Vive la France

[Bricktop]

Is the great and looming wave of social unrest that will change our world forever starting in France?



https://www.bbc.com/news/world-46429930">//https://www.bbc.com/news/world-46429930



Massive and constant street protests including violence and property destruction against their government.



But this time (in contrast to 1968) the movement includes people from all colours of the socio-political spectrum. Left and right, middle and working class, old and young are all moving against their government for increasing the cost of living beyond reason.



Les jiletes jaune are perhaps representative of the future of civilian uprising. And the future is now.



If things get any worse in France, it could spill over into Europe and beyond.



Buy your yellow vests, kiddies...just in case.

[Anonymous]

Is the great and looming wave of social unrest that will change our world forever starting in France?



https://www.bbc.com/news/world-46429930">//https://www.bbc.com/news/world-46429930



Massive and constant street protests including violence and property destruction against their government.



But this time (in contrast to 1968) the movement includes people from all colours of the socio-political spectrum. Left and right, middle and working class, old and young are all moving against their government for increasing the cost of living beyond reason.



Les jiletes jaune are perhaps representative of the future of civilian uprising. And the future is now.



If things get any worse in France, it could spill over into Europe and beyond.



Buy your yellow vests, kiddies...just in case.

What are the main reasons for their protest?

[Bricktop]

Rising costs...particularly fuel. Macron is trying to get France to comply with the Paris agreement by taxing the hell of of French people.



So prices are rising rapidly and irrationally. The French are volatile at best. It is no coincidence that the first revolution occurred in France.



They almost succeeded in forcing the De Gaulle government out in 1968...De Gaulle had a plane standing by to take him to the UK if the rioters breached the government building.

[Anonymous]

Rising costs...particularly fuel. Macron is trying to get France to comply with the Paris agreement by taxing the hell of of French people.



So prices are rising rapidly and irrationally. The French are volatile at best. It is no coincidence that the first revolution occurred in France.



They almost succeeded in forcing the De Gaulle government out in 1968...De Gaulle had a plane standing by to take him to the UK if the rioters breached the government building.

One thing that would topple the governments of China and Singapore is the kind of carbon tax confiscation that our prime minister and our premier are imposing on us.

[Bricktop]

Well, if the French either cause their government to collapse, or change it's policies, the rest of the world will be watching.



People have had enough of this madness.



I see recently the UN is causing more panic by saying we're at crisis point, and that carbon emissions have in fact increased. If this is so, perhaps they would do well to find out WHY they are rising, and address the root cause...which will almost certainly be China, India and third world countries.



Condemning first world nations for the sins of  the entire planet is like blaming white people for the plight of non-whites.

[Anonymous]

I thought the reason the French were rioting because of austerity measures Macron implemented to deal with their debt and bloated civil service.

[Bricktop]

"The "gilets jaunes" protesters, so-called because they have taken to the streets wearing the high-visibility yellow clothing that is required to be carried in every vehicle by French law, are complaining at a sharp increase in diesel taxes.



Mr Macron says his motivation for the increase is environmental, but protesters call him out of touch - particularly with non-city dwellers who rely on their cars. "

[Wazzzup]

I thought the reason the French were rioting because of austerity measures Macron implemented to deal with their debt and bloated civil service.

It's a bit of both-- Its green taxes, mostly on fuel, but much of the revenue will go toward reducing their deficit.  



https://www.reuters.com/article/us-climate-change-france-protests/frances-macron-learns-the-hard-way-green-taxes-carry-political-risks-idUSKBN1O10AQ">https://www.reuters.com/article/us-clim ... SKBN1O10AQ">https://www.reuters.com/article/us-climate-change-france-protests/frances-macron-learns-the-hard-way-green-taxes-carry-political-risks-idUSKBN1O10AQ

most of the revenue generated will be used to tackle the national budget deficit, increasing anger at Macron, who left-wing opponents call the "president of the rich".



Of the 34 billion euros ($38.71 billion) the French government will raise on fuel taxes in 2018, a sum of only 7.2 billion euros is earmarked for environmental measures.

This is why, as brick pointed out in the OP, Macron has everyone mad at him, left, right and all in between.  No wonder his approval rating is around 25%



BTW Note the last part

There have also been small-scale protests in Canada over Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's plan to impose a federal carbon tax on provinces unwilling to combat climate change.

[Odinson]

Why is it always the people who have to pay for the global warming thing..





Raising the fuel prices does not take away the need for using cars.. You just have less to spend on other consumer products.









Raising taxes seems to be the solution to every problem..

[Bricktop]

Western governments have long become addicted to using the taxation system to force social change.

[Wazzzup]

Apparently the yellow vests have prevailed, at least temporarily.



https://twitter.com/AP/status/1069863620253806593?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1069863620253806593&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitchy.com%2Fgregp-3534%2F2018%2F12%2F04%2Fyellow-vests-1-emmanuel-macron-0-france-to-delay-global-warming-fuel-tax-increase%2F">https://twitter.com/AP/status/106986362 ... ncrease%2F">https://twitter.com/AP/status/1069863620253806593?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1069863620253806593&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitchy.com%2Fgregp-3534%2F2018%2F12%2F04%2Fyellow-vests-1-emmanuel-macron-0-france-to-delay-global-warming-fuel-tax-increase%2F



https://twitchy.com/gregp-3534/2018/12/04/yellow-vests-1-emmanuel-macron-0-france-to-delay-global-warming-fuel-tax-increase/">https://twitchy.com/gregp-3534/2018/12/ ... -increase/">https://twitchy.com/gregp-3534/2018/12/04/yellow-vests-1-emmanuel-macron-0-france-to-delay-global-warming-fuel-tax-increase/

[Anonymous]

Apparently the yellow vests have prevailed, at least temporarily.



https://twitter.com/AP/status/1069863620253806593?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1069863620253806593&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitchy.com%2Fgregp-3534%2F2018%2F12%2F04%2Fyellow-vests-1-emmanuel-macron-0-france-to-delay-global-warming-fuel-tax-increase%2F">https://twitter.com/AP/status/106986362 ... ncrease%2F">https://twitter.com/AP/status/1069863620253806593?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1069863620253806593&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitchy.com%2Fgregp-3534%2F2018%2F12%2F04%2Fyellow-vests-1-emmanuel-macron-0-france-to-delay-global-warming-fuel-tax-increase%2F



https://twitchy.com/gregp-3534/2018/12/04/yellow-vests-1-emmanuel-macron-0-france-to-delay-global-warming-fuel-tax-increase/">https://twitchy.com/gregp-3534/2018/12/ ... -increase/">https://twitchy.com/gregp-3534/2018/12/04/yellow-vests-1-emmanuel-macron-0-france-to-delay-global-warming-fuel-tax-increase/

Hooray.

[Anonymous]

I thought the reason the French were rioting because of austerity measures Macron implemented to deal with their debt and bloated civil service.

It's a bit of both-- Its green taxes, mostly on fuel, but much of the revenue will go toward reducing their deficit.  



https://www.reuters.com/article/us-climate-change-france-protests/frances-macron-learns-the-hard-way-green-taxes-carry-political-risks-idUSKBN1O10AQ">https://www.reuters.com/article/us-clim ... SKBN1O10AQ">https://www.reuters.com/article/us-climate-change-france-protests/frances-macron-learns-the-hard-way-green-taxes-carry-political-risks-idUSKBN1O10AQ

most of the revenue generated will be used to tackle the national budget deficit, increasing anger at Macron, who left-wing opponents call the "president of the rich".



Of the 34 billion euros ($38.71 billion) the French government will raise on fuel taxes in 2018, a sum of only 7.2 billion euros is earmarked for environmental measures.

This is why, as brick pointed out in the OP, Macron has everyone mad at him, left, right and all in between.  No wonder his approval rating is around 25%



BTW Note the last part

There have also been small-scale protests in Canada over Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's plan to impose a federal carbon tax on provinces unwilling to combat climate change.

Don't expect Canadians to mimic what the French are doing. It won't happen here.

[Wazzzup]

I thought the reason the French were rioting because of austerity measures Macron implemented to deal with their debt and bloated civil service.

It's a bit of both-- Its green taxes, mostly on fuel, but much of the revenue will go toward reducing their deficit.  



https://www.reuters.com/article/us-climate-change-france-protests/frances-macron-learns-the-hard-way-green-taxes-carry-political-risks-idUSKBN1O10AQ">https://www.reuters.com/article/us-clim ... SKBN1O10AQ">https://www.reuters.com/article/us-climate-change-france-protests/frances-macron-learns-the-hard-way-green-taxes-carry-political-risks-idUSKBN1O10AQ

most of the revenue generated will be used to tackle the national budget deficit, increasing anger at Macron, who left-wing opponents call the "president of the rich".



Of the 34 billion euros ($38.71 billion) the French government will raise on fuel taxes in 2018, a sum of only 7.2 billion euros is earmarked for environmental measures.

This is why, as brick pointed out in the OP, Macron has everyone mad at him, left, right and all in between.  No wonder his approval rating is around 25%



BTW Note the last part

There have also been small-scale protests in Canada over Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's plan to impose a federal carbon tax on provinces unwilling to combat climate change.

Don't expect Canadians to mimic what the French are doing. It won't happen here.

I suspect you are correct.  While western democracies are quite similar there are some differences.  Carbon taxes in the US have never taken hold, but as Herman said our immigration system is the worst of any western democracy.  There are small variations all around.'



BTW I don't support rioting. Peaceful protesting should be the norm, but I am glad the French people prevailed, at least for now.

[Bricktop]

Rioting in the streets is part of French culture and tradition dating back to the Revolution. To them, it is perfectly reasonable. To the rest of us, criminal and pointless.