Beyond GDP - why we like it here

One thing that seems to be missing from the notion of GDP is the things regarded as valuable that disappear as economic development takes place. One example would be simply the total amount of the "free range" area in the country, amount that will decrease as a result of people building more homes, government building more roads, etc. Global warming is of course another example if it leads to the disappearance of something previously available, perhaps an unpredictable climate but certainly the land soon unavailable because of the rising sea level. Any extinction of animal species due to economic development is also another obvious example.

This is also true when development leads not to the disappearance but to the "relative unavailability" and subsequent increase in the price of the thing, for example the price of land or of a basic commodity like staple food. Maybe this could be valued by looking at how much people pay (and have to pay) to enjoy what is left available by development.
I can only guess that it would take a really big chunk out of current GDP estimates everywhere.
Eugène Bucamp
By email

Important aspects of life in France to us.
Health - From personal experience, we consider the French national health service to be the best in the world. We would be very sad to see this service follow in the footsteps of some other countries which are now stifled with red tape and budget management. In our experience most people would be happy to pay another few euros per prescription, consultation, test etc. rather than impose restrictive budgets on hospitals and clinics.

Law and order - Perhaps more because of our age, crime prevention is important to us. We feel safer and more secure in France and see far less hooliganism partly due to a more noticeable police presence and partly due to the next item.

Family life - We find the French attitude to the family and children strongly connected to good social behaviour. We would hope that the family get-together at mealtimes and the strong bonds of all the family generations continue. Although the two-hour midday shutdown can be frustrating at times, we would hate to see it reduced to a fast-food snack event which is highly detrimental to family life.

Education - Although we are pensioners we have grandchildren in France and believe French education to be very good.

France first - Even though we are not French Nationals, we feel that France should put France first, maintain her French individuality and continue to hold strong her beliefs within the EU and the world.

Roger and Cindy Godsmark
By email