted by Both Major Political Parties, (6) Ban Presidential Interference with DOJ Criminal Investigations, and (7) Enable Both Parties to Investigate Crimes Involving a President (not just the majority). Each proposed change is presented in terms of rationale and related detail that would be needed to allow serious consideration and deliberation regarding adoption. Such material makes this book particularly valuable.Possible related books (see my reviews) include The Mueller Report, Stephens-Davidowitz’s Everybody Lies: Big Data, New Data, and What the Internet Can Tell Us About Who We Really Are (i.e. watch “what they do not what they say” actual behavior as revealed by big data such as searches in Google), Gladstone’s The Trouble with Reality: A Rumination on Moral Panic in Our Time, and Kissinger’s World Order (especially his chapters that relate to elections and marketing as well as his characterization of Russia).Get this book to help examine the facts and case regarding this impeachment as part of history as well as reforms regarding such activities in the future since that seems to be the best hope at this point.

Reviewer: Patricia Fraga
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: A must read for our times
Review: I just finished Neal Katyal’s book, ‘Impeach, The case against Donald Trump.’ Despite the title this man is a legal scholar and law professor and has litigated more than 40 cases before the Supreme Court. He knows the law and most importantly the history of impeachment. The book is an easy read and gives the history of impeachment from our founding fathers as they developed the constitution and whether they should include this impeachment clause to where we are today. Trump is the 3rd POTUS in our more than 200 years of this experiment, named democracy or the republic of govt.If you are on the fence if what Trump did with Ukraine rises to the ‘high crimes and misdemeanors’ and should be convicted and removed, you should read this book! This is a nonpartisan lawyer and is basing his premise and outcomes on the facts and the history of the constitution.Again, it is accessible and I believe this book will be taught in schools in years to come. I know this reader feels so much more informed about history and so much smarter as a result.In the eve of the most historic time in our lifetime this is a must read and do! Thanks for reading! It's a quick read, a few hours of your day:)

Reviewer: Ted d'Afflisio
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Impeachment
Review: Kaytal and Koppelman’s introduction to the issue of impeachment and particularly the current case is an excellent read for someone lost in the process. It sets out a brief history, or guide to why impeachment was added to the Constitution, what is and is not an impeachable offense, the relation of impeachment to a crime (which is a major issue and so completely misunderstood and muddied by the President’s defenders).More important it relates this to the impeachment inquiry of President Trump and walks you through the evidence that was then available. The evidence that has come to light since its publication only strengthen their case for why President Trump should be impeachedIt also does two more things that are important.First, it offers some recommendation on what changes can be made in our laws and procedures to prevent this situation from recurring.Second, it provides appendices of the Whistleblower Complaint , the memos of the Trump-Zelensky call , which people should read to make their own determination of the nature of the call, the texts provided by Ambassador Volker and the White House Counsel’s letter setting out a sweeping executive power and a refusal to cooperate.These Appendices should be must reading for anyone regardless of which side you have taken or if you are just confused about what has transpired.

Reviewer: JC-atl
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Learn the facts people. Democracy is at stake
Review: This is a fabulous book the EVERYONE needs to read! It is written in an easy to understand manner as it goes through why our founders added Impeachment into our constitution and the importance of that. James Madison proposed this addition specifically to ensure no president would "betray his trust to foreign powers." " As Alexander Hamilton stated a president should answer only to the American people. That means never abusing the office for personal gain - or to sever the interests of a foreign power." This is the time in our history when Americans need to understand what is at stake and start learning the facts. Very well written and timely. Great job Neal Katyal & Sam Koppelman

Reviewer: 4 stars. Where Law Ends
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Review
Review: This book is quite informative and well documented. It should be read by all American citizens truly interested in what is currently taking place in our country. I found it answered many questions where I needed more clarification on procedures and legal matters.

Reviewer: spider queen
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: The book identified and answered all my questions.Historical context from the Constitutional discussions on whether impeachment should be in or out, and under what circumstances.Some ongoing context of legal decisions since that time.Clear discussion of what is, and is not, an impeachable offence, including the fuzziness.Point by damning point identification of Trump's words and actions, and how they are clear and unavoidable grounds for his impeachment.Informative comparison and contrast to other presidential impeachment movements--most especially Nixon's, and the parallels between the two.Detailed outlines of the steps others in his gang have taken to camouflage or conceal the proofs.Clear identification of the consequences of NOT impeaching Trump.Specific and well-argued recommendations for legislative changes to prevent a reocurrence of such behaviours.I had always thought the Russian entanglement was more serious than this mess with a much smaller country (Ukraine), but in terms of impeachment, this is a no-brainer. Trump broke all precedent, many laws.The move to hide or obliterate the electronic record of the calls is even worse than Rosemary's wandering foot on the Nixon tapes--this was blatantly and unapologetically a complete violation of law (let alone ethics).I assume that the quid pro quo tactics Trump felt were fine in an exchange with a foreign government were just normal business practice, in his long experience. He never has appeared to have the faintest grasp of the fact that a country's government is an entirely different thing from a business.For the first time, I understand WHY waiting for the next election is not the answer: throw the bums out, by all means, but do it through law--because, as Katyal outlines, there is every evidence that the bums will not go under any other circumstance. They have twisted and corrupted and bent and broken so many legal and practical processes--why in the wide world would anyone assume they would not do the same thing (again) to another election process?I only ever assign five stars to a book that is, to me, world-changing.I can't recommend this book highly enough.

Reviewer: bettyparry
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: The author used to be the acting solicitor general for the United States. He is at present a law professor at the well respected Georgetown University. He has personally argued 39 Supreme Court cases. In other words an intellectual heavyweight as can be seen when he is on panels discussing US politics and the law. He is a towering figure with his intellect and insights. As a result he makes his panel colleagues look like pygmies in comparison.Katyal looks at the law and how it had developed historically as regards the Constitution and the powers of the President. He makes it very clear by logical argument that we have a lawless President who is only interested in himself and his family. Their interests supersede the nation's interests and the planet's health in Trump's eyes and actions. No president has blocked witnesses and all documentation into a Congress inquiry before. Obviously if Trump was innocent of charges he would have carried the stuff over to them himself.I read the book before Trump ordered the assassination of the Iranian leader in Iraq. Imagine if Iran had killed several including Mike Pompeo leaving a plane in Heathrow by drone. This would have been seen as an act of war by both the US and UK. I don't know how the US has been declared as the World's policeman. This obviously gives them the right to go anywhere in the world and do whatever they want. I never got a vote on this.Hopefully the lily-livered Republicans in the Senate read this book and develop a backbone.

Reviewer: Amazon Customer
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: This author gives facts over fiction. I'm impressed with Mr katyals record, he understands the law and lays it out so people who are not lawyers can understand.Outstanding book?