New Book: Hit Refresh on the U.S. Constitution
A Revolutionary Roadmap for Fulfilling on the Promise of America
Dear Friends:
I am excited and honored to share with you my new book: Hit Refresh on the U.S. Constitution: A Revolutionary Roadmap for Fulfilling on the Promise of Democracy.
Available here on Amazon in paperback and kindle versions.
Please share with your friends, families, and networks and let me know how I can support your leadership!
Book Overview
You have more power than you think—to ignite real change in America. Millions of Americans feel ignored by a government that no longer seems to listen. Popular policies stall, money drowns out public voices, and the system feels rigged—regardless of who holds office. The question isn’t whether we need change. It’s how.
Hit Refresh on the U.S. Constitution: A Revolutionary Roadmap for Fulfilling the Promise of Democracy makes a bold case: Our Constitution, while brilliant in its time, is nearly 250 years old—and it’s no longer built to handle the complexities of a digital, global, and rapidly evolving world. Like an operating system that hasn’t been updated, it keeps crashing under the weight of today’s challenges.
Dr. Paul Zeitz offers a powerful and inspiring path forward. With clarity, urgency, and unwavering optimism, he lays out how we can peacefully and inclusively rewrite the "code" of our democracy—so it truly works for everyone. This isn’t about partisan politics. It’s about structural transformation. Because we can’t fix a broken system just by changing the players—we have to change the rules.
The time has come for a Second American Revolution—one not of violence, but of visionary renewal. Our democratic future depends on it. Let’s reclaim our government and fulfill the highest promise of our founding ideals: a nation truly of, by, and for the people.
Praise
“Dr. Paul Zeitz offers something we all need right now – an optimistic and practical response to a growing crisis of belief in ourselves as a nation. Most importantly, Hit Refresh on the U.S. Constitution offers a blueprint for ALL Americans to build upward from our shared foundational values and rediscover trust. Trust in one another, trust in our institutions and in our ability to work together to address our biggest challenges. As a veteran of 25 years in the U.S. Air Force, I believe this book is a must-read for my brothers and sisters-in arms who are searching for ways to serve their communities after their service in uniform ends.” Josh Burgess, Senior Advisor, DemocracyNext and Colonel (U.S. Air Force, Retired)
“Hit Refresh on the U.S. Constitution is a powerful combination of user-friendly historical background, inspiration to act and practical recommendations. It respects the Constitution while insisting on change, acknowledges difference while highlighting agreement and encourages reflection while emphasizing the “urgency of now”. It presents ambitious goals in ways that are accessible, convincing even the most skeptical readers that a fairer, more inclusive America is worth our collective effort. In the words of its author: this book is fundamentally a love story – of people who love democracy, truth, and future generations.” Kathleen Cravero, Distinguished Lecturer, City University of New York (CUNY), Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy and Director, Center for Immigrant, Refugee and Global Health
"Every American should take time to discover their own authority as a citizen. Dr Zeitz has a bold, clear plan of action and the bravery to pursue it. If all Americans share his vision, we will soon be living in a better world of our own creation. I highly recommend Hit Refresh on the U.S. Constitution to all citizens, as I truly believe that now is the time to fulfill a shared vision of a citizen-driven democracy, truly of, by, and for all of the people.” Daniel Marks, Constitution & Democracy Activist
“Dr. Paul Zeitz’s Hit Refresh on the U.S. Constitution is a necessary call for a people-powered democracy. With clarity and urgency, he shows us how to take democracy back from corporate elites and put it in the hands of the people through Citizens’ Assemblies. This isn’t just a partisan rant, it’s a soulful roadmap rooted in love, truth, and justice. If you believe the United States still has the potential to be something that works for all of us, this book is required reading.” Reverend Redeem Robinson, Founder, All Souls Movement
“Dr. Paul Zeitz has done something astonishing with Hit Refresh on the U.S. Constitution: he’s turned a dusty old document into a love letter to the future. This book isn’t just a call to action—it’s a neon sign flashing ‘WAKE UP, AMERICA!’ With wit, wisdom, and fierce hope, Paul invites all of us—artists, dreamers, veterans, visionaries—to co-author a new story for our democracy. He dares to believe in the people. And that, my friends, is revolutionary.” Leigh Blake, Co-Founder, #unifyUSA and Fame Currency; Social Impact Strategist & Cultural Alchemist
“Hit Refresh on the U.S. Constitution is a soul-stirring invitation to awaken both individually and collectively. Dr. Paul Zeitz masterfully guides us to reconnect with our deepest values, reminding us that democracy thrives when each citizen embraces their authentic voice. This book is a clarion call to rise above division, to unite in purpose, and to co-create a future rooted in love, truth, and shared humanity.” Kristine Carlson, New York Times bestselling author of the Don't Sweat the Small Stuff series and From Heartbreak to Wholeness
“Dr. Paul Zeitz gets what so many miss: renewing our democracy starts with trusting everyday people to shape it. Hit Refresh on the U.S. Constitution is more than a bold vision—it’s a blueprint for a future where Citizens’ Assemblies become a core part of how we govern ourselves. At American Public Trust, we’ve seen how powerful it is when diverse groups of Americans are invited into real dialogue and supported to do the hard work of problem-solving together. This book is a timely, hopeful, and deeply practical call to action—for a democracy built not just to endure, but to evolve.” Rahmin Sarabi, Executive Director, American Public Trust; Co-founder, Lead Facilitator, Assemble the Field
“Many citizens have reached a difficult conclusion: if the American ideal is to endure, a bold reset is essential. Just like outdated systems, our democracy must be cleared of harmful viruses and major upgrades must be installed. This reboot will require a foundational document built for the twenty-first century - not one bound by the eighteenth. Fortunately, we Americans are the champions of change. Dr. Paul Zeitz is now inviting all of us to participate in the re-invention of America. I have enthusiastically jumped aboard the bullet train Paul calls the Hit Refresh on the U. S. Constitution movement. You should too! We need everyone’s input. Who knows from which hill or hamlet will come the wisest provisions and the most elegant ideas?” B. Thomas Marking, Founder, Citizen v2.1, Author of The Democracy Saga.
Hit Refresh on the U.S. Constitution is a bold and timely invitation to renew our democratic experiment—together. Dr. Paul Zeitz challenges us to imagine a 21st-century democracy that doesn’t just tinker at the edges but empowers citizens to co-create the rules by which we live. As someone who has spent my career building bridges across divides, I see this book as a catalytic roadmap for those ready to move beyond polarization and toward possibility. Zeitz calls on us to believe not only in democracy, but in one another—and offers a practical pathway to make that belief real.” Vinay Orekondy, Director of Programs and Engagement - Grand Bargain Project; Partnerships Director - Better Together America; Co-Chair - Braver Network (Braver Angels)
“Hit Refresh on the U.S. Constitution is a bold and visionary guide for anyone interested in democratic renewal. It speaks directly to those of us committed to bridging divides and building a future where every voice is heard. This book is not just a roadmap—it’s a lifeline for our country. It is clear to me that Dr. Paul Zeitz is a peacebuilder.” Danielle Reiff, Founder, Peacebuilders and Editor of “Overcoming Information Chaos: A Guide to Cultivating Peaceful Communities in the Digital Age”.
“In Hit Refresh on the U.S. Constitution, Dr. Paul Zeitz makes a bold and necessary argument: that to revitalize American democracy, we must embed the voices of everyday citizens at the heart of our governance. His call for a permanent National People’s Assembly is more than visionary—it’s pragmatic, rooted in global evidence of how deliberative bodies strengthen legitimacy, inclusion, and mutual trust. This book challenges us to imagine a fourth branch of government—not of elites, but of the people—deliberative, diverse, inclusive and responsive. It’s a must-read for anyone serious about democratic transformation.” Marjan Ehsassi, Executive Director, FIDE-North America
“In his new book, Dr. Zeitz moves Americans into fundamentally new, yet historically hallowed territory – the revolutionary fervor and rational discipline required to refresh the United States Constitution. The issue of human dignity in relation to democracy is the key to this next revolution. Are humans finally ready to assume self-rule? As a student of history and herstory, I opine in the affirmative, provided gender equity serves as the foundation for the refresh. This book is a must read for all Americans who care about the future of our nation and our shared humanity.” Rev . Laura M. George, J.D., Executive Director of The Oracle Institute, Co-Counselor of Founding Mothers Movement
About Citizens Assemblies
For more information Citizens’ Assemblies, check out these resources:
DemocracyNext: Assembling an Assembly Guide
Leadership Now Project: Guide on Citizens’ Assemblies
Public Access Democracy: Mock Assembly In A Box
Dr. Paul Zeitz is the Co-Founder of #unifyUSA, an inter-partisan citizens' movement dedicated to Hit Refresh the U.S. Constitution through Citizens’ Assemblies and author of Hit Refresh on the U.S. Constitution: A Revolutionary Roadmap for Fulfilling on the Promise of Democracy and Revolutionary Optimism: 7 Steps for Living as a Love-Centered Activist.
Congratulations! Great book intro!
The United States once had genuinely democratic governance structures, however imperfect and limited, fundamentally based around decentralized and publicly accessible mass-member parties. The Democratic Party, as a small "d" democratic institution, and the Republican Party, as a small "r" republican institution, were honest in their naming and functioned within a politically, economically, governmentally, financially, and scientifically decentralized system. These parties, while far from flawless, allowed for real representation, meaningful participation, and a level of public accountability in political, economic, governmental, financial, and scientific decision making.
However, due to the dirty deeds of an assortment of powerful special interest groups, our parties have transformed into centralized, exclusionary membership organizations. The so called Democratic Party has become a technocracy party, and the so called Republican Party became a conservative party. Neither really represents their original principles of democracy or republicanism, and they dont offer meaningful access or representation to the public. This transformation of the parties has been accompanied by a broader centralization of political, economic, and scientific decision making, which has caused the effective loss of most democratic governance structures.
What these assemblies sound like is stage-managed simulacrum of democracy, where real public power is replaced by curated participation. ITS ONLY 2000 PEOPLE and their overseen by advisory groups from gov, academia, and NGOs. Calling this democratic is an insult to the democratic traditions we once had.