"Regardless, of the causes, France cannot afford to maintain its present pension scheme; the strikers and students should recognize this."
No - the French Government (and the British) have decided to attempt to solve the problems caused by corporate greed and political incompetence and corruption, by seeking to raise the money needed to balance the books from the poorer (and powerless) sections of the communities, rather than making those who brought about the present mess pay for the clean-up.
They have also targeted health, education and welfare - soft targets, in military terms.
The strikers and students in France are to be congratulated for refusing to accept this situation - would that our own people do the same.
Jim Carroill