It was French linguists (back in the pre-Chomsky dark ages) who first showed what a silly idea this kind of system is--in words not much different from Thierry's. And every Frenchman that I talk to thinks the whole thing is stupid.
And yet, France is the only country in the world that still attempts to legally enforce some bizarre idea of "correct" language change. So, why is this system still in place? Why hasn't someone run for government specifically with the idea of getting rid of it? Or, just ignore the whole thing, use the "wrong" words without a second thought, and don't argue in front of the rest of the world lest the Quebecois will start to get the idea that they're as good as you.... It may sound a bit odd for an American to throw stones, since the US has more stupid laws and policies than all of Europe put together--but that's just the point: We expect you to be more rational than us, and it's always disappointing to see you being as stupid and jingoistic as Americans--or, worse, as whinily accepting as Americans of stupid and jingoistic policies that you actually hate.
