[The Duke]

I suspect that the *LAST* thing virtually any world leader would want would be for Switzerland to become part of any federation.

[jocon307]

Great post! I'd say God Save Switzerland, but it seems the Swiss are doing a great job on their own.

They see right through the euro-weenies, don't they?

[dan1123]

The whole thing with the EU seems like it's just Europe in a holding pattern, waiting to be taken over. Originally, I only heard about a common currency (which is difficult enough to handle), but now it seems like there is a lot more that a country has to do, while there is no clear delineation between what a country can do, and what the EU is really in charge of.

With currency concerns, the issue of how it is spent and lent, seems like there would have to be some kind of tax collected by the EU, which is fine until someone doesn't want to pay, so then who enforces it? You need an EU military, and then some legislative body to make sure that the military is kept in line, and a commander in chief of the military, and maybe elections of the representatives... Then you have a Federal Government. They may as well start having presidential election scandals

Somehow I don't think the nations of Europe really want to be states of a European Union. Can you imagine the olympic games, or any sport that had national pride after such a change? This article seems to support that claim.

[Salman]

bump

[An.American.Expatriate]

I have lived and worked in Switzerland since 1997 and can attest to this from first hand experience!! The ONLY groups truely supporting membership are the socialist elites (fits thier world view) and major corporations (potential for greater profits).

[KeyWest]

"When you are organising a free market," said Franz Steinegger, a leading Christian Democrat MP, "you have to accept the regulations of the bigger one."

The regulations of a "free" market. Love the irony.

[Caipirabob]

The last time the Socialists conquered Europe they needed an army of NAZIs. This time they're doing it with paper.

"Old Europe" is not worthy. Perhaps it never was.

They are a few hold outs who haven't succombed to the wave of stupidity engulfing "Old Europe". Prayers going out to our allies. They are the few reasons for hope.

[Wilhelm Tell]

Switzerland has a system that has worked for 700 years. 700 years! How does that compare with the socialists' five year plans? The EU ought to learn from Switzerland, and make Europe into a decentralized group of populations that provide for their common defense but otherwise most decisions are made locally and democratically. Instead, the powers that be want the EU to be a humanitarian version of the Soviet Union, with everything centralized and decided by bureaucrats and unelected leaders.

[swampfox98]

Klaus Wellershoff, chief economist of the Union Bank of Switzerland - the largest wealth managers in the world, with £800 billion of client assets under their wings - also thinks Swiss membership extremely unlikely in the foreseeable future. "It's way out there," he declared, "if at all."

Switzerland would never share its massive money laundering gains with the EU. I'll bet bin Laden has put 200 billion into that 800 billion fund.

[Askel5]

fascinating article ... forwarding to my Swiss banker uncle for comment. =)


=== in 50 years' time - "just before the EU finally disappears."

Interesting ... I wonder how he's clocking the 50 years and what, exactly, he thinks will dismantle the EU. A world state? Chaos? The return of national sovereignty?

[breakem]

was in Interlakken and Wengen for a few days last month. Talked to a few folks about thisincluding two shop owners. They would accept being on the Euro (these are tourist area) but not the other rules imposed by the EU. They strongly defended maintaing Swiss ethnicity against immigrants.

I think you have to be in Sw 10 years to aplly for citizenship and then may get it 11 years later. The government tracks your employment and arrest and family before you get citizenship. Anyone correct me on the numbers?

[hedgetrimmer]

When you are organising a free market," said Franz Steinegger, a leading Christian Democrat MP, "you have to accept the regulations of the bigger one."

I thought free trade meant less regulation. /sarcasm

[Moonman62]

"The whole thing is getting too big," agreed Theo Phyl, a mountain farmer in central Switzerland. "It was like that in Russia. They became too big and then collapsed. I think it'll be the same with the EU."

I disagree on the cause of collapse, but it's still a noteworthy comparison.