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Swiss Vote to Curb Immigration in Referendum

Switzerland voted in favor of new immigration curbs, risking a backlash from the European Union and thwarting the ability of companies to hire top talent abroad.

The measure, which requires the government to set an upper limit for foreigners, was supported by 50.3 percent of voters, the government said at a press conference in Bern. Voters in the cities of Zurich and Basel and cantons in western Switzerland opposed the measures, while those in rural German-speaking cantons and the Italian-speaking region of Ticino backed it.

“It’s a change of system with wide-ranging consequences,” including to relations with the European Union, Justice Minister Simonetta Sommaruga said, adding that the result was due to rising unease among citizens. “We can’t be sure how these negotiations will turn out.”

Discuss...

Seems to me, that this is more Nativisim than Xenophobia. Also, it's not that they don't want the culture (like JSO and BDK) but rather this is tied to jobs, overpopulation, housing,etc...

Makes The Cap'n glad he lives in America. Bring 'em on!!!!

Ibanez wrote:Seems to me, that this is more Nativisim than Xenophobia. Also, it's not that they don't want the culture (like JSO and BDK) but rather this is tied to jobs, overpopulation, housing,etc...

This is the country that banned the construction of minarets. And they have exactly the same issue that America and practically every developed country has with sub-replacement birth rates.

One thing I will say for them is that Europe probably has more of a right to be wary of muslim immigrants than America does. American muslims are by and large educated and not religious fanatics. Europe has gotten some of the fundamentalist crazies, though.

Ibanez wrote:Seems to me, that this is more Nativisim than Xenophobia. Also, it's not that they don't want the culture (like JSO and BDK) but rather this is tied to jobs, overpopulation, housing,etc...

Fine line Mark. It's not that we don't like foreigners, we just don't like them enough to welcome them.

89Hen wrote:

Ibanez wrote:Seems to me, that this is more Nativisim than Xenophobia. Also, it's not that they don't want the culture (like JSO and BDK) but rather this is tied to jobs, overpopulation, housing,etc...

Fine line Mark. It's not that we don't like foreigners, we just don't like them enough to welcome them.

Things have changed since we were foreigners...

houndawg wrote:

89Hen wrote: Fine line Mark. It's not that we don't like foreigners, we just don't like them enough to welcome them.

Things have changed since we were foreigners...

Yes, we actually assimilated.

89Hen wrote:

Ibanez wrote:Seems to me, that this is more Nativisim than Xenophobia. Also, it's not that they don't want the culture (like JSO and BDK) but rather this is tied to jobs, overpopulation, housing,etc...

Fine line Mark. It's not that we don't like foreigners, we just don't like them enough to welcome them.

Baldy wrote:

houndawg wrote:
Things have changed since we were foreigners...

Yes, we actually assimilated.

Yes and no. My parents were both first generation Americans. Where they grew up, there were (and still are) "social clubs" that are just for persons of that nationality. They spoke German, Polish, Russian, etc... at the clubs. However, they all did learn English and didn't demand that stores post signs in their native tongue.

I think it's important that people coming to this country hold on to their heritage, but they need to learn English damn it.

89Hen wrote:

Baldy wrote: Yes, we actually assimilated.

Yes and no. My parents were both first generation Americans. Where they grew up, there were (and still are) "social clubs" that are just for persons of that nationality. They spoke German, Polish, Russian, etc... at the clubs. However, they all did learn English and didn't demand that stores post signs in their native tongue.

I think it's important that people coming to this country hold on to their heritage, but they need to learn English damn it.

And I would say most immigrants do attempt to learn English.

It is tougher to learn a new language as you get older, but I haven't met anyone that absolutely refuses to attempt to learn.

89Hen wrote:

Baldy wrote: Yes, we actually assimilated.

Yes and no. My parents were both first generation Americans. Where they grew up, there were (and still are) "social clubs" that are just for persons of that nationality. They spoke German, Polish, Russian, etc... at the clubs. However, they all did learn English and didn't demand that stores post signs in their native tongue.

I think it's important that people coming to this country hold on to their heritage, but they need to learn English damn it.

Totally agree. I will also go out on a limb and say that your parents probably embraced being an American, too.

dbackjon wrote:

89Hen wrote: Yes and no. My parents were both first generation Americans. Where they grew up, there were (and still are) "social clubs" that are just for persons of that nationality. They spoke German, Polish, Russian, etc... at the clubs. However, they all did learn English and didn't demand that stores post signs in their native tongue.

I think it's important that people coming to this country hold on to their heritage, but they need to learn English damn it.

And I would say most immigrants do attempt to learn English.

It is tougher to learn a new language as you get older, but I haven't met anyone that absolutely refuses to attempt to learn.

You should visit my immigrant visa window sometime and listen to a 40 year old guy who has lived in the US for 15 years and speaks no English. That's about 50% of Salvadorans who come back for IV interviews.

There are always immigrants who assimilate, and we need them- but at least it is my perception that an increasing number immigrate solely for the economic benefit and have no intention of assimilating. We have native born Americans of Mexican descent who openly talk "reconquista" and boo at our national anthem when the US plays Mexico in soccer. Singly, those are small things. But they are indicative of the growing phenomenon that coming to America to become an American is no longer the prime motivation.

Plus, we create some of this problem with our own collective self loathing and criticism. Creating aggrieved classes of people is our national sport, and identity politics far outstrip domestic or foreign policy concerns in both the government and the media. It is no small wonder that many ethnic groups coming to America set foot here in an immediate aggrieved status.

I don't know whether or not these issues will adversely affect the US in the long run. However I am skeptical of those who claim against all evidence to the contrary that heterogenous societies are inherently stronger. There are many thriving homogenous cultures out there that are doing just fine. And when I say heterogenous I do not necessarily mean racial of ethnic heterogeneity. I mean heterogenous in terms of common cause, belonging, citizenship.... considering oneself an American at heart and not just the holder of a prestigious passport.

I don't care what language they speak but the official language for dealing with the govt. and for doing business should be English. I would have expected to learn French if I had applied for the Swiss passport I used to be eligible for.

houndawg wrote:I don't care what language they speak but the official language for dealing with the govt. and for doing business should be English. I would have expected to learn French if I had applied for the Swiss passport I used to be eligible for.

...or German...or Italian...or Romansh...

The French and Aussies require the home language as a condition for immigration. If you can't do the visa interview in their language then no visa.

dbackjon wrote:

89Hen wrote: Yes and no. My parents were both first generation Americans. Where they grew up, there were (and still are) "social clubs" that are just for persons of that nationality. They spoke German, Polish, Russian, etc... at the clubs. However, they all did learn English and didn't demand that stores post signs in their native tongue.

I think it's important that people coming to this country hold on to their heritage, but they need to learn English damn it.

And I would say most immigrants do attempt to learn English.

It is tougher to learn a new language as you get older, but I haven't met anyone that absolutely refuses to attempt to learn.

A majority, but I'm not sure about most. Otherwise there wouldn't be a need to have signs and automated voice services required to be in Spanish.

Baldy wrote:

89Hen wrote: Yes and no. My parents were both first generation Americans. Where they grew up, there were (and still are) "social clubs" that are just for persons of that nationality. They spoke German, Polish, Russian, etc... at the clubs. However, they all did learn English and didn't demand that stores post signs in their native tongue.

I think it's important that people coming to this country hold on to their heritage, but they need to learn English damn it.

Totally agree. I will also go out on a limb and say that your parents probably embraced being an American, too.

My dad had to have his father sign for him at the Selective Service so he could go fight in WWII at 17. Never did finish HS.

houndawg wrote:I don't care what language they speak but the official language for dealing with the govt. and for doing business should be English. I would have expected to learn French if I had applied for the Swiss passport I used to be eligible for.

You would have wasted your time. Only 20% of Switzerland speaks French.

I had a lot of friends in HS from Switzerland. They all spoke German.