French Unilateralism

France's biggest beef with the U.S. decision to depose Saddam Hussein was that it was reached "unilaterally" -- where unilateral meant "without the consent of France, Germany, and, of course, Belgium."

Given the putatively stalwart opposition of the French people to unilateral action, what are we to make of their recent unilateral vote repudiating the European Constitution? Here was their opportunity to go along with their European allies who had already voted in favor of the European constitution, and they selfishly opted not to take it. I say selfishly because the reputable media coverage of French public opinion suggests that fear of losing jobs to lower-wage countries and the ensuing threat to the lavish French welfare state were the driving factors in their NO vote.

But how is this possible? I thought the French were selfless altruists who believe in sacrificing one's own interests to the wishes of one's allies?!?

Is that burning cheese I smell, or could it be the scent of hypocrisy?