Quote from luisHK:
Noone I think is saying that this money paid in taxes is exclusively gobbled by voracious and corrupted politicians - much of it is indeed wasted in unproductive programs - you didn't mention retirement but should have.
I'm very upset with culture subventions, subidize any bugger who might be able to share some interesting ideas and those ideas are largely gone. Subversive culture is ridiculous in France, much better to talk about one's kitchen or about dating neighbour and get subsidies than questionning the system. Also there are pretty strict anti hate laws in France that restrict seriously free speech. Do you Watch french movies ? they strongly lack political content, at least content opposed to french mainstream.
Murray Rothbard wrote quite a bit about how states use intelectuals to enforce its power through their funding, I found it interesting but pretty obvious.
I read yesterday that it's wrth in Norway as journalists are heavily subsidised as well. I'm not surprised from Norway and not really sure about the situation in France.
I'm not familiar at all with the entrepreneurs help you mention, is it related to Hollande alledged pro business policies ?
As a general rule be aware of state organisms who are here to help young entrepreneurs, ime they are staffed by utter losers, definetely people who couldn't get a business going on their own.