Jean-Luc Mélenchon's policies are no far-left fantasy

[muriel_volestrangler]

No wonder the Left Front candidate is on the rise in France. He offers practical solutions where neoliberalism has failed

Superbly ignored by the media until recently, Jean-Luc Mélenchon is the new flavour of the day in the French presidential campaign. In truth, while trying to account for his dramatic rise in the polls – latest reports put him at 17% of the vote – most commentators could not help pour scorn on the Left Front candidate.

A survey of the main articles recently published in the British media provides a compelling case study of political prejudice and misunderstanding. Mélenchon is described as an "Anglo-Saxon basher with a whiny voice" (the Independent), a "populist" who's "on the hard-left" (all newspapers) and a "bully and a narcissist, out to provoke" (BBC). More sympathetic commentaries compare him to George Galloway or depict him as a "far-left firebrand", a "maverick" and the "pitbull of anti-capitalism".
...
In France raging pundits and opponents call the Left Front programme an "economic nightmare" or a "delirious fantasy". Shouldn't they instead use this terminology to describe the banking debacle or austerity policies across Europe? Mélenchon's growing number of supporters view it as common sense and salutary: a 100% tax on earnings over £300,000; full pensions for all from the age of 60; reduction of work hours; a 20% increase in the minimum wage; and the European Central Bank should lend to European governments at 1%, as it does for the banks. Here are a few realistic measures to support impoverished populations. Is this a revolution? No, it is radical reformism; an attempt to stop the most unbearable forms of economic domination and deprivation in our societies. Fat cat bosses may leave France; they will be replaced by younger and more competent ones who will work for a fraction of their wages. "Humans First!" is more than a manifesto title, it is a democratic imperative: a sixth republic in place of the current republican monarchy; the nationalisation of energy companies (as energy sources are public goods) and, less often noticed, the ecological planning of the economy, the core of Mélenchon's political project.

Mélenchon has done French democracy a further favour. In a memorable TV debate, he emphatically defeated the extreme right for the first time in 30 years. Concentrating on policy details, Mélenchon demonstrated that Marine Le Pen's programme was regressive for women. Furthermore, he smashed to pieces the myth of the Front National as a party that has the working class's best interests at heart. Le Pen appeared lost for words and ill at ease.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/apr/15/jean-luc-melenchon-france-presidential-candidate

I'm not convinced by a 100% tax on earnings, at any level (though I might see, say, 80%, when times are tough); but a rule that the ECB should lend to governments at the lowest rate it lends to banks seems eminently sensible. Countries are more 'too big to fail' than banks; far better to be kind to governments than banks which take the low-interest money and then lend it out at a higher rate - often to governments. And humiliating the far right is always good.

[loudsue]

1. Bravo!! And I agree w/ your comment, too, muriel...100% on earnings is too high

and an incentive destroyer. But 80% over a couple of million would make sense.

[Laughing Mirror]

2. Hearing him speak is like a breath of fresh air

much needed and refreshing in this benighted regressive age. My husband is voting for him in the first round next week. I wish I could too.

It would be wonderful if Mélenchon would be elected, and if not, at least his program put into place, not only in France, but throughout Europe. Not to mention the U.S.

[saras]

3. When they start with namecalling, it's obvious they have no better arguments against him