It is strange to be here and at the same time wonderful. We left Switzerland for SEasia over seven years ago. Since then we came for visits every two years. Switzerland hasn’t changed much compared to Thailand which is in a constant change typical for a developing nation. Switzerland seems to stand still. At least that’s what I felt. Change here is perhaps more subtle. Change is part of this world and no country is an island not even Switzerland with it’s inhabited self preservation.
Coming here I realize how rich this country is even though the people make sure to tell me that they are not doing well financially. This is not always easy for me because in my mind I have the picture of refugees and hill tribe people who have no money to go to a doctor or send their children to school. On the other hand I see how much living here costs. I understand the difficulty of sustaining a family and trying to make it financially through the month hoping to save some for a holiday trip to the south of France. There are lots of people with big salaries and a good life here. There are also those who struggle to make ends meet. It seems that the gab between the rich and the poor is widening in my homeland. Can someone tell me what the government is doing long term to change this? Or how will Switzerland look like in ten years?
Everywhere there is a battle between good and evil – rich and poor – left and right. We had quite a battle between conservative and liberal – left and right. The “left” call for more and more state intervention – and so the taxes increase, the public service improves but there are more and more welfare cases – clients …. The right call for more independance – self supporting buisnesses, lower taxes, flat taxes and less state intervention. In the Knt of Bern we’ve had a red wing partlement for years and are more in debt then ever , have high taxes and in cities like Bern and Biel 7-9% of the population on welfare and up to 30% on social benefits …. not many changes in Switzerland? The last 5 years have seen incredible changes in social politics and insurances .. but much is disguised, hidden – tucked away ….except for at the door to the social institutions, welfare offices, lawyers doors …. it’s a battle out there – but the tourist – the outsides … talkes them a while to see it … the politicians … there are a few who see it – but they are not popular because the put the finger on where it hurts … the one who wants to cut taxes – cuts his own benefits – pensions – cars – homes …. I could go on and on …. do you realise I work “on the other side” of the rich switzerland?
I understand the struggle between forces. I guess to realy see what is happening would need a deeper look. Coming here for a short time let’s me see both sides without the real understanding of the causes that produced it.
It is a shame to know that a country, rich like Switzerland, has to experience something like the “working poor”.
yes – working poor is a product of many sides and we face the question daily – of the 70 applications for benefits we have a higher and higher percentage of “working-poor” – another question I have is – why do more and more people from churches need the social benefits? .. it would need a long discussion – talk – it’s really interesting to see the financial flows – social money flows – tax flows … the how every law – change – affects each sector.
One thing I have observed in the past … Healthy families is still one of the best prevention against big financial problems and dependancy on state benefits …! Take care of the family guys!