The Open Matt Project

If I Were in France, I Would be Dead

It is hot as blazes here in Berkeley today. I'm debating whether or not I want to go out. A big part of me wants to go out and pour water on myself and drink non-alcoholic beverages. The rest of me wants to sit here in the heat, and the quiet, and just sweat.

In case you're wondering what I'm talking about, I'm talking about the wonders of European Socialism at work.

"According to official French figures, 11,435 more people than usual died in the first two weeks of August alone."

I wonder if their families had life insurance... or if their government will compensate them in lieu of a lack of such. As far as I can tell, all they seem to be debating is whether or not the health minister should step down. I'm sure that comforts the families of the dead.

"Some 4,175 more elderly people died in Italy during one month of this summer's European heatwave..."

"Italy's health authorities conducted their study after the French figures caused public alarm that Italy might have suffered a similarly high death toll."

I guess in Italy, nobody would notice 4,000 extra dead old people.

Hot tip (no pun intended): If you're elderly, you might want to plan vacationing somewhere they will notice if you've died.

Posted by Matt at September 13, 2003 05:05 PM