The Debt Bomb: A Bold Plan to Stop Washington from Bankrupting America

by Tom A. Coburn, John Hart

In a nation whose debt has outgrown the size of its entire economy, the greatest threat comes not from any foreign force but from Washington politicians who refuse to relinquish the intoxicating power to borrow and spend. Senator Tom Coburn reveals the fascinating, maddening story of how we got to this point of fiscal crisis-and how we can escape.

Long before America's recent economic downturn, beltway politicians knew the U.S. was going bankrupt. Yet even after several so-called "change" elections, the government has continued its wasteful ways in the face of imminent danger. With passion and clarity, Coburn explains why Washington resists change so fiercely and offers controversial yet commonsense solutions to secure the nation's future.

At a time when millions of Americans are speculating about what is broken in Washington, The Debt Bomb is a candid, thoughtful, non-partisan expose of the real problems inside our government. Coburn challenges the conventional wisdom that blames lobbyists, gridlock, and obstructionism, and places the responsibility squarely where it on members of Congress in both parties who won't let go of the perks of power to serve the true interests of the nation-unless enough citizens take bold steps to demand action.

"Democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There was never a democracy yet that did not commit suicide." -John Adams

Throughout a distinguished career as a business owner, physician, and U.S. senator, Tom Coburn has watched his beloved republic careen down a suicidal path. Today, the nation stands on the precipice of financial ruin, a disaster far more dangerous to our safety than any terrorist threats we face. Yet Coburn believes there is still hope-if enough Americans are willing to shake the corridors of Washington and demand action.

With an insider's keen eye and a caregiver's deft touch, Coburn diagnoses the mess that career politicians have made of things while misusing their sacred charge to govern.
Coburn's incisive
Above all, Coburn believes the United States can continue as a beacon of opportunity for future generations-but how we act today will determine whether we deliver the nation to our children and grandchildren fully alive, on life support, or without a pulse.

Genres: Politics, Economics, Nonfiction, Audiobook

368 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Tom A. Coburn, M.D. was elected to the U.S. Senate on November 2, 2004. Dr. Coburn and his wife, Carolyn, a graduate of Oklahoma State University and former Miss Oklahoma, were married in 1968 and have three children and five grandchildren. They are members of First Baptist Muskogee.

Prior to his election to the Senate, Dr. Coburn represented Oklahoma's Second Congressional District in the House of Representatives from 1995 through 2001. He was first elected in 1994, then re-elected in 1996 and 1998, becoming the first Republican to hold the seat for consecutive terms. Dr. Coburn retired from Congress in 2001, fulfilling his pledge to serve no more than three terms in the House.

In 1970, Dr. Coburn graduated with an accounting degree from Oklahoma State University. One of the Top Ten seniors in the School of Business, Dr. Coburn served as president of the College of Business Student Council.
From 1970 to 1978, Dr. Coburn served as manufacturing manager at the Ophthalmic Division of Coburn Optical Industries in Colonial Heights, Virginia. Under his leadership, the Virginia division of Coburn Optical grew from 13 employees to more than 350 and captured 35 percent of the U.S. market.

After the family business was sold, Dr. Coburn changed the course of his life by returning to school to become a physician. Again he emerged as a leader, becoming president of his class at the University of Oklahoma Medical School where he graduated in 1983. He then did his internship in general surgery at St. Anthony's Hospital in Oklahoma City and family practice residency at the University of Arkansas, Fort Smith.

Dr. Coburn returned to Muskogee where he specializes in family medicine, obstetrics and the treatment of allergies. Dr. Coburn has personally delivered more than 4,000 babies.

Dr. Coburn also is a three-time cancer survivor.

Reviews

[Amora · Rating 3 out of 5]

I rarely read books written by politicians and like them but this one was an exception. There’s a load of graphs in here but it’s surprisingly very readable. The information here should be alarming to everyone regardless of party. Our debt crisis is no joke and Coburn puts into perspective how bad it’s getting.

[Manny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Normally, I try to stay away from books by sitting politicians as they usually are just full of self-righteous proclamations. The one exception has been Ron Paul and now Tom Coburn, Senator of Oklahoma and his book. Dr. Coburn is exceptionally in tune with the problems we face today. He is non-partisan and holds nothing back. He is critical of his own party as well as the other(s). Dr. Coburn explains in horrifying detail the complacency of his fellow senators and congressmen while he served in the house. This book proves most of the assertions of Washington D.C.

Although Dr. Coburn did not mention the "Federal" "Reserve" and its part in the the debt bomb, I truly feel that if we had more politicians such as Dr. Coburn, we would not be in the situation we are today. Although I do not agree 100% with term limits as Thomas Jefferson was arguably a career politician and cannot imagine life without his hand being involved.

Dr. Coburn has self-imposed term limits on his time in the House and in the Senate. He is on his way out and knows where the "bodies are buried". He is of the opinion that the Left and the Right are aware of the problems and the solution but they lack the political courage to do something about. All the while, the people of this country are believing the status quo is sustainable. Entitlements need to cut as does our DOD budgets. This is a fact. The Left is fine with cutting DOD but does not want to touch entitlements, and the Right is the opposite. It is imbecilic to believe that this country can sustain the entitlement programs today, let alone the ones that are planned. Mr. Coburn is not as "radical" as I am, I understand. His ideas are based on continuing to provide the entitlements to some degree while I am more on the side of doing away with most of them if not specifically stated in the Constitution. I am for them if the Country decides they want to amend the Constitution.

The book is excellent as it dives into the mindset of these careerist politicians and what makes them tick. Write a letter to your politicians and recommend them to read this book. It was certainly beneficial to me.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aside from a few of the graphs in this book being indecipherable to me, it was really a surprisingly readable work. The American people need more sentinels in the Congress like Tom Coburn in order to effect budgetary change.

Chapter after chapter, Coburn shows how the government has overstepped its original bounds and how our current crop of career politicians (on both sides of the aisle) has no interest in reining in spending because it can hurt their changes of re-election. There's a huge culture of tit-for-tat approval of earmarks while politicians openly complain about others' wasteful spending. There is plenty of unnecessary duplication of programs, needless bureaucracy, waste and abuse, and no one is keeping track of anything, and in fact, even pre-Obamacare, the government is so immense that no one can tell where the money is going.

Coburn doesn't pull any punches in saying that our entitlement programs in this country MUST be reformed by raising the age of eligibility, means-testing, requiring more individual contribution, and cracking down on waste, fraud, and abuse. His assertions are backed up with both economic data and anecdotal instances (ie, BHO saying that "I can't guarantee checks will go out on Aug 3 [2011] if we don't raise the debt ceiling").

He also offers alternatives to the Affordable Care Act, which will require everyone to buy coverage but won't increase access to actual care, and astutely (he's been a physician for 30 years) points out how this program will make Medicaid and Medicare worse than they already are. He pinpoints many areas where the Department of Defense can reasonably be scaled back, especially with regard to civilian contracting, streamlining production, and modifying programs like Tricare for Retirees.

[Megan Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so great. Okay, so it does lag a bit at times...with all those numbers, lists, plans and the like. But Coburn very clearly describes the issues our country is facing and comes up with solutions. He's merciless in his critiques....but I learned so much and all of it detailed and supported.

If you're interested in the future of our country and the issues (financial and political) we face then read this book. I walked away shocked at the level of political corruption (yet somehow not surprised).

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Senator Coburn is an absolute hero. He fought (usually alone) for fiscal responsibility while in the Senate. We need more people like him in our government. In this book, he discusses ways we can balance our budget by reforming military spending, decreasing entitlement spending, fixing Social Security so that it’s less wasteful, eliminating earmarks, requiring offsets when authorizing more government spending (taking money from somewhere else in the budget, instead of digging our country deeper into the debt hole), and much more.

Here is a long book summary:
“In a nation whose debt has outgrown the size of its entire economy, the greatest threat comes not from any foreign force but from Washington politicians who refuse to relinquish the intoxicating power to borrow and spend. Senator Tom Coburn reveals the fascinating, maddening story of how we got to this point of fiscal crisis—and how we can escape. At a time when millions of Americans are speculating about what is broken in Washington, The Debt Bomb is a candid, thoughtful, non-partisan exposé of the real problems inside our government. Coburn challenges the conventional wisdom that blames lobbyists, gridlock, and obstructionism, and places the responsibility squarely where it belongs: on members of Congress in both parties who won’t let go of the perks of power to serve the true interests of the nation—unless enough citizens take bold steps to demand action.
“Democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There was never a democracy yet that did not commit suicide.” —John Adams
Throughout a distinguished career as a business owner, physician, and U.S. senator, Tom Coburn has watched his beloved republic careen down a suicidal path. Today, the nation stands on the precipice of financial ruin, a disaster far more dangerous to our safety than any terrorist threats we face. Yet Coburn believes there is still hope—if enough Americans are willing to shake the corridors of Washington and demand action.
With an insider’s keen eye and a caregiver’s deft touch, Coburn diagnoses the mess that career politicians have made of things while misusing their sacred charge to govern.
Coburn’s incisive analysis:
Reveals the root causes of America’s escalating financial crisis
Exposes Washington’s destructive appetite for wasteful spending, power grabs, backroom deals, and quick non-fixes
Rises above partisanship to implicate elected officials of all stripes in steering the nation off course
Lays out a commonsense guide to restoring order
Concludes with a clarion call and sound advice for Americans who would dedicate themselves to defusing the debt bomb
Above all, Coburn believes the United States can continue as a beacon of opportunity for future generations—but how we act today will determine whether we deliver the nation to our children and grandchildren fully alive, on life support, or without a pulse.”

[John II · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this powerful book Sen. Coburn does more than point out our nation’s enormous debt, deficit, entitlement and tax problems, but concludes by offering suggestions to solve these worrisome challenges in ways that should suit the poor and help everyone else.

A shocking quote at the start of Chapter One is from Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under President Obama, June 24, 2010: “Our national debtis our biggest national security threat.” Incidentally, on PBS’s Charlie Rose I saw Secretary James Baker say, “We’re broke.”(June, 2012) In his book, Sen. Coburn writes that “America is already bankrupt.” These statements may be and are unsettling, but the light at the end of the tunnel is the chance we have to elect Governor Romney and a host of Republicans at all levels.

But first, the bad news, which is that we are in a spending and entitlement crisis; our government debt and entitlement obligations are already slowing our economy by twenty-five to thirty-three percent. In my opinion, the Obama administration’s trillion-dollar-plus deficits over the last three and a half years have suppressed the economy rather than stimulated it. Perhaps if our country had been at a low or moderate debt level, his policies might have worked. This spending binge must stop. I realize that both Republicans and Democrats have lacked spending discipline.

To get the latest figures on our government obligations, do a Google search for the U. S. Debt Clock. Right now the U. S. National Debt is $15,801,265.5↑↑, and increasing as Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is $15,217,191, ↑↑↑. Unfunded liabilities (Social Security, prescription drugs and Medicare) total $119 trillion. I invite you to review that website from time to time to attempt to grasp the magnitude of our very precarious position.

Almost a third of our debt is held by foreigners. In April 2011 Standard and Poor’s (S&P), one of the larger rating agencies, downgraded the United States long-term credit outlook from “stable” to “negative,” and in August they reduced our rating from AAA to AA+.

The continuing crisis in Europe shows in real time the effects of high government debt and obligations. That can and will happen to us unless we take decisive actions, such as the author suggests.

The world will have a liquidity crisis soon—sometime in 2013—when the planet’s liquid assets ($9 trillion) won’t be enough to fund sovereign debt requirements (around $13 trillion), a situation that will push interest rates up. The government may try to inflate its way out by printing money as it has done already, but if such a course of action is tried, much of our life savings will be wiped out. In the final stage, “the bottom would fall out of the middle class. Unemployment would soar, while the cost of living would increase.”

Around the world Senator Coburn and I see the fall of the “International Welfare State,” including Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Ireland and Japan—all in “serious risk of default.” There is a very real possibility of a worldwide depression.

My calculation from the U. S. Debt Clock of our national debt ($15.8 trillion) to our Gross Domestic Product ($15.2 trillion) is just over 100 percent. The book described a debt-to-GDP ratio of 90 percent as “dangerous.”

Careerism on the part of our elected officials is cited as the root cause of our present state. Republicans and Democrats have lavished the government’s money in ways that they figured would allow them to stay in office, practically at any cost. Why do they want to stay? They are surrounded and courted by staff, lobbyists, party leaders, and special interest groups. And there are all kinds of perks.

The Constitution has been largely ignored over the last few decades, as career politicians concentrated on the next election with “unsustainable debt” as the result. Earmarks such as the expensive “the bridge to nowhere” in Alaska demonstrate sadly the careerism and parochialism (obtaining federal spending for one’s own district or state, usually referred to as pork barrel spending).

To quell the myth that there is a continuing stalemate in Washington, Sen. Coburn writes, “Our economy is on the brink of collapse not because politicians can’t agree, but because they have agreed for decades.” Getting our country in fiscal shape will require that politicians learn to say “no.”

President Reagan in his first inaugural address, 1981, said, “In this present crisis government is not the solution to our problem; government is our problem.” I firmly believe that Governor Romney could step forward and lead a host of Republicans in 2013 in a manner like President Reagan. On the other hand, President Obama is part of the problems.

Our government itself is in dire need of kind, but firm and extensive innovation. The stimulus simply didn’t work. Part of the money, $535 million, went to Solyndra, a solar-power company that went bankrupt. “One of the administration’s key donors … had a financial stake in the company.”

Senator Coburn made two key statements: “We are on the edge of an abyss not because we had too little faith in government but because we had too much faith,” and “A government that works is a government that is limited.”



Part Two—The Solution

The Tea Party Republicans may be part of the solution. Over and over President Obama was given the chance to lead. One instance was evident at the time of the report by the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility, known as Simpson-Bowles, on how to reduce the deficit, which was closer to President Reagan’s 1986 tax reform than President Obama’s tax increase proposals. President Obama didn’t embrace the recommendations. According to Senator Coburn, “His [President Obama] decision, I believe, will be remembered as one [of] the greatest failures of presidential leadership in American history.”

We must not take a chance of future failures. If we are to wait until after the 2012 elections, Republicans must “win the White House, maintain a solid majority in the House, and win about sixty-five seats in the Senate to control the national agenda.”

There are answers. What is needed is courage to do what is right. Senator Coburn and his staff identified $9 trillion in savings over ten years in a 624-page report which he called Back in Black.

We should watch and learn from the events unfolding in European countries, such as Spain, which has high and unsustainable yields on government debt, as well as unemployment at 25 percent.

Duplication in government spending is an obvious starting point, and Governor Romney is ideal to direct such an endeavor, supported by a Republican Congress. We should shrink government, but with thought and planning to assist those who will lose their jobs. I believe optional occupational interest tests, ability tests and privately-administered outplacement services could allow workers to assume fruitful private sector jobs or self-employment.

The General Accounting Office said, “Reducing or eliminating duplication, overlap, or fragmentation could potentially save billions of taxpayer dollars annually and help agencies provide more efficient and effective services.” “Senator Coburn estimates we can save $3 trillion over ten years by ending duplication.”

U. S. Senator Joe Lieberman said, “We can’t save Medicare as we know it. We can only save Medicare if we change it.” Unsustainable demographics and benefits confront maintaining entitlements in their current state. “Medicare is already broke and running on empty.”

So, what is the Medicare solution? Senator Coburn gives two answers: “(1) adjust the eligibility and generosity of the Medicare benefit by relating benefits to income (i.e. forcing wealthier Americans to pay more) while raising the retirement age to reflect changing life spans, and (2) transitioning Medicare from a defined benefit to a defined contribution.”

Social Security is now cash-flow negative and, “Between 2012 and 2013, the program’s cash deficits are projected to total $630 billion.”

Senator Coburn tells it like it is: “It is not that hard to fix these problems. The truth is, we have a surplus of solutions, but a deficit of courage.” President Obama has graphically demonstrated a lack of courage and competence. I believe Governor Romney and a host of Republicans at all levels can and will provide solutions.

When writing about Obamacare Senator Coburn quotes P. J. O’Rourke, “If you think healthcare is expensive now, wait until you see what it costs when it’s free.” He points out that “… too many doctors are torn between serving their patients and protecting their practices from predatory trial attorneys trying to make a quick buck.” He estimates that “defense medicine costs patients between “$650 and $850 billion a year.” We must repeal Obamacare and put in place systems in which the doctor and patient work through a free market with competition, transparency and choice.

As to reforming taxes, the “rich simply don’t have enough money to pay all the bills.” As Margaret Thatcher said, “The problem with socialism is that you “… always run out of other people’s money.”

We must make our tax system simple, understandable and affordable. As Representative Paul Ryan said, “Every dollar that businesses spend lobbying for a better tax deal, is a dollar they’re not spending on making a better product.” There are twenty-seven countries in the world that now have simple, flat taxes and more nations are considering them.

A key point is, Tax simplicity would redirect money in and out of the government away from tax compliance toward more useful pursuits, increasing our nation’s productivity. The risk-takers, entrepreneurs and job creators would benefit rather than politicians, lobbyists, and such.

In 1986 President Reagan passed tax reform that closed many loopholes, lowered tax rates, simplified the tax code and started a twenty-five-year period of solid growth. Federal tax revenues soared. Tax reform was accomplished then with spectacular results. President Obama lacks the expertise, attitude and constituency to emulate President Reagan’s success. I believe Governor Romney and a host of Republicans could and would recognize and innovate in our tax system.

As to defense, the practice of spreading defense spending all over the country is very wasteful. Waste in defense is being funded by our deficits, so such costs must get the kind of scrutiny that we pay to all fiscal areas.

Robert Kennedy is quoted in the Conclusion: “Few men are willing to brave the disapproval of their fellows, the censure of their colleagues—the wrath of society. Moral courage is a rarer commodity than bravery in battle or great intelligence. Yet, it is the one essential and vital quality for those who seek to change a world which yields most painfully to change.”

Washington needs Governor Romney and a host of Republicans to try to live up to Senator Kennedy’s incisive words. We are in crisis. It’s not like 9/11 or Pearl Harbor, so easily viewed, but if there weren’t such crises in Europe right now, the truth would be upon us.

The media should be ashamed of themselves for not covering hard news such as these enormous fiscal problems. Too many cover the horse race in policies without any depth in these critical issues.

Governor Romney and President Reagan were superb professionals in the finest sense. I see in Governor Romney the deep intelligence and motivation that President Reagan possessed. In President Obama, however, I see a masterful politician who is drastically lacking in leadership and competence for the innovation that has been and is needed.

In Governor Romney I see a moral leader who will make his decisions, based on what’s right for the country and its future. He has a long track record of accomplishment.

Our country has many challenges and Governor Romney points out one—illegitimate birth; it was seven percent in the 1960s, but has skyrocketed to forty percent now. The “Great Society” destroyed many families by taking away their self-reliance.

Ann Romney volunteered at a school for at-risk girls. When she asked the class how many wanted to go to college almost every girl raised her hand. Then she asked the class, “How many of you want to have a baby before you graduate from high school?” Again, almost all raised their hands, indicating they had not made the vital disconnect between those goals.

Governor Romney points out that the American people are, in general, quite hard-working with more hours than the Germans and French. Americans are also risk-takers. He told the story of a young person he tried to hire. But the gentleman had an idea for a business and turned Mr. Romney down. Years later Governor Romney saw the gentleman, who was by then worth $25 billion, having earned his fortune through Microsoft. He had taken a chance.

The role of the electorate is to seek honest, capable, wise, visionary leaders. I believe that Governor Romney “fits the bill.” He’s honest and frank, and courageous; it takes a lot of courage to write about illegitimate births. I also see the wisdom of President Reagan in Governor Romney. He’s a moral, genuine person who can solve, with the help of other Republicans, the immense problems ahead.

We are in a frontier in terms of our nation’s financial, educational and family status. President Obama had his chance and he has not accomplished very much of substance. And his fiscal and financial actions have been dismal. I believe that Ronald Reagan was a decent gentleman with vision, and the same is true of Mitt Romney.

The elections in the United States will be scrutinized around the world, much, much, more than the elections in Greece. I hope and pray that the American people will see what I see.

[Zach Morrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book will scare you in the fact that we think our nation is secure and strong, but the reality is that we are drowning in debt.
The author a former senator from Oklahoma talks about how we got into this mess. He also talks about how we can get out of it as well.

Here are a list of the main reasons we continue to accumulate debt.
-Careerism, politicians that won't do the right thing because they want votes and are afraid to stand up to the public because they won't be voted back into office.
-Entitlement programs, aren't closely monitored as well as they should be. Medicare and Social Security could cost this nation greatly.
-Overspending, Earmarks/Pork improper spending by congress on things that the nation really doesn't need.
-Government growth, Duplicitiy and more government programs that we don't need.

Its going to take massive adjustments to the USA to tip the scales towards lowering the National debt. Hopefully we can come together as nation to figure these things out.

[David Riseley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before reading this book, I didn't know who Sen. Coburn was. I was ambivalent about imposing term limits for congress and now, I'm persuaded that "careerism" as Sen. Coburn calls it is at the root of Congress' inaction on issues that urgently need their attention. He also gives his perspective on the need for close scrutiny of the existing body of laws for duplication / ineffective spending, the need for entitlement reform, the need for tax reform and the need for health care reform; all of these contributing to our nation's budget crisis.

[Heather McLaughlin]

This was an audio-roulette. When I saw what it was I almost skipped it. I listened to it on the idea we need to listen to the other side. That said, this sucked. It doesn't help that it was written in 2011 or something and a lot of what he predicted hasn't happened. (Maybe it's around the corner. What do I know.) He tries to pretend he's "just the facts" when a lot of what he says is definitely opinion. I got through it, but only because something better didn't appear on my holds list.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gold standard for fiscal responsibility.

I admire his willingness to work with anyone who will reduce federal government spending.

Every once in a while this book falls into "I need to show my conservative credentials" rather than advancing the goal of eliminating federal debt.

Wish that he had addressed the argument that "U.S. Savings Bonds are *needed* in the market".

[Jose · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am in full agreement with the premise that debt is a massive risk to the US and many of the concepts of the book are spot on. If you are able to not focus on his supreme ignorance around climate change, this is a very good read with good solutions focusing on social programs and massive corruption

[Bob Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was written in 2011, 13 years ago. It was written by a US Senator from Oklahoma. He was trying to expose the waste in government and the lack of desire for any part of Congress to try and reduce the deficit. He has plenty of facts that he uses and examples.

The sad part is, in the past 13 years, it has only gotten worse.

Good book, well researched and documented.

[Don · Rating 5 out of 5]

do again

[Denny · Rating 2 out of 5]

If I could rate _The Debt Bomb_ 2.5 stars, I would. It was better than o.k., and I did like much of what Dr. Senator Coburn had to say but not enough to give it 3 stars.

I liked a lot of Coburn’s ideas about how to solve our national debt problem. Although he doesn’t delve too deeply into the subtle details of any of his plans for doing so here, he frequently references the other works he’s produced in recent years that do present the details and are probably more suitable reads for policy wonks and citizens who have more time on their hands to try to influence the workings of Congress than I currently have. Of course, referencing his other works could be considered a self-serving sales pitch, but since I obtain most of my books & audiobooks through my local public library, I was able to disregard them as merely a minor annoyance. One thing that surprised me about the book was the amount of time Coburn devotes to talking about how to change Congress and the way it works, which is pretty much the cornerstone of his argument on how to fix the debt problem: if we want to change how Congress spends money, we have to fundamentally change Congress.

There are 2 main reasons I wasn’t able to rate _The Debt Bomb_ 3 stars:
1) Despite initial efforts to present his argument as objective and noninflammatory, Coburn can’t wholly refrain from coming close to demonizing Congressional Liberals/Progressives and their favored policies, although I give him credit for trying to hold back and for heaping some of the blame on his fellow Conservatives and Republicans. 2) The overall tone of the book ultimately becomes too shrill. Coburn doesn’t really come that close to matching the volume and irrationality of popular talk radio conservatives, but toward the end he starts to turn it up, and if the book had been 50 pages longer, it may’ve become too unbearable for reasonable readers to finish or to give his arguments much credence.

[Rohan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually got fooled into reading this book seeing the 4 and over ratings on Goodreads without realizing that there were only 80 of them. But strangely I do not completely regret reading this book as much as I thought I would, especially, because it is written by an active politician. I only picked up the book in the first place just to know the extent of debt that US actually owes and to some extent, this book did give me a better picture of that topic.

Anyways, Tom Coburn mainly targets Career Politicians in this book and also describes various issues like Inflation, Healthcare, Tax Reformation that are driving US to bankrupting itself according to him. Most of his plans sounded sensible to me and they convey the long held belief of lot of Republicans of limited government. He gives quite a few examples of wasteful spending and of government programs that do the same thing that an earlier proposed program does.

I found the entire chapter on Affordable Care Act and his proposed alternatives silly especially with the recent developments in Obamacare. Although, I personally believe it is a slippery slope at the moment, I do not really know the complete market and the economics to comment on this further.

Overall, Dr. Tom Coburn (yes he is a doctor and a cancer survivor) came across as a politician with good intentions and with some of the views that I have started liking about what Government stands for (Libertarian). He came across as someone who walks the talk. Having said that, I would like to point out to other readers that good intentions doesn't necessarily mean right policies and in his own views, every politician enters politics with noble intentions. So tread carefully and make up your own mind if at all you are thinking of reading this one.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Senator Coburn takes it to both Republicans and Democrats in describing the economic mess that has been created by "careerists" in Washington whose votes are based on winning the next election rather than defusing "The Debt Bomb". Coburn clearly defines the dysfunction in Washington today and identifies both problem and potential solution to the same economic calamity awaiting the U.S. that has destroyed other "powerful" nations. That being, excessive debt.

It is not a stretch to understand that a great many of our elected legislators have little or no experience in business, economics, budgets, or solving problems. Examples laid out in the book certainly support the label of "laziness" that appears to have been earned by Senators and Representatives alike. Courage to present the change required is hard to find in an environment dominated by "this is how we've always done it".

Republicans, Democrats, and Independents would all do well to read this book. Limiting government is not about creating the Wild West, but about returning the responsibility and power to the people. Do we dare take responsibility for ourselves and our country? At least Coburn provides solid, specific ideas rather than passing the buck like most elected officials. We deserve and should demand the same from ALL our representatives.

[Malin Friess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Tom Coburn as far as I know is the only senator that is also a physician (Ran and Ron Paul are Congressmen) and his views in The Debt Bomb are worthy of attention. He is an admirable guy who has delivered over 2000 babies, and also gave back his extra cash per diem that he did not spend on his first trip as a Senator buy writing a check back to the Federal Reserve.

It may be a fair assesment that Republicans have no plan for the 2012 election except: The economy is bad, Obama didn't fix it, we can do better.

Coburn is bold enough to offer a plan and take the political fallout

1) The Problem--Careerism. Most politicians go into politics with noble plans, but soon do what they have to do to get elected.
2)He uncovered the Bridge to Nowhere in Alaska..and accepts no pork barrel projects for his own state of Oklahoma.
3)He intends to serve one term and then out..to not fall trap to Careerism
4)Check out his ideas "back in Black" a road to stop Washington from Bankrupting America..he'll cut defense spending, raise the age for SS, and cut entitlements, and cut NASA.

I give this book 5 stars..he is analytical and is rightly concerned with the out of control spending that started with the Bush Administration and continues with the Obama Administration.

[Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oklahoma Senator Dr. Tom Coburn does an excellent job in explaining the dangers to our Country due to our huge National Debt. In a surprisingly non-partisan way, Senator Coburn takes on career politicians from either Party as being a big part of the national problem. If you wonder why Congress has such a dismal approval rating, you'll find plenty of reasons after reading "The Debt Bomb".
For readers, there's an appeal to those on either side of the political spectrum. People left of center in their political philosophy might gain an appreciation of how and why Congress does overspend, and those on the political right will hear one of their own explain why the Grover Norquist "no new taxes" pledge is a flawed approach. For a book dealing with politics, "The Debt Bomb" is able to present a clear message about excessive spending without offending those with an opposing view.

[Mark Hackl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is disturbing to say the least. I commend Dr. Coburn's effort in writing this book. He paints a grim picture of the countries future, and it is frustrating to know that the worst case scenario is likely to unfold. This book should be read by every citizen of this country. We've got to begin to act like grownups and accept responsibility for our problems, and take the actions necessary to solve them.

[Michael · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is a textbook example of using logical fallacies to propagate the ridiculous ideas that the tea party and radical Republicans cling to. He also tries to make the argument that he's better than everyone else because he's not a "careerist" politician. What a joke. This is the guy who's spent 20 years receiving income from tax payers but thinks he's somehow not a careerist politician.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

It will be interesting to hear what my American friends think of this book. Dr. Coburn makes some very interesting claims regarding the way our congressional members function. I think his thoughts merit some attention. If what he says about both parties is close to true, we need to take notice and make some changes.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I'm way more of a Libertarian-leaning independent than a Republican, I am super-proud that a guy like Tom Coburn, who infuriates those on both sides of the aisle, is one of my senators. This book is just another great reminder of how deep of a hole we are digging in America today, and that we need to get with the program now to get our fiscal house in order before it is too late.

[Valerie]

This book was written by Senator Tom Coburn, a conservative Senator from Oklahoma. He describes the real environment in Washington and the problems with the careerism among the Congress. It was disheartening and left me shaking my head over what is the solution. It was well written and very interesting.

[Jeffrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book about what is wrong with America, both politically and economically. Provides common sense solutions to help fix our debt problems and avoid the complete collapse of our economy and ensure the long term viability of a social safety net. This book reminded me why I consider myself a fiscal conservative, and I made me wish more of our politicians were like Coburn.

[Erik Golbiw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Right or Left. This book is a frightening look at how we no longer have statesmen, only politicians concerned about party and careerism. Nobody wants to fix anything because they are too concerned with punting to let the next guys/gals have to make the tough decisions. How do you spell politician? C.O.W.A.R.D.

[Johns · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly readable indictment of the careerists (both elected representatives and unelected staff members) who value only keeping their personal power bases intact or constantly expanding. To heck with the taxpayers and the perilous fate of our entire nation if we don't act to defuse our growing public debt. Turn ALL the bums out at this next election!

[Kip Williams]

So far, Sen. Coburn takes no prisoners, laying the blame equally where it belongs, on both his own party and on the opposition. He does, so far, give some good insight into the completely out-of-touch atmosphere in Washington and how this type of thing occurs.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

I usually enjoy reading Senator Coburn's views even though I often disagree. He does not pull punches especially when it comes to this country's future. At this point, the books probably a bit outdated.

[Dale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent look at the issues America faces and refuses to acknowledge.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oklahoma Senator Tom Coburn doesn't follow party lines in exposing our national economic crisis, the causes, and common sense solutions.