USA should be more like Switzerland

[SeanEdwards]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Switzerland

I hope a Ron Paul administration will take some inspiration from the Swiss on how to run a country. I think they have a lot of good ideas to offer.

One fact stands out from that wikipedia article:

"Switzerland is ranked under the sixth most powerful economical countries in the world."

Seventh place for a tiny landlocked country of 7 million people is pretty impressive.

[thuja]

[QUOTE=SeanEdwards;63296]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Switzerland

I hope a Ron Paul administration will take some inspiration from the Swiss on how to run a country. I think they have a lot of good ideas to offer.

One fact stands out from that wikipedia article:

"Switzerland is ranked under the sixth most powerful economical countries in the world."

Seventh place for a tiny landlocked country of 7 million people is pretty impressive.[/QUOTE


very elegant. if i have to move, i think i will go there

[ChrisM]

I think the USA should be more unique, as the Constitution is very unique. While the Swiss Constitution is very attractive, it also heavily leans toward direct democracy, which is definitely something that is not part of the US Constitution (Electoral College, anyone?)

[Shellshock1918]

Switzerland is also socialist. They have so much wealth because of their massive banking industry.

They do let all citizens carry firearms though :)

[SeanEdwards]

Switzerland is also socialist. They have so much wealth because of their massive banking industry.

They do let all citizens carry firearms though :)

What is the Swiss socialism you object to?

I would suggest that their wealth is due to a combination of factors. Their powerful banking companies have certainly benefited from the country's stability, neutrality, and respect for the privacy rights of their bank's clientelle.

[Shellshock1918]

What is the Swiss socialism you object to?

The Universal health care is the biggest one.

[Capitalism]

I cried when they finally joined the UN.

[jonahtrainer]

They do let all citizens carry firearms though :)

They don't just 'let all citizens carry firearms' they require it. Everyone has to serve in the Militia and every head of household is issued an AK-47 with 50 rounds. I am sure this deters crime as well.

Government should not have a monopoly on violence. Security is most efficiently and effectively provided by the citizens. Such a well-armed populace can fend off even Hitler.http://www.davekopel.com/2A/Mags/TargetSwitzerland.htm

Ron Paul supports the Constitution and especially the 2nd Amendment which is 'necessary to the security of a free state.' Neither Congress, the President, Vice President nor the Nine Black Riders are necessary.

The reason the Swiss are so prosperous is because their country treats well and loves capital, both human and economic.

We could learn a lot from our Sister Republic Switzerland. For example, their President takes the train to work...

[ChooseLiberty]

Two things -

The Swiss are issued AK-47s?

The Swiss are extremely efficient so whatever form of health care they have might be worth looking at. The NEJM came out with a study a few years ago that concluded single provider insurance was more efficient and cheaper than what is provided now.

[oldpaths1611]

The same forces that are looking to disarm citizens in America and other countries are at work in Switzerland also. If they have their way, the days of Swiss citizens owning military type weapons will be over.


http://www.alphecca.com/?p=260

[jonahtrainer]

Two things -

The Swiss are issued AK-47s?

The Swiss are extremely efficient so whatever form of health care they have might be worth looking at. The NEJM came out with a study a few years ago that concluded single provider insurance was more efficient and cheaper than what is provided now.

"Each such individual keeps his army-issued personal weapon (the Sig 550 5.56x45 mm assault rifle for enlisted personnel, the SIG 510 battle rifle and/or the SIG-Sauer P220 9 mm semi-automatic pistol for officers, medical and postal personnel) at home with a specified quantity of government-issued ammunition (50 rounds 5.56 mm / 48 rounds 9mm), sealed and inspected regularly to ensure that no unlawful use takes place."

From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_politics_in_Switzerland

[angelatc]

I'm not big on the "inspection" aspect of that deal, that's for sure.

[torchbearer]

Socialism works best on a small scale because it requires management by a handful of elites. The bigger it is... the worse it gets. A.k.A. Soviet Union.

[1000-points-of-fright]

I'm not big on the "inspection" aspect of that deal, that's for sure.

The inspection probably only applies to the government issued weapons and ammo for purposes of inventory and readiness status. I would guess that their own personal firearms are not subject to inspection.

[SeanEdwards]

They don't just 'let all citizens carry firearms' they require it. Everyone has to serve in the Militia and every head of household is issued an AK-47 with 50 rounds. I am sure this deters crime as well.

Government should not have a monopoly on violence. Security is most efficiently and effectively provided by the citizens. Such a well-armed populace can fend off even Hitler.http://www.davekopel.com/2A/Mags/TargetSwitzerland.htm

Ron Paul supports the Constitution and especially the 2nd Amendment which is 'necessary to the security of a free state.' Neither Congress, the President, Vice President nor the Nine Black Riders are necessary.

The reason the Swiss are so prosperous is because their country treats well and loves capital, both human and economic.

We could learn a lot from our Sister Republic Switzerland. For example, their President takes the train to work...

It goes beyond basing their defence on citizen militia. They also have building codes and construction standards that are intended to strengthen the state and community. New buildings constructed in Switzerland have exceedingly high construction standards, including the construction of fortified bomb shelters in practically every basement. They fully intend their buildings to last for hundreds of years, and in fact, many structures in Switzerland are literally centuries old.

It's really a different way of looking at wealth and prosperity, as well as security.

Just imagine what we could with infrastucture in the US if we built to last, and focusd our wealth on developing the communities where we live, instead of communities in China.

I lived in Switzerland for awhile, and I honestly beleive it was a vastly superior place to live in many ways. If they spoke English there as a native tongue, I'd probably still be there. But I'm a typical American, stubbornly monolingual :D .

[jonahtrainer]

New buildings constructed in Switzerland have exceedingly high construction standards, including the construction of fortified bomb shelters in practically every basement.

They require homes be built with nuclear bomb shelters. Also, each canton is required to have nuclear bunkers for their citizens. I think they have excess capacity per capita.

261,418 bomb shelters (http://www.realestatejournal.com/buildimprove/20010125-thurow.html)

Sonneberg Tunnel (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonnenberg_Tunnel)

Last time I was in China they had bomb shelters for hundreds of thousands of people.

Of course, here in the US we have to make our own bomb shelters. Probably better that way though ....

[james1906]

they've had to make 'concessions' with their gun laws in order to join the schwgen(sp?) agreement. sadly, the mighty swiss are getting absorbed into the rest of europe.

[DAZ]

I spent about a week in Switzerland two years ago. The cities and towns I saw were quite clean, and the Alpine region is beautiful of course. They are listed here (http://www.cato.org/pubs/efw/map/index.php) in a 3way tie with the U.S. and New Zealand for the country with the most economic freedom. I think their data only goes up to 2004. More info at another site here (http://www.freedomhouse.org/template.cfm?page=363&year=2007).

While the libertarian in me dislikes some of the policies of the Swiss government (universal healthcare and mandatory military service* to name two), I believe the Swiss are much more politically aware and responsible than the average American. And a lot of them speak English. If ever comes a time when I feel the need to leave the U.S., Switzerland is on my shortlist. I guess it helps that I speak French. And hopefully they will resist the pull to greater cooperation with the EU.


*When one takes into account their long history of international neutrality and commitment to war only for defense, the mandatory military service doesn't bother me as much. In fact, I think it may be a factor in a higher sense of civic responsibility, ie very little government corruption.

[richard1984]

Socialism works best on a small scale because it requires management by a handful of elites. The bigger it is... the worse it gets. A.k.A. Soviet Union.

Exactly. Since Switzerland is comparable in population and land area to a state in the U.S., their whole system of (federal) government is going to be different. The citizens are better able to have a hand in their federal government as a result. This would seem to better allow for things like universal healthcare because the people are more aware of what is going on and, thus, able to keep a tighter rein on such government programs. Also, the size of the country probably makes it more difficult for a diverse free market economy to thrive. So for things like health insurance, it seems as if competition among companies would be very difficult due to the limited number of people--thus lending itself to a monopoly since the existence of multiple health insurance companies would result in very low profits (since the money would be spread so thin).

Anyway...yeah....

I'd like to go to Switzerland. It's perdy.

[Jared]

Switzerland is one of my favorite countries in Europe. While obviously I wouldn't want the US to model itself after Switzerland, I'm a bit of a panarchist and I believe everyone should be able to live under the economic/government system of their choice. Now if only I could get the world to break up into micronations...

[ChooseLiberty]

I'm not getting why single provider insurance is so awful other than being theoretically against "free market" principles.

What's the free market solution again and how is it more efficient or better?

Mandatory military service? Isn't that more fair than forcing the poorest strata into the military and creating class system where the chattering class have no skin in the game and get into quagmires on a whim - like now?

I could argue that Switzerland is a much better, more efficient free market than the US. The Swiss took a tiny mountain country and minuscule population and turned it into one of the richest per capita in the world. They're democracy is centuries older than the US and may have been some of the basis of the US constitution. Most Swiss speak three or four languages. They must be doing something right. They follow exactly Washington's warning against entangling alliances. They are for commerce with all. They're military is purely defensive. I'd be fine with turning the US in the direction of the Swiss.

[torchbearer]

True free competition forces businesses to drop prices to entice customers to spend their money with them.
I don't have health insurance, so i shop around for my doctor. i find the one with the best deal and I go to him.
I shop around for my prescriptions... did you know that you can haggle with pharmancies? I save over 50% on my meds because i told them i was paying in cash and that i had a better offer down the street... when i was leaving their place.. they called me back over the P.A. and gave me a better deal.
That is howfree markets will help reduce the cost of our health care.

With more money in our pockets, philanthropist and churches can set up true charity hospitals.. and people can genuinely help each other.

[Mesogen]

Aren't they the home of the Bank of International Settlements? The mother of all central banks?

[SeanEdwards]

Ron Paul likes Switzerland too.

http://www.justin.tv/ronpaul/7733 at 2:50:15 PM 7/13/07

Google: "Any example of a country other than the United States that you feel does a better job at protecting liberties or maintaining smaller government?
Ron Paul: "I would think, you know, eh, that the kind of government they have in Switzerland is not all that bad. I think it would be pretty neat to be the President of Switzerland." *audience laughs* "Nobody even knows who the President of Switzerland is!" *more laughter*

[ChooseLiberty]

So the US has free market health care now? Is it good? If you pay cash at a hospital you will pay A PREMIUM over what insured people pay and ILLEGALS PAY NOTHING.


True free competition forces businesses to drop prices to entice customers to spend their money with them.
I don't have health insurance, so i shop around for my doctor. i find the one with the best deal and I go to him.
I shop around for my prescriptions... did you know that you can haggle with pharmancies? I save over 50% on my meds because i told them i was paying in cash and that i had a better offer down the street... when i was leaving their place.. they called me back over the P.A. and gave me a better deal.
That is howfree markets will help reduce the cost of our health care.

With more money in our pockets, philanthropist and churches can set up true charity hospitals.. and people can genuinely help each other.