LETTER: Protesters in France just want fairness

In his Sunday column, Victor Joecks claims that the Paris protesters, as well as those in Milan, are rallying around a common cause: destroying the West. But the protests and clashes in France are driven by a deepening cost-of-living crisis, growing inequality and severe underfunding in the school system — three moral and honorable reasons.

Reaching these goals will strengthen and support a country, not destroy it.

A cost of living that does not keep pace with essential expenses significantly harms society. Health and nutrition declines because households are forced to cut back on care or eat cheaper, less-nutritious foods. It also leads to mental health stress, erosion of social trust, housing instability and higher poverty rates.

Equality enhances social cohesion and trust. Societies with smaller income gaps report higher levels of interpersonal trust, stronger neighborhood ties and greater confidence in public institutions. Higher inequality is associated with higher rates of social friction and anti-social behavior.

Spending on public education leads to economic mobility, growth and wages. It helps break the cycle of poverty and crime, increases opportunity and creates a more skilled workforce.

These are the reasons for the protests. Taken at face value, achieving those goals would strengthen and re-enforce the West, not destroy it. I don’t agree with their methods — violence is not the answer. But I also don’t agree with Mr. Joecks’ assertion that these protesters want to destroy the West.