How We Became the United States of France

[xcel]

Kraft’s Macaroni and Cheese has supplanted AIG’s credit default swaps at the fulcrum of capitalism.

Bill Saporito - Time - Sept. 21, 2008

The US and Wall Street gets painted French – Photo courtesy of Antony Edwards / Getty

Oh my god -- Ed.

This is the state of our great republic: We've nationalized the financial system, taking control from Wall Street bankers we no longer trust. We're about to quasi-nationalize the Detroit auto companies via massive loans because they're a source of American pride, and too many jobs — and votes — are at stake. Our Social Security system is going broke as we head for a future where too many retirees will be supported by too few workers. How long before we have national healthcare? Put it all together, and the America that emerges is a cartoonish version of the country most despised by red-meat red-state patriots: France. Only with worse food.

Admit it, mes amis, the rugged individualism and cutthroat capitalism that made America the land of unlimited opportunity has been shrink-wrapped by a half dozen short sellers in Greenwich, Conn. and FedExed to Washington D.C. to be spoon-fed back to life by Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke and Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson. We're now no different from any of those Western European semi-socialist welfare states that we love to deride. Italy? Sure, it's had four governments since last Thursday, but none of them would have allowed this to go on; the Italians know how to rig an economy.

You just know the Frogs have only increased their disdain for us, if that is indeed possible. And why shouldn't they? The average American is working two and half jobs, gets two weeks off, and has all the employment security of a one-armed trapeze artist. The Bush Administration has preached the "ownership society" to America: own your house, own your retirement account; you don't need the government in your way. So Americans mortgaged themselves to the hilt to buy overpriced houses they can no longer afford and signed up for 401k programs that put money where, exactly? In the stock market! Where rich Republicans fleeced them… [Read More]

[Lord Biron]

I am at a loss of words.

All I have to say is... Airbus S.A.S.

Damn good aircraft. And Subsidized the French taxpayer...

[ALS]

I seem to remember what happened in StarWars The Empire Strikes Back with the city in the sky. When Darth Vader told Lando Calrissian the empire was taking over the mining operations. Lando ordered an evacuation of the city.

France it has gotten so bad that 1 millionaire a day is leaving the country.
Two stories on the problem.
Be very careful when you demonize the rich it could come back to bite you in the wallet.

washingtonpost
efip.co

Same thing is going to happen here. Everything these idiots touch they screw it up.
Look for a major flight of Capital out of Wall street over the next year.
I have been expecting something like this since the 2000 elections. And since then I have tightened down the hatches as tight as I can. I now have almost zero waste or unneeded expenses at work. I have it running as smooth and efficiently as possible. I even pulled the 5 gallon toilets out in February and replaced them with 1.6 gallons.

[pumaman]

So where are the French millionaires going to go now? Maybe China can adopt them.

[YarSwiss]

Most French move to Switzerland or Liechtenstein to avoid paying the horrendous income tax levied by the "Fisc".

I guess we'll all be learning French as a second language soon too...ça va vraiment changer les idées de quel-que Merlos...

[2003protege]

I'm going to have to stop reading/listening to the news.

I get so angry every time i hear about another one of the US' "purchases." Hey, if we buy out/nationalize the entire freaking stock market, we won't have to sweat all the ups and downs!

My blood pressure raises a point every time i hear about this stuff and I'm not even directly vested in the stock market.

[bomber991]

Nah I wish we were like france. $12.50/hr minimum wage and good healthcare for all, good vacation times too, good sick days. They can take 45% of your money as taxes and you still come out making the same as you would here after taxes making minimum wage.

[brick]

Can someone explain in rational terms why Americans so frequently demonize Europe? No system is perfect but so often it sounds like outright hatred and for no reason that doesn't involve some degree of name-calling.

[pdk]

Originally Posted by Catgic

Gathered CleanMPG’erz --- “…the state of our great republic:” has been on a slippery slope towards a European style Democratic Socialism Welfare State for many decades now. I have witnessed the transformation of our once rugged individualism, individual responsibility Grand Old Republic into the hands out, mouth open People’s Republic of the United Socialist States of America it has become over the last three score years.

If this is socialism, why is there a widening wealth gap (http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/03/29/163/)? If this is socialism, why has there been such a push to privatize social services? If this is socialism, why are private CEOs being put in charge of ostensibly nationalized industries (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/08/bu...8fannie.html)?

It's simple, this isn't socialism, this is oligarchy and fascism. Compared to this, socialism would be wonderful because at least then I'd be seeing some direct benefits for my tax dollars.

Both Presidential Candidates, McCain and Obama, believe in and promise “Change.” Foremost, “Change” You Can Donate To The Obama or McCain Campaign. Each claims they will not be raising taxes on you, just your undeserving, rich neighbor down the road in the next neighborhood. Most folks are buying it as they do every four years.

The truth be told, the only "Change You Can Believe In/Change We Need/Change Is Coming/Leader You Can Believe In" will be that there will be “No Change” with business as usual continuing.

The only “Change” that will result will be the newly elected government leaders targeting “all the change” in you pocket, purse, IRA, bank account or personal wealth to Pay The Fiscal $$$$$$$$$$$$$ Freight that “Is Coming” and has come due.

I don't know your age, so I really can't direct this to you, so please keep that in mind. I find it very strange that as people roughly my age have come into adulthood, we've basically been handed a very short end of the stick (high oil/gas prices, recession, not-so-promising job markets at least twice, increasing college tuition, loss of jobs overseas, a massive debt, large inflation). It's rather hard for us to gauge the situation since we've only been involved in 2, maybe 3 election cycles (counting this one), but it's rather easy to have a bleak outlook on the future in you're of my age.

That said, there are one of two things you can do. You can sit around being cynical, claiming a pox on all houses, and that there's nothing that can be done. Or, you can become active, and do whatever you can to hold those in power accountable, no matter who ends up in power. They may not listen, but at least you've got a better chance to get positive results by doing something, and if enough people get active there's no way they can afford not to listen. In recent years, the latter is what I've seen people my age do.

I see that you've taken the former approach, I will gladly take the latter, and I will welcome you with open arms should you ever decide to join me.

[mparrish]

Originally Posted by brick

Can someone explain in rational terms why Americans so frequently demonize Europe? No system is perfect but so often it sounds like outright hatred and for no reason that doesn't involve some degree of name-calling.

Tim, although I'm too lazy to look it up, I'm willing to bet that American attitudes towards Europe AS REFLECTED IN POLLING is substantially higher than that reflected on cable "news", talk radio, or various other media outlets with large megaphones.

Edit: OK, I looked it up:

http://www.pollingreport.com/nations.htm

Gallup:

UK - 89% Favorable
Germany - 82% Favorable
France - 69% Favorable

Harris:

UK - 91% Ally/Friendly
Italy - 75% Ally/Friendly
Spain - 73% Ally/Friendly
Germany - 67% Ally/Friendly

and so on.............

Holland (Netherlands) - 1% Enemy.....probably somebody on this thread. haha. I kid, I kid.