First of all, as people are living longer, this increase seems completely reasonable. Second, does anybody think of 62 as "old" these days? Third, I am sure that France, just like California is going to have difficulty keeping up with the payment for all these pensions as people DO live longer, and, in the case of many California's state workers, retire earlier. The numbers just don't add up. At some point it will be fiscally impossible to pay these pensions. But hey, let's not think about fixing it. Let's protest and complain until we can't afford to pay anybody.
I am amazed, that in the face of our ever-changing world, logic rarely wins.
Outfit:
Plain dress: Many years ago, my friend came over one day with a bag of clothes her boss gave her. I plucked a few items, although this is the only one I still own. Ann Taylor. First time I've worn this as I just got it out of the dry cleaner not too long ago!
Floral dress: Goodwill. Limited. When this project is over, I am giving my talented Aunt D this dress so she can turn it into something lovely.
Sweater: Cousin hand-me-down. Forever 21.
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I too chuckled when I heard their disdain for raising the retirement age by 2 years but it's also due to judging the French from an American perspective.
ReplyDeleteBeing that Americans works the most out of any industrialized nation (http://20somethingfinance.com/american-hours-worked-productivity-vacation/), we're definitely on the high horse about work and what we think other nations should be doing.
When I think of it from that perspective, I'm positive plenty of other nations are chuckling at us.
And to hear some of the protesters comment, some are upset about having to clean up the Government's mismanagement while none of the powers that be are taking pay cuts, restructuring with longevity in mind, etc (sound familiar?)...along with simply not liking Sarkozy and this is their way of saying so.
So yeah, I agree that everyone involved needs to be flexible and adjust, that the current systems in place need reform but I don't think the American perspective about France is quite as black & white as we make it. Unrest is happening everywhere.
In fact, you or I really don't know what our "logic" would be unless we were born and bred in France. Same with outside cultures asking Americans where our logic is with what we've allowed to happen in this great nation of ours.
Layna: Great, thanks--the next time that we see the floral dress it will be on Hollis, with a little petticoat peeking out from the hem. I would say that she will also be wearing tights and Mary Janes, but Hollis does love going barefoot, and I say more power to her in that pursuit. D
ReplyDeleteThanks for the other perspective from both of you.
ReplyDeleteFreshmaker, I always appreciate your critical analysis of the facts. However, I would say that it is logical to expect that France, and many nations (ours included) will be in trouble as people live longer post retirement age. They will therefore need to be payed longer, which will be difficult, if not impossible to fund. One site put it succinctly:
ReplyDelete"The number of pensioners will rise significantly due to the combination of two factors:
the baby-boom generations will start to reach retirement age from 2005 onwards. Whereas there are currently 600,000 new pensioners every year, the figure will increase to over 800,000 from 2005; increasing life expectancy is extending retirement periods. Whereas a person born in 1910 was retired for an average of 10 years, a person born in 1940 is retired for an average of 20 years. Life expectancy at birth is likely to go on increasing."
Oops, HaHA pushed return! Sorry. Anyway,these pension programs were created when people lived shorter lives, and they were actually designed to only pay a few people versus many!
ReplyDeleteTotally agree which is why I mentioned "we" are going to have learn how to be flexible and adjust as the current systems in place need reform.
ReplyDeleteI see you, HaHa. LOL.