More Culture Clashes

Once again, the news is filled with problems. Two of the big ones today are the protests in France and the Hispanic protests over new bills in the U.S. designed to curb illegal immigration. Granted, these are two very different subjects, but both involve a group of people trying to influence their respective governments.

In Paris, there is violence, car burnings, confrontations with police and general mayhem. The law that is being protested is an attempt to bring down unemployment and to move France into the modern world. Currently, if you get a job in France, it is almost impossible to be fired from it. Employers have no way of getting rid of poor employees unless the employee does something illegal. Because of this, employers don't want to hire many people, so unemployment stays high. Even though I don't take sides in political issues, it certainly appears that France has to do something with their economy now, or they won't be able to compete. However, the main aspect of this that fascinates me is the attitude of the French worker. It is an attitude of entitlement. They feel as though they are entitled to jobs for life, free health insurance, money for having babies, etc., etc. Yet they don't seem to understand that they are paying for this with a sales tax of 22%, high income taxes, television taxes, etc., etc., etc. And so, they strike, they protest, they burn cars, and they look like rabble.

Let's contrast that image with the Hispanics who are opposed to new laws that would treat illegal immigrants as felons and would punish employers who hire them with huge fines. How did the nation's Hispanic population react? They protested. However, there was a marked difference in how they handled themselves as opposed to how the French did. In Los Angeles, there was a march of over 500 thousand protesters. Five...hundred...thousand! But the amazing thing is that it was peaceful. In other cities there was more of the same. There were walkouts from schools and from jobs; there were discussions with civil leadership; and there was calmness. This was truly an example of how a group can get their message out. No violence, no burnings, and no vandalism.

Again, I don't take sides on any political issue. I see both sides of the French and Hispanic issues. Do I see logic on one side or the other? Sure. I have been to France on a number of occasions and have seen the problems created by unemployment and an over-regulated group of employers. I know many Hispanics, as I live in California. I see the hard work that many of them do, whether they are in landscaping, hotel work, or other jobs that caucasians don't seem to want. Granted, there are many Hispanics in higher positions and even the Attorney General of the United States. But I'm focusing on the "lower" jobs that most people don't want. These immigrants work hard for the most part, and I am frequently impressed with the modesty and kindness I receive when I speak with them.

My point? I have a couple. First; the French people need to quit whining. If they want to compete with the big boys, they need to change. And they also need to stop with the constant strikes, protests, and vandalism. The rest of the world watches this and wonders what has happened to these people who used to be the epitome of diplomacy. Second; people need to quit blaming illegal immigrants from Mexico for the problems in California, Arizona, Texas, and other states. Create a program where they may work legally without fear of deportation, and have employers take a set tax amount from their checks. Easy, right? Nonetheless, the French could take lessons from the Hispanics on how to conduct themselves. Classy protest, amigos. Classy, calm, and effective.