Manuel Valls and the Second Chance

Of course Francois Hollande nominated Manuel Valls to Matigon, there was no other choice for him, a man whom I consider rather bland, charisma-less and incapable of sticking to a decision. After dangling the glorious suggestion of a Martine Aubry prime ministership, Francois Hollande settled for the safest pick. A change in government was needed, and after the crushing defeat that was suffered by his PS in the municipal elections, which are always used as a confidence vote to the party in power, nominating Valls looks like a sensible choice.

Merkel, Merkel, Merkel

This is late since the election happened on September 22nd but I have always wanted to write something about this election cycle. I have always and will always be fascinated with Angela Merkel, the girl from communist East Germany who grew up to become the most powerful woman in Europe and in the world.

The government is failing us.

In few hours our government will be out of money. They have had several weeks to do this, but here we are in the last few hours and what have we got? Nothing. Never mind that our resurgent economy can be dealt a heavy blow by the shutdown. Never mind the fact that many government employees will go without pay with families to feed. That is nothing to our politicians, their political games will always come first. If tonight by midnight we don't have at least a shot gap, one week spending bill to keep the government running (an idea floated earlier in the day by Mitch McConnell), our elected official will have failed us. Government is for the people by the people isn't it time our government remembered that?

(Edited for minor typos and added picture)