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Is Switzerland The Ultimate Safe Haven For Liberty And Wealth?

Tyler Durden's picture




 

Submitted by Claudio Grass via Acting-Man.com,

Dangerous Freedom versus Peaceful Slavery

At Global Gold, I am often asked what we would do if, for example, the US were to come out with a confiscation order. My reply is: We would do nothing whatsoever! Why? Quite simply, because no one in Switzerland has the political power to execute such an order! Even if Swiss politicians were to support such a confiscation order, the Swiss people would likely have the final vote. I am confident that any such confiscation order wouldn’t have any chance to be supported by a majority in Switzerland, especially one concerning assets held outside the banking system such as physical precious metals.

Even in the highly unlikely case that it would be accepted, the vote would take at least twelve months, thereby giving the persons affected enough time to move their assets elsewhere. In my view this is the main advantage of a direct democracy, it ensures that the people rather than the politicians in power have sovereignty. The federalist structure of Switzerland moreover guarantees that political power is reduced to a minimum. “Confederation Helvetica” might be the old name for Switzerland, but it is just as valid today as it was in the past.

 

Burma opposition leader Aung San Suu

Inside the Curia Confedarationis Helveticae (Swiss Parliament building) in Bern

Photo credit: Sébastien Feval – AFP

The mainstream press claims that Western countries are democratic, but is a representative democracy a true democracy? I don’t think so! Voting for a party or a politician who decides “on your behalf” without being held accountable is not how democracy should work. Would you give power of attorney, which you cannot cancel for four years, to someone who cannot be held accountable for their actions on your behalf? I wouldn’t!

American researchers from Princeton University came to the conclusion that the Unites States, the self-proclaimed bringer of democracy to the world, is not the democracy that it claims to be, but rather an oligarchy that is driven by the interests of the elites. I was particularly drawn to an article written by John W. Whitehead of the Rutherford Institute who wrote the following passage:

“Perhaps the most troubling fact of all is this: we have handed over control of our government and our lives to faceless bureaucrats who view us as little more than cattle to be bred, branded, butchered and sold for profit. If there is to be any hope of restoring our freedoms and reclaiming control over our government, it will rest not with the politicians but with the people themselves. When all is said and done, each American will have to decide for themselves whether they prefer dangerous freedom to peaceful slavery.”

slavery vs freedom

A picture taken during the Athens Polytechnic uprising against the Greek military junta in 1973

Photo via thecitizen.gr

 

Switzerland’s Strengths

Direct democracy is the reason why I feel safer in Switzerland than in any other country and I can honestly say that there is no other country I would rather live in. Although Switzerland is by no means perfect, there is a growing opposition movement that is gaining momentum headed by a few Swiss who have the potential to become true leaders, not rulers.

They understand that our personal freedom and liberty are at risk and that our country’s legacy embedded in its decentralized political structure is also at risk. In addition to direct democracy in Switzerland, the decentralized system of government not only limits the power of politicians but also restrains the wishes of the masses, because local fiscal responsibility is held at the lowest possible level forcing citizens to balance the benefits and costs of public expenditure. Without these limits on power, government positions only attract power-hungry people.

 

Old_Confederacy_18th_centur

The Swiss Confederacy in the 18th century. Today there are 26 Cantons and more than 2,000 municipalities, which enjoy a great degree of political autonomy – click to enlarge.

 

Hans-Hermann Hoppe once wrote:

“Democracy has nothing to do with freedom. Democracy is a soft variant of communism, and rarely in the history of ideas has it been taken for anything else.”

In essence, I agree with Hoppe’s statement, however, I am confident that a decentralized and direct democratic state, such as Switzerland, represents an acceptable form of state. The small country of Switzerland has over 2,000 communes, each of which sets its own income tax rate. This creates huge competition between the different communes and gives the population the possibility to “vote with their feet”, i.e. move to a commune a couple of miles away should they be unhappy with the way things are run at their current place of residence.

In such a system politicians and bureaucrats will have to serve the people because otherwise they will lose the support of taxpayers and their funding! As always, competition is key and the only protection against totalitarianism. I am confident that the majority of the Swiss people understand the beauty of the Swiss form of government. This can for example be seen in the fact that even though various statist and lobbying groups have tried to push Switzerland into the EU several times, today around 70% of the Swiss still don’t want to join the EU!

 

supranational-european-bodies

The Swiss have got it right: free trade with the EU is fine, but you can keep the rest, especially your socialist bureaucratic superstate

 

A Look at a few Recent Developments in Switzerland

Having said that, Switzerland is of course not a libertarian Utopia and several developments in recent years are worrisome. One topic close to my heart is how at the end of the 1990s Swiss politicians and central bankers decided to get off the gold standard through the back door, while keeping the Swiss people in the dark. Since then, we have seen excessive monetary expansion.

At the end of the 90s the balance sheet of the Swiss National Bank (SNB) stood at CHF 50 billion, which doubled by 2007 and increased fivefold to CHF 530 billion as of today. Politicians, bureaucrats, big businesses, central banks and the big credit institutions are building an alliance to change the rules for their own benefit and to fit their political agendas.

 

1-Swiss Monetary Base

The Swiss monetary base, which represents the vast bulk of the liabilities of the SNB’s balance sheet (consisting of currency and bank reserves). Since 2007 it has exploded into the blue yonder – click to enlarge.

 

Swiss banking secrecy had enjoyed a long lasting tradition since it was introduced in the 1930s to protect Jewish clients from the Nazis. It was certainly not implemented to hide money for criminal purposes or to circumvent taxes, but to provide privacy to people who really needed it. The wrongdoings of one bank, UBS, were seen as an opportune moment by a number of leftist politicians to follow through on their long-term plan to abolish banking secrecy.

However, the basic instincts of the Swiss against centralized government are still intact and the public is finally waking up. The fractional reserve banking system is one of the key pillars of our financial system and an initiative is currently underway in Switzerland to take this power away from banking institutions. Although I am critical of this initiative, because it aims to give the SNB more powers, it shows how critical the Swiss are of the status quo.

 

Swiss-gold-reserves

Switzerland’s gold reserves since 1999. In the late 90s, under severe political pressure and the leadership of an increasingly Keynesian central bank board, Switzerland ditched the bulk of its gold reserves at precisely the wrong moment, close to 20 year price lows.

 

The population is also becoming increasingly skeptical of the Swiss National Bank, often dubbed Switzerland’s largest hedge fund. Although the gold initiative was rejected, it showed that a large part of the population would like to return to a gold standard and, more importantly, it even helped raise a public debate about our current monetary system and that is a key development.

We also see other positive signs. Voters rejected a new law to increase paid vacation from 4 to 6 weeks per year, a piece of legislation that would have passed with a very high majority in any other European country (if their populations were allowed to vote on such topics). At the same time a new party is collecting signatures to abolish public funding of our governmental propaganda TV and radio stations. There is also an initiative in the pipeline to ensure that Swiss law will stand above international law and thus restore full sovereignty to the nation.

Conservative and libertarian values opposing a centralized government are on the rise and we have a growing number of blogs and newspapers writing about the libertarian values, tradition and Switzerland’s history. More and more Swiss citizens seem to remember the advantages of a decentralized political system and are finally waking up.

Pro-freedom parties are gaining seats in the National Council, which will shift the balance of power from a center-left parliament to a more traditional, conservative and freedom oriented parliament. Due to all the reasons mentioned above, I am confident that Switzerland will continue to swim against the tide and remain a bastion of stability and freedom.

 

 chillon-castle-switzerland-6401

Château de Chillon on Lake Geneva, Switzerland

Photo via ilonatishkova.livejournal.com

 

Do You Want a Cashless Society?

Jean-Claude Juncker, the 12th and current President of the European Commission, made a statement that depicts the exact situation we are in:

“We decide on something, leave it lying around and wait and see what happens. If no one kicks up a fuss, because most people don’t understand what has been decided, we continue step by step until there is no turning back.”

Although he made this statement with regards to the introduction of the Euro, I believe it also applies to the recent developments, with politicians and banking lobbyists pushing to move toward a cash-free society. The Danish government announced in the beginning of May that it wants to abolish cash. There have been reports that the EU is intending to become cash-free by 2018.

 juncker

Europe’s chief bureaucrat Jean-Claude Juncker ringing the bell

Photo credit: DAPD

 

If this is true, it means that governments will monitor every single transaction and financial privacy (not criminal action) will disappear. Banks are complaining about the overwhelming storage costs for cash, and politicians are using security and the fight against terrorism as a justification to abolish cash altogether.

But is this really the solution? What are the aims? Aside from having control over every transaction in the country, abolishing cash would give governments complete control over the management of money. In a cashless society, central banks would have unlimited leeway to maneuver and push interests rates even further down.

This would certainly be a convenient measure for financial institutions, but for us advocates of liberty, this is a clear red flag! Negative interest rates mean there will be increasing expropriation of wealth, higher consumption and more and more borrowing which will take debt to a whole new level.

Not only that, but as we go digital, the authorities will have full access and control of our accounts and transactions. Privacy will no longer exist. Last March, JP Morgan Chase in the US went so far as to apply a new policy implemented in certain locations, whereby borrowers can no longer make cash payments on credit card balances, mortgages, equity lines and auto loans.

Not only that, Chase even prohibited storing cash inside safety deposit boxes! Isn’t what I store inside my safety deposit box my own private matter? Some countries like France and Greece have already started to impose cash payment restrictions. Australia is even imposing a compulsory tax on savings! Simply put, paper money is now the obstacle; isn’t that ironic?

On the other hand of the spectrum we have once again Switzerland. Our parliament recently rejected the suggestion to prohibit cash payments above CHF 100,000, and a bill that was introduced due to pressure from the FATF and the Global Forum failed to pass.

 

 total surveillance

The total surveillance future

 

How Can You Protect Yourself?

I believe that the best way to protect oneself is to buy (more) physical gold and silver and to move it outside the banking system to a safe jurisdiction such as Switzerland! This is your chance to protect your savings from further undisciplined money printing, from government confiscation and possible bail-ins in the banking sector. One ounce of physical gold will always remain one ounce! In the dangerous world we are living in today, I like to think in terms of gold, the only anchor I know that has survived over thousands of years and the only form of insurance that can definitely provide protection against the uncertain times ahead.

I would like to conclude by quoting Victor Hugo who once said:

“You can’t stop an idea whose time has come”

I believe the time has come for governments to become smaller and have less power.

 

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Thu, 05/21/2015 - 02:06 | 6116330 reader2010
reader2010's picture

The answer is No. 

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 02:21 | 6116345 Doña K
Doña K's picture

The contagion has spread even to Switzerland. No place to hide. 

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 03:19 | 6116408 Automatic Choke
Automatic Choke's picture

I've been on climbing expeditions with Swiss.  They are the only folks more arrogant and obnoxious than Germans, and that is quite a mouthful.

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 03:28 | 6116411 ebear
ebear's picture

Totally agree.  Spent some time there in the 70's.  Geneva was nice, the rest of the place sucked dead donkey dick.

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 04:55 | 6116477 Keyser
Keyser's picture

I take it that AC has never had the displeasure of bumping into any Israeli tourists in his travels... World renowned for their rude and obnoxious behavior... 

http://www.haaretz.com/jewish-world/the-problem-with-israeli-travelers-1...

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 04:57 | 6116486 DutchBoy2015
DutchBoy2015's picture

Not just Israeli Jews. American Jews also.   Whiners and demanding tourists. thinking the world ''owes'' them .

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 05:03 | 6116494 Keyser
Keyser's picture

Can you imagine this sign anywhere in the western world?  Me either... 

http://www.jewishproblem.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/israelis-not-wel...

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 06:26 | 6116575 Supernova Born
Supernova Born's picture

If you're Swiss, it's a haven.

If not, not.

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 07:53 | 6116688 jefferson32
jefferson32's picture

The Canton of Ticino is the most reluctant towards Bern's prerogatives, will be the first to secede when time comes, and is the place where sovereignist/libertarian values are the most prevalent. Ticino also has a majority of the country's refineries and is the place with the highest guns per capita. It enjoys a tropical microclimate and people speak beautiful Italian (unlike Swiss german which can cause severe brain damage if exposed to for too long).

No surprise it was chosen as the place to migrate by the European Free State Project.

 

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 07:54 | 6116694 Gavrikon
Gavrikon's picture

Swiss German - Throat disease

Dutch - Lung disease

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 09:00 | 6116869 BaBaBouy
BaBaBouy's picture

Absolutely Shocking Swiss Stats !

True Keynesian Takover And GOLD Debasement.

Looks Almost Like What Canada Did 30 Years Ago...

Is This The World Domination Plan In Action?

FUCK...

 

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 06:29 | 6116580 Oh regional Indian
Oh regional Indian's picture

Hey Keyser, you know where you see these signs in India? Every place Israeli tourists go and make a mess of everything. Break rental bikes, refuse to pay, bully....

So, many tourist places hav signs saying we will not serve israelis'. The most shameless two wrists and always up to no good..

But this article, to call the global headquarters of the Knights Templar, a cocooned, protected territory since at least a millenium....

To call this diseased nation (most guns, most slaves, most masons, most bankers) some kind of a safe haven is total NONSENSE. It is a manufactured neutral zone....nothiing else to it, anplace else would serve, but those Watchmaking templars...

BIS headquarters, enough said, no?

 

 

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 03:42 | 6116420 fredquimby
fredquimby's picture

Only towards obnoxious Americans. Thankfully not many can afford to come here anymore. It's mostly Chinks and Indians visiting now....

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 11:14 | 6117351 Thick Willy
Thick Willy's picture

I can confirm that.  I rarely run into any English speaking tourists under the age of 55 ANYWHERE in Europe.  Young Anglos simply do not have the money, working minimum wage jobs with $50,000 in student loan debt as they are.  Indians, Japanese, and Chinese?  Well, they're everywhere.  Most of the hospitality industry and tourist sites are scrambling to learn Chinese and get menus printed up in Mandarin.  The Anglo countries have been fully looted and the middle class decimated.  Very few under the age of 55 have the money to travel, and their most adventurous "foreign holidays" will be on cruise ships or to Mexico.

It's to the point that people who deal with tourists all day every day ask me where I'm from because they don't recognize my "accent" (neutral American "TV" accent).  That's how decimated the American middle class is.

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 08:27 | 6116771 SethDealer
SethDealer's picture

Switzerland nicest place I've ever been

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 11:14 | 6117367 Thick Willy
Thick Willy's picture

The whole Alps region stretching thru France, Switzerland, Northern Italy, and Austria is heaven on Earth if you ask me.

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 02:15 | 6116338 CarpetShag
CarpetShag's picture

No.
Read Jim Wiillie.

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 05:13 | 6116498 ConfederateH
ConfederateH's picture

Jim Wiillie [sic] doesn't know shit about Switzerland.

Mr Grass (the author) hits several important negative points, ie the governments media monopoly (we Swiss are forced to pay almost $500 a year in television tax), the gold sales in the 'aughts', scepticism about the SNB.  Here are some important points he missed:

1.  Looming initiative over inheritance taxes at the Federal level.

2.  Swiss troops in Kosovo, next door to the next Nuland color revolution in Macedonia.  This is a side affect of the Swiss people being under zionist mind control.  Think giving women the vote in the 90's and joing the UN and becoing a Nato "partner in peace".

3.  Total illuminati/feminist/lesbian mind control of the fairer sex.  The new generation of Swiss women have turned themselves into satans bimbo's, whores, and soulless lesbians. 

4.  Capture of Swiss export industries by the NWO/illuminati.  Think Novartis, Roche, Nestle, Holderbank, ABB, UBS, CS, Julius Baer, etc.  

5.  Anglo-American take over of Swiss banking, consider the american and english nationality of the CEO's of the banks.  Think Hildebrand being offered a consulting job at Blackrock after his wifes' insider trading scandal.

6.  Sclerotic  Technocratic control of the entire economy.  Switzerland is a land of cartels who are controlled and licensed by "Fachexperten" who work with these cartels to keep out competition and fleece the Swiss consumer.

7.  The Swiss sheeple blindly follow the latest illuminati fad.  Apple über alles.  Think global warming (there are Co2 taxes all over).  Think refugees (now the left wants to let in 80,000 ignorant and useless black boat people.  Think gun control (every year we are treated to another illuminati gun control false flag). 

Thats enough for now.

The Swiss people are suffering through a stupor of illuminati mind control.  Unlike Mr. Grass, I see no indication that they are really finally waking up.  Just take the recent gold initiative as evidence.  Over 80% of the Swiss people voted against it (supposedly), and practically no one thought twice about the SNB and all the government controlled media actively campaigning against the initiative.

 

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 06:05 | 6116553 Urban Redneck
Urban Redneck's picture

But what facilitates and ties those points together?

The FEDERAL Constitution of 1999 and all the referendums where the sheeple cede moar power to the asshats in Bern.

Restore a proper CONFEDERATION (not the de facto Federal State codified by the 1999 Constitution), and there is the opportunity for for non-violent reform and positive evolution.

As to the author's thesis... it depends on the definition of "ultimate" - using proper English the answer would be NO, because there is no "ultimate".  However, that is a different and less applicable question than whether Switzerland is the BEST available haven for liberty and wealth.

 

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 06:13 | 6116563 Tinky
Tinky's picture

Good distinctions.

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 06:16 | 6116566 Ghordius
Ghordius's picture

UR, I don't see your point, please clarify. the way I see it,

the mainstay of all Swiss Constitutions is still the plebiscite, where it's possible to have an initiative and that initiative, if passed, is part of the constitution

if the Swiss People give more power to Bern... it can also take it back, by the same process. it's a question of political will of the People

further, it's still a confederation. the right of their semi-sovereign "Cantons" to secede is still there. and the right to secession is the litmus test between a federation and a confederation

btw, unrelated, there are a few eurozone regions all around Switzerland that would love to join that confederation, and make no compunction in expressing this hypothetical preference

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 06:47 | 6116588 Urban Redneck
Urban Redneck's picture

The problem is not the will of the people so much as the actions of the people.  

Edumacation is generational solution, whereas a new constitution which takes the one good element of the 1999 Constitution- more explicit codification of the referendum, and combines it with a rectification of the great evil of the 1999 constitution, the proposition of the federal state as a savior or solution to problems, would create a framework for better actions by the people at the ballot box in short order.  Unfortunately, undoing the creeping statism of the federal legislature referendum by referendum is also a generational solution. 

In this case, I believe form leads to substance, for better or worse, and the globalists, integrationalists, and federalists are all familiar enough with Aristotelian philosophy to use that to their advantage.

(Put another way: take a page out of their playbook and fake it till you make it.)

 

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 07:11 | 6116621 Ghordius
Ghordius's picture

I fear I still don't see your point, and I am further confused by "Edumacation is generational solution..."

in a direct democracy, the will of the people is the alpha and omega of everything, and "creeping statism" in a country where the semi-sovereign members tax more then the federation would, in my book, be a confederated states issue instead of a federal one... which would lead us to the constitutions of the Cantons, wouldn't it?

a Swiss (funnily, a Swiss Gard of the Pope) once explained to me the unofficial motto of the CH (German:) "Dem Bund die Kanonen, die Kultur den Kantonen", i.e. (English:) "Military Affairs to the Confederation and Cultural Affairs to the Cantons"

the "Cultural Affairs" of the Cantons include Police and primary/secundary Education. Switzerland has federal universities but has no federal police

according to this, what you are hinting to is all cultural, i.e. not a federal affair, in Switzerland

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 07:34 | 6116657 Urban Redneck
Urban Redneck's picture

The referendum has become a tool for imposing "cultural affairs" at the federal level- either when the legislature oversteps its authority, or certain sizable voting blocks see an opportunity to further their agenda.  Fixing the abuse of the referendum is an educational challenge that will take a generation or true crisis to complete.  Federal laws should be as rare as Swiss generals.  When the EU plays the "consolidated treaty" canard, the Swiss Foreign Minister cannot play the "Cantonal Ratification" canard.

The current constitutional framework is designed to achieve creeping statism.

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 07:50 | 6116685 Ghordius
Ghordius's picture

I fear I completely disagree. All constitutional frameworks can be mis-used for creeping statism

the Swiss Model is unique and nearly as radical as the Athenian Isocracy. It is based on that popular will plebiscite. Meaning that if the Swiss People change... they will change their constitution accordingly

what you seem to be proposing is a part of the constitution that blocks popular will... from cultural corruption

but then, it's not the Swiss Model anymore... and you would have to sell that to the Swiss, and explain them why you want to take power away from them ("for your own good"?)

further, whenever the EU plays that treaty canard, the Swiss Council of State (i.e. fed gov) replies with "We cannot change the Constitution, only the Swiss People can that"

something we are witnessing in the current Swiss-EU diplomacy around that recent referendum that applies "contingents" to the Schengen Treaty

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 08:15 | 6116735 Urban Redneck
Urban Redneck's picture

No, I am not proposing changes to the "one good element" of the 1999 Federal Constitution, despite its popular abuse by the irrational, uneducated, or devious.  What I am proposing is at least a triple majority (National Council, Council of States, and Cantons) for Federal Legislation, before the referendum even comes into play, and a movement towards federal standards instead of federal administrative law, and number of seemingly cosmetic changes enshrined in the Federal Constitution to remind people of why such issues are important.    

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 08:54 | 6116843 Oldwood
Oldwood's picture

How much of our "change" is driven by the interests of a few who seek to dominate society through manipulation and propaganda. This is what has and is happening in America. Direct democracy sounds fine and good until the direct majority dominates the minority in very meaningful ways. The idea that a constitution forbids usurpation of individual rights, should NOT be some aspect of a "living" document. It should be inviolate. Period. To have a constitution that only reflects current opinions (opinions that can easily be manipulated over a short term) is to have no constitution at all.

Even in the most oppressive tyranny, government policy is driven by some perception of the public's good. To make this the basis of a constitution is as valid as one written on toilet paper.

Direct democracy,like any other social scheme is only as valid as the people involved. As these European countries has trended liberal for decades now, they are starting to feel the effects. How will these native citizens feel about increasing numbers of foreigners gaining your beloved democratic majority and basically outlawing their very existence?

We are all trapped on this planet and are surging towards a single world governance daily. When we find ourselves subject to the tyranny of direct democracy, and suddenly realize that we are outnumbered by cultures who would happily see us gone from the planet, will you still embrace this democracy?

I'm tired of endless schemes for utopia that are based on theories that do not include human nature, instead embracing the idea that we can be "formed" into a higher state by simply imposing new rules. Marx believed this, as did Stalin, Lenin, Mao and many others. It failed and failed big, costing millions of lives, not just of the non subscribers, but millions who were simply crushed in the gears of its machinations. Simply exercising their interpretation of the public will, even when the public didn't know what that will was.

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 07:14 | 6116629 ConfederateH
ConfederateH's picture

You are leaving out the hidden government and their agenda.  The referendum are mostly a charade if SRF and TAMedia can broadcast illuminati lies and propaganda without any chance of refutation.  The Swiss cannot even discuss what the Zionists have done to Germany over the last 100 years without worry about accusations of "hate speech".

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 08:24 | 6116671 Urban Redneck
Urban Redneck's picture

So have you thrown out your TV and chosen to fight the Billag (and the rest of OFCOM), or are you helping to finance the Ministry of Truth while railing against it?

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 06:26 | 6116577 DogOfSinope
DogOfSinope's picture

I second every word.
On top of that, virtually all of Swiss media is just a propaganda machine.
Most of Swiss are brainwashed, yet convinced that they are somehow superior to everyone else. Extremely chauvinistic and shockingly racist, too. Which makes them not exactly popular in the neighborhood - usually end up last in the Eurosong. ;-) Their school system is a joke. Without steady import of both high and low end workforce everything would grind to a halt within weeks. Yet, they constantly openly yammer and insult both high (Germans, Brits, Americans...) and low end (hardworking people from Balkans, Italy, Portugal...) foreign workers - while simultaneously collecting outrageous rents from them.
Switzerland is in the mids of an epic housing bubble. Debt bubble, too. It's gold reserve is gone. They have no notable natural resources. Their finance industry is an easy pray for both DoJ and EU Commission (not undeservedly). Their debt to GDP ratio is wors than that of Japan. Their demographic prospect is gloomy. When the wheels start falling off from this thing it will be ugly. Iceland at least had some free hot water and some fish.

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 06:37 | 6116585 Ghordius
Ghordius's picture

"Extremely chauvinistic and shockingly racist, too" - funny that, they don't seem to mind a lot of Arab and Chinese tourists, though

"not exactly popular in the neighborhood" - explain that to their neighborhood. most of it would not mind to join them

"usually end up last in the Eurosong" - mhhh, considering how that contest works, it's actually a good sign

"Their school system is a joke" - says who? btw, primary and secundary education is local, in Switzerland, in the hands of the "Cantons"

"Their debt to GDP ratio is worse than that of Japan" - a telltale sign that you aren't serious

"On top of that, virtually all of Swiss media is just a propaganda machine" - you mean you follow Swiss media in three languages?

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 07:32 | 6116649 DogOfSinope
DogOfSinope's picture

Alternatively, one could always redefine what racism is...
http://www.thelocal.ch/20140221/foreign-pig

Oh, that reminded me of another common Swiss character trait: bigotry.

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 07:51 | 6116689 Urban Redneck
Urban Redneck's picture

That would not be racism under any definition except the untermenschen logic of the 'Muricans... who cannot distinguish between racism and xenophobia.

And considering the cop called the guy a foreign pig, AFTER HE WAS ARRESTED FOR COMMITTING A CRIME - it would seem an applicable characterization of the urchin.

Bigotry exists everywhere, even Switzerland, but the actual examples here tend to be mundane.

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 08:00 | 6116709 DogOfSinope
DogOfSinope's picture

Technically you are absolutely right, but I'm also sure you understand fully what was my point.

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 08:10 | 6116724 ConfederateH
ConfederateH's picture

Your point being that if a Swiss person, or say a Bundnerlander, wanted his valley to continue for his children with the same culture they have had for centuries, and was opposed to liberal Zürich, Bern and Geneva shoving african and middle eastern immigrants down their throats, then they are obviously racist.  You are sounding an awful lot like a zionist to me.

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 08:16 | 6116743 DogOfSinope
DogOfSinope's picture

You sound like a brainwashed fascist simpleton to me.

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 08:27 | 6116770 shovelhead
shovelhead's picture

Why?

Is being a bigot a bad thing in your book?

You need some more thieving Algerians in your neighborhood.

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 08:36 | 6116794 DogOfSinope
DogOfSinope's picture

What did Algerians do? Rigged LIBOR? Rigged EURIBOR? Rigged FOREX? Screwed virtually every living and yet to be born person on the planet?
Yet, in good old Swiss media you will only see shocking, SHOCKING, reports about dirt-poor Algerians being jailed for petty crimes, Turks being jailed smuggling kebab meat, etc.
No jailed (Swiss) bankers.

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 08:51 | 6116834 ConfederateH
ConfederateH's picture

97% of Zionists agree that goyim are "brainwashed fascist simpletons". 

Why don't the Algerians go to Israel?  Possibly because they know that they would be treated like Palestinians there!  Thats why the Zionists make sure the "brainwashed fascist simpleton" european goyim have to take them in.

If you think that not accepting the destruction of my culture by riculous immigration policies forced on us by the anglo-zionists makes me a bigot in the eyes of people desperate to escape the consequences of  their own race and culture, then I will just have to continue to bear the burden of your mis-appropriation of the word. 

In any case the Swiss do have to accept the projection your own feelings of racist guilt.

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 08:59 | 6116862 DogOfSinope
DogOfSinope's picture

Dude, one thing is for sure - you should definitely cut down on those mushrooms from your valley.

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 09:00 | 6116859 Urban Redneck
Urban Redneck's picture

The most hillarious example of bigotry I have witnessed in Switzerland occurred in 2007 when I lived in Geneva.  I was standing on one of the balconies smoking a cigar and watching the Jet d'Eau and an elderly, extremely well dressed couple (white man and black woman) walk down the quai towards my apartment.  At the same time a car went to park on the quai below my balcony.  An elderly couple exited the car as the other couple were entering my building.  As I went to put out my cigar and let in my guests, I watched Archie & Edith Bunker check names plates on the door to see who was responsible for letting the neighborhood go to hell.

Since then I moved from the lakefront in Geneva to the redneck hills around Zurich, and my current apartment would largely fit in my old formal dining room, but now my annual rent is significantly less than what I used to pay in a month, so I can battle the IRS at my leisure, and reasonably expect to remain solvent longer than they will.  

Materialism and classism are much more toxic cancers here than either racism or xenophobia, because the latter two can largely be overcome by INTEGRATION.

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 09:18 | 6116936 DogOfSinope
DogOfSinope's picture

I had similar experiences myself. :-)
But, xenophobia and racism should not be downplayed.
I have employees from various ethnic backgrounds, all top class professionals, young, bright, well cultured and well mannered. You wouldn't believe what kind of difference a skin color can make in, for example, finding them accommodation. It's truly a disgrace for a (supposedly) civilized country!
Good thing is that younger generations of Swiss don't buy this shit and are generally more open minded. So, there is hope.

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 07:24 | 6116643 ConfederateH
ConfederateH's picture

Yeah, sometimes the Swiss are almost as racist as blacks in America.   I imagine there are Swiss persons stupid enough to move to Detroit anyway.

I certainly would take the Swiss schools system over the US public school system.  The biggest problem with the Swiss school system is the pandering to all the children of ignorant immigrants.

 

 

 

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 07:26 | 6116646 DogOfSinope
DogOfSinope's picture

Thanks for proving my point!

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 07:37 | 6116659 market le pew
market le pew's picture

If Swiss are brainwashed, what does this make the majority of Americans? Brainwasheder?

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 07:57 | 6116670 DogOfSinope
DogOfSinope's picture

Well, I can't argue with that!
BTW, my argument with Swiss is not because I dislike them. On the contrary. It's in frustration - I'd like them to be better and there is so much potential. But, then I see it all being pulled down by a cheap populism, unwarranted xenophobia and the "wald mentalitaet" of "eindgenossene" simpletons. It breaks my heart and I can emotionally shoot back with unkind comment on the Internet. ;-)

Fri, 05/22/2015 - 01:57 | 6120267 not a yahoo
not a yahoo's picture

better brainwashed than no brain

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 08:14 | 6116739 oak111
oak111's picture

Switzeralnd is certainly not perfect, and not "the" paradise (to be defined).

In case you try to be comical, try again. I'll give you another chance. But at least try to be more educated!

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 08:25 | 6116766 DogOfSinope
DogOfSinope's picture

If your hallucinations of being a chance giver persist please consider changing your mushroom supplier.

Fri, 05/22/2015 - 01:55 | 6120264 not a yahoo
not a yahoo's picture

Stop spewing what comes out of your arse. 'debt to gdp ratio worse than japan'? I can't think any statement possibly be more wrong than this horseshit. It has one of the lowest public debt ratios of any country.

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 07:55 | 6116701 Gavrikon
Gavrikon's picture

Sounds like Germany.

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 05:28 | 6116521 DutchBoy2015
DutchBoy2015's picture

Jim Willie is interesting to listen to but he is just another Lindsey Williams. talking about his ''elite'' fellatio buddies.

Wait for it.  (subscribe to newsletter for ALL the inside info).  LOL

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 05:40 | 6116536 DutchBoy2015
DutchBoy2015's picture

Jim Willie. shyster extrodinaire (like Alex Jones).  He is living in Costa Rica , he good life on funds he acquires pushing his newsletter.

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 02:20 | 6116342 statelessman
statelessman's picture

Ha, if you're a U.S. person the Swiss will not protect you or your assets held in Switzerland even outside the banking system.

 

 

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 03:00 | 6116381 CarpetShag
CarpetShag's picture

Swiss bank "secrecy" folded like a cheap suit when they were threatened with exclusion from SWIFT.

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 04:56 | 6116481 DutchBoy2015
DutchBoy2015's picture

Not much reported is they are building a huge BitCoin depository.  Had a piece on RT about it but that piece was quickly not aired again.

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 05:19 | 6116509 ConfederateH
ConfederateH's picture

Are you saying that Thomas Jordan is not only gambling the Swiss people's currency on Apple and Netflix, but also on Bit Coin?  Quelle Surprise.

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 03:01 | 6116382 BoPeople
BoPeople's picture

Maybe the US government should save the world and just bomb Basel and Zurich back into the stone age.

All out war on the gnomes under the mountain.

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 05:39 | 6116451 Tinky
Tinky's picture

Nonsense. Countries such as Switzerland and Singapore will never allow a foreign government to seize private assets of foreign citizens held outside of the banking system, as their economies would be completely crushed by the ensuing capital flight.

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 02:24 | 6116348 disabledvet
disabledvet's picture

The USA laid it all out in the 'Nam.

 

This thing was a for profit enterprise since day one.

The faux patriotism is nauseating.

 

Great for gold investors tho.

 

This ain't WWII and these folks ain't FDR.

 

Something has to give.

 

Besides "Detroit" of course...

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 05:00 | 6116489 Keyser
Keyser's picture

Something has to give. 

With the alignment of events on the horizon for September, I would say you are going to get your wish... If it doesn't happen sooner... 

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 05:36 | 6116531 DutchBoy2015
DutchBoy2015's picture

I recall ''in country processing'' at DaNang. 71-72./  Everyone (no exceptions) had to open Chase Manhattan account to have pay sent to.

Chase made a killing off the war. (no pun intended).

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 05:38 | 6116532 DutchBoy2015
DutchBoy2015's picture

When I left ''the Nam'' in 1972 and arrived back at Travis AFB,. I wanted to spit on the silent majority types who supported the war.    

I was never spit on by any ''hippies'

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 02:34 | 6116357 Rock On Roger
Rock On Roger's picture

Edward Snowden shows the way.

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 02:41 | 6116359 Firewood
Firewood's picture

 

Citizen Snowden and the battle for freedom

 

http://www.pilgrimbreak.com/citizenfour-hd-high-speed-download/

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 03:47 | 6116423 ebear
ebear's picture

Snowden lost a lot of credibility with me when he made that appeal.  The limited hangout version starts to make more sense though when you weigh it all out.  I mean, seriously, the Swiss are going to protect him exactly how?  Sounds more like welcome home via the back door to me.

Besides, Russia has some very nice beaches on the Black Sea.  All Switzerland has is a crummy lake.

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 02:50 | 6116369 Vitautas
Vitautas's picture

Swiss monetary base, why it is exploding: If most exports go to the Euro-countries and if tourists come from Euro-countries, what shall we do if the Euro is crashing? Should we just sit and watch the export industry croaking?

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 05:48 | 6116539 Bioscale
Bioscale's picture

I guess all the stuff for the exports is being imported anyway, you don't need to debase the currency to "support" export. You buy/import cheaper, you sell/export cheaper, the amount of work /added value remains the same, right?

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 02:51 | 6116371 q99x2
q99x2's picture

I believe the time has come for governments to be replaced by open source software.

Lever Dot As Slav.

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 02:57 | 6116379 BoPeople
BoPeople's picture

With governments the main aggressors against their own and foreign peoples it is really:

Dangerous Slavery versus Peaceful Freedom

I would suggest that governments and the psychopathic elitists behind the governments cause wars and wars are inherently dangerous. People don't cause wars, especially free people. They have no reason to. People are dragged in shackles and at the point of a gun into war against other freedom and peace loving people.

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 03:01 | 6116383 Blopper
Blopper's picture

Nothing bad will ever happen to Switzerland.

It's the Rothschild's country.

Switzerland isn't an industrialized country and yet it's a country with one of the highest quality of living, a country with one of the strongest currency, and a country that house the world's central bank of central banks, the BIS.

Why?

As I've said, it's the Rothschild's country.

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 03:16 | 6116399 Blopper
Blopper's picture

But of course if you decide to move your gold and silver to Switzerland it is equivalent to moving the same to the Rothschild's house.

If the Rothschilds can engineer so many global financial collapse to confiscate all the foreign countries' physical gold reserve to bring in a New World Order under the total rulership of the Rothschilds, then your gold and silver in Switzerland can't possibly be safe.

Yes, Switzerland is a safe country, but that doesn't mean the assets of a foreigner (that is you) is equally as safe.

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 03:38 | 6116415 fredquimby
fredquimby's picture

It depends where you move it to in Switzerland no?

If it is in a massive safe bolted to the floor, locked in a private nuclear bunker under a private house (and whose owner is armed and dangerous), then I am sure Mr. Roth won't bother you or it.

If you put it in a safety deposit box at UBS bank, then I agree with your warning. :)

Cheers!

 

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 04:06 | 6116439 ebear
ebear's picture

It's also a place where you get fined for not washing your car if you park on the street.

Stayed in some hostels in CH when backpacking Europe in the 70's.  Place in Interlaken had a 10pm curfew, barbedwire fence, and a german shepherd in the yard to make sure you couldn't sneak in if you were late.

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 04:55 | 6116479 samjam7
samjam7's picture

I recommend you show up again. Things change quite a bit in 40 years time. I for one haven't lived to see the Switzerland you are mentoning! But it's good to keep old memories. My grandmom also speaks very fondly of the US as a country I wouldn't recognize today...so I guess it goes both ways!

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 15:47 | 6118757 ebear
ebear's picture

"I recommend you show up again. Things change quite a bit in 40 years time."

I'm sure they have, but then so have I.  To get the same response today as back then I'd have to be 19 and scruffy looking with a backpack.   There were a lot of us in Europe back then and I can't say everywhere was welcoming, but the Swiss really stood out in their distain.  Never been frowned at so much in my life... not even in fascist Spain.

My brother lived there for 5 years - more recently than my own travels - and the Swiss come out just above Israelis and Saudis on his shit list.  Don't know if I'd go that far, but I have no desire to return, and like they say, first impressions are hard to change.

Besides, it's a big world, and having seen a good deal of it already, there are many places I'd go back to before I'd consider revisiting CH (except Geneva, which I liked and today can actually afford...lol!)

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 22:06 | 6119870 samjam7
samjam7's picture

Well you're always welcome and even if you only plan on seeing Geneva again. Plus, if your brother was able to cope for 5 years it couldn't have been all that bad. Geneva hasn't gotten any cheaper though...

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 08:39 | 6116799 fredquimby
fredquimby's picture

You must be a right old bastard by now.

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 15:51 | 6118774 ebear
ebear's picture

59 and still kicking ass.  You'll get there soon enough.

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 11:30 | 6117446 Thick Willy
Thick Willy's picture

That's a shitty and irrelevant anecdote if I've ever seen one.

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 15:53 | 6118778 ebear
ebear's picture

And on the internet, no less!

What was I thinking?

 

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 05:22 | 6116514 DutchBoy2015
DutchBoy2015's picture

Nothing bad will ever happen to UK, its Rothschild country.  EVer hear of Foundation X??

 

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 03:26 | 6116410 Panic Mode
Panic Mode's picture

The only safe haven is the tangible assets that you can protect for yourself.

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 06:09 | 6116558 Urban Redneck
Urban Redneck's picture

Now that's misguided, or is it intentionally misleading?

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 03:51 | 6116428 Global Observer
Global Observer's picture

Not only that, Chase even prohibited storing cash inside safety deposit boxes! Isn’t what I store inside my safety deposit box my own private matter?

The safety deposit box is owned by Chase and rented out. Owner can place restrictions on what the tenant can use the property for. Don't like the terms of tenancy? Find a different property owner to rent from.

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 04:04 | 6116437 emorybored
emorybored's picture

It Will Be stored in Cern...right underneath that supercollider-yhingy-ma-gig poop!

 

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 04:10 | 6116440 escapeefromOZ
escapeefromOZ's picture

Years ago my wife an I went to Zurich to attent a conference , this event was full of spies infiltrated amongst the directors of that event . When we arrived at the airport , we could not find our luggage and it took a bit of time to get it back . We were staying in a hotel near the center and one night , while we were asleep the door of our room opened suddenly and two people holding suitcase attempted to get in . I screemed " this room is already occupied and they left .  In the morning I complained to the Hotel management , they apologized and said that it was a softare malfunctions of the booking system . 

Walking to the conference we noticed strangers that after seeing us reached for the cellular phone , clickerd it and put it away .  So Switzerland is a beautiful country , but totally owned by the CABAL , it is a paradise for the spying agencies of the world . 

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 04:18 | 6116449 GAILLARD1
GAILLARD1's picture

I'm swiss, living in Switzerland, country which has become kind of a socialist bureaucratic superstate, with a living standart way to high in comparizon with about every other country on earth. (See, the minimum contribution for health insurance costs about $ 400 a month ... and it is mandatory !!). 

So this country will only fall from a higher point the days things get worse, above all because it has lost his food independence because of way a to large population. It is somehow like the planet earth on a tiny level : a place not capable of keeping is standart of life just by using it's own ressource.

Actually it is still quite comfortable, but for the thinker it is nothing but a "locked in paradise" syndrom which hide the reality. Nobody is able to anticipate....

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 04:52 | 6116475 DutchBoy2015
DutchBoy2015's picture

My wife and I drive down there occasionally for a few days, perusing the barn sales and flea markets (away from any tourists in the mountains).  Got some great old antique furniture and WW2 memoribilia. 

Used to fly into Basel and Geneva a lot when working. I like Geneva a lot.  

 

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 04:59 | 6116488 GAILLARD1
GAILLARD1's picture

I have my own flea markets here ;-)

 

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 05:12 | 6116500 Global Observer
Global Observer's picture

If your level of honesty is typical of the Swiss (and I have no reason to believe it isn't), you will survive and even thrive even if things take a turn for the worse. Bless you guys. Keep it up!

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 04:19 | 6116452 Dewan
Dewan's picture

For some reason, in the "Democracy Heaven" of Switzlerand, no referendum was done about whether it was OK or not for the government to bail out the UBS, it was just done. So in Switzerland, as anywhere else, democracy is just an illusion. You can just decide what the powers above you allow you to decide in certain ocasions, but when it comes to huge decisions like bailing out a financial institution or starting a war, don't expect to be asked how you feel about it because the government just doesn't care about your opinion even a little bit. You are there just to work, pay taxes and pay your debt back.

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 04:40 | 6116466 Ghordius
Ghordius's picture

as far as I know, the Swiss government did not bail out UBS. the Swiss National Bank did it. and made a bundle out of it, btw

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 05:45 | 6116537 Dewan
Dewan's picture

Correct, "independent" financial institutions always override the governments of the countries where they are based. They are above the law that applies to everyone else.

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 04:56 | 6116480 GAILLARD1
GAILLARD1's picture

Yes... Same for Swissair....

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 04:32 | 6116460 Q-Q-Q
Q-Q-Q's picture

Switzerland does whatever the US tells it to do............especially when the US banking licences are waved in front of their faces.

 

It really is that simple.

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 05:01 | 6116491 samjam7
samjam7's picture

Let's face it, it's either that or let both UBS and Credit Suisse go belly up and some other smaller banks too that depend on the US market, I think a lot of countries would act that way.

Plus as the author mentions if you want to store your gold and other valuables if things turn sour in the US it's still very safe over here. Now having said that if nukes are dropped over Europe we can be as neutral as we want to, we'd still be in the middle of the mess. In that case you may better look for alternatives in the Pacific or Antarctica...

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 05:30 | 6116524 kchrisc
kchrisc's picture

Switzerland does whatever Zion says. The DC US is Zion's "Guido the Pimp."

Liberty is a demand. Tyranny is submission..

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 08:16 | 6116745 d edwards
d edwards's picture

sad but true.

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 05:17 | 6116505 Omega_Man
Omega_Man's picture

I hate sales articles

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 05:23 | 6116516 kchrisc
kchrisc's picture

I, and my buddies, AK, AR, and Glock are our own personal Switzerland.

"You may come, you will never leave."

Liberty is a demand. Tyranny is submission..

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 08:42 | 6116809 fredquimby
fredquimby's picture

Funny, I just ordered the new Glock 43 this morning :p

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 06:09 | 6116557 Dre4dwolf
Dre4dwolf's picture

gold and bitcoin are the most "free" currencies.

FIAT is very heavily controlled/manipulated/tracked and taxed. . . not very enjoyable user - end experience.

 

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 07:03 | 6116609 gmak
gmak's picture

Ah yes.  Give all our gold and silver to Switzerland.  How did that work out for the pre-Israelites and the Chermans?  "While you two fight, I'll hold your wallets".

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 09:10 | 6116698 teutonicate
teutonicate's picture

This is a propaganda piece.  It may also be a veiled advertisement for Global Gold.

Sorry to say it Tyler, but you should have seen this one coming.

I would refer your readers to another earlier post and subsequent exchanges submitted by ConfederateH and others, to address the political distortions which the article contains, of which there are many.  It is sad, because the Swiss form of government, as depicted in the article is admirable in its original form, but unfortunately it has succumbed to the same cultural Marxist forces that have infected the rest of Europe (although one could argue that it still may be the best of a bad lot).

Because others will do a better job of the political issues, I will focus on another falsehood related to the following quote taken from the article:

"Swiss banking secrecy had enjoyed a long lasting tradition since it was introduced in the 1930s to protect Jewish clients from the Nazis. It was certainly not implemented to hide money for criminal purposes or to circumvent taxes, but to provide privacy to people who really needed it."

Swiss banking secrecy has been a tradition in Switzerland for centuries, to claim that it was introduced in the 1930's to protect Jewish clients from the Nazi's is a complete cabal fabrication.  In my mind, this statement calls into question the motives and credibility of the entire article.

The Swiss Banking Act of 1934, which the author is undoubtedly referring to, initiated the practice of numbered accounts, which is commonly associated with the origins of bank secrecy. However, the traditions of private banking, and its obligations of secrecy, were honored by the Swiss and many other banking communities long before that.

Much of the cabal money shielded by Swiss banks from confiscation did in fact have criminal origins in Germany and other European countries during the time period he references and indeed throughout much of history.  The cabal "really needed it" as he states, because many of them did engage in criminal activity that required that the loot be hidden.  This is why the cabal earned the animosity of most of the indigenous peoples of Europe (then and throughout much of history).  This is not necessarily the fault of the Swiss, because they applied (at that time at least) their banking secrecy laws uniformly to all comers, including the cabal.  To imply that the cabal did not abuse this privilege during that time is a complete obfuscation.

Unfortunately for the Swiss, and the world in general, the Swiss banking industry has been heavily infiltrated by the cabal - most notably the Rothschild’s and their cronies.  This has consequences, because at present your gold will only be protected in Switzerland if the cabal wants it protected.

I am all for bank secrecy, and at one time (not any more unfortunately), the Swiss practiced it better than anybody.

But please, let’s get the history straight.

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 08:17 | 6116748 Raul44
Raul44's picture

I visit Switzerland for over 14+ years. Its a great country but nothing as being perceived by the world. Switzerland is effectively a comunism in some way. It also used to be a police state but that thankfully changed for the better. But its definitelly not "free market" or anything like that. Just to give you small example:

If you own a bar, prices of drinks are dictated by law(read government) - at least minimum prices. So for example vodka+sprite must cost at least certain amount, you cant make an action day, half price or any of such - not even temporary. Otherwise you get inspection and fees/prosecution to deal with. I have this directly from a swiss bar owner, a friend of mine who dedicated his life to restaurants and bars bussiness.

So I dont know about rest of you but to me, country that is directly dictating to a private small bussiness what price should they sell for instead of figuring them themself based on competition and basic supply/demand law is neither democratic nor free market to me. 

And this is only small example of many, *many* things being wrong there. Not a surprise friend of mine - a swiss, told me he felt like a heavy weight dropped from his shoulders once he moved to Berlin for good.

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 09:31 | 6116965 Oldwood
Oldwood's picture

tyranny is always initiated by democratic support, or at least the lack of democratic opposition, and it always takes on the appearance of enhanced efficiency and production until all excess wealth is consumed. Then the true colors appear.

Cycles.

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 08:37 | 6116795 andrewp111
andrewp111's picture

If the EU ever presents a gold confiscation order to Switzerland, it will be backed up by a nuclear launch order.

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 09:35 | 6116975 Nimby
Nimby's picture

The only reason the Swatsika was never raised above Bern is because Hitler didn't get around to it.

There is nothing special about Switzerland.  Same with New Zealand.  They only exist as "free countries" because no one has decided to invade them.

Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. 

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 11:25 | 6117416 Thick Willy
Thick Willy's picture

So what you're saying is that if they had made it easy and were all disarmed, effeminate pussies like the Danish, Nazi Germany would have rolled in and taken over Switzerland in a day.  So what you're saying is their armed population, willingness to fight, and terrain deterred foreign aggression that left 100,000,000+ dead and most of Europe in ashes?

Yes, "stupid."

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 16:13 | 6118864 ebear
ebear's picture

Switzerland = Plan B.

Even Nazis need a plan B.

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 09:54 | 6117043 gwar5
gwar5's picture

Yeah sure SUI is great, Butcept they caved to the US IRS on confiscation and the ratting out of Americans with bank accounts there. Why would they not do the same thing all over again for PMs, especially if the SUI are offered a percentage of the spoils?  This has been the IRS MO.

 

Someone told me of an unfortunate boating accident they had on a nearby Indian Reservation which is considered sovereign territory with no US jurisdiction. Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, bitchez.

 

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 11:11 | 6117347 eishund
eishund's picture

Stop using tired cliches. Give them a break pls.

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 16:16 | 6118873 ebear
ebear's picture

"Stop using tired cliches."

Can we use fresh and invigorating cliches instead?

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 11:21 | 6117394 Thick Willy
Thick Willy's picture

Switzerland is a beautiful country still nearly 100% full of white people.  The population is highly educated and most everyone speaks 4 or more languages fluently.  It is an example to the world of what white people can accomplish when they don't dumb down their education system so as to "leave no [75 IQ brown] child behind."  Most of the rest of Europe and certainly the Anglo countries do not want educated populations.  They want populations just educated enough to serve them and enrich the people who own the system.  And plenty of dirt poor ignorant brown serfs to do the dirty work and provide their children to die by the tens of thousands in combat should a major war ever erupt.

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 11:24 | 6117404 BendGuyhere
BendGuyhere's picture

"This creates huge competition between the different communes and gives the population the possibility to “vote with their feet”, i.e. move to a commune a couple of miles away should they be unhappy with the way things are run at their current place of residence." Not true.

1) Cost of living in CH is equivalent to Bay Area in the USA. Insane. Housing is very expensive and in very short supply.

2) Swiss people (as well as foreigners) have to register with the police if they move to a different canton.

3) The landscape is crowded.

Things I love about CH: People tend to be friendly, laid back (exceptin their towns/nieghborhoods-very nosy...

Beautiful landscapes. Fresh healthy food. Clean environment. Outdoorsy.

Overall CH offers the best life in Europe but foreigners shouldn't be too trusting of the CH government. They have been hijacked by the bankers.

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 11:28 | 6117434 Cashboy
Cashboy's picture

I would say this about Switzerland.

The place is clean; maybe too clean as clinicly clean.

The Swiss people have no sense of humor.

The Swiss people are insecure, they spend so much on insurance as would probably insure against a nose bleed when picking their nose.

There is too much bureocracy in the country.

 

 

 

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 14:20 | 6118321 DutchBoy2015
DutchBoy2015's picture

We in NL also buy lots of insurance.  Is normal, so do Germans.  In America people don't even want to buy health insurance because they say they are healthy.  IDIOTS>

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 16:04 | 6118824 ebear
ebear's picture

The Clock People.

Live by the clock, die by the clock.

Thu, 05/21/2015 - 11:25 | 6117409 Cashboy
Cashboy's picture

"At the end of the 1990s Swiss politicians and central bankers decided to get off the gold standard through the back door, while keeping the Swiss people in the dark."

That statement say it all.

It would also appear that the Swiis people are ignorant as they voted a few months back against the proposal for putting 20% of money into gold on the recommendations of the government and Swiss Central Bank because unfortunately the Swiss people trust authorities.

We also saw how the Swiss Bank, UBS was very quick to furnish the American government with information about USA citizens with accounts in Switzerland.

Therefore the Swiss banks and government cannot be trusted and the Swiss people are sheep.

I wouldn't leave my gold in Switzerlnd for security now.

As Marc Faber and others state; singapore is probably safer but personally I would hide it.

 

 

 


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