When I began this blog in 2001, I was appalled by President Bush's headlong rush to an illegal war (we were not in fact under attack). As time wore on and Bush began his assault on the Constitution and any people bold enough to criticize, I believed that "the republic is endangered more by actions of our own government than by those of any terrorist." With the election of a high-minded, compassionate, intelligent man like Barack Obama, my fears have ceased.
"Honor them with peace, not war"
United for Peace
Monday, November 28, 2005
I have always thought kindly of the French.
A friend, however, who observes the European scene, has a rather low opinion of employees who work little and gain much -- railroad workers, for instance, or even more, members of the French bureaucracy. As he tells it, they are drawing large benefits from the public treasury without really earning it.
But let him provide his own views.
George Bush would love this guy, going after France the way he does. You can imagine 'Big M' consumes "Freedom fries" by the dozen and were he in the US, would thoughtlessly, automatically, vote Republican.
And yet,he opposes what the Republicans here oppose (they say): living off the taxpayer's dollar, entrenched incumbents.
But the Republican administration is moving toward an entrenched government as fast, as recklessly as possible. They and their friends are making big bucks off the GOP wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Politics is strange.
Copyright © 2001-03 Pam Shorey
(except the specific sources credited in quotes)
France: 'deadbeat of Europe'
I have always thought kindly of the French.
A friend, however, who observes the European scene, has a rather low opinion of employees who work little and gain much -- railroad workers, for instance, or even more, members of the French bureaucracy. As he tells it, they are drawing large benefits from the public treasury without really earning it.
But let him provide his own views.
I see the French 'lay-abouts' caved in to the rail strike people real quick : 2 days.
It is true, an extended rail strike, coming on top of the "riots" would have been a embarrassment to the prestige of the French "Social Model". The rail folk timed it right.
A Train-driver, in France, makes between 4000 and 5000 Euros per month. He/She has a standard working week of 25 hours. 100% free health cover. (Possibly also for the family). Retirement at age 50. The entire rail-man's family travel entirely gratis on the railroads. I may have forgotten a few perks.
Similarly, in fwance, if you have ever been a Minister - even if only for 10 minutes - you are paid a Minister's salary for the rest of your Life. Say, Euros 20 000, 25 000 per month. I do not know what the situation is if you have had several Ministerships : Culture, Nuclear Energy, Agriculture - even if only for ten minutes - Perhaps you get Euros 75 000 per month. Ex-Ministers are to be seen in all the gourmet restaurants - a 300 Euro Lunch, per person. Common sight.
The leaden deadbeats of Fwance are full of stuff like this. It is all over the place. At every level. They like the pay check ; but work : No.
Angie Merkel would do well to consider fwance as a dead-weight : a basket case. They are crippled, of their own making, and cannot get out of it, certainly not in the next decade. The political system is so closed, that at very minimum, it will take ten years to open it. If that is the case. The political class in Fwance is a private club.
France is, really, the major dead-beat of Continental Europe. Every country on the Continent 'pays' for these layabouts. Frankly, it is bad practice, and gives the entire Continent a bad name. Something which never seems to occur to the fwench.
--Big M. [used with permission>]
George Bush would love this guy, going after France the way he does. You can imagine 'Big M' consumes "Freedom fries" by the dozen and were he in the US, would thoughtlessly, automatically, vote Republican.
And yet,he opposes what the Republicans here oppose (they say): living off the taxpayer's dollar, entrenched incumbents.
But the Republican administration is moving toward an entrenched government as fast, as recklessly as possible. They and their friends are making big bucks off the GOP wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Politics is strange.
Palema
4:40 PM
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Copyright © 2001-03 Pam Shorey
(except the specific sources credited in quotes)
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