Ken, if you wish, I can recommend several books in generally readable language that will explain what socialism, communism and other political movements really are. I am not saying this to criticise you but to stop you drifting into an unresolvable argument with people. There is no socialist state in the world and what purports to be communism is most frequently Stalinism or Maoism, neither of which resemble what either socialism or communism ever were, all of which is theoretical thus far. Using a word is simply that but is a way of expressing opposition in a simple rhetorical form. Please do not be mislead by what people say too easily. Neither Hollande and his party or le Pen and her one are remotely any kind of socialist but in many respects when looked at very closely they are also not that far apart, simply Hollande is less popular.
As for France or the French being lazy. I have to deliver one daughter to her school bus before 0700 of a morning. Even in the dark there are tractors working in the fields, those fields are often still being worked when I collect her 12 hours later. The local SMICTOM people are cleaning the whole town very well and appear to have finished most of it by 0650 when I get there. We are about 12km from our nearest disposal site, yet the garbage is being collected from our bins at around 0720 three times a week which I certainly never experienced in the UK. People in supermarkets do long hours for peanuts and are expected to do as much as ever as staff cutbacks kick in. There is a much longer list but I shall not. If this part of the world appears exceptional, then the same might apply there where you are, but to make a general statement is likely to kick back nastily on you.
It is easier to take things as they come but not to get into arguments about the rights and wrongs because ultimately Ken, we are all prejudiced one way or the other and will probably never agree. It is probably best to mutually disagree without saying it.
Brain space, us ? Remind me if you will. Wasn't it you who demolished the garage door by starting a car in gear & then blamed your girlfriend for doing the 'French thing' & leaving it like that ? Accidents do of course happen but it takes a certain type to blame others for your elementary error & then broadcast it on a public forum.
I seem to remember Vic that this is the guy who was boasting that he'd tipped a load of horse manure on top of a car belonging to a member of the local football team that was blocking one of the entrances to his stud. Now I know that it was an emergency entrance but his actions are hardly likely to endear him to the locals.
I assume you are joking! Keyboard warriors? Surely it's you pouring out vitriol towards France & all thing French from the anonymity of a picture of a horse. At least most of us have the balls to show our faces ! Yours is just a horses arse !
Ah ok Ken in that case (I'd assumed that it was one of yours with you on top), can you please change it for a photo of your good self. (With or without horse!) Thank you.
I've just been alerted to this discussion btw so James and I are taking a look now (or will do when the coffee kicks in!) as I agree that ad hominen comments are "not on" and indeed, contravene our T&C's. Bear with us please! Thanks. Cx
it's a national sport!!! one of the hardest things to accept in our tabac are the cassos who turn up every 5th of the month loaded with their allocs and blow it within afewdays on tobacco and scratchcards then spend the rest of the month asking for credit!!! I could go on for hours but won't but why do you think the charges sociales are so high - we have to pay for all those cassos!!! :-(
Oh Sir Jasper. Horse has probably got more brain. Long term bobbing about on top of equines reduces the ability to think and express oneself sensibly more worrying is that it stimulates other anatomical elements in both sexes. Look at the Royal Family. QED
I just did not know...how much I do not know! Astonished ..Debra..by the family obligations info...what happens if parents and offspring live in different parts of the world? Does the Fr. govt send bills for upkeep of ageds...or demands for Jnrs bills to be paid ...by ma and pa..no matter where we live?
My son lives in Japan...will they insist he pays up..if ever I can't?
Hands up all those who agree with Ken..is
France full of loafers? Running to Nanny and not doing their bit?
My own impression so far..is that France is full of... mostly self sufficient ..family conscious people...who *appear* to have a safer social structure, than UK..because it is family based, blood being thicker than water I think..But I know nothing for sure. There are most certainly..*different attitudes* to work and family..is how it looks. So many people here appear to be indifferent to the idea of ..more money..better service. The effect is - egalitarian, as I see it!.
I'm glad to read everyone's comments. I compare Frances very weak ? Communism and stronger socialism...to evidence of effects of the Free Market. Eg in USA..where there has been such a battle to instal a national insurance scheme..when even Adolph Hitler got his installed ..in 41. And wonder which way the world must go..
So what is your preferred weapon to thrash your French workers with then ken? Whip or Crop? I can just visualise 'em tip toeing around you & cowering whist doffing their berets. Gruel for lunch? :-)
Ken I wonder you can bear to live in this country. As for taking pleasure in "doing my bit for the state" remember what goes around comes around. Yes there is a Communist Party in France but to describe it as the last bastion of communism is frankly ridiculous, even your horse might say neigh to that idea..
Was thinking in general terms, Debra! Didn't mean to get into anything resembling naming or outing! Let's give this bloke the benefit of any doubt for now...!?! Perhaps he is one of soooo very few...that nobody bothers to complain about ...the costs to taxpayers..? Or a kind of social oddball...
Do I imagine...that there is a different culture, here.. that carries weight in personal and societal terms...that gives the average French Jo...a different outlook..so that people feel more determination to seek support ...maybe from relatives... or by their own efforts...long before turning to the state....?
Could it be the obligation to study philosophy...(I dont think that happens, in UK schools?...
