GNU Taler begins operating in Switzerland, distributed by the Taler Operations AG. Gnu Taler aims to be a “digital wallet” and has been used by the swiss national bank as well as the european national bank as a example for how a digital currency handed out by the state could work. It aims to be as privacy preserving as cash for the buyer while not allowing the seller to evade taxes.
Currently the Taler is brought out by a special organisation, the “Taler Operations AG”, and not the national bank, although both the national bank as well as the Taler Team have shown interest in a official digial currency by the national bank based on the Taler. But we need to relativate as the national council has stated that the introduction of a digital currency would probably take relatively major legislative changes and therefore take a bit of time.
That adds a bit more context to your stance, although it’s quite narrowminded imo.
Europe is filled with tax havens from Monaco to Andorra to Ireland to the Netherlands to Luxembourg, and British overseas territories. It’s not only a Swiss sport to have unfair tax systems. Other current EU members have traditionally been neutral such as Sweden, Finland (although forced), Austria etc…
Then talking about “taxes to the EU community” and mentioning Germany in a reality where German fiscal policies have dictated those of most everyone else - until they now decide it benefits them to change their own - German policies towards Russian energy, Meloni’s flirtation with dictators and fascism, Spanish friendship with China, and increasing anti-EU and anti-Ukraine sentiment in most countries.
Now tell me why I should have a particularly hard stance on Switzerland? Choosing EU companies first is completely fair, but don’t justify it with some holier-than-thou attitude.
I never said I was wideminded or that EU doesn’t have problems. We do have many. But if we talk about new upcoming companies I personally rather support EU countries.
Swiss people should be happy about this. I refuse to support it, that’s it. If you think they are almost european, then why not join? Or at very least help your neighbours when they need it and don’t play the high ground when convenient.
You can’t always have it both ways.
It’s not that I don’t understand your argument, or sympathise with prioritising EU products, it’s just quite a far reach to claim that Switzerland is “not a real country”. I’d choose a Swiss company over a Hungarian one - so EU membership isn’t the only determinant.
The way forward, imo, is full EU integration - also for Switzerland - but even with Trump threatning us too this is too far a reach from happening…
So, I’ll welcome products from any European country that generally cares about data protection, neutrality, and a non-American future.
It’s okay, I rarely have sympathetic takes tbh. Some years ago I would have totally agreed with you but not anymore.
Reality taught us that you don’t cave with bullies and the ONLY appropriate response to intolerance is intolerance. Swiss government and people (just like in the UK) gave EU the middle finger. The appropriate response should be to sanction them to oblivion. They want to be independent? Let them be, fully tho.
If we keep excusing terrible people, we will eventually end up in a terrible position.