Filed under: Culture Shock, Fun stuff, Global culture, Politics | Tags: conservatives, De Gaulle, France, protests, Sarkozy, tea party
I might be wrong but I believe that only De Gaulle in France had managed to get conservatives protesting in the streets (to support his policy against the socialist party in the 60’s). I was not even born at that time. Since then, the conservatives have returned to work, leaving the streets of France to the left-wing protesters.
Protest against Sarkozy’s rigorous economic policy in France – January 28, 2009
So imagine how unusual it is for a French to witness an actual right-wing protest such as the “Tea Parties” that took place today across the United States! These protests against federal deficits and the prospect of new taxes did not gather a lot of people, but it was worth reporting a few shots for my French fellows. Conservatives in the street! It doesn’t happen a lot in Europe!
Filed under: Paradox, Politics | Tags: Barack Obama, Carla Bruni, French Socialist Party, Nicolas Sarkozy, Ségolène Royal
Since the U.S. presidential election, the world seems to claim its share of the success of Barack Obama. The event is particularly celebrated by the French Socialist Party leaders, who seem to have experienced the election of Obama as the return of the prodigal son. They feel like after all these years of wandering in wars and “brutal capitalism”, the American people found their way back to more noble and generous ideals : theirs (those of the French socialists).
From there to suggest that Obama’s victory is just their own, there is only one step that was easily crossed by Ségolène Royal (the French socialist candidate who lost the presidential election in 2007) on January 20 in her statement to the French newspaper Le Monde: “I have inspired Obama and his team copied our campaign.” So much for the reputation of French arrogance. The French far left and anti-globalization movement may well also have the use of a bit of “Obama Magic” and chanted an utterly shameless “Yes We Can“ while demonstrating against the “colonialist practices of the French government” (but asking for “immediate government subsidy”) in the Caribbean! (Arghh!)
But while the French Socialist leaders seem to believe that there is now a Ségolène Royal in the White House, Americans actually seem to worry that their new president looks more and more like … Nicolas Sarkozy!
They’re probably right. Barack Obama is not Che Guevara! And before they ask for Sarkozy’s impeachment and ask Barack Obama to lead the country instead, the French Socialists should consider some facts first. Obama does not argue for a general increase in wages and a spending stimulus as the Socialist Party does in France, but for massive investment in infrastructure, research and education, just as the French President. Like him, Obama proposes to reduce taxes on the middle class, not increase them. Like him, he wants more control over the financial markets, not to demolish Wall Street piece by piece. Like Sarkozy in France, Obama intends to increase healthcare coverage in the U.S. by reducing healthcare costs, not increasing them.
Other similarities are also striking. The Obama Administration claims bi-partisanship and includes figures of both camps. What the French Socialists had considered a “cheap political maneuver” when Sarkozy took a similar initiative in France! The first decision was for Obama to close of the detention camp at Guantanamo Bay. In France, the closure of the Sangatte refugee camp by Sarkozy was described as a reckless and dangerous act.
With respect to media coverage as well, all things considered, the “hyper-President” Sarkozy can be easily compared to the “Obama icon”. The American president made the headlines of Men’s Health (while smoking a pack of cigarettes per day before the campaign!) and Vanity Fair … where he succeeded to the glamorous Carla Bruni-Sarkozy.
No really, Newsweek’s cover this week may well claim that “We are all Socialists Now!” with an article explaining how the U.S. economy becomes more and more French, it remains very, very unlikely to see a socialist like Ségolène Royal enter the White House. Although he’s been leading the conservative party, the “socialist” that Americans view as living in the Elysee Palace right now is Nicolas Sarkozy ! So much for Ségolène’s copyright on Obama’s campaign.
Filed under: Fun stuff, Politics | Tags: C-SPAN, Gary Ackerman, LCP-AN, Madoff, SEC
C-SPAN is to the U.S. Congress what LCP-AN is to the French National Assembly: a boring TV channel with few viewers. But as LCP-AN remains constantly boring, C-SPAN can become somewhat exciting when the Congress investigates some of the most shocking scandals (which never happens in France. Well, not the scandals of course, but the investigation). Then, you get the excitment of the good and innocent kid watching the teacher (the congressman) lecturing the dunce (the federal agency that has not done its job) caught in the act of indiscipline.
When the scandal is about Bernard Madoff and his $ 50 billion financial fraud, and the teacher who conducts the investigation has the eloquence of Gary Ackermann, and when the dunce is nothing less that the formerly-very-honorable SEC, it gives us some good expiatory moments like this one.
Probably not enough to make the golden boys who are watching C-SPAN from a Caribbean beach feel guilty, but quite enjoyable for the average-joe-who-is-tired-to-be-considered-a-dummy.
In context, Gary Ackermann is here referring to the SEC representatives who ignored (knowingly?) a detailed report on Madoff’s fraudulent activities that landed on their desk 8 years ago!
Filed under: Fun stuff, Paradox, Politics | Tags: capitalism, French economy, porn industry, US economic stimulus package
I guess that a title like this will boost my blog’s statistics. But it’s not the (only) point of my post today. Yes, I was amazed – and amused – to learn that the American “adult entertainment industry” (let’s be PC) was actually lining up to get its share of the economic stimulus package offered by the government to help businesses cope with the crisis. But more importantly, I’m tired – really tired – to hear and read over and over from friends and in the American media that the American economy is going down “the French road”, with the underlying meaning that France is a socialist-like country that became a model in subsidizing its businesses.
France might not be a model of pure capitalism, but is certainly NOT the socialized economy most Americans imagine. As a recent example, French banks did not call for a bailout and did not get a dime from the French government to face the crisis (France handled the financial crisis by offering a (remunerated) state guarantee to lenders rather than giving out tax money without control). Neither did the car makers so far (none of them are state-owned by the way). As for the porn industry, well, I must admit that it might get “subsidized” by the French government investing in quality communication infrastructure that helps bring the high-speed Internet, cable TV and telephone for less than 30 dollars a month to a majority of the French population. But looking at my Internet bill here, I’m sure most Americans would appreciate subsidizing the porn industry that way too.
Bottom line, whether in France or in the US, there’s the same indecency in defending free markets, small government and low profit taxes when the economy is booming, and calling the government to rescue when markets are turning bad. Cutting jobs for the sake of global competitiveness in good times, while pretending that a government bailout would preserve jobs in bad times. Lobbying for tax cuts in the oil industry in exchange of R&D investment in alternative energies when gas prices are low, and give maximum profit to shareholders when gas prices are high … while still not providing taxpayers with any evidence of progress in alternative energy supply.
Privatizing profits and leaving losses to taxpayers is not capitalism nor socialism. It’s greed. And France is absolutely not different from America in that regard. The difference is that there has been more losses to socialize than profits to privatize in my country over the past decade. Unfortunately, it looks like America’s going to catch up soon … while remaining a capitalist economy for those who make profits. Just like France.
Filed under: Politics | Tags: california, gay mariage, prop 8, proposition 8, same-sex mariage
I did not follow the full story and I’m certainly not a reliable source with respect to the details of the so-called “Proposition 8″. But I got one thing that is pushing me to write this post: those who are for it – and eventually got the State of California to ban same-sex mariage … again – are in no way concerned by the subject. It’s the perversion of democracy when people are asked to vote for or against something they can’t understand. Maintain the status quo is the easy answer. And not surprisingly the one that has been given. But let’s face it, it’s – at the best – a stupid answer. I only have one reason not to be against same-sex mariage, but I think it’s enough: love. Why would you vote against love if not because of hate? Think of it: why would you want to get married if not for love? Why would gays and lesbians be different? More importantly, what would it change in your straight little life to allow (my God! Think of the power you have on other’s love!) same-sex people to publicly demonstrate their love for each other? Would it diminish the love you have for your opposite-sex partner?
No really. The more I think of it, the more I’m convinced that opposing same-sex marriage is just a straight abuse of power. Because “tradition” enables us to oppose a different practice, the most intolerant among us just do so. Others don’t care – and don’t vote. What’s democracy if it enables a minority to rule over another minority while the majority remains silent! So let me speak up here and express my hate for haters and my love for lovers. Yes, same-sex marriage should be a right. And not only in California.
Filed under: Politics, Technology | Tags: american constitution, change.gov, direct democracy, joe the plumber, Obama transition website, web marketing and politics, white house
Never stop a growing business. The Obama campaign successfully leveraged about all of the web marketing techniques available to inform, motivate, frighten, amuse and ultimately, raise money. Now, the Obama company continues making the most of its web marketing skills with a new website – change.gov – online since the day after the election.
The site is aimed at maintaining the interest and support of the Internet generation that forged Obama’s election, during the government transition. It features exclusive information about the transition team and the coming administration … and offers the visitors to participate in the nation’s effort for change by giving their vision of where the president-elect should lead the country!
“There is no resource more important to change the direction of this country and define the ideas that will transform America that the American people. Give us your ideas and take part in change”. The invitation is clear: this new government understands and intends to use the direct, real-time connection to the country and voters that the Internet is providing.
An e-mail address and zip code (geography is key in the American electoral system!) is enough to be assured of getting timely announcement of new presidential cabinet members. For viral marketing, you are offered to forward the invitation to your address book … and refer to this website for information about the president-elect agenda.
The promise of direct participation of citizens in the country policies is exciting and motivating. But it is also dangerous for a constitution that bases control of executive decisions on two representative chambers … not three! Suggesting that the President will consider direct e-mails from voters might well kill their motivation to appoint representatives over time. But more importantly, citizens might also get very angry as they’ll notice that none of their great economic and social proposals sent to the White House has been answered!
Average-Joe the Plumber has already almost changed the outcome of an election. He may well take advantage of a direct democracy to collapse a constitution.
I can’t help but post something today. The date is historic. But as I write these lines and some citizens are still casting their vote, it is quite early to comment on the event. And when all will have voted, and all TVs, radios and blogs will have anticipated a result, it’s going to be be quite late for MY timely comment. So this will be a post without comment, but a picture. And what other picture could I choose! Especially since the only winner that I am able to project already is Marketing ($ 5.3 billion spent! Respect!).
Filed under: Everyday Life, Fun stuff, Politics | Tags: DNC Convention, George Washington, Hillary Clinton's concession speech, McCain's acceptance speech, Obama's acceptance speech, RNC Convention
Kids love making the show. Usually it’s about singing and dancing. But yesterday night, the kitchen stage became the place for politics… I took care of the media coverage, but the little politicians built their own soapbox and did not hire a writer for their speech. However, after one year of heavy campaigning, it looks like they don’t need one: they got the picture!
Kids have spoken! Let the grown-up vote now… so we may go back to some singing and dancing 
Filed under: Fun stuff, Politics | Tags: kindergarten, presidential candidate's profile, US presidential campaign
Kindergarten does not escape today’s boiling political climate in the United States (you might remember this McCain commercial?*) and I was not surprised when my five-year-old daugter told me that her class will soon hold its own presidential election. On November 4th, she will fulfill her civic duty and vote for either McCain or Obama. Although she’s not born in the United States, her teacher nicely authorized her to vote and she’s very excited to put a name in the well-decorated ballot shoebox!
In preparation of the event, she and her classmates had to make a list of what it really takes to be President of the United States. Here’s what they wrote:
1. You have to be grown-up.
2. You have to be really nice.
3. You have to be tall.
4. You have to tell the truth.
5. You have to dress very nicely and wear clean clothes every day.
6. You have to be a good writer because you have to give a lot of speeches.
7. You have to be good at math.
8. You have to be really healthy.
9. You have to brush your teeth. You don’t want to have a bad breath or have to wear wooden teeth.
10. You have to brush your hair every day.
Beside the absolute priority for a candidate with good hygiene (we are in America !), I wonder for whom she’s going to vote. It seems to me that neither candidate fits the profile!
* This misleading (not to say “negative”) commercial refers to a bill that was actually aimed at protecting children from sex predators. But this is another story…
