So what else is new?

There’s some nefarious wishful thinking here — particularly from the inept French Left. I think it is dangerous to promote such theses. Euro-contacts of mine keep probing me on why average Americans don’t revolt, or at least demonstrate, the French do, when their situation is way worse than the French (20% of home foreclosures, people getting homeless, fired without benefits, no health coverage, etc., things French would find unbearable). I refer them to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hierarchy_of_needs): the French have enough free time (vacation & all) and a social safety net to have their basic needs (food, health and shelter) secured. The average American doesn’t have that luxury…

I don’t think it has as much to do with hierarchy of needs as much as cowardice. If Americans became as vocal and demonstrative as the French, they would have the free time and the safety net. But it’s much easier to sit in front of your TV and complain than to get off your butt and confront the powers that be and maybe accomplish something.

Bonjour !

I thought you might like to know about http://www.francophilia.com, the social network for francophiles.

We’re a tiny startup operating on a shoestring budget, and depending on francophile bloggers like you to help get the word out.

Hope you and your readers will stop by and join us! And be sure to follow us on Twitter for daily French culture bites and francophile treats! @francophilia

Merci et à bientôt.

Pamela Poole (LaGoulue)
Founder

Well said starman.