 
Photo from Whitehouse.gov
Coming back from vacation, I’m trying to catch up news and found the headline quote in a link from Fausta’s Blog. I thought maybe I’d been away longer than a week – it was a quote we could have only dreamed of a scant few months ago. It’s been a long time since a French leader recognized the United States as anything except an adversary – most of my half-century of life on this planet.
The quote (as reported by the BBC) from Sarkozy came from the speech he gave to Congress, but the rest of the paragraph is more heartwarming;
“America liberated us. This is an eternal debt,” he said, adding: “I want to tell you that whenever an American soldier falls somewhere in the world, I think of what the American army did for France.”
The BBC also reported that Mr. Sarkozy was at Mount Vernon yesterday discussing events with President Bush (press conference video here). That’s particularly significant to me because of what resides there (besides George and Martha Washington). On the wall in the entranceway to Mount Vernon hangs an ancient key.
It’s the key to the west portal of the Bastille prison, where many of the French monarchy’s political prisoners were held. The storming of the Bastille on July 14th, 1789, to the French, equates to our own Boston tea party or the skirmish at Boston Commons. It was the opening salvo in their own fight for liberty.
In 1790, General Lafayette sent the key to the Bastille to George Washington – to me, that key represents France’s indebtedness to the United States for influencing their own struggle for freedom. Unfortunately, that link has been diluted by five French constitutions, and communism (or socialism, or progressivism, or whatever you want to call that crappy religion to which the peawitted are clinging these days).
I’ll never forget the first time I saw the key when the guide explained it’s history. Always the cynic, I thought “Ungrateful frogs”. I’d wished that the whole country of France could see that key on that wall – maybe it’d cause an national epiphany. Then I bought a replica which is now on my bookcase between the bronze busts of Washington and Reagan.
Fausta quotes from the translation of Sarkozy’s speech to Congress earlier in the day;
What makes America strong is the strength of this ideal that is shared by all Americans and by all those who love her because they love freedom.
America’s strength is not only a material strength, it is first and foremost a spiritual and moral strength. No one expressed this better than a black pastor who asked just one thing of America: that she be true to the ideal in whose name he, the grandson of a slaves, felt so deeply American.
I still can’t shake the feeling that I must be dreaming.
Say Anything has video of Sarkozy’s speech to Congress. Rob echoed my thoughts exactly while I watched it;
He speaks of America in such glowing terms that you almost wonder if he isn’t, in some ways, more American than certain Democrats I could think of.
And if you went looking for reports of Mr. Sarkozy’s speech this morning in the Washington Post, you’d have been disappointed. The first article I came across was a Reuters attempt at serious journalism – which failed, by the way;
French President Nicolas Sarkozy returned home on Thursday from Washington to face skepticism about his new transatlantic friendship and a month of strikes that signal a growing pile of domestic problems.
I wonder when the rest of the Left is going to recognize America’s contribution to liberating the world.
Funny how we don’t seem to have heard the exact same speech. I guess everyone hears what they want to hear.
Sins of speculation?
Leadership against Global Warming?
Devaluation of the dollar?
EU Defense vs. NATO
“Fundamentally, what are those who love America asking of her, if not to remain forever true to her founding values?â€
If you look at Sarkozy’s policies in France they are much more in line with Democrats than with Republicans.
I also find it odd that I who pay 26% of my salary to French social security and national+private healthcare insurance seem to be one of the few people a friend of mine in Kentucky (State employee!) can count on to pay for the cancer medication she needs to save her life. I hope all of you who enjoy paying your low taxes appreciate that someone else is taking care of your mess.
When will we have a US President with enough intelligence to give a similar speech to the French parliament and list everything the US could learn from France? Not the least of which would be brotherly love.
Jonn wrote: Hello, Eric, and welcome to my corner of the internet. Just as an interesting side note, my hometown, Lyons, NYÂ was named after your hometown by a French explorer whose name escapes me at the moment.Â
To your comment, I also pay income taxes at a 25% rate, and social security tax at a 6 1/2% rate. I’m no mathmetician, but I’m sure it is you who is enjoying lower taxes.Â
I’m not sure what mess the French are cleaning up for me. I haven’t seen the French do much of anything except avoid carrying their global load while pontificating about how more civilized and cultured they are compared to the rest of us. Your “brotherly love” comment would fit nicely in that category of empty rhetoric – we don’t have “youths” burning private property everytime they get bored.
I hate to sound arrogant (you set the tone of the conversation), but I’m pretty sure that there’s nothing that modern France can teach Americans. I’m fairly certain that if the whole community of nations acted more like the French, we’d all be conquered in a short period of time by the evil elements in the world – much like the French are being conquered from within.
My entire point that France is finally making overtures towards the United States instead of acting like the cranky old guy down the street is encouraging has apparently been lost on you, since you insist on acting like the cranky old guy down the street – despite the fact that it’s not in your best interests.
“In 1790, General Lafayette sent the key to the Bastille to George Washington – to me, that key represents France’s indebtedness to the United States for influencing their own struggle for freedom.”
Just how arrogant and ignorant can you be?
Do you have any idea who inspired our countries founding fathers? Does the enlightenment mean anything to you? Voltaire? Rousseau? How many of our historic figures actually spent time in France prior to our own revolution?
If you settle accounts between France and America at the end of the 18th century, you’d be hard pressed to find even pocket change on America’s balance sheet. The flow of influence was very much in one direction. France -> America
Jonn wrote: Hi again, Eric. Apparently you couldn’t wait for me to answer your first post. I see now what your problem is – the answer is in this line; “If you settle accounts between France and America at the end of the 18th century…” You realize that was 200 years ago right?
Why don’t you just tell me why Lafayette sent that key to Washington. I’ll save you the time; the American Revolution inspired people to ACTION – yes, you had some decent philosophers, however philosophers are not known for their ability to actually accomplish stuff. Perhaps if you weren’t quite so “arrogant and ignorant” and blinded by your baseless nationalistic rhetoric, you might be able to carry on a civil conversation.
Hello Jonn
I do appologize for my tone. I’ve gotten a bit emotional about my friend’s health situation and also a bit touchy about people (ex R.Lindbough) twisting or editing Sarkozy’s words.
For information, the 26% tax rate was *ONLY* social security and health insurance. My overall tax rate is 55%. When a friend of mine is dying because her “neighbors” in the US haven’t fixed the healthcare system and collectively haven’t lifted a finger to help her as an individual, you can see where my attitude comes from. I find it distasteful that I who happen to live in a country where we do pay our dues and take on our responsability for our neighbors in terms of healthcare (and yes, it’s EXPENSIVE,) I am the one who had to send a $2300 check so she could buy 16 days of medication.
I believe you missed my point. No where did I say that France as a whole is a model to be reproduced. In the same way I would never say that the US of A is a model that other countries should try to reproduce 100%. In my eyes arrogance is thinking we have a perfect nation. No nation is perfect and it very much shocks me that you would assume that France, or any other nation, has nothing to teach you. Without wanting to further our name calling bout, I don’t see another word for that than ignorance i.e. not knowing what you are saying. Have you been to France? UK? Mexico? Africa? I have learned something in every country I’ve been fortunate enough to travel to. Good ideas know no borders.
There seems to be a slight misunderstanding, the only “nationalistic rhetoric” I’m engaged in is hoping that *our* nation, (the US of A) wakes up and realizes we are not the greatest nation on earth *by definition.* It requires actions, results, an objective standard to be considered Great. Can we be great when we cannot invent a healthcare system which allows our people to get life saving care? Can we be great when the arts, architecture, philosophy and are so poorly promoted? Yes, we have Great business. Yes we have a Great army. Yes we have a Great constitution. To paraphrase Jim Collins “A thriving economy is not the definition of a great nation, it’s a by-product that allows us to do great “human” things: philosophy, arts, poetry, charity, science, architecture…) You seem to see the world with “or” glasses. France “or” USA. Philosophy “or” action. What about what Jim Collins refers to as the “genious of the ‘and'”? France AND USA, Philosophy AND action. Science AND Art. Private AND Public?
Jonn – seriously I would like to invite you to come to France and stay at our home for a week. From Lyons to Lyon. When I first came to France for 1 yr as a Reagan Republican, I thought there was no way I could live here indefinitely. Socialist government, gas costing $3.00 a gallon due to 300% tax, 20% sales taxes, etc… Then I discovered there was no wall around France. 55 million people chose to live here every day. There must be something to that? There must be an explanation?
As for philosophers not inciting action. You might take a look at Voltaire. Shortly after one of his works was published there was a revolt in Paris and the immense column on Place Vendome was toppled by the crowd. The government held Voltaire financially responsable and he had to flee to Switzerland to avoid bankruptcy.
200yrs ago – yes, that was precisely my point related to your comment about the US influnce in France 200yrs ago. This is about getting the facts straight, not winning arguments. Why was Lafayette sent to America? First of all, do you remember who sent him to America? King Louis XVI. So I don’t think Lou sent him to America to get inspiration for running a good revolution. For all of Sarkozy’s kind words, Laf was sent to make sure America became a thorn in the side of the British and to ensure that America’s raw materials kept flowing into France’s ports. This doesn’t mean that Lafayette and the others fighting with the Americans were not fighting for the same ideals since as we discussed the ideas of the enlightenment in France were very pervasive at that time and 1789 was basically a revolution waiting to happen. What I’m saying is that the paths at that time were very much parallel and intertwined.
Do you know why the youths are rioting in France?
Are the French being conquored from within? By whom?
Do you know why Europeans don’t have the same “engagement threshold” Americans do?
Do you remember our own “engagement threshold” in World War II?
Whether you agree or not, respect the answers or not, I think it’s important to understand the whys behind these situations and not simply write off a country on perceived ideological grounds. There are many shades of gray, not just black and white.
I better stop now but I would love to get into Sarkozy’s image of America in a later post as well as the questions mentioned above.
In any case, I have never been prouder than this week to be a Franco-American.
Jonn,
Responded fully but apparently post didn’t go through(??)
No time to repost fully now. I do appologize for the tone. A bit touchy right now due to my friend’s health situation and bothered by a number of commentators who are twisting or editing Sarko’s words (ex. Rush Lindbaugh)
In any case, I’ve never felt prouder than this week of being a Franco-American.
If you find my post in cyber space… great. Otherwise I’ll try to retype soon.
Eric
Jonn wrote: Thanks for the invitation, Eric, but I’ve been to France (I lived in Europe for 9 years). I loved the country and I loved Paris. It’d be a much better place without all of the French people, though. :-)Â
We already have universal health care in the US – if your friend can’t find the help she needs, she’s just not looking hard enough. Help is out there for everyone – that’s why Republicans have a hard time seeing the need for the Federal government to step in.  No one in the US is denied the healthcare they need, the whole debate is needless.
As to the rest of your comment, if you read my blog, you’ll see where I’ve addressed every one of your points at least once. That’s why my blog is here – so I don’t have to repeat myself. Thank you for your passionate response, I hope you visit often.
We already have universal health care in the US – if your friend can’t find the help she needs, she’s just not looking hard enough. Help is out there for everyone – that’s why Republicans have a hard time seeing the need for the Federal government to step in. No one in the US is denied the healthcare they need, the whole debate is needless.
Jonn – I would really like to believe you. Those are some very tough words you write for a 41 year old single mother who probably has less than a year to live. From what I can gather there is no stone she has not overturned trying to get help. Her local church has stepped in, friends have stepped in, but the task is so large that none of these bandaids were sufficient. She managed to get two months of coverage for this medication and now all help has run out. Her only alternative seems to be medical bankruptcy but which will have other negative consequences for her treatment. She can get into a drug assistance program but not until the end of June, that’s $27,000 of treatment from now.
Like you I also thought this sort of thing doesn’t happen in the US. I saw Michael Moore’s Sicko and assumed that in true M.M. fashion he was exaggerating. I had to wake up and smell the coffee when I discovered my friend’s position. I’ve been helping her search for a solution and alas, I also have found none except to ask friends and family for help.
If this sort of situation seems normal to you, then we have very different values. I can only say I hope that your family never faces such a situation.
Sorry to have bothered you with my comments since I see they merit no resonse.
Jonn wrote: I never said you bothered me, please don’t take my comments out of context. I think that I’ve responded to all of your comments – however, please understand that many of things you’re talking about I’ve addressed in greater detail elsewhere.
I’m fairly certain that there are drawbacks to socialized medicine as much as privatized healthcare. I could probably google and find complaints galore about socialized medicine. There is no magic fix for healthcare – and socialized medicine certainly isn’t the end-all, be-all solution. People from around the world come to the US for treatment – especially from Britain, France and Canada.
I lived on the Canadian border in NY for years where my wife was nurse in a hospital that sat on the edge of the Saint Lawrence Seaway – it was almost completely staffed with Canadian doctors who found it more profitable to commute to the US and work than to work in Canada. How many Canadians suffered because doctors don’t practice there?
Many Canadians came there and paid out of pocket for treatment they couldn’t wait for in their own country. So you can’t even be sure that your friend would get the treatment she needs if we had socialized medicine a year ago, or a decade ago.
Searched for the words “health”, “healthcare” & “France” “muslim” in your blog and came up empty as concerns the questions above. Perhaps I’m looking in the wrong place.
BTW – I never said the US should have socialized medicine. I said the US should find a way of ensuring everyone has access to treatment. No one says it has to be a government run program. In fact I’m doubtful the USG could run such a program efficiently. France’s is a very interesting mix of public and private. Both on the care side and on the insurance side. Fortunately they have managed to keep the lawyers out of the system for the moment. I think what the US needs to start with is mandatory insurance for everyone and taking the “cover”/ “not cover” decision away from the insurance companies, which is tatamount to the mice garding the cheese. Then of course, tort reform.
Interesting how though we always say socialized medicine but we never say “socialzed schools”, “socialized police forces”, “socialized roadworks”, or “socialized libraries.”
I doubt there are many French people coming to the US for treatment, I’m not sure why they would. From what I understand, you are certainly right that the UK, Canada, and Sweden have a problem with waiting lists due to the way their system is structured. But it’s false to say that Americans never have to wait for treatment either. Perhaps not the same degree. And doesn’t my friend’s situation count in the “quality of care” column? I’d say most people would be willing to wait a while for non lifethreatening surgery if doing so guaranteed them the coverage they needed for a catestrophic illness.
Fortunately for the moment in France’s system we don’t have any problem with waiting times. I compared notes with some US friends and found that the time for me to get a doctor’s appointment, MRI, etc. was in fact shorter than in the US. On average I can see my private sector GP within two days (non emergency) and she spends a full 10 to 15 min with me depending on the situation. And it costs 22euros, 21 of which is then reimbursed by national health insurance+ complementary private insurance. I had to see a dermatologist the other day and got an appointment in 4 days plus it only cost me 33euros. Again she spent a full 15min with me. I’ve never heard a French doctor complain about their income which is about 50 to 60% of what their US counterparts earn.
No, no system is perfect. But there must be some reason why the WHO rated France’s system the best in the world. This said I don’t think much of it could be a model for the US because too many interest groups would never accept the restrictions it demands: lawyers, insurance co’s, and firstly doctors. French patients on average are extremely happy with the French medical system. In any case I have never heard an American living in France say they felt the US system was better. I think that says something, and it’s worth studying to see if there aren’t any transferrable ideas.
Note to Eric from Lyon;
Somehow your last comment got jammed up somewhere in the machinery and the hamsters can’t get it out. Since we’re waaay off topic anyway, how about sending me your email address and we’ll finish this discussion that way. I have your comment, I just can’t get it posted. My email address is; admin@valorguardians.com .
Updated: Oh, there it is, my comment must’ve awoken the hamsters. Email me anyway and we’ll do this discussion right.
King Louis the sixteen gave gold to the American revolution , to Jefferson, to Ben Franklin, which in turn ruined France and brought about the French revolution because at that time money was scarce in France: a strange contradiction because as king Louis the sixteen
helped the American revolution, he refused representation to the French middle class which infuriated the average Frenchman for revolutions are
brought about 1/ By ideals and philosophers
2/ By the middle class who reads and works hardest
B/ by actions and realisations so that these ideals will become real and necessary to a downtrodden people and France did beleive in your ” ideals” Lafayette, Rochanbeau , and the young French men beleived in you and in what America stood for when they fought with you
against your occupants .
The sad part is that after your revolution , you went right back to the British and did commerce with them forgetting France who was very hurt , of course, you spoke English and your first ancestors were British at Plymouth rock