Viva la Idiots!
What’s funny, (not funny ha-ha) is I wasn’t planning on writing about this at all. It really isn’t my compétence, as the French would say, or “expertise” as I would say (not that I really HAVE expertise at all – other than, what has to be, the worlds biggest collection of stolen pens and post-it notes). So, I’m watching Disney’s “Ratatouille” the other night with my nephews when one of the characters says one of my favorite lines in any movie…EVER. The line: “I hate to be rude, but we’re French!” Now to be fair, I have never been to France, (wait a minute, how is that “fair” I wanna go to France). But I have met people from France and personally know several French Canadians. I don’t know if it is the pouty-lipped-pansy-language or what, but they’re a unique group of people.
So, I’m watching the movie and I thought to myself, “The French (…eyeroll…)! If there is a country that couldn’t recognize a correct political decision, even if it fell out of the sky, landed on their face and wiggled, it would be France.”
Why would I say that? Well, recently the French (…eye roll…) had an election. And although ousted President Nicholas Sarkozy is an idiot, he isn’t HALF as bad as the new President, François Hollande.
What makes Monsieur Hollande so bad? Well, he is a hardcore leftist Socialist, whose economic policy plans, according to the Wall Street Journal “have roots in a punitive populism that would make U.S. Congressional class warriors blush.”
His pledge: to tax those who earn €1 million ($1.35 million) a year at a rate of 75%.
SACRE BLEU!!! 75%. SEVENTY-FIVE PERCENT!!!
Those earning €150,000 a year will be taxed at a mere 45%. I’m no mathematician but 45% is ALMOST HALF.
I’m not an economist either, but I’m pretty confident the seriously dire economic situation in France will only be helped as those who are earning enough Euro will not leave the country in drones, but will stay and pay, and create new jobs (la sarcasm).
Viva la Idiots!
We have recently seen something similar in our country. Recently Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin renounced his U.S. citizenship. He did it before an initial public offering that values the social network at as much as $96 billion. In other words, he just made a TON of money, but he won’t be on the hook for nearly the tax amount, as he would if he were a US citizen. Saverin’s move could save him $67 million in federal taxes, according to data compiled by Bloomberg
According to Bloomberg, “Renouncing citizenship is an option chosen by increasing numbers of Americans. A record 1,780 gave up their U.S. passports last year compared with 235 in 2008, according to government records.” It continues, “Income-tax rates for top U.S. earners will rise to 39.6 percent from 35 percent next year, and rates on capital gains and dividends also are scheduled to rise unless Congress blocks the increases.”
Back to the French (…eye roll…). When Sarkozy questioned Hollande (we shall call him “La Douche” from now on) about his tax proposals he said, “It’s a message of social cohesion…It’s a matter of patriotism.” HEY!!!! That sounds familiar. That’s kinda the same thing Obama said (although I imagine it sounds sexier in French). English or French is boils down to a whole bunch of “merde.” As fun as it sounds, you can’t punish the job creators. Well, I guess you can, that and you can regulate them to death. It just hurts everyone.
The thing is, you can make the rich the butt end of your class-warmongering, redistributionary, tax-hiking rhetoric all day long. But don’t be surprised when they pack up and leave. And guess what? They’ll take their wealth with ’em. It’s sad, and a damn shame for American opportunity and economic growth.
If I, with my liiiiiiiiiittle tiny right leaning brain, can see that why can’t the rest of the world?
Vive la Capitalism!
Quotes regarding the French:
“France has neither winter nor summer nor morals. Apart from these drawbacks it is a fine country. France has usually been governed by prostitutes.” —Mark Twain
“I would rather have a German division in front of me than a French one behind me.” —General George S. Patton
“Going to war without France is like going deer hunting without your accordion.” —Norman Schwartzkopf
“We can stand here like the French, or we can do something about it.” —Marge Simpson
An old saying: Raise your right hand if you like the French…. Raise both hands if you are French.
LIFEZILLA: With a name like Lifezilla it’s gotta be good.
