Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch’s new book, Over Ruled: The Human Toll of Too Much Law, is out, and guess what? He’s got some pretty scathing thoughts on the legal jungle Americans are trapped in. According to Gorsuch, ordinary folks are getting “whacked” left and right by an avalanche of regulations and laws that would make even the most seasoned bureaucrat’s head spin.

In an interview that practically oozes discontent with federal agencies and their overreach, Gorsuch lamented that “too little law and we’re not safe, and our liberties aren’t protected,” but “too much law and you actually impair those same things.”

The book is hitting shelves this week courtesy of HarperCollins. And Gorsuch was given a jaw-dropping advance of $500,000 from the publisher. Why? Well, apparently, revealing the plight of ordinary Americans facing the wrath of bureaucratic overreach is worth half a mil. Just a small price to pay for enlightenment, right?

Gorsuch wasn’t about to dive into discussions about term limits or a code of ethics for justices—two hot topics that President Biden recently tossed into the mix to address the waning public trust in the court. No, instead, he chose to wax poetic about judicial independence, emphasizing that the U.S. judiciary is the “envy of the world.” Because nothing says “envy” like a Supreme Court caught up in scandals and ethical debates.

In the grand tradition of his conservative colleagues, Gorsuch has been busy entrenching a conservative majority that’s left its mark on issues ranging from Roe v. Wade to climate change regulations. And let’s not forget his part in ruling that former presidents have broad immunity from criminal prosecution.

Gorsuch’s book doesn’t dwell much on these high-profile cases. Instead, it turns its gaze on the “little people” who’ve been crushed under the weight of legal red tape. Gorsuch shares stories of a fisherman, a magician, Amish farmers, immigrants, and a hair braider, all of whom faced severe penalties for violating obscure regulations. Who doesn’t love a good tale of ordinary people tangled in the bureaucratic web?

Take, for example, the saga of John Yates, a Florida fisherman who faced charges for disposing of undersized fish under a federal law originally meant for accounting fraud. Yates’ story is a prime example of how laws can be wielded with all the precision of a sledgehammer. Naturally, his case made it to the Supreme Court, where a single vote decided it. It was a victory for Yates and a loud, clear message that maybe, just maybe, our legal system needs a little less overreach and a bit more common sense.

Gorsuch’s book expands on his long-held belief that the sheer volume of laws and regulations—averaging 344 pieces of legislation and 2 to 3 million words annually—has led to a legal landscape that’s as friendly as a bear trap. He’s been critical of regulatory bodies and their impact on everyday lives, suggesting that the endless paperwork and regulations do more harm than good.

Despite his conservative track record, Gorsuch hasn’t been afraid to cross the aisle. He’s sided with liberals on various issues, including LGBTQ workplace discrimination and Native American rights. So, while he’s busy bemoaning the state of American laws, he’s also shown he’s willing to break rank with his ideological comrades when the situation calls for it.

When he’s not busy critiquing the legal system, Gorsuch has been moonlighting as an international law lecturer, raking in nearly $30,000 for teaching in Portugal. Discussing legal woes in sunny Portugal is the perfect way to balance out the chaos of American jurisprudence, don’t you think?

So, next time you’re lost in the legal labyrinth or facing a regulation-induced headache, remember: Gorsuch has your back, if only through the lens of his new book and the $500,000 advance that came with it.