Book report: The Confessions of Congressman X

Haven’t you ever wondered what really happens in Washington?  Wouldn’t you like to be the provincial “fly on the wall”?  The book, The Confessions of Congressman X, has potential, but also comes up disappointing in several areas.  I don’t think there are any real surprises, just confirmations, but maybe some things are actually worse than we suspect.

Goodreads.com would be another good place to gather some information.  A couple quotes from the book…

“It’s far easier than you think to manipulate a nation of naive, self-absorbed sheep who crave instant gratification.”

“My main job is to keep my job, to get reelected. It takes precedence over everything.”

Pros:

1. The information is brutally frank.

Cons:

1. The book is short.  Very short.  Small format, 65 pages, large print, wide margins, make for a quick read.  It took me 45 minutes, and I’m not a fast reader.  This could have been a magazine article, and maybe should have been.
2. I understand the Congressman’s reasons for wanting to remain anonymous, but the intended impact would be more meaningful if he had put his name behind it.  As it is, too many people feel the need to dismiss it precisely because it is anonymous.
3. Too many generalities, not enough specifics.

One of the primary criticisms I have read from others is that they already knew this.  I call BS on that.  Anyone who has ever spent time in an online political debate knows that anything not cited is dismissed as hearsay, and I believe that the people making this claim are simply being arrogant and hypocritical.

My impression is that the Congressman is a House Representative, which would explain why he feels the need to constantly place re-election above everything else.  A Senator, with a six year term, has more leeway in that regard.

I would give the book 2.5 out of 5 stars.  The information desperately needs to be known and shared, but the lack of a known source brings it down.  Personally, I do not regret spending the $10 for it, but really if you go to sites like Goodreads and Amazon, because it is so short you can get the gist just from reading quotes and reviews and save the money.