France: Really Leaning Right?

[EV_Ares]

From: The Week; 5/11/2007

The French have moved to the right—or so we hear. Their election this week of the fiscal-reform candidate, Nicolas Sarkozy, over Socialist Ségolène Royal is being portrayed as an embrace of conservatism and a rejection of the welfare state. Sarkozy’s own rhetoric bolsters that view, as he colors his speeches with toughly worded appeals to a “new work ethic” and “respect for authority.” He even calls himself an Américain, a French term used these days almost as a synonym for “fascist.” But France’s new president is no neocon. In fact, he’s not a conservative in the American sense at all. He’s merely more conservative than most previous French leaders. The political yardstick marked left, center, and right covers a different section of the spectrum on either side of the Atlantic.

In the Gallic context, a right-winger doesn’t resemble anything close to a Ronald Reagan. He’s more like a Bill Clinton or a Tony Blair—tempering a respect for market economics with a strong commitment to social services. Sarkozy’s version of tax reform, for example, envisions a cut in the top income tax rate from 60 percent all the way down to … 50 percent—still among the highest in Europe.

((rest of the article @ link below:))

http://www.theweekmagazine.com/editor/letter.aspx?ArticleID=2069

[demoleft]

1. Not Reagan but a step back anyway

I don't know what Clinton and Blair were capable of.

I heard Bayrou - the centrist, now leader of the Democratic Movement in France - say that Sarko was dangerously close to big media companies - too close for a President, at least. A danger for democracy in that country.

Maybe he's not. We'll see. But have a look at the link below: I don't know if the "censorship case" is true but if it is, is simply absurd!
And, anyway, nothing Blair or Clinton could do without - I suppose - provoking serious reactions.

No reaction in France. Perhaps that's why Bayrou and Royal were so fearful for French democracy!

For Sarko and wife case, http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=850430&mesg_id=879034 and http://www.rue89.com/2007/05/13/cecilia_sarkozy_na_pas_vote_un_scoop_censure_du_jdd

For information, internet and media in general http://journals.democraticunderground.com/demoleft/2

ciao!

[HawkerHurricane]

2. People don't realize...

that the European 'Right Wing' is somewhere to the left of Centrist Democrats.

[Wiley50]

3. France used ES&S iVotronic Voting Machines This Election. Nuff Said n/t

[camero]

4. And how

US style election rigging seems to be sweeping the planet with notable exceptions (Venezuela being one) and cementing the NWO. It's obvious. Two corporate funded candidates which noone really likes or trusts and electronic voting equipment designed to thrawrt the will of the people.

[Wiley50]

6. Lots of rioting in post-election France not being reported here

Saw it on Robt Parry's blog

There's video there too

Consortiumnews.com/blog

[ISUGRADIA]

13. only for 4% of the voters might have voted via machine

[Bronyraurus]

5. I haven't seen anything

that makes me dislike Nic Sarkozy yet. Give the man his shot.

[Lex]

7. A French guy I know said Sarcozy would be considered a Democrat

and progressive here in the US.

So you have to put it in context.

[gravity]

8. I know this won't be a popular opinion here

but I think that Sarkozy would be good for France. France's economy hasn't been stellar, and socialists programs become ineffective when they don't work with the free markets. Hopefully Sarkozy will be able to straighten out some of the problems in France.

[EV_Ares]

10. Nothing wrong with that, I pretty much lean towards the socialists

program and just joined the socialist group here However, as you say, maybe in France the change might be a good thing. Sometimes change does that as long as it is not as radical as our government is here but it sounds like he is not like that.

[gravity]

11. I don't have a problem with socialists programs but

sometimes they can cause unintended consequences that create other problems that aren't addressed. I just think that there needs to be a balance so that safety nets and the free market can work together for the benefit of all.

[EV_Ares]

16. I agree with you. I like to pull out the best of both if you can. I don't

think our capitalistic system is working all that great or fairly for all concerned and also realize there is no perfect system. However, there are a lot of socialist programs that can benefit those who need the help and help move them into a better life instead of just leaving them out there with no safety net.

[bobbolink]

9. Clinton? "strong commitment to social services."?????????

You don't remember Clinton was the one who cut welfare?????

Along with many other cuts?????

Those who died because of it...oh yeah, they *can't* remember.....not ever again. :cry:

[Bronyraurus]

14. How many has Clinton MURDERED?

HOW MANY?!

o god, how many...

[bobbolink]

17. Too bad deaths of poor folk don't matter enough to you to avoid the

sarcasm.

Too hell with it.

If you want to know... watch "Day's Work, Day's Pay".

Otherwise, keep on being sarcastic about poor folk.

What shit.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

12. Last time I checked, the outgoing Prez (Chirac) was from the SAME party.

They treat a party retaining the office it already had as some kind of revolution.

Let's see them do that if, say, another Socialist succeeds Zapatero in Spain.

[La_Fourmi_Rouge]

15. Sarkozy is more of the same ol', same ol'.

One strike against Sarkozy is his blatant demonization of immigrants, including the millions of 2nd generation LEGAL immigrants from former colonies in N. Africa. These young folks are French Citizens, educated in French public schools, who have been marginalized by poverty, racism, and lack of opportunities for advancement. It is a fact that it is much harder to find a job if your name is Fatiha Koulal or some other Arabic-sounding name, even if you are holding a masters in finance. Sarko called these people "scum" or "dregs". Sarko played on the xenophobia of the older generations to win his victory. He is a divisive character,and has instantly become the most hated French leader since Marshal Petain.

The vote broke down into rich v. poor, older, established middle-class voters against the young, who only want a chance at middle-class status. Most media in the US, including most left-of-the-dial commentators make the mistake of calling the rioting youth of September 2005 "Muslim". This is simply not the case. Many are indeed descended from North African countries like Algeria, Tunisia, and Morocco, but the religion of the young in france is Hip-Hop, Rap, Raggae and World Music.

Strike two on Sarko is the fact that he is just another member of the irresponsible elite class in France that believes they can tell the public what is good for them, and do not spend nearly enough time, energy, or political capital to form consensus for change. They are well and truly insulated from the "street", don't speak that language, and do not really care about all those lives wasted in the grimy banlieus of Paris, the slums of Marseilles, or the mean suburbs of Lyon. They Just. Don't. Care. Proof of this is found in the rejection in May 2005 of the EU Constitution. The elite are out of touch and prefer to remain that way.

I am not calling strike three... yet. But Sarko, by his blatant hypocrisy as the son of an immigrant himself, has a long way to convince the youth - the future of la Republique - that he gives a flying rooster about them.