And ATLAS IS SHRUGGING !
The USA is next!
Anybody know where Galts Gulch is today? I'm ready to move.

Looks like another collapse of the French Republic is imminent. I think they're too far gone to recover. The question is what happens to the EU if France folds. The German people are already fed up with being the providers for all of the failed states, and may walk away from the EU. There is talk of "secession" of the northern elements of the union to stop the drain on those economies. The southern countries would have to revert to a devalued currency in order to draw business, with some probably reverting to their national economies without union. Belgium would most likely collapse into its Dutch and French elements, and get absorbed into those larger countries.

Of course, George Soros thinks the EU should bond even closer, and become more like the United States. There isn't a common European culture or language to make that credible.

After a couple of days mulling this over, I have some problems. First "non-moocher" is an anti-concept. The word you want is "producer." And millions of producers remain in France, which is not identical with Paris, where millions of producers also live. In addition, not in the original but in a comment to it was a complaint that French workers only put in three hours of labor per day. In fact, when I worked at Kawasaki, that number was also cited by our HR director: it is common for all salaried employees in the industrialized nations. Yes, some people are far more productive - and they charge more, too, and tend to work for themselves. (At a meeting of a local Ruby on Rails group, a presenter told of his many ways to boost his productivity, from keyboard macros to shutting off email.) France has its problems to be sure, but if you know the history of France, you will not be shocked, or surprised or even concerned. Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose

To where can we (or they) go? America used to be the place to bail to? Hong Kong is ehh OK. Maybe Singapore? It's a little too restrictive for my liking.

Anyone interested in buying a cruise ship to make into a floating Galt's Gulch off the coast of Florida?

Typical. If you criticize a leader who is black or if you disagree with the method of ministering to the minorities, you're branded a racist. When you criticize the State, especially when it's in economic bad straits, and decide to leave the country, you're branded a traitor. Both examples refuse to address the issue and rely on instead making straw man attacks in an attempt to maintain the status quo.

Historical examples of "brain drain" go back to ancient times. People pursue opportunity and smart people all the moreso. In the early 1960s, Ayn Rand pointed to the "brain drain" as a consequence of British socialism. The phenomenon was known by that name at that time. The citation usually goes to a Royal Society publication. You can read the RS Notes on it here:
http://rsnr.royalsocietypublishing.org/c...

That is probably why lostsierra called this "old news." In fact, the Wikipedia article about Brain Drain cites the Huguenot exodus from France in the 17th century. Among the places they went was Charleston in what is now South Carolina. The US Mint struck a Huguenot commemorative Half Dollar in 1924.

China continues to clamp down on the Internet and Chinese engineers continue to flee to the US on student visas. It is cause and effect. India is the world's largest democracy, and (not surprisingly) makes business difficult. So, they come to the USA.

The question is, "Where do we go?" Back in 1999 John Stossel pointed to Hong Kong where you could go into business with far less hassle than in the USA. It did not motivate me to pack up and leave. Mitt Romney was born in Mexico and those semi-secret enclaves of Americans seem attractive to some libertarians, but not to me.

This is old news. To be expected.

Wow. I'd heard things were bad in France but I didn't realize it was THIS bad.

Thanks for the link.

Wonder how (or if) these numbers rationally compare with the numbers of Americans renouncing their citizenship? Here we call it "voting with your feet". We haven't heard too awfully much about these numbers ... in either country on the MSM. Not too surprising, that.

Unlike France, the USA is worth saving. I realize that what is happening here Is irrational and downright disgusting, but when America goes, it is likely civilization will enter a new Dark Ages. That may mean the suppression of religion, but also the suppression of science as well.

Who would have guessed that? LOL

Of course the Looters and the Moochers are upset! From whom else will they steal?

Well, you could say the same about the US. It is not to the levels of the French yet but the number of going to expatriate is rising. Unlike the French who are no longer taxed once they leave, we lucky US taxpayers are taxed no matter where in the world we go. They not only tax us but they add additional forms and requirements on those that do leave. So the answer for many is to give it up and no longer be a US tax cow to be milked to death. I know a few and wish them well, I will join them eventually but I will still be paying those taxes as my pension is US based and if I expatriate, I lose it. Sure could use that Mega Million jackpot.

I thought the warning at the end to the US was particularly apropos. Go to www.usdebtclock.org and watch the numbers spin, showing US government stated debt and unfunded obligations. The welfare state will bury us just as it has buried the French and much of southern Europe. I have written many times about this on straightlinelogic.com, see Archive.