The Confessions of Congressman X

by Congressman X

A devastating inside look at the dark side of Congress as revealed by one of its own! No wonder Congressman X wants to remain anonymous for fear of retribution. His admissions are deeply disturbing. . .

"Most of my colleagues are dishonest career politicians who revel in the power and special-interest money that's lavished upon them."

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

"Voters are incredibly ignorant and know little about our form of government and how it works."

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

"Fundraising is so time consuming I seldom read any bills I vote on. Like many of my colleagues, I don't know how the legislation will be implemented, or what it'll cost."

"We spend money we don't have and blithely mortgage the future with a wink and a nod. Screw the next generation. It's about getting credit now, lookin' good for the upcoming election."

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction

83 pages, Paperback

First published May 24, 2016

About the author

Due to the brutally frank and damning nature of his Washington tell-all, Congressman X insisted on anonymity as a precondition for the publication of his 'confessions.' In his own words: "I don't have the desire to soil my legacy, nor do I want to embarrass my family or the congressional colleagues I've worked with through the years."

Many will be appalled by his arrogant attitude, particularly his lack of remorse for deluding and mocking the "apathetic and gullible public" he was elected to serve. His colleagues fare no better. Citing specific examples, he paints an alarming picture of a dysfunctional institution dominated by a coterie of deceitful career politicians who revel in the power they possess and the special-interest money that's lavished upon them.

A Democrat, Congressman X's identity is known only to his editor and confidant, Robert Atkinson, the former chief of staff and press secretary for two Democratic members of Congress. As explained in the Foreward, the book is based on a series of informal conversations Atkinson had with Congressman X over a period of many years.

Atkinson is best known for his highly respected travel newsletter, Hideaway Report, which he wrote under the nom de plume Andrew Harper. He served as Editor-in-Chief for 28 years prior to his retirement in 2007. During that time he was regularly profiled in many leading publications, including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today and Forbes. He currently resides in Boise, Idaho, where he serves on the Honors College Advisory Board at Boise State University.

Reviews

[Dachokie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cowardly Pamphlet of Usesless Confessions …

I should have learned years ago when I purchased a loser book by an anonymous Olympian, but I took the bait and thought this “book” was going to be an eye-opener … it’s not. All the Confessions of Congressman X does is make readers understand why the approval rating for nation’s legislative branch is mired in single digits.

There are numerous reasons why this book is rather worthless … I’ll simply list them:

1. Anonymity … there is no respect given to someone talking smack without identifying himself (yes, “X” is a man).
2. Book? 50+ page paperback with large print and big margins is a glorified pamphlet or a single-trip bathroom reader (feel free to flush it when concluding your “business”).
3. Nothing in the book is surprising in the least … with 24/7 news media we already know these politicians are “full of it”
4. While acknowledging all the widely-known wrongs about Congress, this guy admits no one in DC has any plan to do anything about it.
5. With people like this in control … life will only get worse for the average citizen.

Simply put, this book is nothing more than a collection of snarky quotes from a sitting Congressman organized by short chapters titled in an equally snarky manner. To give you a better idea of what to expect, the first chapter is titled “Voters are Incredibly Ignorant” and the last chapter is titled “I’m Not Hopeful about the Future” … the purchase of this book is obviously a sign of my ignorance. Nothing in between the first and last chapters is really eye-opening … even the chapter with Harry Reid in the title is nothing but bait. While the party affiliation is mentioned in the book, it doesn’t matter as the “keeping my plush job as a pampered politician is Job #1” applies to both parties (X acknowledges this). Essentially, the content of the book centers on the primary focus for those in Congress … ensuring they keep their jobs … by saying and doing anything necessary to get votes (surprise!). One admission that I hope rings a bell in the heads of those who read this book is the part where “X” admits advocating for the poor but expresses his disgust for the poor … begrudgingly posing with them for photo ops … to get votes (surprise!) … bottom line: THEY DON’T CARE ABOUT YOU.

If you already think of our elected “representatives” of the nation’s constituencies as being arrogant and selfish … Congressman X will certainly cement that opinion. X confirms that federal level politicians are in an elite social club with a lot of perks and none of them want to part with it … the minute they’re elected, the focus is on re-election … there is NO intention of fulfilling any of those campaign promises. Their votes on issues don’t matter (they rarely read them and are told how to vote by aides) and they feel no obligation to represent anyone but themselves and their respective political parties (surprise!).

The anonymity issue may actually be understandable, because a name/face to the sentiments expressed in this book might make winning a re-election more difficult (but these days, who knows) … I think the anonymity is more likely a personal safety issue. I wouldn’t be surprised if this book is nothing more than a quick and easy campaign coffer stuffer … at $10 a pop, it wouldn’t be hard to raise a good chunk of the $2.5 million X estimates is needed for a re-election campaign … the timing of the book’s release certainly supports that theory. Needless to say, “We the People” are DOOMED.

[Brad · Rating 1 out of 5]

$10 says this is a hoax. I mean, this is supposed to be the inner confessions of a Washington insider offering us the truth about our elected officials - It's a fucking chain e-mail, give me a break!

I picked this up from the library on a whim and it took roughly 25 minutes to read, and I'm a slow reader. It's cynical, general bitching with no insight. If anything, it's a man bragging about how corrupt he is. This is a man devoid of principles, courage and honor. Someone who says he keeps his seat for the power and fame rather than nobly stepping down as he suggests his colleagues ought to do. I'm not naive about the ineffectiveness of Congress, but if you care so little about affecting change or at least giving a goddamn shit about your constituents then what are you even doing? Why waste our time? It's a con man bragging to us all that he conned us good, but we already know the game is rigged.

I offer that it's a hoax because 1) It makes such a huge fucking deal about anonymity 2) Congressman X is a strawman. He's an avatar of everything we hate about Washington and moneyed politics and he says all the things we've always known. I flirted with giving this two stars because what he says isn't technically untrue, but there is no insight. There is nothing to be learned. We KNOW money drives politics, we KNOW the media is biased, we KNOW money is wasted. Is it so simple you can explain it like that in 65 pages?

If this was a book designed to incense me, to make me angry, well it has succeeded. But not in the sense that my world is shattered, but in the sense that there is someone who pretends to not know who the Kardashians and Angelina Jolie are in a feint attempt at superiority.

[Lyn Fenex · Rating 3 out of 5]

I agree with Brad's review; it is a fast read, so get it at your library! There's nothing here that you don't know or suspect, and reading it made me feel angry and hopeless, but I actually did like a few gleaned insights:

Legislation is passed and then is NEVER analyzed for effectiveness, hence will never be modified for improvement.

The Supreme Court is every bit as political as are our other branches of government

Get the lifers OUT of Congress- they are too set in their ways to EVER effect change

and the closing- recommendations for a Brand New Congress:
"Campaign Finance Reform without loopholes.
Cap contributions from individuals and PACS, and mandate full disclosure of all donors.
Prohibit Lobbyists from raising money for those that they lobby.
Compulsory, publicly financed primary and general elections
Independent, non-partisan commission who redraw Congressional districts every ten years
Overhaul of obstructionist legislative procedures so we can al LEAST get an annual budget approved
Abolish the seniority system- Rotate the committee chairs regularly
Term limits
4 day workweeks for Congress."

I think that these last are platforms that we the people should begin to insist upon. Clearly, what we are doing right now is a failure to a civilized society.

[Erik · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ironically a shameless cash grab like the politics it excoriates, being fifty-five pages long in like sixteen point type and including exactly zero insights of any sort that haven't been pointed out a thousand times.

[Debbiedoesdctoo · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring as hell. Nothing anyone doesn't already know or suspect. No details. No examples. No substance. Just some vain asshole making an excuse for his shit behavior.

[Sarah Scribner · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hate this guy so totally and completely that I'm choosing to believe he is full of shit and represents a minority of politicians out there.

[Forest · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book but it seemed very obvious what all the author was saying. There was no new information within the book, just confirmation of what most people already knew

[Michell Karnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book describes the sad, ugly truth about corruption in Washington.

[Rosemary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Depressing AF, but pretty accurate.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sadly not surprising :(

[Evan Erickson · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting look at modern America. We need public funding of elections, a ban of lobbying, rank choice voting, and one term for all politicians so no one will ever care about reelection.

[Kwaola · Rating 3 out of 5]

True, but not so true.

[Richard Winer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scary because it's likely all true

And no one is doing a thing about it. Who has the power and strength of character to make positive change?

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Obviously a very cynical old man, but if what half of what he says is true, then the era just before 2016 and trumps election make more sense. Vote in your primaries people! And challenge encumbants!

[Austin Barselau · Rating 2 out of 5]

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

"This town's a sinkhole of leeches. Everyone's trying to manipulate the system to his own special advantage, often to the detriment of the country."

"The average man on the street actually thinks he influences how I vote. Unless it's a hot-button issue, his thoughts are generally meaningless. I'll politely listen, but I follow the money."

These are several of the most striking of the "confessions" of an anonymous congressman printed in this handbook. In total, there might be 150 of these confessions, and most relate to either the corrupting influence of money in politics and the necessity of endless fundraising, the incompetency of the average voter, or the anachronistic system of appointing committee members by party officials.

The grumblings in this book about Washington were first spoken extemporaneously to the author, and later published. The author notes in the foreword that the book was "sensationalized" to spur curiosity as "it takes a bit of melodrama these days to engage the attention of the electorate." Rather than publishing these remarks in an actual book, they should have been produced online or through article form or in an interview piece. This book is not only unnecessary, but also generally uninsightful. Many of the complaints printed here have are common knowledge to the informed citizen. Perhaps a more lengthy edition about how to address these problems would have been more purposeful. Skip.

[Tim Johnson · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a short book and doesn't take long to read. It is far from the "tell all" type manifesto I imagined it would be. Essentially, the author befriended this supposed "Congressman X" and began to clandestinely take notes on their conversations.

The product of these notes is 65 pages where the anonymous representative reflects his thoughts campaign finance, colleagues, constituents, the economy, the education system, and so forth.

The basic synopsis is that members of Congress will say anything to get elected. The focus is not on doing actual work but on obtaining special interest funds and staying in office. Voters allow this cycle to continue because they are stupid. It's a "what can you do for me today" system that has no concern with what the next generation will be saddled with.

I don't think that this surprises anybody. Looking back through history there have been a wide array of political scandals. Our predominant political ideologies look out for the wealthy or the poor and forget the people in the middle. The biggest surprise to me is that we all continue to be so partisan rather than coming together to plan out and implement the changes the country actually needs. I have to believe that we can do better and operate in such a way that everyone can thrive. It won't happen as long as people remain comfortable and distracted. Take away the cable TV and watch out.

I do think the book loses some of its punch dues first to the congress-person's anonymity and second due to its brevity.

[Chase · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone who isn't completely delusional about the state of affairs in Washington already knows most of what's in this book. This easily readable meander through the collected thoughts of this anonymous Congressman are quite damning to the entire system of US government, particularly Congress. It's easy to blame the congressmen themselves, but the individual voter is also to blame, according to the author. I can't say I disagree. However, the continued tenure in a corrupt system along with the decision to remain anonymous both demonstrate a distinct lack of character on the part of the author. This lack of character ironically highlights the problem the author talks about: railing against corruption and the status quo all while working to maintain it.

This quote from the book summarizes the entire 65 pages quite well:

"I've come to the conclusion the whole Washington scene represents a diminishment of civilization. Our country's in a free-fall to mediocrity, and congress is leading the way."

The solution is given by a few points at the end, and those are half-hearted suggestions tempered by the author's assessment that the polarized public would have to stop being so polarized. Since this is not likely to happen anytime soon, there is a distinct lack of hope in the conclusion of this tiny book. The only logical thing to do may be to burn down Congress. Metaphorically, of course (I really do mean metaphorically, Mr NSA agent).

[Derrick Jeter · Rating 2 out of 5]

What would a candid confession of a congressman read like if we could find a politician who actually told the truth? Well, I don't know if it's truth, hyperbole, or sarcasm but such a congressional confession might read like "The Confession of Congressman X: A Disturbing and Shockingly Frank Tell-All of Vanity, Greed and Deceit." Supposedly penned by an anonymous congressman, this booklet reads like an insiders guide on how to fool gullible voters ... if any exist in this cynical age. These "confessions" contribute to the cynicism, for those serving in Washington are just as cynical as those sending them to Washington. Not that anyone is under any illusions, but if only a third of what is written in this short pamphlet is true its enough to convince you that most of the people in Washington are not there to serve your best interest, or the best interest of the country, but their best interest. Read this booklet with Mark Leibovich's "This Town" and you'll know that all the marble statues in the Capital are hallow inside.

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book from a Goodreads Giveaway.

I was very interested in getting my hands on this so called "tell-all" from the moment I saw it. I am a politics junkie and love to learn about what is wrong with government so we can try to fix it.

Well, I was a bit disappointed when I read this. It comes to 65 pages (with another 10 for an introduction). There are no specifics given and very little information that is new to political savvy readers. I am not even sure this is really the words of a Congressman. Any person who knows how our Congress works and is angry with the way of the Beltway could have written these snippets as an attempt to "expose" the moral bankruptcy of Congress.

Sure, there is a lot of "truth" in this booklet. These are the things we all wish the masses would recognize. I just wanted something more, something concrete.

Oh well, it was free. I did like reading it. I think I'll go back to my fiction novels for a while.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Confessions of Congressman X" by Congressman X (he didn't want to reveal his identity) brings into focus what many people believe or have heard about the dysfunctional U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. Congressman X verifies many of the problems, such as spending time from day one in office seeking money for reelection; following the party path regardless of the outcome; allowing lobbyists (and campaign donors) to hold way too much sway on policies; how the party hierarchy makes most of the decisions; and how money has corrupted democracy. This small book (it can be read in 20 minutes) should be read by liberals, conservatives, Democrats, Republicans, independents, political science students, civics classes -- simply anyone who wants to know how things are done in Washington. And it's not a pretty picture.

[Ronald Pomerantz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Having Read The Daily Newspapers Need We Say More?

So, let's assume you read a daily newspaper. A real one. Perhaps the New York Times, The Washington Post, or the Wall Street Journal. In which case you can skip this brief read, as it's really no more than a regurgitation of global opinion on what's wrong with Washington. Nothing new, nothing revealing, no insights. Put more simply, and in fewer words, to fix the U.S. government there are only two choices. Either vote in a progressive slate across the board - Go Bernie!, or go for scorched earth in hopes that mother nature can rebuild from a clean slate - It's Going To Be Really Big Donald!

[Bradley Potter · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I don't think there's anything here "new" to the general public, to hear it directly from a sitting Congressman is pretty eye-opening. For anyone who wants to see a Congressman take an honest look in the mirror, read this. It's a short, easy read and really shows how little we the people are represented by our government. This book has the potential to make even the most idealistic person a cynic.

[Joshua · Rating 3 out of 5]

A waste of $10 for 65 pages telling me stuff I already know. Congress is corrupt, cares only about money and reelection, and not about you, or the future. Voters are stupid and easily manipulated, Congress knows this and uses it to their advantage. Our democracy is largely a sham that takes advantage of the low IQ of the majority of the electorate. special interest money/donors win Congressmen their seats, not the voters. Well no shit.

[Matthew Hundley · Rating 4 out of 5]

What we suspect to be truth in Netflix' "House of Cards" is confirmed as reality in this confession of an unknown congressman. If you were not cynical about politicians before, this book will bring out the cynic in you. Probably not a good thing to read before an election. But leaves this lingering aftertaste in a form of a question: "What can we (citizens X, Y and Z) do about the current state of politics?"

[Rory Stoller · Rating 1 out of 5]

horrible. nothing in it is individually surprising, but taken together it is horrific. the 1 star rating is not necessarily for the book, which reads like what it is- ramblings on a cocktail napkin, but rather for the content of those ramblings. we truly have a representative government. we have what we deserve.

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

While anyone who listens to what's happening in Washington DC will find this no big news, I expect there are plenty of others who would find the contents eye opening. Our elected officials are self serving opportunists with greed, power, and re-election their primary concern no matter which party they represent.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somewhere in the Foreword, this is referred to as a "slim volume," which is accurate. It probably would've been better as a magazine article. And you can read it in one sitting. Nonetheless, if these confessions are true, it confirms your worst nightmares about politics and our government (i.e., House of Cards is more fact than fiction).

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not really a book but more of an article. Very interesting but no real surprises. It was interesting hearing the unvarnished truth about our worthless governmental officials.

[K B · Rating 3 out of 5]

tell me something I don't already know. Mostly confirmed what I expected.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very quick (and anonymous) read by a moderate Democrat in the Congress. Hilarious and sad all at once. I hate what Congress has become. We must implement term limits!!!