Publisher's Synopsis
Topical Politics is a series of essays expressing views based on the author's travels, research, and personal insights that connect the dots on politics, immigration, Trump, graft, PC, the environment, trade / globalization, employment, and education. The essays can be read independently of each other, but also have value if read as a collection. Not consistently favoring mainstream conservative or liberal views, the author challenges conventional thinking and provides meaningful insights and cultural criticism unfettered by sponsors.Subjects include: immigration (limited, merit-based immigration is best), Trump's 2016 victory (surprise, surprise), the environment (needs work), trade and working class woes (it's good that we are finally confronting China), age discrimination (it is what it is), graft (it is what it is), and K-12 education (poverty is chaos, let's prep the kids for post high school jobs and skills training).The essays also include essential thoughts on press bias, political correctness, political leadership, and polarization in politics. Although the book is not focused on Trump he is woven throughout the book as he is engaged in most topics. The chapters are presented with brief fly-fishing and surfing lead-in stories from the author's travels. Just a diversion really, but they shape the author's views in many ways. The author has been to a place or two and seen first-hand the consequences of poverty, limited natural resources, pollution, unemployment / under employment, and corrupt totalitarian regimes. The author has also seen incredible natural beauty and had a bit of adventure along the way. Most travel was not guided or sponsored so the observations are unfiltered. John BrookePhiladelphia, PA - July 2019
