I notice there's one "election prediction" that Akrasia missed out on, and that's the French election.  The two candidates that will likely end up in the runoff are Nicolas Sarkozy (who is described as "right wing" but in the US would be somewhere to the left extreme of the Democrat party at best), and unrepentant socialist Segolene Royal.

So on the one side you have a highly capable proven guy who would be the best hope to drag France kicking and screaming out of the post-war fantasy world they're all still living in, and actually modernize the country; and on the other you have a candidate who's apparent strongest selling point is the fact that she is in possession of a womb, and that would undoubtedly continue to plunge (and spend) France into an even deeper pit of leftist delusion.

Unfortunately, Sarkozy will have a very difficult time of it, because of the kind of fear-mongering that has been thrust at him from all sides, all of it tinged with that marvellous French racism (only the French could possibly be "racist" about a "foreigner" who was born in France but is of Hungarian descent).  So I'd say right now the whole thing is just too close to call.

RPGPundit

Well, if you're against Royal that's enough to make me think she must be the right person.

Quote from: Dominus NoxWell, if you're against Royal that's enough to make me think she must be the right person.

Why do you always react against someone in knee jerk fashion Doxy?
Are you capable of making your own mind up without running from one extreme to another, like a kid in the schoolyard running from one group to another?

Quote from: RPGPunditI notice there's one "election prediction" that Akrasia missed out on, and that's the French election.  The two candidates that will likely end up in the runoff are Nicolas Sarkozy (who is described as "right wing" but in the US would be somewhere to the left extreme of the Democrat party at best), and unrepentant socialist Segolene Royal...

I'd be curious to know why you think Sarkozy is so sensible and moderate, whereas Harper (Canadian Tory PM) is a rightwing nut.  In terms of actual policy positions, there's not that much difference between them (except that Harper is more pro-immigration, and the Canadian economy is not nearly as moribund as the French one, and thus not in need of quite so much radical market reform).

Anyhow, I agree that the race is too close to call right now.  But for the sake of France, I really really hope Sarko wins.  Otherwise the decline of France will only continue ...

Quote from: AkrasiaI'd be curious to know why you think Sarkozy is so sensible and moderate, whereas Harper (Canadian Tory PM) is a rightwing nut.  In terms of actual policy positions, there's not that much difference between them (except that Harper is more pro-immigration, and the Canadian economy is not nearly as moribund as the French one, and thus not in need of quite so much radical market reform).

Anyhow, I agree that the race is too close to call right now.  But for the sake of France, I really really hope Sarko wins.  Otherwise the decline of France will only continue ...

I really don't think your analysis of Sarkozy vs. Harper is accurate. If Sarkozy were a Canadian he'd probably be a Liberal.  He's only "right wing" in a country as ridiculously left wing as France.

The thing is, even if you were right;  if I had to choose between a Tory government in Canada vs an NDP government, I might just go Tory.  If I had to choose between a Tory govt. or an NDP govt after decades of NDP policies had left Canada a hopelessly fucked up socialist state, I'd almost certainly go Tory.

RPGPundit

Quote from: RPGPunditI really don't think your analysis of Sarkozy vs. Harper is accurate. If Sarkozy were a Canadian he'd probably be a Liberal.  He's only "right wing" in a country as ridiculously left wing as France...

Given Sarko's strong 'law-and-order' position during the Paris riots last year, his anti-immigration stance, and his explicit admiration for the U.S., I doubt very much that he would fare well in the Canadian Liberal Party.

But that quibble aside, I find it strangely reassuring that even someone who holds such incomprehensibly incoherent political views as yourself (viz. ranting against the 'nanny-state' in your many blogs, yet supporting the single most successful 'nanny-state' political party in the English-speaking world) at least has enough sense to see that there is only one rational choice for France to make in the upcoming election.

Quote from: AkrasiaGiven Sarko's strong 'law-and-order' position during the Paris riots last year, his anti-immigration stance, and his explicit admiration for the U.S., I doubt very much that he would fare well in the Canadian Liberal Party.

Aside from the Immigration issue, which is something particularly to do with French (/european) political issues of the moment, his policies aren't that different from Ignatieff's.

QuoteBut that quibble aside, I find it strangely reassuring that even someone who holds such incomprehensibly incoherent political views as yourself (viz. ranting against the 'nanny-state' in your many blogs, yet supporting the single most successful 'nanny-state' political party in the English-speaking world) at least has enough sense to see that there is only one rational choice for France to make in the upcoming election.

My political views are entirely coherent; they're based on what actually works.  This is why right-wingers accuse me of being left-wing, and left-wingers accuse me of being right-wing. Because I always put pragmatism above partisan groupthink, meaning that I inevitably oppose the stupidities of either side.

The Canadian Liberal party are far from perfect, and I know all kinds of things that are/have been/will be wrong with them, but they are what works in Canada, and the best option of all the possible choices (the other choices being a gang of idiotic socialists, a gang of redneck fucktards, and a group of traitors that would have been put in front of a firing squad in any more sensible nation).

RPGPundit

Quote from: RPGPunditAside from the Immigration issue, which is something particularly to do with French (/european) political issues of the moment, his policies aren't that different from Ignatieff's....

And I liked Ignatieff (that is, before he imploded with strangely idiotic comments on Israel and Quebec).

And, of course, Ignatieff is not that far away from the Tories in terms of policy -- which is why the Chretien Grits hated him, and supported that idiot Bob Rae.

While I'm not thrilled with Dion's victory, at least it gave the 'one-finger salute' to the Chretien hacks.  

Quote from: RPGPunditMy political views are entirely coherent; they're based on what actually works.  This is why right-wingers accuse me of being left-wing, and left-wingers accuse me of being right-wing. Because I always put pragmatism above partisan groupthink, meaning that I inevitably oppose the stupidities of either side.

Hmmm.  I'd say the same thing about my political views.   I think we just differ on the facts concerning the present Liberal and Conservative Parties.  And reality.

Of course, my facts are, like, correct.

Quote from: RPGPundit.... The Canadian Liberal party are far from perfect, and I know all kinds of things that are/have been/will be wrong with them, but they are what works in Canada, and the best option of all the possible choices  ...

Well, they have managed to lower Canadian GDP per capita relative to the U.S from 77 percent to 66 percent over 3 glorious decades (except for the 8 Mulroney years, when, gosh, that decline actually, um, declined).

Canada should be as rich as Norway, given its resources.  Instead, its wealth is squandered on idiotic 'nanny-state' programmes that do no good, except for empowering bureaucrats.

Christ, Ireland went from the second poorest country in the EU to the second richest in 12 years through some sensible tax reform.  If Canada could only do the same -- by breaking the Liberal 'We Know Best' big government, anti-corporation mentality -- I might actually move back to the place.

Wait ... this thread is about France?
:confused:

My apologies, mes amis.

QuoteGiven Sarko's strong 'law-and-order' position during the Paris riots last year,

For crying out loud, he didn´t do anything.

They shot at policemen (utterly outrageous and civil-war-like in continental europe). Let me tell you, here, we handle such things differently.
The French police is very afraid and thereby reluctant (unable?) to use organized force against their downtrodden insurgents.
It was a total mess, and a disaster for France´s reputation.