Example of Socialism Failing (Pass me the freedom fries!)

[AnotherRican]

Vacations out of reach for some French
Wednesday, August 17, 2005; Posted: 12:22 p.m. EDT (16:22 GMT)
From http://www.cnn.com/2005/TRAVEL/08/17...ion=cnn_latest

PARIS, France (AP) -- Sunning himself on a bright blue beach towel, Romain Playner looked like any summer vacationer. But the unemployed actor wasn't on vacation. In fact, he hadn't even left Paris.

"I just try to pretend I'm on holiday by doing summery things here," said the sunbather on the bank of the River Seine. "This is the second year I haven't taken a vacation."

"I'd love to go," he added. "I just don't have the money."

With unemployment hovering at 10 percent, a growing number of French can no longer afford a traditional August getaway -- a summer ritual that symbolizes the good life a la francaise.

"Holidays have gotten very expensive, and more and more employed people who used to go find that they can't anymore," said Jean Froidure, a tourism expert at the University of Toulouse. He called the trend "very worrisome."

"The vacation is a potent symbol in French society, a visible sign of a certain social standing," Froidure said. "Not going on vacation can cause people to lose confidence not only in their own future, but also in French society in general."

Considered a privilege of the elite for the first half of the 20th century, the vacation was "democratized" during the prolonged economic boom that followed World War II. The number of French vacationers rose continuously in the following decades, growing from an estimated 30 percent of the population in 1950 to more than 70 percent in the early eighties, Froidure said.

After stagnating for about two decades, these numbers appear on the decline. Nearly four out of every 10 French people don't go on vacation -- nearly half of them because they can't afford it, according to a 2004 study by the Tourism Ministry.

All European nations guarantee employees between four and five weeks' paid vacation a year. The United States and Australia are the only industrialized countries without national minimums on the length of vacations, according to the International Labor Organization.

The French average seven weeks of paid vacation a year -- two more than the country's labor laws stipulate. They work an average of 1,441 hours per year, compared with 1,661 hours for the British, and 1,824 for Americans, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development reports.

In August, France all but shuts down. In Paris, so many shops, restaurants and pharmacies close that those staying open often put up signs: "We're here in August."

But things are changing. The number of people unable to get away is on the upswing, and worried officials are starting to respond.

For a fourth year, Paris has transformed a 3.5-kilometer (2.1-mile) stretch of the right bank of the Seine into a temporary beach, trucking in tons of sand and palm trees and drawing hoards of well-oiled, bikini-clad stay-at-homes.

Last year, a record 3.9 million people -- Parisians and tourists alike -- visited the riverside beach.

"There are now lots of interesting things to do in Paris during the summer -- even for a Parisian," said Jocelyn Dubois, a 31-year-old translator, as he worked on his tan on the makeshift beach. "It makes not leaving on vacation a little less painful."

In the northern industrial Nord-Pas-de-Calais region, authorities have made getting to the coast more affordable, providing round-trip tickets on beach-bound, weekend trains within the region for a symbolic one euro (US$1.24).

The offer, in its third year, cost the regional council euro 835,000 (US$1 million) this year. More than 30,000 people have taken advantage of the program.

Copyright 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

[EL_BORICUA]

Originally Posted by AnotherRican

Vacations out of reach for some French
Wednesday, August 17, 2005; Posted: 12:22 p.m. EDT (16:22 GMT)
From http://www.cnn.com/2005/TRAVEL/08/17...ion=cnn_latest

PARIS, France (AP) -- Sunning himself on a bright blue beach towel, Romain Playner looked like any summer vacationer. But the unemployed actor wasn't on vacation. In fact, he hadn't even left Paris.

"I just try to pretend I'm on holiday by doing summery things here," said the sunbather on the bank of the River Seine. "This is the second year I haven't taken a vacation."

"I'd love to go," he added. "I just don't have the money."

With unemployment hovering at 10 percent, a growing number of French can no longer afford a traditional August getaway -- a summer ritual that symbolizes the good life a la francaise.

"Holidays have gotten very expensive, and more and more employed people who used to go find that they can't anymore," said Jean Froidure, a tourism expert at the University of Toulouse. He called the trend "very worrisome."

"The vacation is a potent symbol in French society, a visible sign of a certain social standing," Froidure said. "Not going on vacation can cause people to lose confidence not only in their own future, but also in French society in general."

Considered a privilege of the elite for the first half of the 20th century, the vacation was "democratized" during the prolonged economic boom that followed World War II. The number of French vacationers rose continuously in the following decades, growing from an estimated 30 percent of the population in 1950 to more than 70 percent in the early eighties, Froidure said.

After stagnating for about two decades, these numbers appear on the decline. Nearly four out of every 10 French people don't go on vacation -- nearly half of them because they can't afford it, according to a 2004 study by the Tourism Ministry.

All European nations guarantee employees between four and five weeks' paid vacation a year. The United States and Australia are the only industrialized countries without national minimums on the length of vacations, according to the International Labor Organization.

The French average seven weeks of paid vacation a year -- two more than the country's labor laws stipulate. They work an average of 1,441 hours per year, compared with 1,661 hours for the British, and 1,824 for Americans, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development reports.

In August, France all but shuts down. In Paris, so many shops, restaurants and pharmacies close that those staying open often put up signs: "We're here in August."

But things are changing. The number of people unable to get away is on the upswing, and worried officials are starting to respond.

For a fourth year, Paris has transformed a 3.5-kilometer (2.1-mile) stretch of the right bank of the Seine into a temporary beach, trucking in tons of sand and palm trees and drawing hoards of well-oiled, bikini-clad stay-at-homes.

Last year, a record 3.9 million people -- Parisians and tourists alike -- visited the riverside beach.

"There are now lots of interesting things to do in Paris during the summer -- even for a Parisian," said Jocelyn Dubois, a 31-year-old translator, as he worked on his tan on the makeshift beach. "It makes not leaving on vacation a little less painful."

In the northern industrial Nord-Pas-de-Calais region, authorities have made getting to the coast more affordable, providing round-trip tickets on beach-bound, weekend trains within the region for a symbolic one euro (US$1.24).

The offer, in its third year, cost the regional council euro 835,000 (US$1 million) this year. More than 30,000 people have taken advantage of the program.

Copyright 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Your point makes very little sense,there are many,many people in the U.S. who cannot afford to go on "holiday". Does this mean that the capitalist system in the U.S. is failing? Do not forget that beside the unemployed there are thousands of working poor who believe the system needs changing.

[AnotherRican]

Bori...

I understand. I would not submit the thesis for any major earthchanging paradigm shifts.

However, it is just one sign in the midst of socialism that it is not what it is cut out to be. Especially the part about the unemployement figures. USA has much less.

As for the working poor feeling the system has to change... if that means legislating the minimum wage, which increases operating costs for businesses, and then it is passed on to you and me... then No. That is just another form of Socialism, which eventually hurts all of us. If "changing the system" means that a person does not take responsibility for his/her own life versus demanding to be taken care of... then No, that is wrong and is expecting to be carried on the backs of others that have worked so hard for their own resources. That is a form of stealing from others. If it is feeling the world owes me a living then that is "stinkin thinking." If that is what you are referring to then you need to listen to Bill Cosby's message to the African American folks. He is challenging them to stop seeing themselves as victims and take charge of their lives. I applaud that.

Originally Posted by EL_BORICUA

Your point makes very little sense,there are many,many people in the U.S. who cannot afford to go on "holiday". Does this mean that the capitalist system in the U.S. is failing? Do not forget that beside the unemployed there are thousands of working poor who believe the system needs changing.

[L_F_Miranda]

Another Rican says Socialism is dead, in fact he would be on line to drive in the last nail into the coffin, and good riddence.

I don't know what kind of work he does or in what neighborhood he lives in, but he once said he lived among immigrants, which would make him un welcome in the local White ( not Cuban but Real White) country club scene of Bush's America.

Either he's been hanging around too many Cubans or he's erased his past, but by reading his conservative rantings one has no other conclusion than to think he's picked up all the grievences and sillyness of the exile community, Fidel Castro obsession and all.

I bet one thing Another Rican, and most of the rabid right-wingers on this board, want to forget is that they owe their present life style to the tame SOCIALIST reforms of the Democrats, above all the New Deal.

In fact, the New Deal socialist reforms created the present middle class, without them most of us would be working 24/12 and kicking the bucket at 45.

If the right-wingers here have kids, most likely they send them to Free government schools, all the way to high school. If the kids have straight A's they have a crack at a good public or Private university, if C's a Community College. Most Schooling in America is partially government subsidized because most working class guys, like us here, don't have $20,000 a year for a secular school like the rich Whites pay for.

Despite all the rantings, right-wingers here contribute to Social security and expect a return on their investment when they hit 62. Few are skeptical of Bush's SS plan reform plan because, different from Whites, Hispanic Conservatives believe everything White Republicans say.

Because Rican and El Jibaro are writing on this board, most likely they are NOT independently rich. Most, despite their anti-socialist rantings, will be in line at 65 to recieve Medicare, if not Medicaid. Most will sign up for government subsidized medication via Bush's socialist plan, upps I mean, compassionate conservatism. Most will soon be demanding some kind of government subsidy to allow them to continue using their SUV with a soon to hit $7.00 a gallon price tag.

Most will likely expect to take their 2 week vacation minimum, if not self employed. Most dream to bake in the sun at the pool of The Bellagio in Las Vegas, gamble and then get fat at the free buffets. Otherwise they expect to listen to Wayne Newton and Dolly parton in Branson Mo, that is, if they can find cheap fares with government subsidized jet fuel. if not they will be stuck like the French, eating Alcapurrias in their back yard while president Bush, Condi and the crew eat Texas BBQ chitlins prepared by a French chef.

[gemenilaidback]

Miranda is right on the $. some of these democrats like hillary Clinton (who is moderate )are just as bad as these republicans. She and Condoleexa Rice both sat on the board of Directors of Chevron Texaco and have helped companies like Cheney's Haliburton. They even won the contract to rebuild New Orleans and Iraq (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5928734
). They want to build a pipeline in the middle east this is why they want to start a war with IRAN. These neo- conservatives beleive in socialism to the rich. This is just as bad as communistic currupt powers still in power.



http://www.theyrule.net
I will agree that Hillary (with Cl inton who I am of no fan of) is a conservative and a oportunist who is helping along the process of gentrification and pushing latinos (PUERTORICANS IMPORTANTLY) and blacks out of thier neighborhoods

[AnotherRican]

Originally Posted by L_F_Miranda

Another Rican says Socialism is dead, in fact he would be on line to drive in the last nail into the coffin, and good riddence.

I don't know what kind of work he does or in what neighborhood he lives in, but he once said he lived among immigrants, which would make him un welcome in the local White ( not Cuban but Real White) country club scene of Bush's America.

I don't give a d??n for any country club no matter the color. There are arrogant SOB's in all races. I've known racist and arrogant Ricans (poor and rich) and I've know the same kind in other races. Rotten apples are everywhere just as there are some very good people. I have good friends who are millionairres, doctors, lawyers, professors, etc., as well as very humble people that make their living selling watermelons on street corners. I have no problem with any social/economic strata.

Either he's been hanging around too many Cubans or he's erased his past, but by reading his conservative rantings one has no other conclusion than to think he's picked up all the grievences and sillyness of the exile community, Fidel Castro obsession and all.

There is nothing silly about not having your family come visit you because they are in jail and/or not permitted by the Cuban government to visit you while they eat soybeans and rats for protein. There is nothing silly when pastors are let out of the island and they tell you as they cry of their persecution for their faith, their torture, and the beatings they get by just mentioning the word "freedom" from the pulpit. There is nothing funny about standing up for the rights and freedom of oppressed peoples throughout the world, not just Cubans. Where's your heart?

I bet one thing Another Rican, and most of the rabid right-wingers on this board, want to forget is that they owe their present life style to the tame SOCIALIST reforms of the Democrats, above all the New Deal.

In fact, the New Deal socialist reforms created the present middle class, without them most of us would be working 24/12 and kicking the bucket at 45.

So? I was not living then. What do you want me to do about it?

If the right-wingers here have kids, most likely they send them to Free government schools, all the way to high school.

Nope... I paid over 3k a year for my taxes (which went in part to public schools) and I used practically none of it though I would have loved to have been exempt because my wife and I homeschooled my children all the way through high school. I had to pay for our own books and I did not get reimbursed by the county. I paid double. No free trip here.

If the kids have straight A's they have a crack at a good public or Private university, if C's a Community College. Most Schooling in America is partially government subsidized because most working class guys, like us here, don't have $20,000 a year for a secular school like the rich Whites pay for.

You speak as if though schools get all their money from the government. That is not true. Have you ever heard of Alumni Associations? Have you ever heard of foundations? Have you ever heard of Research Dollars? Apparently you have not thought about this much. Have you ever heard of some states using Lottery dollars for college scholarships?

[quote]Despite all the rantings, right-wingers here contribute to Social security and expect a return on their investment when they hit 62. Few are skeptical of Bush's SS plan reform plan because, different from Whites, Hispanic Conservatives believe everything White Republicans say.[/b]

As a matter of fact, I've never expected to cash out anything from the system because it will probably be bankrupt by the time I want to collect what I put into it. I think SS stinks and is destined for disaster. I favor private accounts. I support the prez on this. You should also, since it will eventually implode (SS).

Because Rican and El Jibaro are writing on this board, most likely they are NOT independently rich. Most, despite their anti-socialist rantings, will be in line at 65 to recieve Medicare, if not Medicaid. Most will sign up for government subsidized medication via Bush's socialist plan, upps I mean, compassionate conservatism. Most will soon be demanding some kind of government subsidy to allow them to continue using their SUV with a soon to hit $7.00 a gallon price tag.

I don't own an SUV. If gas gets up there, then you are in trouble... all lefties and Conservatives. That's why we need to approve both alternative energy research and also open up more oil drilling. This way we do not depend on 3rd world countries run by hoodlums (Chavez) and tribal dynasties (Saudis).

Most will likely expect to take their 2 week vacation minimum, if not self employed. Most dream to bake in the sun at the pool of The Bellagio in Las Vegas, gamble and then get fat at the free buffets. Otherwise they expect to listen to Wayne Newton and Dolly parton in Branson Mo, that is, if they can find cheap fares with government subsidized jet fuel. if not they will be stuck like the French, eating Alcapurrias in their back yard while president Bush, Condi and the crew eat Texas BBQ chitlins prepared by a French chef.

I already have access to the beach dude. I can do it for less than 10 bucks when you include gas. I don't need the freaky Vegas trips where everyone is manipulated to gamble. Besides, alcapurrias are not healthy. Try mofongo.