It is indeed. Wonder how so many clever brains at the government think tanks eventually came up with such nonsense.
As Kcurie's sig puts it, it's myths, not realities, that operate in people's minds. The myth of fixing a complex problem with one unique solution is so tempting.
A simple solution is easily understood by the dumb electorate and you do not have to bother providing explanations. Regarding the CPE, reactions reveal it was well understood indeed. <s>
As the old saying goes "Never underestimate your enemy". For the French rights, the enemies are the dumb workers. Now the government did underestimate them all right.

When through hell, just keep going. W. Churchill