Review by GiselleBengochea -- Restore Trust by Werner NEFF
Posted: 08 Jun 2020, 09:29
[Following is a volunteer review of "Restore Trust" by Werner NEFF.]
Restore Trust by Werner Neff provides a comprehensive analysis of the American economy with economic solutions to contemporary social and political issues. In the initial chapter, the author sees the United States of America as a ‘deeply divided nation.’ “There is a rift between the two main political parties, the Democratic Party and the Republican Party.” (pg. 15) “The debate over the Federal Government’s spending is something that certainly separates the Democrats and the Republicans. In theory, Democrats are not fundamentally opposed to budget deficits, but for a couple years now, Republicans have been strictly in favor of managing the budget deficit. Fiscal policy is used to argue, fight and promote the focus of each party whenever it is convenient.” (pg. 16)
What I liked most about the book is that the author, Werner Neff , is able to give a fresh insight into the American economy. Dr. Werner Neff is not originally from the U.S.A; he obtained his PhD in Political Science at Freie Universitat Berlin in Germany and he studied Economics at the University of St. Gallen, Switzerland. He was also a former executive at a large Swiss Bank. He migrated to the U.S. with his wife during his retirement. As an outsider, he is able to provide an unbiased detailed analysis based on the budget deficit and taxes. What I also liked about the book is that the author is able to deconstruct popular beliefs about the U.S. economy and keep them in check with reality. “Americans are led to believe that their country is, by its very nature, the “land of opportunity” and that the roads are paved with gold. This could not be further from the truth, given that one-fifth of the population can barely make ends meet and fights fiercely for every penny earned.”(pg. 18) “Visitors travelling through America hardly notice the poverty. The big tourist destinations are filled with well-fed and happy, exuberant people living in comfortable or luxury homes, using cheap energy and driving big cars.” (pg. 18) “Yet, beyond the most prosperous districts and the Hollywood signs, much of America is in the throes of poverty—and, with it, poor health and crime. A fifth of America’s population is classified as earning less than the Federal poverty level.”(pg.18)
This book has been an eye opener for me. I am not a U.S. citizen, and in my country, Trinidad, the present minimum wage is TT$17.25 per hour, as against the U.S. minimum wage of US $7.25 per hour. There is an old adage that states “a dollar is a dollar in a man’s country.” Even though, the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago may be a Caribbean nation, we do enjoy a higher standard of living. Some companies actually pay supermarket employees and gas attendants above the minimum wage at TT$20.00 or TT$21.00 per hour. This book has given me an appreciation for the Trinidadian Government’s spending, allocation and distribution of funds to its citizenry. The Trinidadian Government provides free Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Education for T&T nationals and the national pension is TT$3,000 and N.I.S (National Insurance Employee Retirement Benefit ) is TT$3,000, making a total of TT$6,000 per month for old age pensioners. Presently in the USA, the average Social Security benefit was US$1503 per month in January 2020. The maximum possible Social Security benefit for someone who retires at full retirement age is US3,011 in 2020.
There is nothing that I disliked about this book. Dr. Neff expresses political and economic jargon in language that is simple to understand whether or not the reading audience has a background in Economics or Political Science. This book is well researched with an extensive Bibliography of 200 citations; so there should be no doubt in the reader’s mind as to the accuracy of the information presented in this text.
There are no typographical, spelling or grammatical errors in this manuscript which seems to be professionally edited. There are no erotic scenes or evidence of profane language. I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars, and I would highly recommend it to mixed audiences from young adult to adult, and politicians who are interested in implementing the much needed solutions to improve and strengthen the American economy.
******
Restore Trust
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Restore Trust by Werner Neff provides a comprehensive analysis of the American economy with economic solutions to contemporary social and political issues. In the initial chapter, the author sees the United States of America as a ‘deeply divided nation.’ “There is a rift between the two main political parties, the Democratic Party and the Republican Party.” (pg. 15) “The debate over the Federal Government’s spending is something that certainly separates the Democrats and the Republicans. In theory, Democrats are not fundamentally opposed to budget deficits, but for a couple years now, Republicans have been strictly in favor of managing the budget deficit. Fiscal policy is used to argue, fight and promote the focus of each party whenever it is convenient.” (pg. 16)
What I liked most about the book is that the author, Werner Neff , is able to give a fresh insight into the American economy. Dr. Werner Neff is not originally from the U.S.A; he obtained his PhD in Political Science at Freie Universitat Berlin in Germany and he studied Economics at the University of St. Gallen, Switzerland. He was also a former executive at a large Swiss Bank. He migrated to the U.S. with his wife during his retirement. As an outsider, he is able to provide an unbiased detailed analysis based on the budget deficit and taxes. What I also liked about the book is that the author is able to deconstruct popular beliefs about the U.S. economy and keep them in check with reality. “Americans are led to believe that their country is, by its very nature, the “land of opportunity” and that the roads are paved with gold. This could not be further from the truth, given that one-fifth of the population can barely make ends meet and fights fiercely for every penny earned.”(pg. 18) “Visitors travelling through America hardly notice the poverty. The big tourist destinations are filled with well-fed and happy, exuberant people living in comfortable or luxury homes, using cheap energy and driving big cars.” (pg. 18) “Yet, beyond the most prosperous districts and the Hollywood signs, much of America is in the throes of poverty—and, with it, poor health and crime. A fifth of America’s population is classified as earning less than the Federal poverty level.”(pg.18)
This book has been an eye opener for me. I am not a U.S. citizen, and in my country, Trinidad, the present minimum wage is TT$17.25 per hour, as against the U.S. minimum wage of US $7.25 per hour. There is an old adage that states “a dollar is a dollar in a man’s country.” Even though, the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago may be a Caribbean nation, we do enjoy a higher standard of living. Some companies actually pay supermarket employees and gas attendants above the minimum wage at TT$20.00 or TT$21.00 per hour. This book has given me an appreciation for the Trinidadian Government’s spending, allocation and distribution of funds to its citizenry. The Trinidadian Government provides free Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Education for T&T nationals and the national pension is TT$3,000 and N.I.S (National Insurance Employee Retirement Benefit ) is TT$3,000, making a total of TT$6,000 per month for old age pensioners. Presently in the USA, the average Social Security benefit was US$1503 per month in January 2020. The maximum possible Social Security benefit for someone who retires at full retirement age is US3,011 in 2020.
There is nothing that I disliked about this book. Dr. Neff expresses political and economic jargon in language that is simple to understand whether or not the reading audience has a background in Economics or Political Science. This book is well researched with an extensive Bibliography of 200 citations; so there should be no doubt in the reader’s mind as to the accuracy of the information presented in this text.
There are no typographical, spelling or grammatical errors in this manuscript which seems to be professionally edited. There are no erotic scenes or evidence of profane language. I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars, and I would highly recommend it to mixed audiences from young adult to adult, and politicians who are interested in implementing the much needed solutions to improve and strengthen the American economy.
******
Restore Trust
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
I 
really enjoyed reading this book! It is highly informative and practical! God bless!