Protectionism?

[Oakman]

When the US Congress thinks that US dollars taken from the taxpayers should be used only to buy steel, etc from American firms, there is a loud, long, shrill cry from the EU over being kept away from the goodie bag. (Obama backs down like a bunny rabbit meeting a snake, but that's another story.) When British citizens demand that companies building manufacturing facilities in England hire English workers, this is condemned as arrant populist protectionism. But when Sarkozy says there will be no bailout of French car manufacturers who build factories in Checkoslovakia, and Italy immediately follows suit - that's just the way things have to be during an economic crisis? (To be fair, Prague wasn't at all happy with Sarkozy, but the European Commission, which is supposed to police free trade within the EU, just says that rules, will not be broken, but they may be quite bent.) Maybe "protectionism" means something different in the Romance languages? :confused:

Jon Smith & Wesson: The original point and click interface Algoraphobia: An exaggerated fear of the outside world rooted in the belief that one might spontaneously combust due to global warming.

[Lost User]

What is funny is that Polish workers in the UK joined in that protest. :doh:

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[Baconbutty]

LOL Maybe the Poles have been here so long that they have absorbed too much of our "culture". Jak ośmielają się tamtych Włochów przybył nad tutaj *nicking* nasze prace? (From poltran.com - this was their translation of "How dare those Italians come over here nicking our jobs?"

[Lost User]

If you believe Fat_Boy, France is not as troubled by this economic recession as the rest of the world is. Consequently, there is no need for France to support the French car makers irrespective of the location of the factory. Sarkozy, he appears to be developing something of a habit by upsetting other countries and their political decisions/policies. But he might be forced to change French policies when the workers start rioting/striking like they have been known to with near regularity.

[Oakman]

Richard A. Abbott wrote:

But he might be forced to change French policies when the workers start rioting/striking like they have been known to with near regularity.

Indeed. And when they riot, the French frequently change not simply governors, but governing methods. If Sarkozy continues to behave as if he has the time to tell everyone else how to run their countries, he may fly home from an international conference, please with how well he shared his Gallic wisdom, only to be greeted by representatives of the 6th Republic.

Jon Smith & Wesson: The original point and click interface Algoraphobia: An exaggerated fear of the outside world rooted in the belief that one might spontaneously combust due to global warming.