Changes

Decades of social spending and government ''[[diktat]]s'' already ruined the French [[economy]] before Macron took office, leaving it in tatters.  Food shortages were reported in some cites.  Macron only promised more of the same - more deficits to pacify a people who have been bludgeoned mercilessly by the ever increasing size and power of government intruding into their lives.  On cue, the liberal media started blaming the violence on "[[Russia]]n bots".

Decades of social spending and government ''[[diktat]]s'' already ruined the French [[economy]] before Macron took office, leaving it in tatters.  Food shortages were reported in some cites.  Macron only promised more of the same - more deficits to pacify a people who have been bludgeoned mercilessly by the ever increasing size and power of government intruding into their lives.  On cue, the liberal media started blaming the violence on "[[Russia]]n bots".

[[Italian]] Minister [[Matteo Salvini]] remarked, "History will show that if Macron had focused more on the French and less on Salvini and Italy, he would have a few less problems today."

[[Italian]] Minister [[Matteo Salvini]] remarked, "History will show that if Macron had focused more on the French and less on Salvini and Italy, he would have a few less problems today."

Let the impure blood water our furrows!}} The government's mistreatment of citizens, students, teens, school children, police and the armed services will take generations to heal.

Let the impure blood water our furrows!}} The government's mistreatment of citizens, students, teens, school children, police and the armed services will take generations to heal.

Though originally surrendering, Macron later lashed out at the yellow vests, claiming they were a "hateful crowd."<ref>Lane, Oliver JJ (January 1, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/01/01/unapologetic-after-bruising-year-macron-slams-yellow-vests-as-a-hateful-crowd/ Unapologetic After Bruising Year, Macron Slams Yellow Vests as a ‘Hateful Crowd’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved January 1, 2019.</ref>

The yellow vests proposed a law creating direct democracy in France, something supported by 80% of French people.<ref>Tomlinson, Chris (January 3, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/01/03/80-percent-of-french-back-yellow-vest-citizen-referendum-initiative-proposal/ 80 Percent of French Back Yellow Vest Citizen Referendum Initiative Proposal]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved January 3, 2019.</ref>

The yellow vests proposed a law creating direct democracy in France, something supported by 80% of French people.<ref>Tomlinson, Chris (January 3, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/01/03/80-percent-of-french-back-yellow-vest-citizen-referendum-initiative-proposal/ 80 Percent of French Back Yellow Vest Citizen Referendum Initiative Proposal]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved January 3, 2019.</ref>

In its search to blame the leaderless protests, which span the political spectrum, on an ideological faction, an early [[Facebook]] organizer who describes himself as a [[pacifict]] was arrested. His November 2018 Facebook posting proposing a protest went viral and catapulted him to being a "spokesman." During the seventh week of protests, Eric Drouet was arrested and charged with carry a stick of wood in his backpack and leading a mob intent on violence.<ref>https://m.huffingtonpost.fr/2018/12/22/gilets-jaunes-eric-drouet-place-en-garde-a-vue-a-paris_a_23625285/?utm_hp_ref=fr-eric-drouet&ncid=other_homepage_tiwdkz83gze&utm_campaign=mw_entry_recirc</ref> His arrest spurned cries of "[[dictatorship]]" and "[[totalitarianism]]."

==European Spring==

==European Spring==