I've discovered something profound about myself during my tenure here on the planet of Switzerland. It is this: I really don't like rain. Oh, in small quantities every now and then it's OK, or, perhaps, an evening summer thunderstorm once in a while is a sublime experience. But the relentless, never-ending, soggy, misty, damp, wet downpour that has been going on now for a month, with the only change being that of intensity, fog density, and thickness of clouds, is quite enough, thank you. If I remember correctly, we have had approximately 4 and a half days of partial sunshine this year. Not good seeing as it is now May 15th! I guess that's 1 sunny day a month. Ssssssuper! Ten years in Las Vegas has not prepared me well for this, nor did the previous time spent on cruise ships blithely following the best weather around the world, nor did the previous years in Lake Tahoe. I haven't experienced extended weather like this since my two miserable winters in Portland, Oregon, which, in retrospect, were probably the lowest points of my life. The many years since then had blunted and mellowed the crushing feelings of depression that I experienced there, and allowed me to forget the very solid reasons that I left. I really like Portland, but only to visit. I fully understand why Portland and Seattle are the suicide and serial killer capitals of America. It really takes a unique type of person to not be bothered by endless water falling from the heavens, constant grey, lowering skies, mold growing out of your ears, and a complete absence of sunshine. Does the sun exist anymore? Someone please tell me. "Sunshine, oh sunshine, wherever are you, my sunshine?"
Changing subjects to...........Paying taxes is much easier here in Switzerland. In fact, all taxes are simply taken out of our paychecks before we get them, and that's it! No need to fill out complicated form after form at the beginning of each year, no need to keep and organize expenses, receipts, charitable donations, etc all throughout the year. Your taxes are taken out of your paycheck, and that's it! Did I just repeat myself? Well, I thought I should for emphasis. If you own real property and have lots of investments, then things do get a bit more complex. Now, for all those morons(translation: Republicans) out there who probably think people in 'Socialist Europe' pay much higher taxes than Americans in order to pay for all their Socialist entitlement programs.......think again. Our total package of taxes on our paycheck comes to just under 18%. That includes all income taxes, workman's comp, and Switzerland's version of Social Security and Medicare. Our total taxes in America on our paychecks was well over 30%, and that was in relatively low-tax Nevada. In many American states the taxes are considerably higher than that. For these taxes, the Swiss get a much higher level of government services, and everything is well-maintained, the roads, freeways, bridges, parks, and government buildings are immaculate. In America, 18% of our GDP goes towards paying for a tragically broken medical system, and another 4.5% for military spending. Military spending in the U.S. alone consumes 38-44% of total government tax revenue.
A little on corporate tax differences as well. A lot of people think that the only reason that corporations in America are moving their companies and manufacturing hubs overseas, mainly to China, is because of cheaper labor. While that is a reason, there is another, perhaps more compelling, one. The U.S. has by many measures the highest corporate tax rates in the world, at an average of 39.3%. In comparison, Switzerland's is 8.9%, with various cantonal tax rates of up to 12%, for a maximum of about 20%, half that of the U.S., and many countries in the world have much lower than this. Imagine how much these tax rates stifle the global competitiveness of America, as well as stifling growth within the country, and helping to keep unemployment at higher than optimal rates. Unemployment in Switzerland is at an all-time high now of 4.4%, almost three times that of it's historic average of 1.5%! Compare that to America's almost 10% rate currently(thanks to Bush), and it's historic 'optimum' of 4-5%. A little food for thought.
There are also sales taxes on most goods and services(about 7.6%) , just like America, but here it is just included in the price of the product or service, not tacked on when you actually buy something. I much prefer the way they do it here. It always bothered me that I had to calculate the 'real' price of everything in the States by mentally adding the tax, especially on big ticket items. It's misleading, sometimes confusing, and, I feel, dishonest. Here, whatever the price is marked is what you pay at the cashier. It's more expensive than America, but at least it's nice and simple.
One last tidbit on taxes. I may have mentioned this before, but I will mention it again. There are very few countries in the world who double-tax the income of their citizens who work overseas. By double-tax I mean that for Americans who make over approximately $82,000 a year by working for a company overseas, regardless of whether the company is American or not, have to pay taxes twice. That's right, double taxation without representation! Sound familiar? For those for whom it doesn't, try reading a little history now and then. Again, think about how this affects America's competitiveness globally. Actually, there are only three countries in the world who do this: America....the Philippines...........and North Korea. The new 'Axis of Evil'.
An American might think that they have a lot of insurance. Health insurance, dental insurance, auto insurance, life insurance, liability insurance, so on and so forth. Well, I'm here to tell you you don't know jack about insurance until you've lived in Switzerland! They have insurance here for everything. Walking around town and get hit by a car? They got insurance for that. Get your bike stolen? They got insurance for that. Cut yourself shaving? They got insurance for that(just kidding). Seriously though, they have insurance for every possible accident, theft, or loss of anything for any reason, and people buy it. Everyone here has renters insurance and everyday liability insurance, and personal insurance. They have all their bases covered. The 'Swiss way'.
Speaking of getting your bike stolen, I got mine stolen. Did I have insurance? Afraid not. We hadn't gotten around to it when the deed happened. It's funny, I am a big mountain biker, and I rode my bikes all over Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Oregon, and so on, and never had any bike stolen. I had to move to 'crime free' Switzerland to get it done. That is Ironic. Two thousand bucks down the drain, but what are you gonna do? Life goes on. One of the dealers at work, out of the kindness of her heart, gave me one of her old commuter bikes, and I'm back in business. Not exactly hitting the off-road trails, but it gets me to work and back and around town, and that is good enough.
Think the drunk driving laws in some of the States are harsh? If you do, then don't come to Switzerland, knock some back, and then hit the road. They have a 'zero tolerance' policy, and the laws to back it up. That's right, zero tolerance. If you are pulled over, and you have any trace of alcohol in your system at all, you are going to jail, paying a huuuuuuuuuuuge fine, and will be losing your license for a minimum of 6 months. That's the first offense. Don't even think of going for a second offense, you will never see the light of day. They have very few drunk driving problems here. As I've mentioned before, many more people per capita ride bikes to get around here. So, if you're caught riding your bike with any alcohol in your system? A big fine and you lose your license for a minimum of a month. That's right, caught riding your bike under the influence? You're toast.
A Swiss person who just won the national lottery
A Swiss person who has just been told that they are out of his favorite Muesli
A "normal" Swiss person
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