@ahhhhhhInternalErr0r @matrix their tax burden is also absolutely debilitating and the middle class has been waging a Jacquerie for like 3 years until the COVID shit, the french people are ready to revolt whenever the time is right.

@RacistReimu At least they're getting something for their taxes. @matrix

@ahhhhhhInternalErr0r @matrix The cost far outweighs the benefits because an astronomical amount of that tax revenue is wasted, blown on useless projects or lost in a gigantic bureaucratic system that buries the smallest private enterprise in red tape and paperwork and permits. Quality of life in France, just like in the US, is that good only if you are rich. You might have free healthcare and free education but everything else is such a shitshow that it kills any initiative you might have.

@RacistReimu France consistently ranks much higher than the US in terms of overall standard of living. I'm sure they do have their problems as well but it seems to be worth the higher taxes and waste (something which happens to large degree in the US too btw.) @matrix

@ahhhhhhInternalErr0r @matrix bro i'm french and i've lived there a good while i think i know how it is better than some fake and gay "standard of living index" invented by some statisticians in an office implies, of course the standard of living is better than shithole Detroit or Chicago but that's not saying much and it's falling faster than the army in june 1940. There's high taxes like in Canada, and then there's taxes so fucking high that even with a good job or business you're a light breeze from financial ruin