[DustyMoment]

"The bulk of the reaction, holds that Baverez makes good points but neglects France’s qualities, such as the reforms that have opened markets, its place as Europe’s top recipient of foreign investment, and a quality of life that remains the envy of the world."

Those who actually believe the above paragraph are both delusional and certifiable. In a country that can't afford air-conditioning and allows nearly 15,000 of its citizens to die as the result of the heat; a country where the citizens don't bathe regularly; a country that refuses to add foreign words to its language so that the language may continue to live and remain relevant; this country is far from being "the envy of the world".

France is Europe's California, where decades of rampant liberalism and vote-buying have placed the nation on an economic collision course with reality. For all of his strutting, Chirac bears a strong similarity to Argentina's new president who is more concerned with establishing an EU-type union in South America and reclaiming the Falkland Islands from Britain than he is about the $141 Billion in Foreign debt that Argentina has defaulted on. Nero appears to be the role model for these fools who would rather continue to fiddle while their empires burn and collapse. The question is, when will the voters in these countries awaken from their trance and face facts?

[schu]

You are so correct. See below link for article by Paul Johnson, some story, different words.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/990503/posts

I have visited France and Germany 3 times over the last year, business travel, but a few days of fun mixed in. They will not change; they have it pretty good, clean streets, comfortable lifestyle, do not need to work too hard.

They are heading for major upheaval as their system is unsupportable. Furthermore, especially the French, have made no real friends, other than the Islamists. When the reckoning comes, it will be very painful.

[Dog Gone]

France is Europe's California

Excellent analogy.

[xJones]

Nero appears to be the role model for these fools who would rather continue to fiddle while their empires burn and collapse.

You have a way with words, a good writing talent.

One other thing I noticed in the article, was that there wasn't one comment about the growing French Muslim population, which is increasingly resisting assimilation.

[nosofar]

France is Europe's California

I resent that. The weather is better here.

[malakhi]

France is Europe's California

An excellent analogy.

[Jorge]

France is Europe's California, where decades of rampant liberalism and vote-buying have placed the nation on an economic collision course with reality.

Scarey but true. Let's hope ousting Davis signals a turn around.