From the print and online editions of the nation's premier urban-policy magazine http://www.city-journal.org/cj-comments.xml?story=8438 Manhattan Institute It is truly puzzling how people pursue economic systems that are proven time and again not to work. It's as if there is a willful blindness, or perhaps something deeper, some inherent conflict between the politician and the most workable economic course. In other words, politicians by the very nature of how politics work, has to promise to give something to the voter. These people don't win elections by saying, in essence - you will lose benefits but in the long run you will be better off if we do less governing. It requires a truly enlightened electorate to want less from government and truly enlightened politicians to go along with it. More important, it requires a truly enlightened media to push for less government. Our media in the states is ever at the ready to destroy any politician who dares suggest doing away with benefits, or even the rate at which benefits increase. I sometimes wonder if both sides are waiting for the inevitable collapse so that they can be there to pick up the pieces. It will be interesting to watch France's inevitable decline. http://www.city-journal.org/comments/index.php?story=8438#18726 http://www.city-journal.org/comments/index.php?story=8438#18726 Tue, 04 Sep 2012 13:36:16 EDT Je parler francais, here in Quebec, we refer it as "les acquis" instead of "les droits acquis" which might explain the reason. http://www.city-journal.org/comments/index.php?story=8438#18688 http://www.city-journal.org/comments/index.php?story=8438#18688 Tue, 04 Sep 2012 09:05:08 EDT In French we refer to "les droits acquis", not "les acquis" - thanks for trying but try fully next time. thank you http://www.city-journal.org/comments/index.php?story=8438#18546 http://www.city-journal.org/comments/index.php?story=8438#18546 Mon, 03 Sep 2012 10:31:45 EDT