Customer Reviews

Breach of Trust: How Washington Turns Outsiders Into Insiders

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Excellent book for those interested in the workings of the Beltway. Dr. Coburn explains why term-limited politicians are better than 'careerists'. Using specific examples and personal conversations with Congressmen and Senators, he explains why reforms in Medicare and Social Security will never happen as long as we have career politicians in office. He says they are more interested in getting re-elected than bringing about real change. You'll never vote for a career politician again!

Dr. Coburn is armed to the teeth with facts, figures, and behind the scenes stories that the main stream press avoids or ignores. While it would be easy to become disillusioned with the entire political process after this candid view of Washington, he actually projects a tone that is surprisingly optimistic. The author is the complete opposite of a partisan hack. He goes after Democrats and Republicans alike. He is equally supportive of those few principled politicians in both parties. Dr. Coburn is truly a patriotic American and this book should be required reading for virtually EVERY high school civics class and college political science class. It would trigger a new American revolution. Don't miss this book.

In Breach Of Trust, Tom Coburn recounts some of his experiences as a 3 term US congressman. His efforts to help limit the runaway spending in Washington put him at odds with his own party and with the Washington mindset - where winning elections is the priority of both parties, and responsible policy is the casualty. A major theme is that term limits would be a good method to end careerist politics and permit individual members to vote their conscience. He tells of specific instances where party leaders compromise the best interests of America to present an electable image in the respective home districts. His insights ring true. Dr. Coburn does not pretend to be perfect, and freely admits his own mistakes. His honesty, tenacity, and candor are examples we all should aspire to. I recommend this good book to all fiscal conservatives and anyone interested in the way that Washington works - and why it usually fails.

This is an extraordinary book, an easy to read book, which is organized to provide 10 truths, 3 myths, 4 dangers, and 5 actions that citizens can take to restore the integrity of the Congress (both Senate and House).

The author's conclusions, based on his experience as a three-term Congressman, are consistent with both the recent polls that show that Americans damn both the Democrats and the Republicans as corrupt and ineffective at representing We the People, and with books such as Peter Peterson's "Running On Empty: How The Democratic and Republican Parties Are Bankrupting Our Future and What Americans Can Do About It."

As a moderate Republican, I found this book representative precisely of the vision I signed up to in the 1970's--smaller government, less waste, more discretion to the states.

Two quotes really stand out:

xix: "Although the events o September 11, 2001 have focused the public attention on the threat of international terrorism, the greatest threat to the continuity of our form of government is our government itself."

79: "What makes this [Party Line] mentality dangerous is that when the team is held together by careerism and mindless partisanship, individual members are punished for thinking for themselves [or their Districts]. When members can't think for themselves their constituents are deprived of honest representation."

The book itemizes the positive aspects of the "Contract with America" that the Republican class of 1994 hoped to achieve, and blasts Newt Gingrich for failing to honor the contract and failing as a leader.

Robert Novak is to be complemented for his superb foreword and his support of this book.

All of my reading suggests that America is ready to demand that the bulk of their representatives follow the example of the Member from Vermont, and declare Independence from the two corrupt incumbent parties. America appears to be ready for a new political party that will restore government of, by, and for the people. This book is a good starting point, and makes the case for discarding both parties as being so corrupt and unrepresentative as to be beyond salvation. We are on our own.

The consistency of freshman politicians with good intentions becoming corrupted over time is a HUGE problem all over the world. Tom Coburn explains how things work in Washington. He gives some shocking personal testimonies of his experience with some of the highest political leaders and he offers some wise recommendations on how to improve things. He also builds a strong case for getting more "citizen legislators" elected and to replace them before the system corrupts them.

Although the author is a Republican, most of his criticism is of members in his own party. I too am a Republican, yet I greatly appreciate Tom Coburn sharing the truth about the lack of integrity and character in Washington. All patriotic citizens should consider reading this book to better understand why nothing seems to change in the political arena. Everyone running for political office should read this book and be aware of what really happens behind closed doors in Washington. This also provides freshmen with inner strength to do what is right no matter the cost.

The book is extremely well-written and the unabridged audio version is read quite eloquently by a professional reader.

This is one of the most rewarding and enlightening books I ever read. It was a real sleeper as far as publicity goes, but everyone should read this book. Liberals who just scrunge up their faces when they hear Senator Coburns name, should think again and read this book. Senator Coburn is a very conservative republican, but he does not rail against liberals or democrats in this book. He must have rightly figured to do so would tag the book as a typical partisan effort. Instead he exposes what the Republican party establishment does and goes after Republican leaders. He only mentions Democrats when he has to in relaying information about any particular congressional bill. He surely didn't win any friends in congress when he exposed the inner workings of that body. Politicians quickly (if they didn't sart out that way) transform into playing the power game. Everything becomes about power and not what is best for the people. The bribes, strong arm tactics, threats, play along to get along, we'll do the right thing later, gotta secure power now kind of shenanigans. You definately do not have to agree with Tom Coburn politically to appreciate this book. It's great to get a birds eye view on why our government does not work. I can see what congress is doing and not doing now and understand why thanks to having read this book. The establishment doesn't want you to read this book, but do yourself a favor and read Breach of Trust. We need to shake things up in Washington and elect new people. In fact Mr. Coburn talks about the 20-25 in congress who stick to their principles and truley work to do the right thing. It's good to know who they are. Let's get a majority like them. To get a feel as to how to do that it helps to read this book. This is eye opening stuff. Thank you, Senator Coburn.

As a Christian Conservative, it was eye opening to learn what really happened after the election of 1994. This is truly an insider's view on the whole situation. What I found especially appalling was how the Republicans made sure that no single version of Term Limits could pass. Yet Tom Coburn kept his pledge of serving only 3 terms in the House.

Ever wonder why Coburn, a Republican, keeps getting reelected in a heavily Democrat region? And he got elected to the Senate in 2004 in an election where most Republicans were getting booted out - He won 53% to 41% - a landslide.

Dr. Coburn provides an in-depth look at how the Congress works; and, as importantly, offers specific recommendations as to how the system can be revitalized to reflect the founding fathers' original plan for providing government by and for the people, run by citizen representatives rather than career politicians. Great work, Dr. Coburn!

Wow, and Wow again!!!! This book makes a lot of sense, no matter what your party or political viewpoint.

As a business owner who, like most, has a low opinion of Congress, this is a must read. Voters' approval ratings of Congress are widely reported to be in the low twenty percentile, are now are the lowest in history, and are still dropping. Congress is clearly broken. This unique book explains why it's broken, with many revolting but compelling examples.

And it also shows us a way to fix today's out of control, unaccountable government. It suggests practical methods for fixing Congress before matters get even worse. The author deserves a medal for responsible public service, and this book deserves to be read and understood.

John D. Trudel

Every time I am tempted to drink the elixir of the latest politician who says he/she is the next Ronald Reagan, I pull out Dr. Coburn's book to refresh my memory about what a sorry lot we have in charge of our country. The message of political corruption detailed in Dr. Coburn's book is again timely as Newt Gingrich is surging to the lead in the GOP primary polls. Gingrich was the most powerful Republican in Congress when he engineered the takeover of the House in the mid-nineties, after which he used the power he had gained to stab his own party members in the back while feathering his own nest. He topped it off by leading the charge to impeach Clinton while at the same time having his own extramarital affair. For the millions who, based on their reaction to Clinton's numerous affairs, believe that personal character doesn't matter in public life, the message of Coburn's book is likely unheeded. For the remainder of us who believe that personal character does matter in every area of life, Breach Of Trust is a cold-water-to-the-face reminder that the vast majority of those in government are corrupt and hypocritical to the core, and that Gingrich is the poster boy for that corruption and hypocrisy.