The Dirty Dozen: How Twelve Supreme Court Cases Radically Expanded Government and Eroded Freedom

Robert A. Levy, William H. Mellor

Sentinel, 2008 - History - 302 pages

A non-lawyerÂ's guide to the worst Supreme Court decisions of the modern era

The Dirty Dozen takes on twelve Supreme Court cases that changed American history—and yet are not well known to most Americans.

Starting in the New Deal era, the Court has allowed breathtaking expansions of government power that significantly reduced individual rights and abandoned limited federal government as envisioned by the founders.

For example:
• Helvering v. Davis (1937) allowed the government to take money from some and give it to others, without any meaningful constraints
• Wickard v. Filburn (1942) let Congress use the interstate commerce clause to regulate even the most trivial activities—neither interstate nor commerce
• Kelo v. City of New London (2005) declared that the government can seize private property and transfer it to another private owner

Levy and Mellor untangle complex Court opinions to explain how The Dirty Dozen harmed ordinary Americans. They argue for a Supreme Court that will enforce what the Constitution actually says about civil liberties, property rights, racial preferences, gun ownership, and many other controversial issues.

What people are saying

Review: The Dirty Dozen: How Twelve Supreme Court Cases Radically Expanded Government and Eroded Freedom

User Review  - Jacob Gustafsson - Goodreads

This is a great book to read and chat with your lawyer friends about. Even if you never go to law school, this book will give you a very good overview of questionable cases over the years. Must read.

Review: The Dirty Dozen: How Twelve Supreme Court Cases Radically Expanded Government and Eroded Freedom

User Review  - The Thousander Club - Goodreads

Adam C. Zern shares his thoughts . . . "In my ongoing quest to better understand the United States Constitution and American history, I have been spending a great deal of time reading books that deal ...

About the author

Robert A. Levy is senior fellow in constitutional studies at the Cato Institute. He has written for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and many other publications. William Mellor is the president and general counsel of the Institute for Justice. He litigates constitutional cases involving economic liberty, property rights, school choice, and free speech.

Bibliographic information

• Title: The Dirty Dozen: How Twelve Supreme Court Cases Radically Expanded Government and Eroded Freedom
• Authors: Robert A. Levy, William H. Mellor
• Publisher: Sentinel, 2008
• ISBN: 1595230505, 9781595230508
• Length: 302 pages
• Subjects: History / United States / General; Law / Courts; Political Science / American Government / Judicial Branch; Political Science / Political Freedom