Adopt the foreign policy of Switzerland

[noztnac]

We should adopt the foreign policy of Switzerland.

Thoughts?

[Redcard]

The forced military conscription is an interesting concept that I think would work well here.

[spivey378]

neutrality

[Redcard]

neutrality

Yes. It's very hard to convince people to get into wars when EVERY male must serve.

[Promo]

Being swiss, I tend to agree ;)


And about the conscription.. once you realize that you are an armed neutral country (and therefore that you won't be sent to some unfounded war), it all becomes acceptable (given that you don't have a conscience or physical problem of course..)


Btw: I have to go to my "army repetition course" next week, but I take it as some kind of holiday eh eh

[Promo]

Also I would like to add: in Switzerland we have conscription because we are so few ;) .. in the US you could do just fine with the current status of personnel I think

[m72mc]

well thats what ron is talking about...neutrality

we have the same in Sweden and we haven't been in a war for a few hundred years

and we have no terrorism here...

[Redcard]

Also I would like to add: in Switzerland we have conscription because we are so few ;) .. in the US you could do just fine with the current status of personnel I think

The problem is, we're a volunteer army.

The people who lead this country are not the people who volunteer. For example, Bush has two kids. If they were male, they definitely wouldn't be going into the military.

Conscription makes you think twice about what you're getting into, because EVERYONE goes.

[pdavis]

I agree minus the militia conscription, however, I would join a voluntary state militia.

[Promo]

The problem is, we're a volunteer army.

The people who lead this country are not the people who volunteer. For example, Bush has two kids. If they were male, they definitely wouldn't be going into the military.

Conscription makes you think twice about what you're getting into, because EVERYONE goes.


You've got a point. In that case, as I said before, you could probably drop the militia conscription that we have

[rxx]

Being swiss, I tend to agree ;)


And about the conscription.. once you realize that you are an armed neutral country (and therefore that you won't be sent to some unfounded war), it all becomes acceptable (given that you don't have a conscience or physical problem of course..)


Btw: I have to go to my "army repetition course" next week, but I take it as some kind of holiday eh eh

Where do you live Promo ? I'm in Lausanne.



As for the neutrality of Switzerland, I think it's being slowly reduced.
- We entered the UN a few years ago
- We sent soldiers to Kosovo
- It won't be long before we get into the UE I reckon

[Promo]

Where do you live Promo ? I'm in Lausanne.


Zurich, I've got a sister in Lausanne ;)

[bnyles]

Is it true that there is a law in Switzerland that prohibits an armed Swiss citizen crossing the border of Switzerland?

[Slist]

I live in switzerland too. But what I do appreciate more than the compulsory military duty is the democratic system which, imho, is more efficient then the american one.

But I agree, the neutrality is fading away, which I find really sad. Anyways, lets focus on Ron Paul and not switzerland, shall we?

[Promo]

Is it true that there is a law in Switzerland that prohibits an armed Swiss citizen crossing the border of Switzerland?


Well, you cannot cross the borders WHILE you are in service of course... that would be invasion wouldn't it? ;)

Except for that, you can cross all the borders you like

(I don't know about crossing the border as a civilian carrying a weapon with you.. you probably need some permit)

[scooter]

I'm sad to hear about these developments and to hear that Switzerland is slowly losing some of its neutrality.

I have long admired Switzerland's foreign policy which has kept it out of many major wars that were basically fought all around it. The country has much better followed Jefferson's ideals of commerce with all, but alliances with none.

If it can't work in Switzerland, where can it work...

[rxx]

I'm sad to hear about these developments and to hear that Switzerland is slowly losing some of its neutrality.

I have long admired Switzerland's foreign policy which has kept it out of many major wars that were basically fought all around it. The country has much better followed Jefferson's ideals of commerce with all, but alliances with none.

If it can't work in Switzerland, where can it work...

It worked very well, until we elected socialists...

[Moxxar]

It worked very well, until we elected socialists...

Isn't it true that you just elected a populist party with some great classical liberal policies?

I'm not very versed in Swiss politics I'm afraid... But if that is the case...right on! :)

[Brother Butch]

Being swiss, I tend to agree ;)


And about the conscription.. once you realize that you are an armed neutral country (and therefore that you won't be sent to some unfounded war), it all becomes acceptable (given that you don't have a conscience or physical problem of course..)


Btw: I have to go to my "army repetition course" next week, but I take it as some kind of holiday eh eh


well thats what ron is talking about...neutrality

we have the same in Sweden and we haven't been in a war for a few hundred years

and we have no terrorism here...

I see this as our original course of no entanglements while maintaining an armed citizenry and militia. And no standing Army. I would welcome that concept to be reintroduced.