November 1, 2002

Who's Running the Show?

Catherine Crier in "The Case Against Lawyers" doesn't cite that example as she makes her main point: that we the people have ceded power to a corps of lawyers and bureaucrats who are not only smothering us in silly regulations, but are also seizing huge profits for themselves, corrupting the political system and generally undermining freedom and the sense of responsibility. But Ms. Crier, the television newscaster who is currently host of "Catherine Crier Live" on Court TV, doesn't lack for illustrations. Her book is a kind of lament from within the commonsensical heart of the American spirit.

Though panned in this review by the NY Times, we are fast becoming a society whose culture and processes are ruled more by lawyers, judges and bureaucrats than by us as individuals. Getting something done is no longer easily accomplished for fear of laws, rules, regulations, restrictions, pesky neighbors, etc., even in Vermont. Everyone is a victim of something or encouraged to be one by a lawyer willing to take the case. This bodes badly for freedom, independence and personal responsibility.

That such a book has risen to the stature to be reviewed by The Times, is telling.

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