French Royal Concession speech starting on cspan1 right now.

[rodeodance]

[rodeodance]

1. now they are saying she stepped down from the podium. still waiting?

[rodeodance]

2. now stepping up again and speaking.

[rodeodance]

3. royal saying A movement has begun that cannot be stopped.

[rodeodance]

4. she is poiced and dignified. The wish she were a US candidate.

[RufusTFirefly]

5. That's OK. France ELECTED a U.S. candidate

Sigh.

[Recursion]

6. I'd take Sarkozy over any GOP'er we have

And honestly some of his ideas aren't too bad; I would love to have a 35-hour workweek be standard but I would hate to not be allowed to work overtime.

[RufusTFirefly]

7. He's to the left of most U.S. Rethugs

As well as some Democrats. But that doesn't make him good.

As for enforcing the 35 hour week, it's essential or the whole system would be undermined. With my old salaried job (in the U.S.) my official work week was 37.5 hours long. Of course, that was a joke, as I rarely worked less than 45. I have former colleagues who are doing jobs that were once held by two people and their responsibilities and burdens and hours are actually still increasing with no corresponding increase in salary. Only a clear definition of hours and job description prevent this sort of "creep."

[dave_p]

8. Overtime's allowed

35 hours is the maximum week that can be imposed without paying overtime.

Beyond that, additional hours are allowed but they have to be paid at the overtime rate.

Sarkozy's stated intention is to extend the permitted overtime period while keeping the basic 35 hours, but the unions see it as the thin end of the wedge.

And I'm still at a loss as to how the proposed relaxation addresses the unemployment that seems to have become chronic in recent years.

Some changes may have to be made, but this one seems designed for employers rather than workers.

[RufusTFirefly]

9. Sarkozy's plan would seem to lead to MORE unemployment

"And I'm still at a loss as to how the proposed relaxation addresses the unemployment that seems to have become chronic in recent years."

So am I. It seems pro-employer, anti-employee and counterintuitive.

[uppityperson]

10. overtime gets taxed heavily, leading to less take home pay than regular time.

More money to gvt, less to worker for over 35 hrs/wk. Sarko says wants to change that. Unemployment is a serious problem.

[dave_p]

11. Overtime doesn't tackle unemployment

Overtime's taxed more than basic pay to make it less attractive so as to encourage employers to take on more workers. Making it cheaper to squeeze more hours out of existing workers doesn't help reduce unemployment: that's the problem.

I don't know where folks get the idea that the French all want to work longer. Note that even Sarkozy didn't dare to challenge the 35 hours. France is not America. Life is good. People have better things to do.

[uppityperson]

12. It doesn't do anything for unemployment

If you can keep the same worker on for less, why hire another? And no, the French don't want to work longer. Many just want to work. And yes, I am always annoyed at the greeting "keeping busy", like keeping busy at work is What is Most Important.