I apologize for returning yet one more time to the hoary old subject of French taxation, but I can’t let Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault’s pledge that there will be a “tax pause” in France, in 2015 rather than 2014, pass without comment. I am reminded of a famous speech by Charles James Fox in 1800 in which he is replying to a suggestion that the war with France should be “paused” rather than that there should be peace negotiations. Said Fox: “…. if a man were present now at a field of slaughter, and were to inquire for what they were fighting – ‘Fighting!’ would be the answer; they are not fighting, they are pausing.’ ‘Why is that man expiring? Why is that other writhing in agony? What means this implacable fury?’ The answer must be ‘You are wrong, sir; … Read More »