But as the late senator Ted "Series of Tubes" Stevens learned, we will judge you harshly if you insist on technological illiteracy despite being elected to set federal laws that affect technology, privacy, labor, global competitiveness, immigration, appropriations and any other policy area that intersects with the digital economy, as is the case for many of the members of today's Luddite Caucus.
Enforcing these limits in the middle of a deep recession will not lower labor costs, increase competitiveness and reduce debt.
And some economists contend that byzantine labor laws stymie competitiveness and prevent companies from hiring more workers.
The measures are considered under five criteria, which are cost (capital and maintenance), payback period, competitiveness, labor and social impacts, and environmental concerns.
The cut is intended to reduce the cost of labor and increase French competitiveness.
"These deficiencies include a lack of competitiveness, rigid labor markets and the failure to seize opportunities for growth," he said.
Nor do they acknowledge that, despite the robust G.D.P., Russia's rankings on such essential global economic issues as competitiveness and labor efficiency are appallingly low.
Mr. Mantilla said the government planned to set up "discussion tables" for workers and managers to discuss competitiveness and labor conditions.
While it has problems with labor costs and declining competitiveness, "we are not the sick man of Europe," he said angrily, accusing much of the Anglo-Saxon and German press of "French-bashing".
On the economy, there have been modest changes to loosen the labor market and promote competitiveness, but Mr. Hollande seems unwilling to boast about them, because they go against the grain of his party.
