Kami left Sunday evening for St. Martin so that she could attend her government required class...the topic: Living in France.
The class had already been canceled and rescheduled twice, so Kami didn't really know what to expect. Although the class was supposed to start at 8AM on Monday morning, she had to wait until 9:45. The reason for the delay? "The class will not start until at least 10 people have arrived for the class." Needless to say, the tenth person finally showed up at 9:45 !
Kami said that her class was very interesting and that she learned quite a bit about France... The class was taught in French and translated into English and Spanish. Here are some things that she was taught :
- Being that Adolph Hitler was against homosexuals, gypsies, and Jews, France decided to enter WWII and to fight against Germany because France "stands for the equal rights for all men and women.".... Hhmmm...and I thought it was because Germany invaded France and tried to take them over...
- WWI was about France fighting against Russia, England, Germany, and Italy.
- Homeless people have equal rights as anybody else. In fact, if you are homeless in France (living on the streets and in parks) the government will pay you 480 euros or about $630 per month as welfare. By law, shower buildings are required to be built in each city so that you can shower each week. You are allowed 1 doctor visit per month (paid by the government)...I'm lucky if I get to see the doctor once a year! You will also be supplied (by the government) if you choose to accept it, one round-trip bus ticket or airplane ticket to travel to the south of France or any French Caribbean island during the winter months so that you do not freeze in the winter months. You are allowed to beg for money on the streets for extra income and your only obligation is that you must notify the police of the approximate area or park in which you plan on being homeless.
- Law is always superior to religion.
- Once a child turns 15, a parent has no right to stop any sexual relationship their child chooses to enter.
- You have the right to Free Speech, however, you also have the right to "not be offended". This means that you cannot say anything that will offend another person. Thus you cannot say anything "offensive" against homosexuals, race, religion, etc.
- There are more government benefits such as more money and lower taxes if you live with someone instead of being married to someone.
- By law, a wife/husband cannot read or look through their spouse's cell phone messages.
These were just a few of the things that Kami learned at this meeting and she came back with a new wealth and knowledge of France. She did enjoy her day and made the entire class laugh when she replied, "Not my husband!" to the statement, "A man, by law, can have only 1 wife but as many girlfriends as he pleases..."
Until next time....or the next class!
