I'm not so certain that the US is in such a good position be telling other countries how their economies should be run.All that debt and CO2,to name just 2 things which France is better at keeping under control.Mr Bush is not exactly to everyones taste.

stephen Hulton, Eure, France

The American economy outperforms ours?
Last time I looked the Dollar is still in freefall and all the talk in America is of recession due to freefalling housing market caused by the joys of unfettered capitalism. Europe’s social economy however is expected to grow modestly. While retiring at 50 seems excessive I’d rather live in a social Europe than a declining America.

Greg, Bristol, U.K

And if you're Kevin67, you dont have a clue.

Seth Yavit, New York, NY

In this hypercompetitive era of global commerce, businessmen know, that barring any change in the high cost, anti-business environment in France and much of W Europe, it is a near certainty that competition from Chinese and other Asia-based as well as US firms will drive most major businesses from France, at huge loss to its national base of technology, skills, wages, tax revenue and living standards. Few are dumb enough to believe that Jacques assembly worker actually makes 60X more stuff than his Shanghai competitor, or that Luc programmer writes 40X more code than his Mumbai counterpart. Multiply these cost disparities by 25m workers and it wll be a wonder if any large business maintains significant operations in France in 20 yrs if things don't change. Dreamers like Toulouse expat, James, Joe and Martin, employ no one, create no wealth and have nothing but their opinions at risk, while businessmen must risk their own capital everyday, allowing fools the luxury to spout on.

David, N.Y.C., U.S.A.

I have spent a lot of time in France, and I would say to Expat that he or she should not confuse "controlling the government" with "preventing government" France is a democracy and the government is chosen by a popular majority. Why should a radical minority be allowed time and time again to prevent the government from implementing the will of the majority of the governed??? Judgements of barbarism versus civilization are relative. How can anyone, shallow or deep, find government from the street to be "civilization?" Bravo! The radical left in France can only propose the same criminally pathetic ideas that left Eastern Europe in slavery and poverty for the majority of a century, and they represent "civilization?" Most of the French have awaken to the fact that the world is leaving them behind thanks to anachronistic social system that they have, and it is sad that the commies are still in dreamland. Everyone who loves France should hope that the unions fail and Sarkozy succeeds.

Robert, Houston, Texas

Stand firm and show the Union what you are made of Mr. French President. Remember you were elected on changing the status quo. President Reagan did not back down, he fired the air traffic controllers and the American People still loved this man.

Plinio Crow, Vancouver, USA, WA

To the Expat in France. Those Barbarians , as you call the US, pulled the French from the jaws of tyranny twice in the last century--and they will never let the Yanks forget it. It was not a proud French moment. . Unlike the French, we Brits will never forget thier sacrifice. Winston C. said, "Always stay with the Americans ! " Vive la America God Bless them ! They have never asked for any land other than enough to bury thier dead soldiers.

Ian, Nanning, China/ Guangxi

to the expat in Toulouse: Philosphy and sitting around thinking didn't advance the human race and its standard of living. Socialism/Marxism/Communism have proven to be unsucccessful. Humans want to realize their dreams and better their environment. This is impossible when socialism has removed all incentives and productivity from society.
"please allow the French..." What a laugh! The French criticize the US every chance they get. What a blowhard hypocrite you are. Stay there. Don't ever return to the USA.

ricardo maxwell, Orange Park, FL USA

"If you're 20 and not a liberal, you don't have a heart. If you're 30 and not a Conservative, you don't have a brain."

Kevin67, Ohio, USA

Sarkozy should do what Reagan did in 1981 when the air traffic controllers went on strike--fire all of them and scrap their pensions. Hire new, eager employees willing to work for a decent wage and a decent, not obscene pension. France is going to collapse under the weight of its socialist entitlement system unless Sarkozy stands strong--and he must. That's why he was elected t in the first place.

Fleetwood, New York , NY/USA

what Reagan did was allow the US to move forward without insane unions demanding everything in the world and getting it. The reason the US economy massively out performed europe over the last couple decades was due in part to our ability to not let unions take over the economy. Hasn't socialism/unionism failed in enough countries yet for you left wingers to give it up?

tillim, SLC, USA

It is funny that all of the comments on this article are coming from Yanks. Living among the French has been an education that apparently none of these commentators have experienced.

Fascism seeks to work its subjects to death, without providing the free time to actually think. Thinking is anathema to totalitarian longings. Philosophy is a mandatory requirement here for higher education. It seems to have been eliminated from American curricula. That is a shame,

Please allow the French to work out their own issues, without your shallow observations. The French have found a method of controlling their government which is very effective. You submissive sheep should try it some time.

“American society is the only one which has passed directly from barbarism into decadence without once knowing civilization.”

Vive la France!

expat in France, Toulouse, France

"Fire the workers. Just like Ronald Reagan ..." Sarkozy should, indeed emulate Mr. Reagan and Mrs. Thatcher. However, the PATCO workers quit. They had a valid contract, walked off the job and quit. President Reagan started managing the manpower shortage with military personnel and hiring replacements.

Dave, Boulder City, NV,USA

Monopolies of the Unions make "slaves" of James ben Goy's common people. Let Sarkozy free the common people to compete with the protected union classes.

Ron, Los Angeles,

Ideas are more important than spelling. Also, basing your argument off the movie sicko? i think more useful differences are the unemployment rate, the median family income, and the constant rioting in France. Capitalism is just, unions are monopolies.

pat, Indianapolis,

If the unions in USA had similar rocks, there wouldn't be all this global fascist oligarchy-driven militarism, the resulting full-spectrum chaos, and there might be some future for the common people of this planet, other than existence as the slaves. Due to the sustained assault on worker rights and unionism in this country, by the federal government, there are no longer any civic organizations capable of confrontation with the state and facing it down, as happened with the SE Asian conflicts.

James ben Goy, San Jose,

Jacques comment about PATCO is the essence of ignorance. Reagan was never interested in PATCO's issues, which were underscored by high levels of stress, antiquated equipment, and serious understaffing of Air Traffic Control Units. Reagan broke PATCO in order to make an example of all unions, despite that union's willingness to negotiate. And what Reagan did in the process was to seriously jeaporadize the safety of air passengers.

Martin, New York, New York

Whip 'em Sarko!

David, New York, NY

Mr. Glasgow, allot is indeed a word, but the meaning is a lot different from what I assume you mean.

Noah Webster, Boston, MA

this is more than just a strike action, it is about the french humanitarian model for all industrial countries. Sarkozy is a bush dog. The only thing these dogs understand is a good kick in the butt by a general strike. France is the envy of the working class, in america you can see the results of such reforms--just see the movie sicko- nothing more needs be said. Vive La France,Vive la Union.
Art Buonamia
Washington

joe, brooklyn, usa

Sarkozy needs to step up and become the Ronald Regan of Europe. There should be plenty of eager potential employees to fill these positions, as France's unemploment rate is so high.

mark , philadelphia, PA

This is why allot of people are anti- union. In a situation like this if a politician doesn't stand up to the unions, nothing gets done.

Charles Glasgow, Euless, Tx. United States

Fire the workers. Hire new ones. Just like Ronald Reagan did with the striking Air traffic controllers.

Jacques_usa1, New York, NY