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Europe
France's Jean-Marc Ayrault slams flight of the 'greedy rich'
2012-12-12
[Telegraph.Co.UK] Jean-Marc Ayrault's outburst came after La Belle France's best-known actor, Gerard Dépardieu, took up legal residence in a small village just over the border in Belgium, alongside hundreds of other wealthy Frenchies seeking lower taxes.

"Those who are seeking exile abroad are not those who are scared of becoming poor," the prime minister declared after unveiling sweeping anti-poverty measures to help those hit by the economic crisis.

These individuals are leaving "because they want to get even richer," he said. "We cannot fight poverty if those with the most, and sometimes with a lot, do not show solidarity and a bit of generosity," he added.

"Thankfully, few are seeking exile to exempt themselves from being in solidarity with fellow Frenchies."

Announcing plans to spend up to 2.5 billion euros by 2017 to help the poor, Mr Ayrault said that poverty affected 12.9 percent of the population in 2002 and rose to 14.1 percent in 2010.
Posted by:Fred

#17  And a mighty 4.0 Euros per month it is - how can we argue wid someone named "Jean-Marc"?

Personally, I practicing my deep-voice "JEAN-MARC, JEAN-MARC" instead of "DEGAULLE, DEGAULLE".
Posted by: JosephMendiola   2012-12-12 23:45  

#16  I have read that Harrison Ford's politics are to the left. I also read he is a fair carpenter. Maybe if America became unrecognizable as America, H. Ford might consider leaving for Canada--hard to say.
Posted by: JohnQC   2012-12-12 18:37  

#15  There is a reason the guilllotine had a head lock on it, even if called something as pretty as lunette.

I was once told that Gerard Depardieu was considered the epitomy of what is Frenchness in the cinema; any insight as to this? If so it would be like, say, Harrison Ford quitting to Canada and stating that none of the characters he has ever portrayed would be in-line with this government. "Jack Ryan wouldn't put up with this sh!t, and neither am I" kind of deal.

*not that I know or care to know Mr. Ford's politics, just reaching for an example/complete understanding.
Posted by: swksvolFF   2012-12-12 12:26  

#14  Election season?

No, they had elections a few months ago, Broadhead6. The Socialist, Hollande won, on promises to raise taxes on the rich and restore all the workers' benefits that his predecessor had ended. Now comes delivery on those promises, and it turns out the rich aren't sitting still for the shearing.
Posted by: trailing wife   2012-12-12 11:53  

#13  Election season?
Posted by: Broadhead6   2012-12-12 11:01  

#12  Well, the next logical step will be to CONFISCATE, not just tax. Taxing is so hit and miss.
Posted by: bigjim-CA   2012-12-12 09:22  

#11  In other news, lions bash 'greedy' wildebeests. "Stand still and be eaten, you greedy sumbitches."
Posted by: SteveS   2012-12-12 08:04  

#10  Robber slams greedy rich for securing houses.
Posted by: Bright Pebbles   2012-12-12 07:51  

#9  "Announcing plans to spend up to 2.5 billion euros by 2017 to help the poor"

Oh really? That would come to 500 million euros per year. France has about 65 million people, and that would come to 9 million who are poor.

So you're spending... lemme see, a bit more than 50 euros per year for each poor, which will come to 4 euros a month.

So where does the rest of the 75% taxes go you plan to collect from the "rich"?
Posted by: European Conservative   2012-12-12 05:01  

#8  He wants to take their money, but somehow they are the greedy ones. What am I missing here?
Posted by: AuburnTom   2012-12-12 04:05  

#7  Rural France and Germany have been suspect of the Euro since it was first introduced, and rightly so. The European underground economy is flourishing and will continue to do so. These people are survivors I can assure you. We might learn a thing or two from them if we watch closely.
Posted by: Besoeker   2012-12-12 02:30  

#6  So... being productive is wrong. All your goods belong to the state and failure to produce them on demand is treason.

Yeah... good luck with that chuckles. The black market and off shore banks thank you. The Soviets tried something like this. Didn't work then either.

Any bets on how fast the French economy completely collapses? I bet 4 years, tops.
Posted by: DarthVader   2012-12-12 02:23  

#5  They know their theories are right. So, if things don't work out as the theory predicts, it must be sabotage.
Posted by: g(r)omgoru   2012-12-12 02:16  

#4  I suspect a wealthy Frenchman could get along in Vlaams quite well. In fact I know he could, and so could most of us. Too easy, and a hat tip to Gerard Depardieu.
Posted by: Besoeker   2012-12-12 02:15  

#3  It ain't generosity when wealth is confiscated by the government. Wasn't 50% pretty generous already?
Posted by: Perfesser   2012-12-12 02:03  

#2  These individuals are leaving "because they want to get even richer," he said. "We cannot fight poverty if those with the most, and sometimes with a lot, do not show solidarity and a bit of generosity," he added.

At a 75% tax rate? Fuck off and die, Froggy...I'm outta here. Why? Because I can.
Posted by: tu3031   2012-12-12 01:06  

#1  HPW Dare you leave with any money, this, this is PROPITEERING and we won't stand for it, It doesn't count that you earned it, WE WANT IT, and it's OUR RIGHT.
Posted by: Redneck Jim   2012-12-12 00:49  

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