The Socialist Party primary elections are an indication that this week, as well as the following weeks, in the French media and in the debates between political leaders, left and right, the discussion will be mainly about old disputes, new alliances, jobs for young people, de-globalization, generational contract, and other exciting issues, but will have little interaction with the main issues of the economic, financial and social crisis which grows every day, and which every French feels, and will feel more and more, the effects.
Indeed, for four years, we have not heard in this country as in many others, whether left or right, a proposal or an implementation plan for any concrete solution to the enormous challenges imposed by the constraints of our deficits and the markets distortions. We did not identify a specific choice, outside the loopholes of eloquence (when in the opposition) and of debt (when in power). And in particular nobody answered any of the very prosaic questions, that will need to be treated one day, under the pressure of more and more demanding events: what budget savings? What new taxes? What control of banks and speculation? What reforms of social security? What school? What secularity? What political and economic democracy? What fight against corruption? What degree of European federalism? What projects for our military? What reforms of international institutions?
But we should be under no illusion: as long as they will be able, men and women politicians will do anything not to answer these questions, not to act. And they will be forced to do so only when the pressure from outside will have become overwhelming. And then, it will be too late. We will no longer be masters of our choices. We will not be able to maintain our standard of living. As shown in all the past crises. As shown in what Greece is going through today.
Then, we get caught up in dreaming that it would be better for the crisis to become severe, very severe, which it will become anyway, so that men in power be finally forced to act, and not be satisfied any longer with short-term quick fixes, which only enlarge the size of the problems that they will bequeath to their successors.
Because solutions do exist. They can be carried out quickly. The current president would have all the time to act. The opposition would have all the time to propose detailed solutions complete with figures.
Then, if they do not want to take their responsibilities, may the events force them to do so as quickly as possible. The country would have everything to gain from this.
This is what Chateaubriand wrote in René, when he calls for, through his so famous formula, to dare to take without delay the passage that leads to another world, to another life, more beautiful and stronger, and when he sends us back to the most beautiful of all human audacity: the impatience to face the inevitable dangers, in order to be better prepared to overcome them.
“*Arise quickly, oh ye desired winds”: RENÉ, by François-René
Chateaubriand