Patientrenter: The assertion was not that France is a loser country, rather, it’s that France has significant structural problems, not least of which is a huge pension overhang. France also has a hugely bloated social sector and declining productivity, which is largely a result of union mandated hours and the 35 hour work week.
Additionally, French policies regarding labor, taxation and unionization have driven many of their most profitable companies and industries out of the country. Sarkozy is an improvement, but you’re still dealing with decades of counterproductive legislation and policies and all based on a socialist philosophy.