French Riots

Rioters Rampage, Protesters Block French Airports
PARIS (AP) - Workers opposed to a higher retirement age blocked access to airports in Paris and around the country on Wednesday as hooded youths smashed store windows amid clouds of tear gas outside the capital.

Riot police in black body armor forced striking workers away from blocked fuel depots in western France, restoring gasoline to areas where pumps were dry after weeks of protests over the government proposal raising the age from 60 to 62.

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60 to 62? Hey France - go to hell. Many workers feel the change would be a first step in eroding France's social benefits - which include long vacations, contracts that make it hard for employers to lay off workers and a state-subsidized health care system - in favor of "American-style capitalism." Really? Well you got the bitching about everything right - that's American. But 62? Really, seriously, go to hell.

UPDATE: Okay, after thinking this over more, and having a discussion with some folks - I think I understand it a little more. There is a breakdown of the social contract the French people made with their government. They pay 50% of their earned income, while they earn, to have the society that supports them past age 60.

USA - Personal taxes ~28-29% France - Personal taxes ~50% source

The government has failed them, and the social contract has been broken. The government needs two more years of labor to support the incredible cost to support the non-earners in their society.

Maybe I'd be more impressed that the workers are standing up for themselves if "Europeans on Strike" wasn't a cliché.