Pensions: visionary Macron…
Jacky Morelet, Ruelle-sur-Touvre (Charente)
Opponents of the reform are convinced that their arguments must prevail and that a law that the street considers unfair is not legitimate. Of course, working longer is painful for the citizens of a welfare state who prioritize their interests, but isn’t the role of the head of state to put France’s interests first? In a country in the process of economic downgrading, one can rationally estimate that going from 5 workers for 1 retiree in 1950 to 1.5 today will severely burden this pay-as-you-go system, especially since in the meantime life expectancy has progressed over fifteen years. The first presidents of the Fifth Republic had a purpose and did not bother with popularity to carry out the reforms necessary for the development of the nation. President Macron must imperatively follow this line. (“Political crisis, regime crisis… The entangled president“, L’Express of March 23)
… or pretentious?
Jean-Pierre Robin, Paris
Even the people who support Emmanuel Macron – and I am one of those people – are outraged by his behavior and his solitary exercise of power, his autism, his unbearable pretension. His only ambition is his little person and he has no empathy. (“Macron trapped by his certainties“, L’Express of March 23).
The dangers of “giletjaunisation”
Bertrand Caladois, Limas (Rhone)
You talk about “giletjaunisation”, but we are already there. To protest against an article of the Constitution deemed iniquitous, demonstrators decide to “block the country” and “bring the economy to its knees”. What do these people really represent who say they have nothing more to lose, now that the law on pensions has been passed? The lessons of May-June 1968 have obviously been forgotten: the elections which followed the demonstrations had brought about a chamber with a “horizon blue” majority. What would happen today if power fell into the hands of extremes who have no other project than to destroy without thinking of the consequences for the Nation? (“A comeback of yellow vests?“, L’Express of March 23).
The value of work
Micheline Delbarre, Mussy-sur-Dun (Seine-et-Marne)
The media regularly invite people advocating “the uselessness of work” and wondering about its “purpose”. What is the work for? I answer them: to be treated by benefiting from the progress of research; to be fed by our farmers; to have drinking water by opening our taps; to have mobile phones and social networks via the Net… Isn’t it time to get to work, don’t mind? (“Gabriel Attal: “I assume to say that in terms of taxes, we are on the job” – Debate with Thomas Porcher”, L’Express of March 30).
Boycott China
Didier Binot, Clamart (Hauts-de-Seine)
Alice Ekman’s analysis of the meeting between Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping, the two most dangerous dictators for our Western society, is far from reassuring. How can one “pull the rug out from under the feet of these two tyrants?” Boycotting any product from China could be a start. We Westerners have been filling the Chinese safe for forty years by making it our production workshop. We must save the way of life that our grandparents defended against such dangerous and determined dictators. (“Alice Ekman: “The relationship between China and Russia is much more than a marriage of convenience“, on Lexpress.fr).
Anglo-Saxon platitudes
Gilles Lambert, Chaville (Hauts-de-Seine)
I would like to react against this sentence found in Ademe’s editorial supplement devoted to digital: “It’s time we UPGRADE our habits!” In fact, I think it’s time… for L’Express to stop endorsing the nullity of the communication of the authorities concerned and the uncontrolled Anglo-Saxon platitudes. Why not say “revolution”, “change”, “break”, “upset”? (“Responsible digital in business“, L’Express of February 23).
Discover the new political newsletter of L’Express
React, reflect. The political news is panicking more and more, which rebounds after the slightest tweet. The Express runs fast, you have to justify its name, but does not want to run out and tries to keep this distance which serves it both for hygiene and oxygen. This is also the subject of the new daily newsletter launched on April 3 and therefore entirely devoted to politics. Here, we have the weakness to still love her, although she sometimes disappoints us, often annoys us, always captivates us. While the hourglass of Emmanuel Macron, condemned to retirement, is flowing faster every day, as the ambitions of those who want to succeed him sharpen, as the extremes without faith or law are muscled, the compass is panicking . It’s up to us, it’s up to you to react, to think. Discover small and big political stories from Monday to Thursday, in the political 9 p.m., a free letter on registration.