So it’s the second day of the strike and people back home probably want to know my reaction to it and how’s its affecting people in Paris. I actually wrote a very sarcastic commentary for BBC.com and I don’t think it was published due to the content for it goes through review and that’s what they need another stupid American trying to say that he’s better than everyone else. Well all that I said was true but also with some conservative views I will admit. I will provide a watered down version of what I said with more facts and less sass.
So the new President Sarkozy was elected saying that he was going to be bring reforms to France and help further break up the power of the state in order for market forces to promote further growth. This is obviously hard to do because no matter where you take money from the state, it will result in people losing jobs or benefits. Unlike their comrades in the states, its written and accepted that you strike and have the power to shut down the country if you feel that the government is treating you badly. Now after striking a few weeks ago, the transit and railway workers are at it again because one of the reforms looks at cutting the pension system in that it will move back the age of retirement. Now for being able to push the button to make the train move, you are able to retire at age 50 with a reasonable pension bigger than most in the US. Other reforms Sarkozy is planning is the reinstatement of the 40 hr work week and downsizing of the public sector in order to balance the budget and release the government’s hold on everyday life. These are all things that will hopefully provide and free up more money so that the government will not run such a high deficit that is being ridiculed by the EU and be able to increase competitiveness, which ultimately inspires economic growth. Now anyone who studies the French nation knows that the state has always been the center of the republic and that even now it’s strong compared to the rest of the world even with the constant privatization since the 80s. Railway and transit workers are not the only ones who be mad at the President in the coming years as he tries to put his plans in motion and it’s really all about how he handles this current strike in determining his credibility as President. Sarkozy has said it himself that if these reforms fail then so will his career and reputation.
I can relate with people about their benefits and wealth being compromised by these reforms, but one has to look at his policies in the bigger picture. If he in fact goes through with these reforms, then France will rise up from being only the 7th strongest economy in the world and pass the UK and Germany. I mean obviously people cannot really be expected to look to the future and must focus on the now, but come on I like being ridden to school and not having to walk. Although the walks to school these last two days haven’t been so bad considering my lack of soccer playing lately. But its causing problems for other people because there are tons of cars, bicycles, and pedestrians taking to the streets especially during rush hour. Its sad how many people are going to be hit by cars and have accidents etc because these wankers are striking. In the metro, it is near anarchy during rush hour where people are being shoved into cars by people and police. Our French teacher was telling us how this one lady was being shoved into a car and she was crying because she was actually leaving and it was her stop. Another anecdote involves a friend from SMU who was saw a fight break out and was about to take out his camera until he was apprehended by a police officer. He tells me that he almost “broke my hand off.” So yeah they wouldn’t want a picture of this mayhem leaking to the press. I just sent him a text saying that he should report to the US embassy about Police brutality in whatever station he was at. Don’t think it would go anywhere, but still its too bad he didn’t get a picture…
The papers say that the trade unions are in negotiations with the Sarkozy government, but who knows how long it is going to last. In 1995, the challenge to the new government lasted 3 weeks. And plus next week more unions are planning to strike including utility workers, teachers, nurses, and even students. How could moral people like nurses go on strike when their absence will lead to the deaths of people? I know that they leave just the bare minimum to take care of patients, but I mean are there ever enough medical workers? I mean all of those cliché saying of how the French are lazy and don’t like to work, I mean two major strikes in less than a month, enough is said make your own judgments. The one thing I do like about this strike what I said in my last commentary is that it’s good that the people have this much power in the state, where they can shut it down and really pressure the government. I mean I don’t think that could really ever happen in the United States, unless somebody per say took over the US military. So yeah I have no idea how long this current strike is going to last but judging that I have papers to write, I will be staying in for the next few days anyway. I am hoping that Sarkozy can bring a swift end to this last ditch attempt at hindering reform in a nation that has so much potential. Pictures are thanks to BBC.COM
So the new President Sarkozy was elected saying that he was going to be bring reforms to France and help further break up the power of the state in order for market forces to promote further growth. This is obviously hard to do because no matter where you take money from the state, it will result in people losing jobs or benefits. Unlike their comrades in the states, its written and accepted that you strike and have the power to shut down the country if you feel that the government is treating you badly. Now after striking a few weeks ago, the transit and railway workers are at it again because one of the reforms looks at cutting the pension system in that it will move back the age of retirement. Now for being able to push the button to make the train move, you are able to retire at age 50 with a reasonable pension bigger than most in the US. Other reforms Sarkozy is planning is the reinstatement of the 40 hr work week and downsizing of the public sector in order to balance the budget and release the government’s hold on everyday life. These are all things that will hopefully provide and free up more money so that the government will not run such a high deficit that is being ridiculed by the EU and be able to increase competitiveness, which ultimately inspires economic growth. Now anyone who studies the French nation knows that the state has always been the center of the republic and that even now it’s strong compared to the rest of the world even with the constant privatization since the 80s. Railway and transit workers are not the only ones who be mad at the President in the coming years as he tries to put his plans in motion and it’s really all about how he handles this current strike in determining his credibility as President. Sarkozy has said it himself that if these reforms fail then so will his career and reputation.
I can relate with people about their benefits and wealth being compromised by these reforms, but one has to look at his policies in the bigger picture. If he in fact goes through with these reforms, then France will rise up from being only the 7th strongest economy in the world and pass the UK and Germany. I mean obviously people cannot really be expected to look to the future and must focus on the now, but come on I like being ridden to school and not having to walk. Although the walks to school these last two days haven’t been so bad considering my lack of soccer playing lately. But its causing problems for other people because there are tons of cars, bicycles, and pedestrians taking to the streets especially during rush hour. Its sad how many people are going to be hit by cars and have accidents etc because these wankers are striking. In the metro, it is near anarchy during rush hour where people are being shoved into cars by people and police. Our French teacher was telling us how this one lady was being shoved into a car and she was crying because she was actually leaving and it was her stop. Another anecdote involves a friend from SMU who was saw a fight break out and was about to take out his camera until he was apprehended by a police officer. He tells me that he almost “broke my hand off.” So yeah they wouldn’t want a picture of this mayhem leaking to the press. I just sent him a text saying that he should report to the US embassy about Police brutality in whatever station he was at. Don’t think it would go anywhere, but still its too bad he didn’t get a picture…
The papers say that the trade unions are in negotiations with the Sarkozy government, but who knows how long it is going to last. In 1995, the challenge to the new government lasted 3 weeks. And plus next week more unions are planning to strike including utility workers, teachers, nurses, and even students. How could moral people like nurses go on strike when their absence will lead to the deaths of people? I know that they leave just the bare minimum to take care of patients, but I mean are there ever enough medical workers? I mean all of those cliché saying of how the French are lazy and don’t like to work, I mean two major strikes in less than a month, enough is said make your own judgments. The one thing I do like about this strike what I said in my last commentary is that it’s good that the people have this much power in the state, where they can shut it down and really pressure the government. I mean I don’t think that could really ever happen in the United States, unless somebody per say took over the US military. So yeah I have no idea how long this current strike is going to last but judging that I have papers to write, I will be staying in for the next few days anyway. I am hoping that Sarkozy can bring a swift end to this last ditch attempt at hindering reform in a nation that has so much potential. Pictures are thanks to BBC.COM
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