How brilliant is this?

The protests worked. I can't believe it. It's brilliant. But I should keep in mind that France is not America, nor Australia for that matter.

The French government has completely axed the proposed First Job Contract (CPE), which had been protested by millions on the streets in France. The new labour laws would have made it easier for employers to sack young people. People left their jobs to protest, they held strikes, they forgot about university. They made their displeasure known.

Obviously, protesting is not new. Dissatisfaction with the government is certainly not new. But a major difference being made as a result - ie. the government making a complete u-turn - is not common. At least not here.

Because the majority of the Australian population were not on the streets to protest the IR reforms here, the protestors might as well have been invisible. They represented a small minority, we were told. They didn't know what they were talking about, we were told. They were stirring up unnecessary fear, we were told. Did you feel like I did during those protests? I felt they motivated the government even more to pass the laws. I felt the protests tripled their stubborness. Where was democracy? Surely the right to protest is about more than just holding signs and wearing masks. But the system has become so unresponsive. We vote. And then we are absolutely nothing. To protest in this country is to make a fool of yourself.

I applaud not only President Chirac for listening, but I applaud the French themselves, who consistently realise and utilise their power to make change.