Unaccountable Congress: It Doesn’t Add Up by Joseph J. DioGuardi

The lack of fiscal and financial sustainability of our federal government is not a new message. Here is a chapter-by-chapter break down of Former Congressman Joseph DioGuardi’s book, Unaccountable Congress – It Doesn’t Add Up, which demonstrates that Washington is going backwards, not forwards. It is a portent of what the future holds if Washington does not properly respond to the current fiscal crisis.

Click here to Download Chapter 1 (File Size 2.0 MB)

“Plastic Budgeting” & “Our No-Account Federal Government”

In Chapters 2 and 3, Joe talks about the broken, gimmicky, earmarked and pork-barrel ridden budget process in Washington, which serves the interests of Congressional reelections more than it protects taxpayers’ precious funds.

“The Big Apple and Washington - One Bailout After Another”

In Chapter 4, Joe uses his experience with the bankruptcy of New York City and as a partner of Arthur Andersen in 1975, to predict the insolvency of the federal government. Joe predicted that if no changes are made in the way the federal government budgets, accounts, and reports on the usage of taxpayer dollars, it will face the same crisis as did New York City.

“Congressional Child Abuse: Send the Kids the Bill”

In Chapter 5, Joe highlights the intergenerational inequity perpetrated by the current Social Security System, which he compares to a vast “ponzi scheme” that is stealing funds from the next generation to pay current benefits.

“A House of Ill Repute: Do As I Say, Not As I Do”

In Chapter 6, Joe points out that Congress has exempted the Federal Government from some of the most important fiscal and legal mandates imposed on “we the people” - thereby exposing one of the biggest double standards existing today in America.

“Honest Accounting, Disciplined Budgeting, Clear Reporting”

In Chapter 7, Joe talks about the logical solution to the fiscal problem we faced in 1992. Nothing has changed, including the government’s inability to tell the truth about spending, borrowing, and even stealing from future generations.

“Cutting The Card”

In Chapter 8, Joe presents the ultimate solution. The American people either have to put effective limits through the legislative process, or get rid of those elected officials who will not comply with sound fiscal policy and spending priorities.