"...a country so fearful of letting go of outmoded traditions -- including a hugely expensive cradle-to-grave welfare system -- that it is being shut out of the global marketplace"The problem is simple. So is the solution:
Marxism does not work. And it requires an oppressive totalitarian government for its implementation. This has been proven time and time again. And it is obvious to anyone with an I.Q. higher than room temperature--without having to try it!
However, fools like the French--and many in America too--are determined to keep trying it!
On the other hand:
Capitalism generates prosperity and wealth consistently and repeatedly.
The U.S.A. is the greatest, most powerful, and richest nation the world has ever known--because of CAPITALISM!
Furthermore, the U.S.A. offered France the solution to all their problems in the person of President George W. Bush.
The French refused his leadership and ridiculed him--the very leader who could have brought them solutions and prevented the catastrophe that looms over them.
Instead they choose clowns like Chirac and Villepin to be their leaders!
Too bad they have been so foolish! We tried to help them!
But it's hard to feel sorry for people who can see the train coming and just won't get off the tracks! All we can do now is put our fingers in our ears and squeeze our eyes shut!
I don't disagree ... however, if we continue to lose our manufacturing base, export jobs overseas, and turn into a service industry economy; eventually, sooner than later, we will lose our leading role in the world economy and end up resembling some south American country such as Brazil.