It really is disturbing that some people are so off-line in their thinking that they actually believe what they write.
As a resident in France, and not being French, I think I am well placed to give you a better insight about why the French do what they do. In some ways(and certainly not all), all of us could take a lesson from this action. I don’t necessarily agree with the means, but at least it’s a statement to the people running this country, that what the government are trying to impose is not right. This is not about retirement people, it’s a statement of dissatisfaction and discontent with our law-makers, our politicians(who BTW are all well paid, will retire earlier than most, ferried around in nice cars, and work in a palace).
Yes, when compared to other countries, France has generous working and living conditions for its people(again not all), it has some of the longest holidays in the world 5-6 weeks annually paid leave, up there with the most public holidays per annum(depending on the year), one of the shortest working weeks 35 hrs (although this also was a failure implemented by a government who didn’t really think about the solution to a problem very well) etc. However it also has one of the highest taxed populations on the planet to help pay for these benefits. You must also consider that in terms of pure wealth France is still among the topic 5 in the world – so somehow this all seems to function. For those willing to look past the perceived arrogance, I encourage you to read a book called 60 Million Frenchmen Can’t be Wrong. This book attempts to give an insight into why a Frenchman is the way that he is, and IMO is excellent.
Now to the route of the problem, it’s not that the French consider work to be a burden any more than any other country – it’s just that they don’t agree with giving up the rights of the people – just because a government believes that it should be the case. As a whole we pay more and more every year in terms of taxes, in terms of utilities etc. But we receive less and less, e.g. Medical benefits, child support etc. We are more and more policed, with more and more revenue going to the state from things like speed cameras, fuel taxes etc. Why should it always be the same people who have to give up more and more? Most French people get just as peeved as anyone else when there are strikes after strike, however in this particular case 75% of the country’s population support the action. At the very lowest level, I kind of think to myself – “well at least they are willing to do something about it, rather than just sit on their hands and watch more and more be taken away from the regular punter”!
Indeed, some see that with an aging population it is necessary to cover the burden of our youth in terms of more and more retirees, by raising the work period age(current 40yrs -> 42yrs). However, if you look at the real crux of the problem in France and in Europe in general it is unemployment. By raising retirement age you also add to this problem by keeping people in work longer and not making openings for the youth. That coupled with extremely high company taxes etc. These things are not conducive to a strong labour market. Companies need to have incentives in order to open positions and offices, and it is this lack of foresight that has impact on the unemployment rate. In France every employee costs a company roughly 1.7 – 1.8 times their salary.
To the point of “the Hitch”, what planet do you live on? On the whole I would say that French kids are educated very well(at least mine seem to be) and for free(again another benefit in which our high taxes pay), of course they will learn the history of their country, both the good and the bad, like pretty much everyone else does. As to “losing all those battles” what are you on about? They are likely to have won just as many as they have lost in their history – I guess you are referred to the both times that they were invaded, but please don’t forget it took a similar sized ally force to defeat the enemy. With comments like yours, you are the one really showing the arrogance.
Finally, not sure actually why such a post is on a cycling forum. It’d be good to get back to the topics that are relative to the world of cycling, and let each country deal with their own politics and politicians – personally not a favourable or enjoyable topic.
For all of your slinging of “sh.t” against France, it still brings us one of the most popular sporting events annually, for us to behold and enjoy during those weeks in July – I say stand up people, don’t let them role us over that easily, why be like the rest of the sheep on this planet. Stand up for yourself and your beliefs.
Vive la France!
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram