Mass protests: Ted Jenkin says Europe is burning because people can't pay bills; America should pay attention

Protests over living costs

France has seen crowds protesting the high cost of living, and Italy has had demonstrations involving tens of thousands of workers and students. Their concerns include wages, housing and everyday expenses.

A photograph from Limoges, France, dated Oct. 17, 2026, shows a fire consuming city hall after people forced their way into the building during protests. The account describes the current conditions as different from those of earlier unrest, but says the frustration is familiar.

A familiar French grievance

In 1789, rising bread prices drove thousands of women to march on the Palace of Versailles and demand answers from King Louis XVI. The protests were about the cost of food, not the stock market.

The comparison highlights how economic pressure can bring people into the streets. Today, the concern is that workers earning paychecks still cannot comfortably cover their lives.

Statistics and household budgets

Politicians often point to economic growth, unemployment and inflation figures. But many people focus instead on whether they can afford groceries, electricity and mortgage payments. The argument is that a healthy economy, as measured by economists, may not match what families experience at home. Ted Jenkin urges Americans to pay attention to that difference.