It is so hard to watch what is happening in France. On Saturday night, masked rioters looted shops in Paris, Marseille, Lyon, and Bordeaux and set cars ablaze along the Canal Saint-Martin, one of the loveliest corners of Paris. In Limoges, the spire of a 143-year-old town hall collapsed in flames, and for many in France, it brought back memories of the night Notre Dame burned. More than 2,000 people were arrested over the weekend, and now at least two people are dead.
France helped America win its independence. It is our oldest ally, and it is in trouble. But so too is our country, because some of the problems and ideas that brought France to this point are becoming more apparent in America.
This year’s protests began with high school students angry about overcrowded classrooms and crumbling schools, and their frustration is understandable. France spends more on social programs than any other wealthy country, yet it cannot keep its schools in good condition, because the money has run out:
- The French government spends an amount on social programs equal to 57% of the country’s economy, compared with 38% in the United States.
- French debt has reached 119% of GDP, the highest since World War II.
- Next year, France will spend €74 billion ($83 billion) on interest, more than it will spend on education or defense.
- The government has proposed €54 billion ($60.5 billion) in cuts, including frozen pay for public workers and frozen pensions for all but the poorest retirees.
In France, retirees now have higher incomes than working-age adults. Over the past 50 years, median income for French workers doubled, while income for retirees rose by more than 160%. When millions of people rely on the government for their income, every attempt to rein in spending is fraught with peril. France could not even raise its retirement age from 62 to 64; after months of protests, the government gave up last year. All of this shows a truth that anyone who lived on the other side of the Iron Curtain, or in Cuba or Venezuela, knows all too well: Socialism does not create prosperity. It creates dependency.
But then the protests stopped being about schools. Protesters waved Palestinian flags in the Place de la République while a bus stop burned nearby. What does the war in Gaza have to do with teacher shortages in a Paris suburb? Nothing. Movements like this one pull in every grievance because what unites their loudest voices is hostility to the West itself. Students with real complaints ended up marching alongside people who came just to break things and loot stores.
Some of the loudest cheering for the riots came from outside France. BreakThrough Newsâ?¯–â?¯a New York-based outlet funded by Neville Roy Singham, an American tech millionaire who lives in Shanghaiâ?¯– promoted the unrest as a historic strike against austerity. Congress is investigating Singham and his network of nonprofits over his ties to the Chinese Communist Party and whether money from the same network has helped fuel protests here in the United States. Whatever the people promoting this unrest want, better schools are not on the list.
None of this means the frustration driving socialist politics in America is imaginary. Millions of Americans work hard and still cannot afford a home, pay for childcare or keep up with medical bills, and many feel Washington stopped listening to them a long time ago. The question is what to do about them.
The Democratic Socialists of America have a platform that envisions America adopting several policies France has already tried, sometimes with disastrous results:
- A 32-hour workweek at full pay.â?¯In 2000, France cut its workweek to 35 hours to create jobs. Studies found it did not raise employment.
- Aggressive wealth taxes.â?¯France had one for decades. Wealthy taxpayers left faster than they returned and took billions in assets with them, until France repealed the tax in 2018.
- Free health care, college, and housing.â?¯According to the Congressional Budget Office, Medicare for All alone would add $1.5 trillion to $3 trillion a year in federal spending.
America is far richer than France, but our budget is already headed the same way. Washington will run a deficit this year equal to 5.8% of GDP, larger than France’s, and the national debt is on track to pass its World War II record within a decade. Adding the DSA agenda on top of that would put us on the same road as France, where riots are the norm and there is no clear path back from the brink.
We hope France can find its way through this latest crisis, and we hope it serves as a wake-up call to Americans. If our leaders cannot find the courage to solve our problems and fix the mismatch between what government has promised and the money it has to spend, Americans could find ourselves confronting the chaos now unfolding on the streets of France.
No Labels exists to support the leaders in both parties who are willing to make those hard choices, and to stand up to the extremes on the left and right that make them harder.
Starting the Day With a Scripture-Inspired Roast Helps Center Your Thoughts on Eternal Truths Amid Temporal Pressures
The world can seem chaotic, especially right after we wake up. Many believers start their mornings reaching for something familiar — a hot cup of coffee — yet end up settling for mediocre brews that do little more than deliver a caffeine jolt. The daily grind of life, with its endless distractions, news cycles, and responsibilities, can leave even the most faithful feeling spiritually parched alongside their physical fatigue. What if your morning ritual could do more than wake you up? What if it could ground you in truth, nourish your body with exceptional quality, and quietly advance a kingdom purpose at the same time?
That’s the promise — and the reality — behind Promised Grounds Coffee. This Christian-founded company doesn’t just roast beans; it approaches every step as an act of worship and discipleship. By selecting only the top 10% of specialty-grade beans, ethically sourced from dedicated farmers in Central and South America, and small-batch roasting them with reverence in Austin, Texas, Promised Grounds delivers what many describe as the best coffee available — never burnt, never bland, but rich with origin stories and layered flavors that honor God’s creation.
From the vibrant Psalm 27 Roast (a light, bright medium option) to the bold yet peaceful 2 Timothy 1:7 Decaf, each bag carries a Scripture verse that turns your daily pour into a gentle reminder of faith. And through their Ounce Per Ounce Promise, every ounce of coffee you enjoy provides an equal ounce of clean water to families in need via partnership with Filter of Hope — literally brewing hope for body and soul, one cup at a time.
The challenge for today’s Christians runs deeper than finding a decent cup. In an age of convenience-driven consumerism, it’s easy to support companies that dilute values or remain silent on matters of faith. Many believers want their everyday choices — from what they drink to how they spend — to reflect discipleship rather than just convenience. Promised Grounds solves this by weaving Christian excellence into the entire process: beans nurtured with prayerful stewardship by farming families, roasted as an offering rather than a commodity, and packaged with Bible verses to encourage a mindset of gratitude and purpose from the first sip. Reviewers consistently praise the smooth, rich profiles — whether enjoyed black in a drip maker, iced on a warm day, or shared in fellowship — noting how the quality stands toe-to-toe with premium secular brands while delivering something far more meaningful.
This integration of faith and flavor addresses a real need in Christian households and ministries. Busy parents, church leaders, and remote workers alike report that starting the day with a Scripture-inspired roast helps center their thoughts on eternal truths amid temporal pressures. The coffee’s exceptional character — bright citrus notes in lighter roasts or deep chocolate undertones in bolder ones — comes from meticulous selection and careful roasting that respects the bean’s natural gifts rather than masking them. It’s the kind of coffee that elevates a simple quiet time, fuels productive workdays, or sparks meaningful conversations when shared at Bible studies or outreach events. And because it’s ethically sourced with integrity, every purchase supports sustainable livelihoods for farmers who treat their crops like family harvests.
For those leading churches or small groups, the impact multiplies. Promised Grounds offers bundles and options perfect for hospitality ministries, turning ordinary coffee service into an opportunity to point people toward the living water of Christ. Imagine greeting visitors with a warm cup whose very bag carries God’s Word — a subtle yet powerful witness that aligns with the Great Commission. The company’s Texas roots and commitment to “brewing hope” resonate especially with believers who value American enterprise paired with global compassion.
Of course, quality alone isn’t enough if the experience feels out of reach. Promised Grounds keeps it accessible with practical perks like free shipping on orders over $40, sample sets for discovering favorites, and thoughtful add-ons such as faith-themed mugs. Whether you prefer whole beans for fresh grinding, grounds for convenience, or even bulk options for larger households and ministries, the result is consistently superior coffee that makes discipleship feel integrated rather than added on.
As you consider how to align even the smallest habits with your walk with God, Promised Grounds Coffee stands out as a refreshing solution. It tackles the dual problems of subpar daily sustenance and disconnected consumption by offering a product that genuinely excels in taste while advancing a mission of clean water, farmer dignity, and scriptural encouragement. Believers who make the switch often describe it as more than a beverage upgrade — it becomes part of their rhythm of gratitude, a daily invitation to remember that every good gift comes from above.
If you’re ready to transform your mornings (and perhaps your church gatherings) with coffee that honors both exceptional craftsmanship and Christian values, I encourage you to explore what Promised Grounds has to offer. One sip at a time, you’ll be nourishing your body, refreshing your spirit, and participating in something far greater — all while enjoying what truly is among the best coffee available.
