Analysis: French Leader Is U.S. Friendly

[Pinky Floyd]

Analysis: French Leader Is U.S. Friendly

By JOHN LEICESTER

The Associated Press

Sunday, May 6, 2007; 4:29 PM

PARIS -- Au revoir, Jacques Chirac, and bonjour to a new U.S.-friendly French president who identifies with the American dream and happily affirms that the French like burgers, Madonna and Miami Vice.

To France's "American friends," Nicolas Sarkozy said in his victory speech: "I want to tell them that France will always be by their side when they need." He added, "I also want to tell them that friendship means accepting that friends can have different opinions."

France finally sickens of liberalism..

_____________________________________

Conservatives winning France back from the liberals..Way to go France!

It's a good start..especially for the French economy..

[Bob26003]

''''''''''''''''It's a good start..especially for the French economy..''''''''''''''''''''''

Yeah, before you know it they can have HUGE trade deficit and GIGANTIC National debt............. Woo Hoo

[__Kratos__]

Conservatives winning France back from the liberals..Way to go France!

It's a good start..especially for the French economy..

Yeah, it is. Hopefully we can have much better relations with Europeans overall just not France. The globalization is really coming fast and you can't get anywhere without friends.

Edited May 6, 2007 by __Kratos__

[EmpressStarXVII]

I never understood the whole anti-french thing anyway. What did they do or say other than they didn't agree with the war?

[Bob26003]

I hope the Conservatives don't destroy France.

http://www.internationalliving.com/france/move.html

Americans work too much, we all know, so how about taking a break from it all by relocating to France. The French enjoy five weeks of paid holiday per year, they work fewer hours weekly, and have the best healthcare system in the world according to the World Health Organization. Leave the rat race behind and move to France. This move may even help you live longer: the French, on average, live longer, healthier lives than Americans. Some believe it’s due to their lowered stress levels.

============

http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/...articleID=25665

Apparently, much of the US and British press are just incapable of acknowledging the existence of any other perspective on the French economy except maybe to deplore their delusions and Gallic pride. But as many serious problems as the country has, the image of a France in crisis and a superior US-British model is the product of a very partial selection of economic and social data.

Virtually all indicators of living standards put France ahead of Britain and the US. Infant mortality in France is 4.26 per 1,000 live births (compared to 5.16 in the UK – greater than the EU average of 5.1 and 6.5 in the USA). Life expectancy in France is 79.6 years – compared with 78.38 for the British and 77.71 for the US. In UNICEF’s assessment of the well-being of children and young people in developed countries, France did not fare especially well – but by some considerable margin, Britain ranked rock bottom, just below, of course, the United States.

Poverty in France has fallen by 60% in the last thirty years – a staggering contrast with the US and Britain, where it has risen substantially since the 1970s, with limited periods of decline during the Clinton administration and Blair governments. 6.1% of the French population lived in poverty in 2001 – in the US it is rarely less than twice that, and usually more. That is without considering the fact that France has a stricter definition of poverty than the US.

The US has the worst level of hardship for its poorest of any developed country. Except Britain, where poverty exceeds that of its former colony, Ireland, and where the child poverty beats the competition. The dynamic economy of the city of London, so celebrated on both sides of the Atlantic and by TIME’s French entrepreneurs has a majority of its minors living below the poverty line:

“Forty-one per cent of children in Greater London are in poverty, compared with 31% nationally and 37% in the north-east. This is largely due to unparalleled levels of poverty in inner London: 53% of children in inner London are living in income poverty.”

French babies survive more often than ours, they go on to live longer lives, with greater happiness and freedom from material hardship. Is this worth a mention, at least somewhere in any of the coverage of France in the Anglo-American press? The fact that these figures are almost always ignored says a lot about the priorities of those who stand in judgment of France and indeed, say they pity it.

How about instead of mocking France from across the Channel and the Atlantic, we take time to consider those abysmal social stats of ours? Instead of laughing at the French, we might just feel a twinge of embarrassment and shame. We might also spot a few answers to our pundits’ eternal conundrum of why so much of the French population doesn’t want the changes we recommend.

Famously, French workers do a 35-hour week which remains popular because it gives workers the chance to spend time with their families and generally enjoy life outside of the workplace. Newsweek’s International Editor Fareed Zakaria - an often more insightful commentator - describes “the dreary work environment in French companies” while an 'Economist' editorial sees “a chilling lack of ambition” in the fact that most young people in France want a secure job for life. Well, everyone is entitled to their opinion, but another view of what makes life dreary for American and British workers, and has a chilling effect on their families, is the fact that they work more hours than all their counterparts in the developed world. Zakaria wrote:

“The average Frenchman works 24 percent fewer hours than in 1970. The average American, by contrast, works 20 percent more.”

Edited May 7, 2007 by Bob26003

[+joc]

I never understood the whole anti-french thing anyway. What did they do or say other than they didn't agree with the war?

When we went to the aid of Kuwait when Sadaam Hussein invaded France would not allow us to cross their air space...making the entire effort much more difficult. Chiraq has always been in bed with Russia and besides that...

....well, they are French! Mostly it has been because of Chirak's attitude toward America...and of course when we went to Iraq Chiraqck was totally against it because he was deeply involved with Sadaam in the oil for food UN scandal. Chirakkque is a jerk and as he represented France...

Let's just be glad there is a friendlier wind blowing in France and Chirakk isn't behind it. Goodbye Chirachkqk!

Edited May 6, 2007 by joc

[Siara]

I never understood the whole anti-french thing anyway. What did they do or say other than they didn't agree with the war?

I never understood it either. I've always assumed it's an American insecurity thing... like any culture where people don't wear conspicuous smiley buttons continuously might be unfriendly and that isn't nice. I've always had a blast in France.

[Birmingham]

When we went to the aid of Kuwait when Sadaam Hussein invaded France would not allow us to cross their air space...making the entire effort much more difficult.

Actually Joc, I believe you have mistaken that for the air raid on Libya after Libyan agents blew up a Berlin nightclub and killed Americans. Then France refused transit rights for American planes flying from Britain.

In the 1990-1991 Kuwait War, France sent a light armored division and Mirage jets to Saudi Arabia. The French held the left flank during the American thrust into Iraq to cut off Iraqi forces in Kuwait. Keeping any Iraqi forces from hitting the US Army in the side during the advance.

As far as the new French president being more friendly, that may be true. But France will always look after what is best for France. Both diplomaticly and economicly. Sarkozy is still, and will remain against the war in Iraq. The big difference will be that there will be a greater understanding of Franco/American differences and less of the French kicking in the butt just for the fun of it.

[Caesar]

Welcome back France

[BrucePrime]

Anyone else find it a bit ironic Royal was saying Sarkozy's administration would be violent and brutal...but then...

In the Place de la Bastille in Paris riot police fired tear gas and at least one burst of water cannon after hundreds of rioters – some wearing masks – began throwing bottles, stones and other missiles.

SOURCE

At least they have enough class to not accuse the other side of cheating, like we Americans.

[Mr Slayer]

I really don't trust a aristocrat woman named Royal to spur "socialist" values, yet Zarkozy is a neo-liberal sellout.

[Aztec Warrior]

Great news, no doubt about it. Now I can enjoy crousants and French wine again.

[KingTomis]

Does this mean I can start calling my occasional treat of "freedom fries" french fries again?

[Celumnaz]

I never understood the whole anti-french thing anyway. What did they do or say other than they didn't agree with the war?

Several little things. Main one this last time around is they were a big obstacle in the UN regarding going into Iraq. Why? Because they had a vested interest in continuing the Oil for Food program, it was treating them well. So then all those opposition votes started to make sense, not on any "moral" or "ethical" or even "security" grounds, but $$$. In Saddam's pockets. No wonder they were a hinderance at the UN at the time (also helps explain some Chinese/Russian opposition at the time).

And then some concessions to militants at least gives reason to pause and evaluate what's expected from that quarter in the future.

[BrucePrime]

While France does have a large social-safety net that provides universial healthcare and welfare, the average French worker pays over half of their wages in taxes. As the population gets older, this system is going to be in trouble as fewer and fewer workers are paying into the system. Already France recognizes this problem; a few years back they were talking about eliminating one federal holiday so there could be more money coming into the government coffers. Sarkozy is proposing letting everyone working over 35 hours a week to work the overtime tax-free.

[IronGhost]

Well, the new Conservative French President-Elect is calling on the U.S. to take the lead in the fight against global warming. Hey, I think I like these French Conservatives.

[MID]

Americans work too much, we all know, so how about taking a break from it all by relocating to France. The French enjoy five weeks of paid holiday per year, they work fewer hours weekly, and have the best healthcare system in the world according to the World Health Organization. Leave the rat race behind and move to France. This move may even help you live longer: the French, on average, live longer, healthier lives than Americans. Some believe it’s due to their lowered stress levels.

Many Americans do work too much.

However, that is a completely unassociated thing from the environment of labor in France, and is a very complex problem which is largely individual.

The French, and many other Europeans live longer than Americans. Most of that is due to the fact that they eat, and drink better than we do.

If you think that there is any socialized healthcare system in the world that is better than one which spawns development and innovation through capitalist competition, you are grossly mistaken (the best care can be found in capitalist nations, like the U.S. for instance, where people come for the best care from all over the world. It certainly has its flaws...any system does, but the best quality is present here in America).

The French economy is in stasis due to its 35 hour work week and five weeks paid vacation per year, and the fact that you can't fire anyone there!

Anyone who is anyone in business knows that the latter is an abject recipe for disaster. They can't get anything done in France. The people there have spoken...you see, they realize this too.

Get rid of the Socialists, install Conservatives, and the country will rise. Business will be allowed to prosper, and people will be accountable for their performance. No free rides.

It works everywhere it is implemented...

[Spurious George]

You guys realize that Sarkozy is from Chirac's 'Union for a Popular Movement' party right? The left or "socialists" werent in charge, Chirac wasnt a leftist, the same party is in charge? Ya probably not.

Oh and Sarkozy is the son of an immigrant, and immigrants are bad mmmkay!

I know I know making up the news is fun....

[BrucePrime]

You guys realize that Sarkozy is from Chirac's 'Union for a Popular Movement' party right? The left or "socialists" werent in charge, Chirac wasnt a leftist, the same party is in charge? Ya probably not.

Oh and Sarkozy is the son of an immigrant, and immigrants are bad mmmkay!

I know I know making up the news is fun....

You are right; however, Sarkozy is the first national politician in a long time to run openly as a Rightist, and as pro-American. So much so, he was often called Sarkozy the American and "an American with a French passport."

And you are again right, he is the son of an immigrant, and was viciously attacked during the campaign, by the Left, for not having a French last-name.

[Bob26003]

Many Americans do work too much.

However, that is a completely unassociated thing from the environment of labor in France, and is a very complex problem which is largely individual.

The French, and many other Europeans live longer than Americans. Most of that is due to the fact that they eat, and drink better than we do.

If you think that there is any socialized healthcare system in the world that is better than one which spawns development and innovation through capitalist competition, you are grossly mistaken (the best care can be found in capitalist nations, like the U.S. for instance, where people come for the best care from all over the world. It certainly has its flaws...any system does, but the best quality is present here in America).

The French economy is in stasis due to its 35 hour work week and five weeks paid vacation per year, and the fact that you can't fire anyone there!

Anyone who is anyone in business knows that the latter is an abject recipe for disaster. They can't get anything done in France. The people there have spoken...you see, they realize this too.

Get rid of the Socialists, install Conservatives, and the country will rise. Business will be allowed to prosper, and people will be accountable for their performance. No free rides.

It works everywhere it is implemented...

It works for the CEOs, not for the good of the people.

According to WHO France has spends less on Healthcare and it is better in quality. US has the best Healthcare: that is a talking point. Now, if you do not factor in the welfare of the citizens, then you may come to another conclusion.

Virtually all indicators of living standards put France ahead of Britain and the US. Infant mortality in France is 4.26 per 1,000 live births (compared to 5.16 in the UK – greater than the EU average of 5.1 and 6.5 in the USA). Life expectancy in France is 79.6 years – compared with 78.38 for the British and 77.71 for the US. In UNICEF’s assessment of the well-being of children and young people in developed countries, France did not fare especially well – but by some considerable margin, Britain ranked rock bottom, just below, of course, the United States.

Poverty in France has fallen by 60% in the last thirty years – a staggering contrast with the US and Britain, where it has risen substantially since the 1970s, with limited periods of decline during the Clinton administration and Blair governments. 6.1% of the French population lived in poverty in 2001 – in the US it is rarely less than twice that, and usually more. That is without considering the fact that France has a stricter definition of poverty than the US.

The US has the worst level of hardship for its poorest of any developed country. Except Britain, where poverty exceeds that of its former colony, Ireland, and where the child poverty beats the competition. The dynamic economy of the city of London, so celebrated on both sides of the Atlantic and by TIME’s French entrepreneurs has a majority of its minors living below the poverty line:

Not to mention they have far better broadband!

Edited May 8, 2007 by Bob26003

[Stardrive]

I never understood the whole anti-french thing anyway. What did they do or say other than they didn't agree with the war?

The French have a habit of bragging about how much smarter and better they are than everyone else in the world. They are the best at everything. And the beauty of it is you don't have take my word for it, just ask one. They will be more than happy to tell you all about how great thou art and how great you are'nt. I'm sure they all are'nt that way, but I have yet to hear one that does'nt brag to beat the band. Maybe it's an ego the size of Siberia coupled with low self-esteem, I really don't know. Anyway, guess we'll see how things unfold and I wish them the best.

[Aztec Warrior]

France has had chronically high unemployment since the 1970's and is about 8.8% right now, above the EU average. More than likely that led to the youth or "scum" riots last summer.

They also have 77% of their electricity generated from nuclear power. That would never happen in the US.

[Mekorig]

Get rid of the Socialists, install Conservatives, and the country will rise. Business will be allowed to prosper, and people will be accountable for their performance. No free rides.

It works everywhere it is implemented...

Tell that to my country....wait, you dont need to. We have already lerarned the hard way that the conservative/right wing know nothing about good economy for a country, but know a lot on how making themselfs rich.

[rhyknow]

A bit of information. I live in France, and here in Béziers at least, people pretty much HATE Sarko.

The reason why he got so many votes is because the majority of people who would normally vote for Jean-Marie LePen (the National Front candidate) voted for Sarko instead because they have virtually the same policies. I'd rather have a useless socialist instead of a fascist masquerading as a democrat any day.

[_Spawn_]

you americans aren't well informed about nicolas sarkozy it seems... he is partially responsible for the "troubled" youth there in france (remember the riots in paris?), instead of improving the situation in the banlieus (french getto's) he just makes it worse to call the residents "criminals" in public. And now he will join the US in their war over oil if necessary, while europe always remained neutral in these situations? And you all say that is a good thing???????? I rest my case...

Edited May 13, 2007 by King Leonidas