The subhead of a Washington Post article on France's policies to help families with young children told readers that "Vast Welfare Support Network Is an Enduring Government Feature, Even During Financial Downturns." Okay, so this means that France would not be cutting back spending that provides an important source of support for families "even during financial downturns." Why would anyone expect that France would cut back this spending precisely at the time when both the families and the economies need it most? This would be unbelievably foolish policy. If these programs are not desirable, then the time to cut them would be when the economy is strong, not when the economy is weak. The article does provide a basis for the subhead: "in seeking to reduce government expenditures as the economy grinds to a no-growth halt, he [France's President Nicolas Sarkozy] has not broached any cutbacks in the network of child-rearing subsidies, which would be even more politically sensitive." It would be truly astounding if Mr. Sarkozy is actually cutting France's budget in response to slowing growth. Just about every country is using increased spending as a way to boost growth. If the article's claim is true, then the Post and every other paper should be running front page articles reporting that a major country is pursuing incredibly foolish policies that will damage both its own economy and the world economy.
--Dean Baker
