Protests in Paris

[marko]

Yes, this is basically my understanding also. And I think you can include urban folks who feel economically left behind also. And these feelings are not limited to the French these days, obviously. Lots of places around the world are going through the same thing lately, or probably will be soon. "Main Street has not kept up with Wall Street" is one way some folks have described it here in the US.

Having lived there and as a few French friends have explained, the French see themselves still in the "revolution" that started in 1968 when they tore up the streets. It's a tangible revolutionary way of looking at things but very unlike how we think of a protest. "We look like you and eat like you but we don't think like you"

There is a built-in distrust of business (just about any business regardless of how small), politicians and anyone in charge of anything. There's also a 'take whatever you can get' mindset sparking all sorts of outrage at the slightest thing.

Every weekend there are demonstrations, protests and road closures almost 'because'...but it's coordinated with the police and most often a sort of entertainment more than hoping to change anything.

The past few weeks were a bit extreme but their take is a bit different from how we perceive it.

 

[Breedlove]

Macron is finished , Merkle is o her way out , Italy is really poor . how can the EU sustain ?

 

[explanade]

Macron's popularity is low.

Heard that he cut wealth taxes but then imposed these taxes which hurt people who have to drive. So it was seen as helping the rich but hurting the common man, though some of it had to do with trying to reduce climate emissions per the Paris Accords.

Of course within Paris, driving is not as common.

 

[Alan]

Thanks for the interesting discussion.