Much as one sympathizes with the author and other critics of Micron, they can’t complain if they abstain or vote against Marine on Sunday. The infantilism of voting for Micron to keep Marine out and then spending the succeeding years protesting against Micron’s policies is more than absurd, its the politics of losers.
Last edited 2 years ago by David McDowell
Art C
2 years ago
Macron a “centrist”? Excuse the mirth! He is the epitome of the new type of supranational, corporatist Western leader who profess to be “saving democracy” as they destroy it from within. As such, he’s right up there with the Trudeaus and Arderns of the Western world. These people believe they are anointed to save humanity by managing great issues like “climate change”, “misinformation” and “global pandemics”. They hold much of the citizenry of their own countries in contempt. And display an unpleasant viciousness with people who disobey their diktats: we have seen them employ rampant censorship, mass firings, the blocking of private bank accounts and refusing citizens’ access to basic services in recent times. This new tyranny is implemented by corporate tech, financial and media monopolies who operate hand in glove with the Macrons of this world. It is increasingly brazen. And of course it is also used against political opponents: they are smeared, censored and, as with Le Pen, can have their access to financial services blocked. The message is clear: we run the show; “Democracy” has its limits; outsiders not allowed.
Right now, in France, Macron is being sold with the same “not Trump” packaging which was employed in the US election to deliver the hapless Joe Biden. It doesn’t matter that, like Biden, he has no coherent policies. The full force of the corporatists is being deployed to present Macron as a “moderate” who will “protect Democracy”. Le Pen is of course the enemy of Democracy, and as “extremist”, “far-right”, “racist” etc. etc. as Trump was (If it had been Mélenchon instead of Le Pen the smears would have been as virulent, with only a few labels altered).
Macron will probably win on Sunday, but it will be a hollow victory. The question as to why Le Pen, like Trump, still manages to attract at least 40% of the electorate will never be asked. So France’s troubles will only get worse. The class Macron represents cannot fix them because they refuse to recognize them in the first place.
The great tragedy for France, and arguably for many other western democracies, is that there appears to be no attempt, or possibly even way, of bridging the divide between the supporters of Melenchthon and Le Pen. No one has stepped forward who is able to represent the broad mass of working and lower middle class voters against the metropolitan liberal elites. It seems that you can only achieve a profile by adopting extreme positions, whether the ultra nationalist traditionalism of Zemmour, the anti Muslim/immigrant position of Le Pen, or the extreme socialism of Melencthon.
There was an interesting discussion on France24 before the debate began last night, of the possibility that after the inevitable victory of Macron, a grand coalition of left and right might emerge in the parliament. Seems unlikely, but one can hope, for the sake of France, and maybe as a model for other polarised polities.
That’s a good point but we should acknowledge that it’s the left that’s blocking it. Marine should allow a coalition leftist economics minister and Meloncthon should allow a nationalist interior minister in return but that won’t happen.
But far left economic policies were tried by first Mitterand administration.
It was total disaster and he quickly tacked to the center.
Why left policies would ever work when all historical evidence is against it?
Kerry Davie
2 years ago
Unlikely as it may be, there are many who would welcome the prospect of Macroneon Blownapart.
It’s not just a problem for France. Why do the Western democracies have such difficulty in finding politicians who can promote sensible policies and connect with their electorates? Is it something to do with more and more people choosing politics as a career as soon as they leave school? Maybe, also, the increasing politicising of the legal profession?
Much as one sympathizes with the author and other critics of Micron, they can’t complain if they abstain or vote against Marine on Sunday. The infantilism of voting for Micron to keep Marine out and then spending the succeeding years protesting against Micron’s policies is more than absurd, its the politics of losers.
Macron a “centrist”? Excuse the mirth! He is the epitome of the new type of supranational, corporatist Western leader who profess to be “saving democracy” as they destroy it from within. As such, he’s right up there with the Trudeaus and Arderns of the Western world. These people believe they are anointed to save humanity by managing great issues like “climate change”, “misinformation” and “global pandemics”. They hold much of the citizenry of their own countries in contempt. And display an unpleasant viciousness with people who disobey their diktats: we have seen them employ rampant censorship, mass firings, the blocking of private bank accounts and refusing citizens’ access to basic services in recent times. This new tyranny is implemented by corporate tech, financial and media monopolies who operate hand in glove with the Macrons of this world. It is increasingly brazen. And of course it is also used against political opponents: they are smeared, censored and, as with Le Pen, can have their access to financial services blocked. The message is clear: we run the show; “Democracy” has its limits; outsiders not allowed.
Right now, in France, Macron is being sold with the same “not Trump” packaging which was employed in the US election to deliver the hapless Joe Biden. It doesn’t matter that, like Biden, he has no coherent policies. The full force of the corporatists is being deployed to present Macron as a “moderate” who will “protect Democracy”. Le Pen is of course the enemy of Democracy, and as “extremist”, “far-right”, “racist” etc. etc. as Trump was (If it had been Mélenchon instead of Le Pen the smears would have been as virulent, with only a few labels altered).
Macron will probably win on Sunday, but it will be a hollow victory. The question as to why Le Pen, like Trump, still manages to attract at least 40% of the electorate will never be asked. So France’s troubles will only get worse. The class Macron represents cannot fix them because they refuse to recognize them in the first place.
Very well articulated!
The great tragedy for France, and arguably for many other western democracies, is that there appears to be no attempt, or possibly even way, of bridging the divide between the supporters of Melenchthon and Le Pen. No one has stepped forward who is able to represent the broad mass of working and lower middle class voters against the metropolitan liberal elites. It seems that you can only achieve a profile by adopting extreme positions, whether the ultra nationalist traditionalism of Zemmour, the anti Muslim/immigrant position of Le Pen, or the extreme socialism of Melencthon.
There was an interesting discussion on France24 before the debate began last night, of the possibility that after the inevitable victory of Macron, a grand coalition of left and right might emerge in the parliament. Seems unlikely, but one can hope, for the sake of France, and maybe as a model for other polarised polities.
That’s a good point but we should acknowledge that it’s the left that’s blocking it. Marine should allow a coalition leftist economics minister and Meloncthon should allow a nationalist interior minister in return but that won’t happen.
But far left economic policies were tried by first Mitterand administration.
It was total disaster and he quickly tacked to the center.
Why left policies would ever work when all historical evidence is against it?
Unlikely as it may be, there are many who would welcome the prospect of Macroneon Blownapart.
How funny
so witty!
It’s not just a problem for France. Why do the Western democracies have such difficulty in finding politicians who can promote sensible policies and connect with their electorates? Is it something to do with more and more people choosing politics as a career as soon as they leave school? Maybe, also, the increasing politicising of the legal profession?
Yes quite
Paragraph 21 – how did M. Dhabi move to Amiens in the sixties if he is only 48 years old ?
His father arrived in the late 60’s. M. Dhabi must be French-born
Have a heart, every year on a sink estate in Amiens must seem like two ? But obviously still far better than being in Morocco ??!
This was such a good article – thank you. I finally understand a little better who Macron is.
The story about Macron’s hunky bodyguard appears to have been dropped down the media’s memory hole.