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Violence in Paris Over Fuel Protests

HumblePi

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It started off as a fuel protest against the soaring price of diesel gasoline. It has turned into something more such as pension payments not making ends meet and the rising cost of living. All the anger is directed at President Macron who has pledged to reform the economy. People in France are calling for Macron's resignation.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-46328439


France fuel protests: Police in Paris fire tear gas

Police in Paris have used tear gas and water cannon to disperse protesters, in a second weekend of demonstrations sparked by rising fuel prices.

Violence erupted on the Champs-Elysées as protesters tried to get through a security cordon around sensitive sites.

About 5,000 protesters had converged on the avenue. At least 18 people were arrested after clashing with police.

Organizers of the "yellow jacket" movement billed the latest protests as "act two" in their rolling campaign.

ap-18328555876676-7bfcb5dbdbd795be1141ce1ded24029d7adcb28a-s1100.jpg

Named after their distinctive high-visibility attire, the protesters oppose an increase in fuel duty on diesel.
 
It started off as a fuel protest against the soaring price of diesel gasoline. It has turned into something more such as pension payments not making ends meet and the rising cost of living. All the anger is directed at President Macron who has pledged to reform the economy. People in France are calling for Macron's resignation.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-46328439


France fuel protests: Police in Paris fire tear gas

Police in Paris have used tear gas and water cannon to disperse protesters, in a second weekend of demonstrations sparked by rising fuel prices.

Violence erupted on the Champs-Elysées as protesters tried to get through a security cordon around sensitive sites.

About 5,000 protesters had converged on the avenue. At least 18 people were arrested after clashing with police.

Organizers of the "yellow jacket" movement billed the latest protests as "act two" in their rolling campaign.

ap-18328555876676-7bfcb5dbdbd795be1141ce1ded24029d7adcb28a-s1100.jpg

Named after their distinctive high-visibility attire, the protesters oppose an increase in fuel duty on diesel.

So, are higher taxes on carbon-emitting fuels a bad thing from your perspective HumblePi?
 
So, are higher taxes on carbon-emitting fuels a bad thing from your perspective HumblePi?

Although diesel emits more greenhouse gases than burning a gallon of gasoline, (about 15 percent more), due to the appreciable fuel-economy savings, diesel cars usually emit less of these gases per mile driven. Where I live anyway, diesel fueled cars used to be desirable because for many years diesel was cheaper than regular gasoline. Then suddenly the cost for diesel rose higher than the price of regular gasoline which made diesel engines such as the VW TDI less saleable. Then there was the VW scandal in which they were found guilty of emissions fraud and now VW TDI are really hard to come by at any dealership. But in Europe they drive 50% more diesel fueled cars because the gas mileage is so much higher than regular gasoline engines. France wants to encourage 'greener' cars that are hybrid and use less gas and produce less carbon emissions.

But the gasoline tax isn't really what's at the core of the protests in France. The protests are representative of the frustrations that people in France are having over the fact that their overall living standards are falling while the costs of living are rising. The gasoline tax is merely a proxy for their frustrations, it's a middle-class backlash because they feel Macron is showing indifference to the tougher conditions placed on the working class in France.

The increase in gasoline taxes isn't in place yet and isn't due to take effect until January 2019. The tax on gasoline will go up .12 cents a gallon (U.S.) and .24 cents (U.S.) for diesel gas. But these taxes come on the heels of already steep rises in fuel costs over the past few years, leaving the government open to accusations that it is squeezing already stretched workers in a way that shows indifference to their living conditions.

Although it seems that the people in Paris tend to protest many things (and often), this particular protest should be a warning signal to all governments. It has become more and more apparent that those who represent the people are not listening to the people. It's not only France, but all governments seem to have forgotten that they're there to serve the people, not themselves. Many politicians are out of touch with their constituents, they live in a bubble and are more concerned with keeping their seats in government than they are serving the people who put them there in the first place.
 
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