Fewer rules but more personal responsibility. Fewer lawsuits, more common sense. Fewer “rights,” but greater freedom. Those are the prescriptions, by celebrated lawyer/author Philip K. Howard, for major reform of this nation’s overly rules-based culture. An Examiner Special Report takes a look at how Howard proposes to change our whole way of thinking not just about our court system, but about public schools, bureaucracy, and the ordinary interactions of daily life.

Of particular interest, Howard himself writes a column, special-to-the-Examiner, about how and why concerned Americans should create

a “shadow government,” perhaps named the “Coalition to Fix Congress,” to rid ourselves of crushing bureaucracy and inefficient lawmaking. Another story reports on how Howard would revamp our education system. It’s innovative, interesting stuff.