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Drain the Swamp: How Washington Corruption is Worse than You Think
Now you can watch Congressman Ken Buck on the popular Facebook TV series "The Swamp." Lavish parties. Committee chairmanships for sale. Pay-to-play corruption. Backroom arm-twisting. Votes on major legislation going to the highest bidder. Welcome to Washington, D.C., the swamp that President Donald Trump was elected to drain. Congressman Ken Buck is blowing the whistle on the real-life House of Cards in our nation's capital. Elected in 2014 as president of one of the largest Republican freshman classes ever to enter Congress, Buck immediately realized why nothing gets done in Congress, and it isn't because of political gridlock—in fact, Republicans and Democrats work together all too well to fleece taxpayers and plunge America deeper into debt. "It is an insular process directed by power-hungry party elites who live like kings and govern like bullies," Buck reports. Buck has witnessed first-hand how the unwritten rules of Congress continually prioritize short-term political gain over lasting, principled leadership. When Buck tangled with Washington power brokers like former Speaker John Boehner, he faced petty retaliation. When he insisted Republicans keep their word to voters, he was berated on the House floor by his own party leaders. When other members of Congress dared to do what they believed to be right for America instead of what the party bosses commanded, Buck saw them stripped of committee positions and even denied dining room privileges by the petty beltway bullies. In Drain the Swamp, Buck names names and tells incredible true stories about what really happened behind closed doors in Congress during legislative battles that have ensued over the last two years including budget, continuing resolutions, omnibus, trade promotion authority, Iran, and more. If the Trump administration is going to bring real change to Washington, it first needs to get the whole story—from deep inside the swamp.
217 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 11, 2017
76 people are currently reading
214 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
May 3, 2017
This book is more infuriating than interesting if you care about the future of our country, because the problems discussed therein aren't caused solely by Team Blue or Team Red - be it budget gimmicks or bullying tactics. This is a definite quick read (or listen, as I did via the Audible version). Although the book is written by someone from the Right, I imagine the same could be written from the perspective of someone on the Left. In fact, both sides are guilty of playing the same games, whether in or out of power, and the fact that they often collude together to maintain or grow their collective power is beyond words.
While many of the sleazy tricks Buck describes won't really be new to someone paying attention to politics on a regular basis, getting the first-hand account of how it actually happens will make you want to put the book down and call your local congressman. Since I am not this type, I didn't do this personally, but it does lead one to conclude that the only true solution for changing the way business is conducted in Washington is from the outside via the Article V process, discussed briefly at the end.
Overall, this book is good for providing first-hand accounts of Washington's antics, but is ultimately light on how any one person can solve the problems. Instead, it describes some measures that Trump can take, but one person - even a President - is severely limited in his ability to combat the corrupt Washington beast and get at the root problem: taming itself.
While many of the sleazy tricks Buck describes won't really be new to someone paying attention to politics on a regular basis, getting the first-hand account of how it actually happens will make you want to put the book down and call your local congressman. Since I am not this type, I didn't do this personally, but it does lead one to conclude that the only true solution for changing the way business is conducted in Washington is from the outside via the Article V process, discussed briefly at the end.
Overall, this book is good for providing first-hand accounts of Washington's antics, but is ultimately light on how any one person can solve the problems. Instead, it describes some measures that Trump can take, but one person - even a President - is severely limited in his ability to combat the corrupt Washington beast and get at the root problem: taming itself.
September 30, 2017
If you are a rabid Trump supporter, just skip this review. Normally, I try to keep politics off of Goodreads but with this book I cant help it.
I liked the first half of the book. It seemed to be a fairly bipartisan look at how Washington is screwing America. Then I got to the chapter about Hillary's emails. I get it that this book was published when Trump first took office. Now almost 9 months later there are things in the book that are obsolete. In light of the events of the past week where several of the president's advisors have been found to send emails related to government emails, the whole chapter is laughable. Then he goes on to say that he hopes that our 'new' president will drain the swamp, as he has already promised to do...ya da ya da ya da. We already know this ain't happenin'. And then....drum roll....he goes on to tell us how Washington can fix this...by cutting such things as the EPA, environmental and wildlife protection agencies...oh the list goes on. Nowhere, may I repeat, NOWHERE is taxing higher income people on the list and of course, he advocates cutting taxes for wealthy businesses. I almost threw this book across the room but it was a library book so I refrained and I only finished it because it was 150 pages and I finished it in a day and wanted to see what else he could come up with. There were some eye-openers in this book, but when it became "un"-bipartisan it lost me.
I liked the first half of the book. It seemed to be a fairly bipartisan look at how Washington is screwing America. Then I got to the chapter about Hillary's emails. I get it that this book was published when Trump first took office. Now almost 9 months later there are things in the book that are obsolete. In light of the events of the past week where several of the president's advisors have been found to send emails related to government emails, the whole chapter is laughable. Then he goes on to say that he hopes that our 'new' president will drain the swamp, as he has already promised to do...ya da ya da ya da. We already know this ain't happenin'. And then....drum roll....he goes on to tell us how Washington can fix this...by cutting such things as the EPA, environmental and wildlife protection agencies...oh the list goes on. Nowhere, may I repeat, NOWHERE is taxing higher income people on the list and of course, he advocates cutting taxes for wealthy businesses. I almost threw this book across the room but it was a library book so I refrained and I only finished it because it was 150 pages and I finished it in a day and wanted to see what else he could come up with. There were some eye-openers in this book, but when it became "un"-bipartisan it lost me.
June 30, 2017
Let me preface this review by saying that as a liberal, the fact that I could tolerate listening to the whole book is a testament to Ken Buck, a Republican Congressman. The first half of the book is a scathing expose of the corruption, greed, elitism, personal interest and unmitigated squandering of tax-payer dollars perpetrated by his own party - and he isn't afraid to name names.
Brian Holsopple is the perfect narrator for this book. In a somewhat gritty, no-nonsense voice, he reads with enough passion to convince us he means every word and it's easy to imagine that it might be the voice of Buck himself.
The book is short, roughly 4 1/2 hours, and makes its point efficiently (not that every point is salient). Once he draws you in with his unabashed criticism of Republican shenanigans, Buck takes more than a few potshots at the Obama administration, repeatedly connecting the word "unconstitutional" to several of Obama's decisions. And, as expected from a Republican, he paints both Clintons as the anti-Christ. Still, the book is mostly a stark commentary of the abuses in his own party and the choke-hold it has on our representatives. The bribes to get votes, the punishments for voting one's conscience, the lure of power and opulence, the fear of being ostracized and the lies told to American citizens simply to get reelected (of which both parties are guilty) are the values (or lack thereof) that drive our government.
One of Buck's solutions? Drain the Swamp and replace corrupt politicians with moral men...so he puts his faith in Donald Trump and Paul Ryan? What? This is where I really start subtracting stars.
He makes other suggestions, like utilizing a special clause in the constitution that allows the states to call for a convention that can amend the constitution to implement term limits and balance the budget. But there's a slim chance that will ever happen when everyone is rabid about protecting their elite status. Sad, disheartening, depressing and certainly no chance at all with Trump and his cronies at the helm.
Brian Holsopple is the perfect narrator for this book. In a somewhat gritty, no-nonsense voice, he reads with enough passion to convince us he means every word and it's easy to imagine that it might be the voice of Buck himself.
The book is short, roughly 4 1/2 hours, and makes its point efficiently (not that every point is salient). Once he draws you in with his unabashed criticism of Republican shenanigans, Buck takes more than a few potshots at the Obama administration, repeatedly connecting the word "unconstitutional" to several of Obama's decisions. And, as expected from a Republican, he paints both Clintons as the anti-Christ. Still, the book is mostly a stark commentary of the abuses in his own party and the choke-hold it has on our representatives. The bribes to get votes, the punishments for voting one's conscience, the lure of power and opulence, the fear of being ostracized and the lies told to American citizens simply to get reelected (of which both parties are guilty) are the values (or lack thereof) that drive our government.
One of Buck's solutions? Drain the Swamp and replace corrupt politicians with moral men...so he puts his faith in Donald Trump and Paul Ryan? What? This is where I really start subtracting stars.
He makes other suggestions, like utilizing a special clause in the constitution that allows the states to call for a convention that can amend the constitution to implement term limits and balance the budget. But there's a slim chance that will ever happen when everyone is rabid about protecting their elite status. Sad, disheartening, depressing and certainly no chance at all with Trump and his cronies at the helm.
November 24, 2023
You'll need a shower to wash off the grime and slime after reading this book. It could be also categorized as horror or true crime and it would still be accurate. Congressman Ken Buck from Colorado has been a Republican in the House of Representatives since 2014 and he blows the lid off corruption in Congress.
He reveals all of the bipartisan nonsense, games, pay-to-play corruption, and backroom deals that tell us how the sausage is really made, by BOTH parties. When Buck wrote this book in 2017, he was an optimistic freshman congressman, and our national debt stood at 20 TRILLION. He was supportive of the Trump administration and thought that Trump could and would do something about it. Wishful thinking.
However, there is plenty of blame to go around and both parties are dirty, guilty, and responsible for the mess. No one wants to be accountable for tough votes that would actually balance the budget. If anyone in either party gets out of line, their leadership promptly reins them in with threats and intimidation and the withdrawal of financial campaign support. Everyone is in bed with the lobbyists too.
The national debt clock is currently at 34 TRILLION as I write this...read it and weep and take your shower. Even Buck has had enough - he won’t be running for reelection due to the GOP’s continuing election denialism. If Buck went to Congress, ran on fiscal conservatism, and left in disgust because he couldn't get anything accomplished...what hope do the American taxpayers have?
https://thehill.com/homenews/house/42...
https://www.usdebtclock.org/
He reveals all of the bipartisan nonsense, games, pay-to-play corruption, and backroom deals that tell us how the sausage is really made, by BOTH parties. When Buck wrote this book in 2017, he was an optimistic freshman congressman, and our national debt stood at 20 TRILLION. He was supportive of the Trump administration and thought that Trump could and would do something about it. Wishful thinking.
However, there is plenty of blame to go around and both parties are dirty, guilty, and responsible for the mess. No one wants to be accountable for tough votes that would actually balance the budget. If anyone in either party gets out of line, their leadership promptly reins them in with threats and intimidation and the withdrawal of financial campaign support. Everyone is in bed with the lobbyists too.
The national debt clock is currently at 34 TRILLION as I write this...read it and weep and take your shower. Even Buck has had enough - he won’t be running for reelection due to the GOP’s continuing election denialism. If Buck went to Congress, ran on fiscal conservatism, and left in disgust because he couldn't get anything accomplished...what hope do the American taxpayers have?
https://thehill.com/homenews/house/42...
https://www.usdebtclock.org/
November 13, 2017
Like many other reviewers have already stated, this book is actually two books in one. The first half of the book (which I would give 5 stars) is an enlightening expose of how our elected officials constantly play politics without representation in order to serve their own agendas. The second half of the book (which I would give 1 star) is laughable, purely partisan, and completely ridiculous in its conclusions.
The chapter of how President Trump could be an effective leader in draining the swamp--written before most of the shenanigans and extreme Twitter addiction--is antithetical to what has been displayed from the President.
It is not the swamp that is the problem, it is the infestation of insects, vermin, reptiles, and diseases that occupy the swamp. Alas, I fear that this book is merely another political figure "making good" to save their own bacon. Or to put it another way: Scream into the wind and wait for a reply.
The chapter of how President Trump could be an effective leader in draining the swamp--written before most of the shenanigans and extreme Twitter addiction--is antithetical to what has been displayed from the President.
It is not the swamp that is the problem, it is the infestation of insects, vermin, reptiles, and diseases that occupy the swamp. Alas, I fear that this book is merely another political figure "making good" to save their own bacon. Or to put it another way: Scream into the wind and wait for a reply.
January 31, 2018
This is the second book I have read about draining the swamp in Washington. This person Ken Buck gets elected and finds out he cann0t have his own voice. He is expected to do what the party tells him to. Both the Republicans and the Democrats work together well and they mainly have one goal, keep paying into the coffer to get reelected. If they do not carry on the party line they get punished.It is a shame when a very moral person gets to Washington and finds out we the People are not on the agenda.. Also all of Congress needs term limits, it is not supposed to be a lifetime job of nothing.
May 9, 2017
How your elected politicians throw you under the bus for their personal gain. Remember, the government is the disease that's masquerading as the cure.
Read and understand the constitution, because our politicians won't. They tell you what you want to hear, our government was formed for the individual, not the majority. Remember the definition of democracy is, 3 wolves and sheep deciding what's for dinner!
Read and understand the constitution, because our politicians won't. They tell you what you want to hear, our government was formed for the individual, not the majority. Remember the definition of democracy is, 3 wolves and sheep deciding what's for dinner!
June 26, 2017
Fascinating behind the scenes look at what really happens on Capitol Hill behind closed doors. Rep. Ken Buck (R.-Colo.), a freshman in 2015 (reelected Nov. 8, 2016 to a second two-year term) reveals how both parties work to lie about budgets and focus on what's really important: raising money and getting reelected. I thought it was bad BEFORE I read the book. Plenty of blame to go around: Liberals and Democrats will enjoy this book as well as fiscal conservatives.
January 23, 2020
Every conversation I have with my friends regarding current American politics feels so gloomy, and this book for most of it described it as such, but I really appreciated how precise it was in the sources of the problems my friends and I talk about. It's written decently well to avoid this partisan aggression so commonplace in the media, even if my biases cloud it a little.
June 6, 2017
What an eye-opening book on how corrupt our government really is. For the most part, this is neither democrat or republican what is, to quote the author is "bipartisan bankruptcy". How sad it has all come to this.
May 30, 2017
One of the best books I have read
Very informative, a must read for the logical, informed voter.
If you want to cut government from our lives, read this book.
Very informative, a must read for the logical, informed voter.
If you want to cut government from our lives, read this book.
March 14, 2019
Excellent book points out much about how Congress in both parties are more alike than different! The problem is the people in power only want more power not what is good for the country!
December 5, 2017
I checked out Drain the Swamp because I recently read an unabashed liberal’s account of governmental corruption (Matt Taibbi’s Griftopia) and wanted to see what an avowed conservative had to say about the same topic. I’ve long known that many of our politicians are, and perhaps the whole system is, corrupt; it is a human institution above all else. I’m surprised that Ken Buck, who has played the game of politics for much of his adult life, claims not to have realized just how bad it really was before he was elected to Congress.
If what Buck claims here is true, I did learn some shocking new facts about how corrupt and broken our government has become. Apart from that, though, I derived little of value from this hack job of a book. Although Buck does cast plenty of blame on his fellow Republicans, he reserves his harshest criticism for Democrats and goes to great lengths to demonize them, especially President Obama. I became so tired of his oft-repeated refrain “President Obama’s unconstitutional and illegal” so-and-so that it numbed my intellect, and all I could do was laugh at what an obnoxious buffoon Buck appears to be. At least in this book, he comes across as an intolerant, intolerable, bloviating, self-righteous, holier-than-thou, asshole who’s incapable of accepting any blame or admitting that some of his actions and beliefs have helped to contribute to the current deplorable state of affairs in American government, politics, and political discourse. If he’s anything like that in person, I feel sorry for his constituents. It’s possible, of course, that coauthor Bill Blankschaen did the majority of the writing and either intentionally or unintentionally portrayed Buck as such a jackass. If that’s the case (which I doubt, because that would reveal him to be simply a clueless idiot), I feel sorry for Buck for having allowed this execrable screed to be published.
I wouldn’t recommend this book to anyone except for Tea Party Republicans, Libertarians, and hardcore Trump supporters. If any of those labels apply to you, you’ll probably love this book.
If what Buck claims here is true, I did learn some shocking new facts about how corrupt and broken our government has become. Apart from that, though, I derived little of value from this hack job of a book. Although Buck does cast plenty of blame on his fellow Republicans, he reserves his harshest criticism for Democrats and goes to great lengths to demonize them, especially President Obama. I became so tired of his oft-repeated refrain “President Obama’s unconstitutional and illegal” so-and-so that it numbed my intellect, and all I could do was laugh at what an obnoxious buffoon Buck appears to be. At least in this book, he comes across as an intolerant, intolerable, bloviating, self-righteous, holier-than-thou, asshole who’s incapable of accepting any blame or admitting that some of his actions and beliefs have helped to contribute to the current deplorable state of affairs in American government, politics, and political discourse. If he’s anything like that in person, I feel sorry for his constituents. It’s possible, of course, that coauthor Bill Blankschaen did the majority of the writing and either intentionally or unintentionally portrayed Buck as such a jackass. If that’s the case (which I doubt, because that would reveal him to be simply a clueless idiot), I feel sorry for Buck for having allowed this execrable screed to be published.
I wouldn’t recommend this book to anyone except for Tea Party Republicans, Libertarians, and hardcore Trump supporters. If any of those labels apply to you, you’ll probably love this book.
March 8, 2019
This is not a criticism of Representative Buck or this book, just my take on it.
No one..... nobody would be surprised that corruption exists in our Federal government. Maybe the only surprise here is the depth and extent of it.
Representative Buck states the purpose of the book, and then through most of it's pages lists a seemingly endless litany of examples. So many my attention went elsewhere even as the audio book played.
Not until the last five minutes is any solution offered that may change the course of our Republic and even that I believe is not only unattainable, but incredibly dangerous. He promotes an Article V convention of the states fraught with the potential issues he claims it would solve.
Only once briefly does he give the only real solution. The moral character of this nations citizen.
That brings me to this question for you should you have the interest; How is it possible to make better the moral character of the nations citizens when the children who will be entering into a place where they might act on that character to affect the course of this nation when at this very moment, government controls and enforces actual instruction of amorality at best, and gross immorality now happening even to our youngest? When government promotes the slaughter of it's most innocent in ways evil genius's past could not imagine?
No. The only help for this country rests in it's Creator God and true men and women of God. Our Founding Fathers possessed wisdom we are void of.
No one..... nobody would be surprised that corruption exists in our Federal government. Maybe the only surprise here is the depth and extent of it.
Representative Buck states the purpose of the book, and then through most of it's pages lists a seemingly endless litany of examples. So many my attention went elsewhere even as the audio book played.
Not until the last five minutes is any solution offered that may change the course of our Republic and even that I believe is not only unattainable, but incredibly dangerous. He promotes an Article V convention of the states fraught with the potential issues he claims it would solve.
Only once briefly does he give the only real solution. The moral character of this nations citizen.
That brings me to this question for you should you have the interest; How is it possible to make better the moral character of the nations citizens when the children who will be entering into a place where they might act on that character to affect the course of this nation when at this very moment, government controls and enforces actual instruction of amorality at best, and gross immorality now happening even to our youngest? When government promotes the slaughter of it's most innocent in ways evil genius's past could not imagine?
No. The only help for this country rests in it's Creator God and true men and women of God. Our Founding Fathers possessed wisdom we are void of.
September 10, 2017
I was torn between a 4-Star and 5-Star rating as the writing itself was not great and somewhat disjointed. But the content and the message conveyed was 5+ Stars.
The Swamp that is Washington, DC is best summed up with a quote from page 10: "Members of Congress have only one problem that they're serious about solving - and that's getting re-elected. And they're convinced that the path to re-election lies through bribing the American people with endless government programs we can't afford."
Things would have remained unchanged had Hilary been elected but, with President Trump, there is some hope of improvement. Once "entitlement" programs are in place, Congress, as a whole, does not have the courage to remove them, as we saw with Obamacare. But President Trump has shown that he can take the abuse thrown at him and still Drain the Swamp, but more slowly than hoped.
It took great courage for Ken Buck to write this book as it is not very friendly toward his fellow Senators or to those in the House. I commend his effort.
The Swamp that is Washington, DC is best summed up with a quote from page 10: "Members of Congress have only one problem that they're serious about solving - and that's getting re-elected. And they're convinced that the path to re-election lies through bribing the American people with endless government programs we can't afford."
Things would have remained unchanged had Hilary been elected but, with President Trump, there is some hope of improvement. Once "entitlement" programs are in place, Congress, as a whole, does not have the courage to remove them, as we saw with Obamacare. But President Trump has shown that he can take the abuse thrown at him and still Drain the Swamp, but more slowly than hoped.
It took great courage for Ken Buck to write this book as it is not very friendly toward his fellow Senators or to those in the House. I commend his effort.
May 12, 2017
some good information and ideas
February 16, 2022
Audible.com 4 hours 30 min. Narrated by Brian Holsopple (A)
First let me address some of the negative Goodreads reviews of this book published in 2017. Most of those reviewers commended or at least agreed with the "the first half" of the evidence presented by the author, a freshman congressman, but then went on to denigrate the book because of his support for President Trump in " the rest" or the second half of the book. Many had listened to the audio book. ONE 19 minute chapter addressed What Can President Trump Do To Drain the Swamp? No wonder our country is sinking. We can't even listen to 4 hours of what was an even-handed excoriation on ALL of Washington, Republicans and Democrats alike, because of the word Trump.
The main topic of this book is the huge problem America faces because of our massive multi-trillion $ federal debt and the inability of our elected officials to make tough choices about creating a balanced budget and forcing government not to exceed it. The federal debt is tying a huge boulder around the necks of ALL our grandchildren.We try not to watch TV news (We read!) but it's almost inescapable to see Nancy Pelosi trying to pass yet another massive spending bill. I wonder if she ever thinks about the "legacy of debt" her own grandchildren will inherit?
I recommend this short book to every American, no matter your party affiliation. Can't we understand that as Americans we are all on the same sinking ship? We can't afford to continue to ignore that the emperor isn't wearing clothes! The author does give us real advice on how to save our ship--I hope we're not already too late!
First let me address some of the negative Goodreads reviews of this book published in 2017. Most of those reviewers commended or at least agreed with the "the first half" of the evidence presented by the author, a freshman congressman, but then went on to denigrate the book because of his support for President Trump in " the rest" or the second half of the book. Many had listened to the audio book. ONE 19 minute chapter addressed What Can President Trump Do To Drain the Swamp? No wonder our country is sinking. We can't even listen to 4 hours of what was an even-handed excoriation on ALL of Washington, Republicans and Democrats alike, because of the word Trump.
The main topic of this book is the huge problem America faces because of our massive multi-trillion $ federal debt and the inability of our elected officials to make tough choices about creating a balanced budget and forcing government not to exceed it. The federal debt is tying a huge boulder around the necks of ALL our grandchildren.We try not to watch TV news (We read!) but it's almost inescapable to see Nancy Pelosi trying to pass yet another massive spending bill. I wonder if she ever thinks about the "legacy of debt" her own grandchildren will inherit?
I recommend this short book to every American, no matter your party affiliation. Can't we understand that as Americans we are all on the same sinking ship? We can't afford to continue to ignore that the emperor isn't wearing clothes! The author does give us real advice on how to save our ship--I hope we're not already too late!
December 9, 2018
Congressman KEN BUCK
with Bill Blankschaen
Review by Roy Murry, Author
After reading this book twice, I will continue to post my mantra ‘TERM LIMITS’ on Social Media until the end. BUCK, a Congressman, agrees with that policy which will never be proposed by the Congress.
Those limits and a Balance Budget must come from the PEOPLE via States’ vote at a Constitutional Convention for Amendments. But I feel, and I think this congressman agrees, unfortunately, will not happen because of the 'Making Congress a life profession' in Washington.
BUCK has upset his cohorts in Congress with his PEOPLE FIRST attitude which comes across in his writing of various contra acts by the members. He gives the reader short explanations as to the character crisis of members in general, corporate welfare through lobbies, the government in a zombie state, and other oddities of the USA stagnant government.
DRAIN THE SWAMP is published in 2017 as President takes office, and BUCK makes his recommendations. It is interesting how little the American people are fooled by the ones they voted to send to represent them.
The writing is clear and understandable giving the reader a shock of reality. I recommend the book for anyone who is interested in helping to DRAIN THE SWAMP.
Here is the interview that helped me to decide to buy this book. Interview of Congressman Ken Buck by Sharyl Attkisson on Full Measure, which I can not put here. You will have to go to YouTube.
with Bill Blankschaen
Review by Roy Murry, Author
After reading this book twice, I will continue to post my mantra ‘TERM LIMITS’ on Social Media until the end. BUCK, a Congressman, agrees with that policy which will never be proposed by the Congress.
Those limits and a Balance Budget must come from the PEOPLE via States’ vote at a Constitutional Convention for Amendments. But I feel, and I think this congressman agrees, unfortunately, will not happen because of the 'Making Congress a life profession' in Washington.
BUCK has upset his cohorts in Congress with his PEOPLE FIRST attitude which comes across in his writing of various contra acts by the members. He gives the reader short explanations as to the character crisis of members in general, corporate welfare through lobbies, the government in a zombie state, and other oddities of the USA stagnant government.
DRAIN THE SWAMP is published in 2017 as President takes office, and BUCK makes his recommendations. It is interesting how little the American people are fooled by the ones they voted to send to represent them.
The writing is clear and understandable giving the reader a shock of reality. I recommend the book for anyone who is interested in helping to DRAIN THE SWAMP.
Here is the interview that helped me to decide to buy this book. Interview of Congressman Ken Buck by Sharyl Attkisson on Full Measure, which I can not put here. You will have to go to YouTube.
December 30, 2021
I was wary going into this book but I went in open-minded and I did finish the whole thing, so good on Ken for managing to make that happen. That said, the first half of the book had me feeling pretty apathetic. I know at least some of that stuff should have shocked me but it didn't even surprise me a little bit. The only thing that surprised me was a politician being transparent for a change.
The second half of the book lost me entirely and had me rolling my eyes. Sure, let's shit on Obamacare and cut funding for the EPA, but let's not outlaw the millions of dollars spent on "orientation" parties. Got it.
The second half of the book lost me entirely and had me rolling my eyes. Sure, let's shit on Obamacare and cut funding for the EPA, but let's not outlaw the millions of dollars spent on "orientation" parties. Got it.
February 14, 2026
Written in everyday English, with many examples of bipartisan critique. Many of the suggested reforms are being carried out, but a few things remain: (1) Requirement of a balanced budget via Article V Amendment- possibly called for by constitutional Congress; (2) Term limits on Congressmen, which has been requested or proposed for decades; (3) Limits on lobbyists, which are long overdue; and (4) Force authorization committees to authorize all programs, suffer annual 10% automatic spending cuts, or let them expire.
Lots of work yet to do.
Lots of work yet to do.
September 9, 2017
Congressman Buck is my Representative and while I never agree with how he votes, I don't usually hate him as a person. The first half of the book was fascinating in the descriptions of "how things really work" in Congress. He could have left out the jabs at various people, but he seemed to spread them evenly around both Democrats and Republicans. The second half of the book was a little scary because his solution to the problem is to amend the Constitution, which screams "slippery slope" to me.
October 10, 2017
Great read. The book tells the truth and is shocking how corrupt our congress is. Ken Buck is a hero. He gives many solutions to fixing the congress. It starts with us! Read the book and act. A read for every patriot who loves this country. Book deserves five stars.
Corrupt congress is. As a patriot get involved in changing the system read Bucks book. The book gives great solutions
Corrupt congress is. As a patriot get involved in changing the system read Bucks book. The book gives great solutions
November 22, 2022
This is a excellent book. It discuss on congress people are looking to get rich of the laws they make and they don’t care what the people want. Members of Congress promise tax payer money to each other if they vote a certain way that benefits them. Congress members have to fund raise a certain amount in order to hold seats on committees, etc. It’s all about how rich they can get on a personal level.
October 19, 2020
Was this book perfect? No. Was it the best thing I have read about the systematic selling out, by both parties, of our country to special interest and big money? Definitely. Read my full review --> http://www.ridingwiththewindowdown.co...
December 27, 2021
Everything is just as bad and way worse that you even thought in Washington and it will never be fixed until we the people in the form of 2/3 of states hold a constitutional convention and repeal all of the current government agencies. Since this will never happen, we are all fucked and this country is done.
July 27, 2017
Disgusting
I was so upset, I could only read a few pages at a time. No matter your political beliefs, it is a worthy book. Our elected "leaders" really are after power....We need to be more proactive!
I was so upset, I could only read a few pages at a time. No matter your political beliefs, it is a worthy book. Our elected "leaders" really are after power....We need to be more proactive!
Read
August 14, 2017I found the book both informative and interesting. A lot of the book is Buck's opinion, but he presents logical arguments to go along with it. Good read to learn a little mor about government corruption.
September 2, 2017
Don't judge the book by its title, or what you may have heard about its author. It stands on its own merit. This book shows appaling politics on both sides of the aisle, and rather than being devisive, is unifying if one is disgusted with greed, pork-barrel spending, power-grabs and falsehood.
January 6, 2021
A MUST READ
Anyone who is interested in how our government "really" functions should read this book-A real eye opener into the waste,fraud and downright dishonesty of some in the government whose job it is to protect and serve their constituents.
Anyone who is interested in how our government "really" functions should read this book-A real eye opener into the waste,fraud and downright dishonesty of some in the government whose job it is to protect and serve their constituents.
June 17, 2021
Don’t blame me I voted for Trump
Sad but true story of the people who are supposed to represent us.
Watch what happens now when those pulling Biden’s strings move forward. God help the USA
Sad but true story of the people who are supposed to represent us.
Watch what happens now when those pulling Biden’s strings move forward. God help the USA
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