On June 5, Swiss voters will weigh in on a radical proposal that would mandate the government to guarantee $2,600 a month tax-free to every adult citizen and legal resident, and $650 to each child.
The payment would be provided to everyone, regardless of work status, income level, or wealth. It is a benefit few countries can afford. But then, Switzerland is among the world's richest nations, with a per capita income of about $85,000, 40% higher than that in the USA.
The idea of an unconditional basic income is not new. It is being discussed by various cities in the Netherlands, Finland, Canada, New Zealand and other nations. But Switzerland is the first country to actually vote on a guaranteed income at the national level.
"This is a great idea," said Chloe Hubert, a student at the University of Geneva. "I only work on weekends, so this income would really help." Though Swiss salaries are among the highest in the world, supporters say the stipend would offer people an option of reducing their working hours, while maintaining a decent standard of living. “It would lead to a more motivated workforce and more humanized, stable and productive economy,†said Che Wagner, the initiative’s co-organizer and campaign manager.
Under the proposed law, the government would guarantee that every Swiss adult has at least $2,600 in monthly income after taxes. So if a person has no income at all, he or she will receive the full amount. If the person earns $1,600 now, the supplement would be $1,000.
Someone who currently earns, say, $6,500 month would not receive any money from the government but $2,600 of it would not be taxed.
For those getting welfare or other social benefits, payments of up to $2,600 a month would be replaced by the new basic income. Anything over this amount would continue to be provided as a separate payment and taxed accordingly.
REMARKS: Three cheers to the Swiss who want EVERYONE to have a decent quality of life and standard of living.
supporters say the stipend would offer people an option of reducing their working hours, while maintaining a decent standard of living. “It would lead to a more motivated workforce and more humanized, stable and productive economy,â€
What kinda' krazy talk is that?! 😮
If the Swiss are doing $2,600/mo I think we should do at least $5,000/mo. We'll show those cheese perforators what world leadership is!
Could we get Donald to add that as a new initiative, it sure would make America great again! 😛
I knew it! For years I've been buying Swiss cheese from the deli. I've told them, " Please don't weigh the holes."
Damn Socialists.
Assisted suicide has been legal in Switzerland since the 1930's.
Switzerland is fantastic. I think we should all move there. Who's in?
Switzerland is fantastic. I think we should all move there. Who's in?
Can't, they don't take immigrants.
😛
What about the Trapp Family? They just walked over the mountains singing.
Sad....very sad.....and the worst part is people keep yelling about "free" stuff
The streets aren't free....the stop lights aren't free....we collectively pay for them....yet we can't wrap our brains around collectively covering medical care and schooling for our children....Phucking selfish is what I call it.....
We'd rather have people go bankrupt while trying to fight cancer and have our kids come out of college 10's of thousands in debt....yeah that's a better way....
We have it so right don't we..... 🙁
Let's face it, there is not real effort to stop poverty. Our business leaders and political leaders do not want to end poverty. They want social classes. It makes it easier for them to hire people to run their corporations. At this point, I believe there is a conscious effort to continue to burden lower income families to keep them down. Rising up would be a bad thing.
I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that the above Countries have some of the highest tax rates on this planet....... probably above 50%. Work hard all your life and give most of it to the Gov't.
No Thanks.
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Sad....very sad.....and the worst part is people keep yelling about "free" stuff
The streets aren't free....the stop lights aren't free....we collectively pay for them....yet we can't wrap our brains around collectively covering medical care and schooling for our children....Phucking selfish is what I call it.....
We'd rather have people go bankrupt while trying to fight cancer and have our kids come out of college 10's of thousands in debt....yeah that's a better way....
We have it so right don't we..... 🙁
X2
Unfortunately it reinforces the idea of the "me society". If I'm OK, then the heck with my fellow man...especially for those who have experienced unfortunate life events at no cause of their own making.
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I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that the above Countries have some of the highest tax rates on this planet....... probably above 50%. Work hard all your life and give most of it to the Gov't.
No Thanks.
No doubt but at least I'd know my tax dollars are going to things that make us all better.....Not to mention very few people from those countries are immigrating here...I wonder why
Most of those countries also have extended child care time off and support for new moms.....People get between 6 weeks and 3 months off every year for vacation....
You get what you pay for....I hope you never have to go through an extended illness and lose your home because of the medical bills....hopefully you have a good employer with a medical plan....most people in the US don't
600,000+ went bankrupt.....is that acceptable??? or can we all collectively chip in to help each other....right now that money goes to an insurance company,...they invest it...those investments cover the cost of administration...medical coverage and profit for investors....While people who are sick go bankrupt
Nice system....:(...sad
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I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that the above Countries have some of the highest tax rates on this planet....... probably above 50%. Work hard all your life and give most of it to the Gov't.
No Thanks.
Clearly you are guessing because it isn't even close to over 50% in Switzerland. They also have an unemployment rate of around 3.5%.
Switzerland is a bit of an outlier...that is one fantastically wealthy country.
Switzerland is a bit of an outlier...that is one fantastically wealthy country.
True. I read 46% of the people are in the top 1%. The rest are in the top 25%. Government handouts keep anyone from falling into the bottom 50%.
Obamacare didn't fix this? It was supposed to, wasn't it?
Switzerland is a bit of an outlier...that is one fantastically wealthy country.
True. I read 46% of the people are in the top 1%. The rest are in the top 25%. Government handouts keep anyone from falling into the bottom 50%.
LOL 😛
Switzerland has a population of 8 million people.
But of course, most put the cart before the horse when comparing other counties to ours.
No doubt, and where do the Swiss get all this loot? Interest from the money they store for pirates.
