Breach of Trust: How Washington Turns Outsiders into Insiders

by Tom A. Coburn, John Hart, Robert D. Novak (Foreword)

Tom A. Coburn, a congressional maverick who kept his promise to serve three terms and then leave Washington, offers a candid look at the inner workings of Congress - why the system changes politicians instead of vice versa. Breach of Trust shows listeners, through shocking behind-the-scenes stories, why Washington resists the reform our country desperately needs and how they can make wise, informed decisions about current and future political issues and candidates. This honest and critical look at "business as usual" in Congress reveals how and why elected representatives are quickly seduced into becoming career politicians who won't push for change. Along the way, Coburn offers listeners realistic ideas for how to make a difference.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, History

8 pages, Audio CD

First published September 9, 2003

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

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is for the political junkie, who appreciates politicians who stick to their word and show it in their actions. So many people talk the talk, but few actually do it. Tom Coburn (RIP) was one of those people. Based on this book and what I have seen while he was in the Senate, he was not just a person who called out problems they saw in legislation. He also was someone who worked to find solutions and his book showed how he did that.

I will also credit him with converting me to support Term Limits for Congress. Without those, Congress is always focused on their reelection and not getting things done to better our country. Previously, I believed having people with experience and wisdom made the institution better, but in the cost benefit analysis, I would say getting things done outweighs politicians with experience / wisdom / being focus on elections.

It was an easy read that gave me good ideas to use in my work and I need to go back to my notes I made in the margins to be sure I don't forget them. Another gem from Rob Bishop's library.

[Ellis · Rating 1 out of 5]

The title of this book caught my interest. The forward was written by Bob Novak, that caught my interest, and not in a good way. I sensed that this book was going to be a hard one for me to read, but I tried to soldier on to do the hard, but necessary, work of taking information from all sources. Well, I didn't last long. After about 50 pages of Coburn telling me, from the Libertarian point of view, what the framers of the constitution intended (he's like a one-man Supreme Court) I just had to fold. I think that what the framers wanted was for me to not have to be beaten over the head with the same one line for a further 220 pages from one of the Gengrich revolution boys. I have a hard time not finishing books once I start them, but it sure felt good to put this one down.

Does our federal government do things today that the framers of the constitution not forsee? Yes. Is that a good thing? Sometimes. Are there situations and infrastructure that exist today that might make government intervetion a good thing today even though it may not have been thought of 200 years ago? Absolutely. What would Coburn and other far-right Libertarians want? They would love it if the federal government stopped taking any of their money in taxes, which wouldn't be a problem because the only thing they want from the federal government is a Kick-Ass military to protect their businesses and assets. Speaking of business, they would like the government to stop regulating them (you know, like we cut regulation of energy distribution-Enron-and media ownership-Clear Channel) so they could continue raping the land and the people of the US en route to undreampt personal gains. Where does that leave us? The poor would have no good health care, educational opportunities, working conditions, etc. Basically, this wonderful thing that we have here that is pretty rare around the world (the middle class) would be gone. Am I my brother's keeper? You bet. What about if my brother is a knuckle-head and doesn't always make the best choices? I'll help him. Will this always work? No, but at least I'll feel good about my effort.

So, Coburn, save your opinions on what the framers intended. By the way, if the book took a turn for the better and ended up being fantastic, then I respectfully withdraw the previous paragraph......

[Elena · Rating 5 out of 5]

You may agree or disagree with Coburn's political views (conservative with somewhat idealistic portrayal of President Bush) but his goal is not to convince you either way. This book reveals the dirty politics that goes on in the federal government including the drifting away from the Constitution and the blatant lies to the people. Having served 3 terms as a congressman, Coburn provides an objective description of what he actually experienced. The book is informative, eye-opening, and surprisingly not boring. It's an inspiration and an appeal to everyone to be more involved in the political process.

[Voices Of · Rating 4 out of 5]

A disturbing account of a Republican congressman who entered in the Republican Revolution in 1996 and discovered quickly that the party that comes to power quickly adopts the mantel of the gift-giver. Washington turns even those who come with a resolve to make changes into insider whose main goal becomes getting reelected. And as Tom Coburn points out, when your number one goal is getting reelected, the best the taxpayer can do is come in second.

[Hope Sutterfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a long time I wasn't a big fan of Senator Coburn. After I read this book my respect skyrocketed for him. He's not your every day politician. He could have easily won reelection and chose not to. He understands the fundamental flaw with career politicians and explains how that ideology is one of the main reason we are in the mess we are in today.

[Sharon Harvey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I marked this as read. But I did not finish it. It is very well written and I truly agree with Tom Coburn. But there really is no point in educating myself about American politics when idiots vote into office such a despicable man.

[Sky Leach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Coburn does an excellent job of bringing the reader behind the veiled curtain of life as a representative. Unfortunately he doesn't do as good a job as I would have liked at all times. There are times I feel like he spends too much time talking about the specific problems and solutions that could have been served by giving the reader more of a nuanced inside look at how his experiences differed from those of career politicians.

Even so, I have to say that he does a fantastic job of teaching readers how the system works. I've heard a lot of it before and I'm sure that many people have. Maybe that's part of the problem, after so long hearing about and so many attempts to change things that have never worked it's unsurprising that people have become a bit jaded and convinced they can't change the broken system.

I'm going back and redoing this review now, however, because I have spent quite some time thinking and exploring not only how that is true, but how there is a chance we may break the stalemate finally using new technology. Always in the past we have faced many obstacles of money and influence invested in the roles of preventing the citizens from having a fair voice or getting a clear look at the inner workings of Washington. This is double or especially true of the parties themselves, where there is absolutely no interest in giving the voting public an honest look at proceedings and a great deal to be had in keeping them uninformed.

Finally, the math of the propaganda-run politics is changing. The internet has made propaganda dangerous and mob rule tenuous and unpredictable. Even the people quick to use propaganda are starting to become concerned, at last, about how little control of the monster they have created they are able to retain.

The book focuses on the power structure. The two-party system is invested in keeping the power structure firmly divided between two camps: the Republicans and the Democrats. Neither of these camps answers to anyone, and they like it that way. The interventions by Putin have destabilized things. They have seriously upset the apple cart in favor of the Democrats. Identity-based politics are spreading more bigotry than ever before, and the loonies have smelled blood and come out of the woodwork.

It's time for the people who have read and understood the problems to become informed on the possible solutions. Term limits (as Coburn would have us push) can help, but they are preventative not restorative. We need a way to fight propaganda directly and stop it in it's tracks.

It's time for AI (neural networks) and open infrastructure (Open Data and FOSS) to take it's proper place protecting the public of every democratic nation. We need truth like never before. We need to have the lies, shilling and twisted logic brought down. It can be done. It must be done.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this audio book on the title alone, not really knowing what it was and when I read the back of the case, I was worried that I would hear a bunch of rhetoric that would just be torture. However, this book is equally critical of both sides of the aisle and eye opening as to why change will never happen within the structure that is currently in place in Washington DC. This explains why it doesn't really seem matter who gets elected because once elected, the new politicians are sucked into the cycle and reform never happens.

I don't understand the negative reviews about the book, it was interesting and I have listened to this book more than once. It is one of a very few books that I have kept because of the excellent information presented in such an interesting manner.

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book probably merits 3.5 stars. It is an account of how a politician can maintain his integrity and the political blowback he can expect to experience as a result.

It contains admirable policy prescriptions as well.

Alas, it is plagued by two major problems: excessive repetition and imprecise language. The repetition is fairly easy to overcome, but it means the book is longer than it needed to be. The imprecision is more serious. For example: at one point he mischaracterizes the federalists’ position when making a point about the strength of the federal government.

Coburn was a good man and is a role model for anyone considering entering politics. I just wish his writing better supported this efforts and ideals.

[Wildcard · Rating 4 out of 5]

The very first book I remember reading about politics. Author was infamously known as "Dr. No" when he was in the Senate after this was published.

[Burt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book, but not in the manner that it was enjoyable reading or anything along those lines. In fact, the content did make me quite angry at several points between the covers. There are several congressional figures for whom I held the highest respect through the period of the years covered by Mr. Coburn's book, yet now I am very highly disappointed by them, even today. I suspect the most notable example would be Newt Gingrich. Although the content of this book is dated, the system within which these people work is not, really. Most of us have wanted so desperately for our congressional leadership to get some real backbone and begin to save our once great country from the financial ruin toward which we are headed. During the terms of Mr. Coburn's service, it simply did not happen as the freshman class of 1994 vowed it would. So here we are in 2017 and very realistically teetering on the brink of abject financial disaster concerning our children and grand children and for some of us, even great grand children. This book should be made mandatory reading for every new senator and representative and every registered voter should such a thing ever be possible. But, it won't and wouldn't work even if it did happen. Maybe the next generation of voters will recognize the looming disaster and force their elected representatives to fix the system. I'll not hold my breath.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a really insightful look at congressional sausage-making and pork-rolling. Coburn is a leading reformer in Congress and hasn't made many friends in Washington in the process. His warning proved prophetic as congressional Republicans were swept from power a few years later, largely as a result of perceived (and real) corruption and bridges to nowhere. The earmark culture that reached full bloom under the Republicans is a betrayal of conservative principles, and Coburn gives an insider's look at what's wrong with the appropriations process. If a few Republicans had bothered to read this book, we might all be blissfully unfamiliar with the term "Speaker Pelosi."

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

A disturbing account of a Republican congressman who entered in the Republican Revolution in 1996 and discovered quickly that the party that comes to power quickly adopts the mantel of the gift-giver. Washington turns even those who come with a resolve to make changes into insider whose main goal becomes getting reelected. And as Tom Coburn points out, when your number one goal is getting reelected, the best the taxpayer can do is come in second.

[Richard Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written by a physician who went to congress with a list of things he wanted to accomplish. Dedicated himself to one term even though many wanted him to remain. Tells what happens and how so many of the members of congress allow themselves to be bought off. Good reading. I have friends who know him personally and they say he is beyond reproach and dedicated to the country.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tom Coburn has written a really eye opening book that explains with detail how things just do not get done in Washington DC because politicians are more concerned about their careers than they are in doing the right thing. The budget can be balanced if these characters were not misappropriating funds to meet their own interests.

[Kristjan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little outdated (published in 2003), but still a scary look into the way Washington "works". There are still plenty of career politician's in Washington that are much more concerned with getting reelected than serving the best long-term interests of their constituents and their country.

[Max Duggan · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a diagnosis of congress and specifically careerism as the underlying sickness. I would recommend this book for democrats and republicans, if you can get through the party rhetoric, there is some really good observations of the modern system.

[Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good insight on what goes on in Congress.

[Dane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very solid.

[The Preacher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book! A fascinating insider's look at Congress and the rash of ills which inflict our government today. Highly recommended.

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating. I was in Washington during the events described in this book. Coburn is a remarkable and unique citizen-statesmen. I wish we had more of them today...

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Makes me really consider moving to another country!

[Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I learned a lot in this book, as the author pulls back the curtain on the Republican takeover of the House from an insider's viewpoint. Most of Coburn's tale was not covered by the press, making it a new (to me) and interesting angle.

My issue with the book as Coburn only grinds on his fellow Republicans. He says essentially nothing about Democrats, putting Coburn into the all-too common position of being a member of the circular firing squad.

The stories are good, the writing is just OK.