Of course we have problems here in France and in the rest of Europe. But the scale of the problems in America dwarf the problems over here, even though the French are notoriously negative about the state of their country and the difficulties they face. There is a saying in Europe,"The French live in Paradise, but they all seem to think they are living in Hell!"
Here is a France 24 news channel program on the French system. Warning - you may never be content in America again if you watch it! 😬
But in terms of multi-national companies, particularly American companies operating in France and Europe, I have said before that all those companies operate under our laws. Their workers are only allowed to work 36 hours a week, have set break times and lunch hours, get at least 4 or 6 weeks holiday a year, and have generous protections where the company pays substantial sums if they are laid off, or the business is closed down, or if they are unfairly treated or discriminated against. Women get generous maternity leave, maternity pay, and their job has to be kept open. Men also get statutory maternity leave and benefits.
The companies themselves are controlled by strict and heavily enforced rules on pollution, sourcing ethical materials, cyber security, advertising, business practices, share dealing, and a host of things we call Fraud that you guys think of as normal. Etc, etc, etc.........
And yet, those American companies pay for all that stuff, put up with the rules and THEY MAKE DECENT PROFITS FOR THEIR SHAREHOLDERS!!!
So I have absolutely NO time for those assholes that believe the American way of business is the only way, because the evidence is all around.
Or indeed that socialism would destroy America. On the contrary, it could make America join the rest of the civilised world. Because unless you are rich in America and can buy the stuff we all take for granted, at the moment it really is not.
I am watching the video Az, and see a flaw, Only the working class pay into the Social security system (that leaves the investing class, the inheritance class, the entitled class not paying into the system, and as a result it is in the red and there is no way out, per French politics.
Not so. Companies pay around the same per head as people, and there are wealth taxes, inheritance taxes and a progressive income tax system. And everyone pays into the social security system.
I think it is a misinterpretation in language. Working class in France means anyone working, as opposed to unemployed, ill or retired. It isn't a judgement about social status, as it is in America.
Although France does have social classes, the higher levels in society are as much based on intelligence and achievement (academic, or contribution to French society) as on wealth. In fact many well-off French people will hide or play down their wealth, drive a modest car and live in a comfortable but unostentatious house.
For examples, firefighters are highly regarded and pushed to the head of a queue in, say a post office. Teachers too are considered highly, and well respected for their socially-valuable vocation.
It is also reflected in Gini coefficients, that offer an insight into class systems based on wealth. In France income inequality is around 31% but in America is about 46% - one of the worst of any country in the World and getting worse.
America is America, France is France. It is what it is.
I am fortunate to live here, but it still has many problems, just different ones to America's problems, and I think less dangerous, especially as we run into Peak Oil (and all its myriad consequences), increasing climate change crises, and another economic crash.
I like that France has 70% nuclear electricity, 15% hydro, 10% wind and solar, and exports a surplus to other countries, and it's primary energy sources aren't fossil, so as cars and eventually trucks shift to electric, it is well prepared. I like that it has a TGV 220mph high speed train system run off its own electricity system, and that its cheaper than driving a car! I like that it grows more food than it consumes, and exports the surplus. I like that it thinks for itself and doesn't automatically follow the US or anyone else. I even like that it controls its own independent nuclear deterrent.
In short, I like France's fundamental structural resilience. It is the safest civilised place I can think of for my remaining years.
Of course we have problems here in France and in the rest of Europe. But the scale of the problems in America dwarf the problems over here, even though the French are notoriously negative about the state of their country and the difficulties they face. There is a saying in Europe,"The French live in Paradise, but they all seem to think they are living in Hell!"
Here is a France 24 news channel program on the French system. Warning - you may never be content in America again if you watch it! 😬
https://youtu.be/aCsgzUriC8o?feature=shared
But in terms of multi-national companies, particularly American companies operating in France and Europe, I have said before that all those companies operate under our laws. Their workers are only allowed to work 36 hours a week, have set break times and lunch hours, get at least 4 or 6 weeks holiday a year, and have generous protections where the company pays substantial sums if they are laid off, or the business is closed down, or if they are unfairly treated or discriminated against. Women get generous maternity leave, maternity pay, and their job has to be kept open. Men also get statutory maternity leave and benefits.
The companies themselves are controlled by strict and heavily enforced rules on pollution, sourcing ethical materials, cyber security, advertising, business practices, share dealing, and a host of things we call Fraud that you guys think of as normal. Etc, etc, etc.........
And yet, those American companies pay for all that stuff, put up with the rules and THEY MAKE DECENT PROFITS FOR THEIR SHAREHOLDERS!!!
So I have absolutely NO time for those assholes that believe the American way of business is the only way, because the evidence is all around.
Or indeed that socialism would destroy America. On the contrary, it could make America join the rest of the civilised world. Because unless you are rich in America and can buy the stuff we all take for granted, at the moment it really is not.
Just my view. Enjoy the YouTube video!
I am watching the video Az, and see a flaw, Only the working class pay into the Social security system (that leaves the investing class, the inheritance class, the entitled class not paying into the system, and as a result it is in the red and there is no way out, per French politics.
Not so. Companies pay around the same per head as people, and there are wealth taxes, inheritance taxes and a progressive income tax system. And everyone pays into the social security system.
That is not what your video said at the beginning, it said that Social security was paid for by the working class.
I think it is a misinterpretation in language. Working class in France means anyone working, as opposed to unemployed, ill or retired. It isn't a judgement about social status, as it is in America.
Although France does have social classes, the higher levels in society are as much based on intelligence and achievement (academic, or contribution to French society) as on wealth. In fact many well-off French people will hide or play down their wealth, drive a modest car and live in a comfortable but unostentatious house.
For examples, firefighters are highly regarded and pushed to the head of a queue in, say a post office. Teachers too are considered highly, and well respected for their socially-valuable vocation.
It is also reflected in Gini coefficients, that offer an insight into class systems based on wealth. In France income inequality is around 31% but in America is about 46% - one of the worst of any country in the World and getting worse.
The US should be more like France, but if wishes were horses....
America is America, France is France. It is what it is.
I am fortunate to live here, but it still has many problems, just different ones to America's problems, and I think less dangerous, especially as we run into Peak Oil (and all its myriad consequences), increasing climate change crises, and another economic crash.
I like that France has 70% nuclear electricity, 15% hydro, 10% wind and solar, and exports a surplus to other countries, and it's primary energy sources aren't fossil, so as cars and eventually trucks shift to electric, it is well prepared. I like that it has a TGV 220mph high speed train system run off its own electricity system, and that its cheaper than driving a car! I like that it grows more food than it consumes, and exports the surplus. I like that it thinks for itself and doesn't automatically follow the US or anyone else. I even like that it controls its own independent nuclear deterrent.
In short, I like France's fundamental structural resilience. It is the safest civilised place I can think of for my remaining years.