Its not a French thing. If an organisation (any organisation, any country) is allowed to suck indiscrimately from the engorged teat of public funding, it's going end up sclerotic and useless, with a overload of useless people - especially management types. Don't get me started on the NHS.
Corrine - good for you, cheri. Talking Truth to Power, for real.
Amen to that. This could be a picture of the organization where I work. Image beore mission I call it, where it's more important to be nice than productive. The remark about consultants in my experience is right on the mark.