Posted on 11/28/2011 10:43:23 PM PST by ReformationFan
Despite not being a member of the European Union, Switzerland is under intense pressure from Brussels to raise taxes as companies flee high-tax EU welfare states in favor of more business-friendly Swiss cantons. And if the nation refuses to bow down soon, so-called “eurocrats” are threatening retaliation.
The Swiss government has been in discussions with EU bosses for over a year regarding Switzerland’s non-compliance with the “EU Code of Conduct for Business Taxation.” The EU’s goal, according to the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation, is to eliminate what the supranational regime in Brussels calls “harmful tax practices” — low taxes which attract capital, businesses, jobs, and workers away from the crumbling European super-state.
But the EU tax regime does not apply to Switzerland, Swiss authorities insist. The nation has a long history of avoiding foreign entanglements, and despite immense pressure, it has steadily resisted calls to submit to regional authorities and continental "integration" schemes.
In Switzerland, cantonal governments close to voters set their own tax policies. The resulting competition between the more than two dozen cantons fosters a business-friendly environment of low taxes, minimal government interference, and widespread prosperity. That is one important reason why international businesses flock to Switzerland in droves.
The Swiss model works so well that even as the EU and its single euro currency face a crisis of monumental proportions and possible economic implosion, Switzerland’s economy is doing just fine. Its GDP per capita is about double the EU’s, while its unemployment rate is around half.
The Swiss government also consistently posts budget surpluses as its bloated EU neighbors drown in debt and seek bailouts. In fact, Switzerland is even helping to fund the handouts for profligate European regimes. And its economy is the most competitive in the world, according to the global competitiveness index.
(Excerpt) Read more at thenewamerican.com ...
How dare they! Why, they're making their own economic recovery...without big government! This must be stopped!
Sadly, not satire in this day and age...
Not really true, they never had a recession.
Something tells me the Swiss won’t give a rip what Brussels says. Go Switzerland!
The EU would be well advised to leave the Swiss alone. They are some bad dudes when they get riled up.
I guess I don’t get it.
Switzerland resisted the debacle of the EU...and the EU is now trying to tell them how to operate?
Makes perfect sense to me.
Oh, man, can you imagine what would happen if the US lowered corporate tax rates to, say, 9%?
The Swiss are nothing if not sober and level-headed.
That being the case, it is obvious they will simply tell the EU to take a hike.
Advice much to be applauded.
There's a quote from one of Arthur Koestler's novels where one of his Communist characters says "Everyone is subject to our laws. Everyone. It is only a matter of time until he comes to us or we to him."
Like they told obama to take a hike when the IRS demanded the swiss violate their bank laws and turn over the names of US citizens with bank accounts?
Oh wait...
Centralized socialistic governments can’t tolerate a government, in their midst, which absolutely proves how ill-conceived their own governmental models are.
The EU and Switzerland, at nation-state levels, represent the difference between liberals and conservatives.
Liberals believe all their problems are someone else’s fault.
Conservatives believe people are generally responsible for their own successes or failures.
Liberals believe if you do well, it’s because others are not.
Liberals believe the only people that must change are those not doing what the enlightened liberals dictate people must do.
They have also just blatantly admitted that lower taxes, a less intrusive government, means more prosperity and lower unemployment. If it weren’t so Switzerland would be just as crappy as the rest of the EU is doing.
Liberals admit this truth (above) but rather than change their own systems of taxes and oppressive government - because it would decrease their power over people - instead they want the successful to stop doing what makes them successful. Makes socialists look bad, dont’ya know.
Yes, you’re right to bring that up.
I have to admit to being both surprised and chagrined by the event; I wonder if the Swiss woud cave in to the EU as well...?
I’d like to think they wouldn’t, but...
Never, ever threaten a Swiss banker. They know where ALL of the bodies are buried.
Financially and rhetorically speaking...of course.
Brussel’s Eurocrats are afraid of democracy and freedom - and they have stamp it out.
That’s exactly why the EU is trying to bring Switzerland to heel.
What the latter is doing sends a dangerous message to other Europeans and that cannot be allowed to stand!
The French would have none of it, of course, and, instead were able to impose their elite-controlled, government-regulated ideal. Now they're even bullying non-members to conform.
Very true. Someone should tell the Troll from Middle Earth.
Granted from the Swiss point of view what are the pansies in Brussels gonna do? Invade.
Hang tough, Schwiiz!! Miin andere Heimat!!
Of course the Swiss bankers know were all the bodies are buried .
That is why Switzerland is still independent .
That & just about every male between 18 & 65 being in the Army ,the Reserves or the Home Guard.
Every road,bridge,tunnel,railroad can be blocked /blown.
Every square meter of Swiss territory can be brought under fire from crew served weapons by folks who actually know how to shoot & practice on a regular basis.
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