The defining document of the United States-explained in plain English The U.S. Constitution and its 27 amendments are the foundation of our government. But the Constitution is not always easy to understand-especially when you consider that U.S. courts have been interpreting and reinterpreting it continuously over the last two centuries. Now, in this entertaining and even-handed guide, constitutional expert Michael Arnheim and former U.S. Rep. Andy Jacobs Jr. walk readers through the text and discusses how various articles and amendments have guided legislators and judges, sparked ongoing debates-and continue to affect influence Americans' daily lives. They cover all the big issues-including separation of church and state, freedom of speech, gun ownership, search and seizure, the rights of the accused, and civil rights-and explain how the Constitution influences current discussions of the Patriot Act, the Electoral College, voting irregularities, and other topics.