France, A Muddled Country

There is a little bit of sense coming through the French Senate.  After all these strict policies that France has set in place, it looks like the ban on shopping on Sundays will be lifted after being in place since 1906.  A little bit of freedom is never something to take for granted.  Even if this step seems kind of miniscule, it is progress. 

Previously, some stores were allowed to open on Sundays while others were denied the privilege.  While this law doesn’t allow every store to open on Sundays, French legislators have designated 20 areas of commerce as permitted to do business.  This is a good step toward economic freedom. 

Now listen to the opposition’s argument; 

It will cause employers to force their workers to work on Sundays and it disrespects religious families and organizations because they cannot enjoy their day of rest.  

What a big-headed thing to say!  Many French workers have the belief that their employer is obligated to pay them exactly what they demand.  A little while ago, many employees were literally holding their bosses hostage. 

http://abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=7170102&page=1

This idea is totally devoid of logic.  The employer is the most important person in a company.  He is the one with the ideas, he is the one creating the most wealth.  It is his decision how much he pays the workers and how long he wants them to work.  If employees are upset with his decisions, they may politely complain, or leave the company, but they do not have the right to forcibly demand anything of him. 

As for disrespecting religious practices; I see nothing wrong with allowing people to shop on Sundays.  The French government did not issue a mandate that people must shop.  Individuals are free to shop if they want to.  If one wants Sunday to be a day of rest, then he may have it as a day of rest.  Individuals have the right to lead their own lives, not the lives of others.  Many people in France don’t agree with me on that.  In fact, many people In America wouldn’t agree with me on that either.  

Many people think that if the majority of people feel a certain way, they can (and should) force others to bend to their wishes.  This is how democracy turns sour.  When individual rights are not protected, you get democratic socialism.  Dr. Yaron Brook of the Ayn Rand Institute explains this better than me; 

“If we define the role of government as protecting individual rights, then no majority should ever be allowed to violate somebody’s rights…The whole idea of a right to property is an anti-democratic notion.  It says that 51% of the people can’t vote my property away from me.”- Dr. Yaron Brook 

An opinion poll has shown that just more than half of the population wants shopping available on Sundays.  It’s a shame that this is even open to debate, but progress is progress.

…And Then the Outrage

I wouldn’t have seen this if my girlfriend hadn’t looked it up.  Al Qaeda has threatened France because of that little thing Sarkozy said about burqas. 

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/us_world/2009/07/01/2009-07-01_french_president_nicholas_sarkozy_.html

Anyone could have predicted this.  Even I knew this would happen.  Read what I wrote on June 23rd. 

“Banning a Muslim tradition?  Won’t that create more tension between cultures?

http://sweetwaffles.wordpress.com/2009/06/23/sarkozys-modest-proposal/

I understand that Al Qaeda are responsible for their own actions, but when Sarkozy says something inflammatory like, “your culture will not be tolerated,” he is endangering his country.  Hopefully, France will get a good grip on reality because of the reactions to Sarkozy’s statement.  Maybe law-makers will let women have the right to wear what they want to wear.

Sarkozy’s Modest Proposal

Nicolas Sarkozy has announced that burqas and niqabs are no longer welcome in the paradise of France. 

The extremely irritable French President  feels that it’s necessary for all immigrants to completely integrate themselves into French culture, leaving all former identity behind.  Apparently, noticeable culture differences spark hatred between ethnic and religious groups.  Well, yes…that can happen.  But banning a Muslim tradition?  Won’t that create more tension between cultures?

Here’s the irony; he says he’s banning the full-body coverings because they represent oppression.  What does he think he’s doing by telling Muslim women their religious beliefs are not welcome in France? 

Sarkozy states,” Who doesn’t see that our integration model isn’t working any more?  Instead of producing equality, it produces inequality. Instead of producing cohesion, it creates resentment.”  This guy is so incredibly warped.  He wants everyone in his culture to bow down to the wishes of himself and of the majority.  France has already passed a ban on Muslim head scarves in public schools!  Who knows what else Sarkozy will try to do.

Here’s the scary part;  he has many people behind him, supporting his statement.  And his opposition is stating that this law will create tension in the French Muslim community.  Oh really?  They need to have a much stronger argument than that if they want to prevent a ban on burqas from being put into place.  Every which way I turn, individual rights are being stepped on.

Salaam aleikum France.