SWISS TEXANS?

I am so sure in this case there is anything sneaky or duplicitous going on. It is pure common sense that seems to elude our politicians. Originally Posted by phatdaty

Word!

Another example of Swiss common sense was evidence in their version of TARP. As I've noted repeatedly (and WTF still fails to grasp), the financial crisis with our banks back in late 2008 was largely a liquidity problem caused by a flight to quality (i.e., government bonds) which is a fancy name for a high-tech bank run. The US had to politicize the thing -- "bailing out the banks", "paying bonuses with our money", and make it a giant Christmas tree for all of the special interests (e.g., GM, etc.). The Swiss just went to their banks and offered them a loan on terms that would make a shylock wince. No angst, just a straight up financial deal. Their mess was over in a few months and the government pocketed a very tidy profit.

Word!

Another example of Swiss common sense was evidence in their version of TARP. As I've noted repeatedly (and WTF still fails to grasp), the financial crisis with our banks back in late 2008 was largely a liquidity problem caused by a flight to quality (i.e., government bonds) which is a fancy name for a high-tech bank run. The US had to politicize the thing -- "bailing out the banks", "paying bonuses with our money", and make it a giant Christmas tree for all of the special interests (e.g., GM, etc.). The Swiss just went to their banks and offered them a loan on terms that would make a shylock wince. No angst, just a straight up financial deal. Their mess was over in a few months and the government pocketed a very tidy profit. Originally Posted by pjorourke

I am working in switzerland since 2006 once a month and i have been aware to a very suspicious extent on how much the USA and the swiss seem to be interwoven financially and even military-wise. For switzerland being a neutral country it has a hell lot of "military personal" starting their missions from switzerland. Is there actually any proof of that?
I am sure you all are aware of what happened the year before last year with Basel and the bank and the bank secret of UBS and the USA involvement. Big scandal.

I have to say i like the swiss though and it strikes me as interesting that the business is so much different from US-business, i thought the practices to be very similar, especially with taxes etc. I thought ( i might be wrong) that the reason for the similarity is because they are quite common in their attitudes towards money and taxes. But again - i am not an expert on these kind of things.

So far i have to say swiss are easy, there are a few things that are annoying but some things make more sense financially than they do in Austria. I find it very funny actually, that switzerland has a law!!!!! that allows EU citizens to work 90 days a year without paying taxes for switzerland. (lol) Its not supposed to be for massage therapists like myself (lol) , but for guestworkers, but you can at about imagine how much i profit from that. I never work more than 90 days a year AND legally don`t pay taxes (except in Austria - but not the whole percentage taht is required - just a dividend of the difference between the supposed swiss taxes and the austrian taxes...so thanks switzerland for that, love it!!! One time no paying taxes and one time not the usual amount. Its like christmas and easter together ...). That IS funny and so Anti Swiss. I am still "lolling" on that one.

Any third grader can do the math:

10X35=350 or 1000X3.5=3,500 Originally Posted by phatdaty

Seems to be the opposite of hooker math. Just sayin'.

[Now, I'm sitting back to watch. ]

Word!

Another example of Swiss common sense was evidence in their version of TARP. As I've noted repeatedly (and WTF still fails to grasp), the financial crisis with our banks back in late 2008 was largely a liquidity problem caused by a flight to quality (i.e., government bonds) which is a fancy name for a high-tech bank run. The US had to politicize the thing -- "bailing out the banks", "paying bonuses with our money", and make it a giant Christmas tree for all of the special interests (e.g., GM, etc.). The Swiss just went to their banks and offered them a loan on terms that would make a shylock wince. No angst, just a straight up financial deal. Their mess was over in a few months and the government pocketed a very tidy profit. Originally Posted by pjorourke

Good point, and we might begin to see the same thing happen with individual tax bills.

The last time I was down to Belize I noticed that many of the small Atolls now have tidy little estates on them. Not huge mansions, just comfortable homes with a boat slip and fast boat. I ask the divemaster about it and he chuckled, being a retired guy that is a recent ex-patriot of the U.S.

Apparently the government of Belize is actively recruiting people of the upper middle class in the U.S. to renounce their U.S. citizenship and move all of their retirement assets to their banks. Once you establish residency and move down there, you pay NO TAXES for the rest of your life.

Why?

Because it both stimulates their economy and enhances the community in many other ways. They know that retired U.S. citizens still have a great deal to offer society in wisdom, time, and energy. After a while we do get tired of simply fishing, diving and sipping boat drinks and try our hand at part time industry, even if it is just a hobby. It is, as Mr. Sheen would say, a "win, win, won scenario for those with tiger blood."

I have to admit as much as I would be reluctant to salute another flag, I understand the allure. If you have dove the reefs of Turneffe or been around the blue hole, it is beautiful down there. It is becoming the Tampa of the SW continent with better fishing and diving and more importantly less government.

How do I get a gnome job??? I can be extremely slow and unfriendly. But I'm a quick cummer. Originally Posted by charlestudor2005

seems - same like me - you have all the requirements it takes :-) - no further proof needed
ps: (that`s how i got my job as well- but don`t tell anyone....:-))).....)

Phatdaddy, agreed, any third grader can do the math and see the trend. The fact that there is a stampede of companies migrating their head quarters outta here negates debate about it happening. It isn't circumstantial evidence but rather empirical evidence.

For a few dollars more seems to have become our national cry. Trying to get a few more bucks per widget or a few dollars less in taxes has become national policy. Who will be left to buy the widgets, and what companies will be left to shore up the federal government?

Good point, and we might begin to see the same thing happen with individual tax bills.

The last time I was down to Belize I noticed that many of the small Atolls now have tidy little estates on them. Not huge mansions, just comfortable homes with a boat slip and fast boat. I ask the divemaster about it and he chuckled, being a retired guy that is a recent ex-patriot of the U.S.

Apparently the government of Belize is actively recruiting people of the upper middle class in the U.S. to renounce their U.S. citizenship and move all of their retirement assets to their banks. Once you establish residency and move down there, you pay NO TAXES for the rest of your life.

Why?

Because it both stimulates their economy and enhances the community in many other ways. They know that retired U.S. citizens still have a great deal to offer society in wisdom, time, and energy. After a while we do get tired of simply fishing, diving and sipping boat drinks and try our hand at part time industry, even if it is just a hobby. It is, as Mr. Sheen would say, a "win, win, won scenario for those with tiger blood."

I have to admit as much as I would be reluctant to salute another flag, I understand the allure. If you have dove the reefs of Turneffe or been around the blue hole, it is beautiful down there. It is becoming the Tampa of the SW continent with better fishing and diving and more importantly less government. Originally Posted by phatdaty

well sure, i agree . To each its own. Everyone fights with the weapons he has. Its not that USA would be "not" doing something ,just to save some other countries monetary balance?

Point being - in europe we are accustomed to the fact that our products get handled in eastern europe or even africa or in cheap countries because even delivering the stuff there is cheaper than handling it directly in austria (western europe). Its bad for example for animal transports, its uttlery ridiculous......and cruel......
So i assume in the USA you are not used to "export" businesses for profits? (sorry for being dumb on that one).

There was a funny movie a few years ago about some american company making a phone hotline service in India. anyone know what its called again?

I think it does not help to just downsize on taxes in the USA to make it more attractive for companies since it would cut down on other benefits. I am not sure on how to handle such things, but i feel if we all just get a t the same level like mexico just because life is cheaper there it is not a real help.
Besides , a lot of people love the USA and want to live there AND pay taxes and eventually have companies that pay. So - its hope here (Point being - get all the freakin`euro-hookers to the USA and the swiss will beg for mercy and do all you say ..:-)........)

How do I get a gnome job??? I can be extremely slow and unfriendly. But I'm a quick cummer. Originally Posted by charlestudor2005

Do you have a pointed hat?

If you have dove the reefs of Turneffe or been around the blue hole, it is beautiful down there. Originally Posted by phatdaty

Nice place to visit, but the infrastructure sucks. Belize City has yet to recover from Hurricane Hattie which hit in 1961. The Rose, a cantina/house of ill repute, near the airport is nice too, but I still wouldn't want to live there.

Nice place to visit, but the infrastructure sucks. Belize City has yet to recover from Hurricane Hattie which hit in 1961. The Rose, a cantina/house of ill repute, near the airport is nice too, but I still wouldn't want to live there. Originally Posted by I B Hankering

Oh, you don't want to live on the mainland. Live on one of the small islands and pay a local a very modest fee to deliver everything by boat.

Do you have a pointed hat? Originally Posted by pjorourke

That's me: short, fat, bald. Sorry, but I only have ballcaps to keep the head from getting sunburned.