What Greenspan is proposing is far too little, far too late, and what he needs to do is not prod the politicians with a feather but with a cattle prod. He's actually doing more damage than good by suggesting we can get by with such minor adjustments.

He's very easygoing and friendly, someone you would like immediately. He knows how to explain to the public what's going on without making it unintelligible.

To talk about [sales tax rates] independent of what we're currently facing is slightly unprofessional.

It is clear to everybody that France needs reform. Our unemployment is too high, particularly among the young, but employers fear that once people are taken on staff it becomes very difficult and expensive to lay them off in a downturn, so we need labor market flexibility.

I strongly believe we're going to find that traffic is not a problem there, ... If there needs to be adjustments, adjustments will be made. Period.

Anyone who thinks they're sexy needs their head checked.