A Separate Peace
By Mahons On June 27th, 2012Sometimes with all the strife in the World it is nice to recollect that in some places people are too preoccupied to occupy.
I think of the Swiss Army invasion of Liechtenstein in March of 2007. It was a mistake of course, a walk in the woods in the dark and during bad weather led 171 Swiss Army troops to march about 2 kilometres into tiny Liechtenstein. At some point, realizing their mistake, the Swiss marched back out and called the authorities in Liechtenstein to apologize (apology accepted). The Swiss have been neutral for about 500 years and Liechtenstein hasn’t had an army for about 150 years so I suppose it ended as one might suppose it would. I presume the Swiss Army recruits get Swiss Army knives, and since that time they may be given a compass as well. They don’t carry ammo in their guns in any event. In any eventI am sure it was the best laugh the Swiss Navy* had at the expense of the Swiss Army in years.
*I know, I know.
I spent a day in Liechtenstein a few years ago. We were staying in Switzerland and my wife and daughter went to Zurich that day. They made the right choice. Liechtenstein is worth seeing, but not worth going to see.
I hate everything that Liechtenstein stands for.
Actually wee Liechtenstein isn’t the innocent mite many people think it is. It is home to some of the most ruthless banking practices and tax dealings in Europe.
Its banks like to set up what they call “trusts”, which are just depositories for Yanks and Germans evading tax in their home countries; the deposits can be withdrawn at any time.
A few years ago, some enterprising local got his hands on the banks’ confidential data – listing the tax dodgers – and sold the info to the tax investigation authorities in the US and Germany. He got over EUR 4 million from the German finance ministry alone.
He’s been in hiding since, but is probably having a good time.
I’m confused.
“Its banks like to set up what they call “trusts”, which are just depositories for Yanks and Germans evading tax in their home countries”
Yeah, and good luck to them. Where you put your money and what you do with it is no business of the organised crime gang called “the government”.
So Pete, why should the rest of us ‘little people’ have to pay our 40%+ rates and taken out at source??
Where you put your money and what you do with it is no business of the organised crime gang called “the government”.
Organised crime is an apppropriate term.
Liechtenstein was (and maybe still is) used by all sorts of racketeers, not just millionaire tax thieves. Drug money was laundered through there in massive quantities, as well as funds generated from all sorts of other scams like counterfeiting and the proceeds of robbery and extortion.
British Bernard -
“So Pete, why should the rest of us ‘little people’ have to pay our 40%+ rates and taken out at source??”
Why indeed?
I heartily exhort you to do the right, moral and sensible thing and diddle your taxes, resist the aggressor state and keep your money for yourself.
“I heartily exhort you to do the right, moral and sensible thing and diddle your taxes, resist the aggressor state and keep your money for yourself.”
Pete, whatever you do, please don’t give up the day job.
Pete, thats easier said than done if your’re a normal employee since in my part of the world its deducted from your payslip each week
Seriously do you really avoid paying most of your taxes? (income tax included).
I suspect not, unless internet access in the big house is more widely available than I thought
//why should the rest of us ‘little people’ have to pay our 40%+ rates and taken out at source??//
Not only that, but you have to pay more to fill the gap left by these fatcats slipping their cash out to Liechtenstein and CH.
These bogus accounts cost the US around $100 billion per annum, according to the Congress investigation committee. And one of the biggest German dodgers was CEO of the semi-state Deutsche Post no less, who evaded over EUR 1 m in taxes. Ah, the spirit of free enterprise.
Famous people from Lichysteen
Andreas Wenzel (born 1958) skier
Hanni Wenzel (born 1956), won two gold medals in the 1980 Winter Olympics for Alpine skiing
Marco Büchel (born 1971) skier
Mario Frick (born 1974) football player
Paul Frommelt (born 1957) skier
Peter Jehle (born 1982) football player
Ursula Konzett (born 1959) skier
Willi Frommelt (born 1952) skier
British Bernard -
“Pete, thats easier said than done if your’re a normal employee since in my part of the world its deducted from your payslip each week”
Which is a scam.
If tax victims had to hand over the cash or cheque we’d be much more likely to resist the State beast. We used to do it this way, until the State made laws to turn firms into large, tax-farming enterprises.
That all that large firms are now, really, just large economic units to strip mine our labour of wealth on behalf of the State.
I could post “Mary had a Little Lamb” on this site and debate would still ensue.
But did she ‘own’ that small animal, did she care for it, or was she just a small tool in a huge Agribusiness?
Actually Mahons,
you may not be aware, but the Swiss do have a Naval force for their lakes, believe it or not.
Logical – Yes, that is true about the lake Navy. Plus (and this I didn’t know I swear) there is a brand of male lubricant called Swiss navy. I have a feeling one is used more than the other.
Liechtenstein may indeed have its negatives but it could be worse, it could be Belguim.
I really liked the few days I spent in Belgium.
Relaxed place, cheap, people are great, beer is great, and everything works.
Bruges is a gem and Antwerp isn’t shabby either.
The only thing I dislike about it is that they eat mussels there.
Bruges is a physically beautiful city, Louven is a fairly happening place too.
Other than that I found it to be the most boring country in Europe.
OFF-TOPIC:
REJOICE: “Obamacare” is ruled constitutional!
Take that TPers
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/28/supreme-court-health-care-decision_n_1585131.html
Obama had a plan.
The Republicans had no plan.
The man with a plan tends to win contests with those who do not plan.
//Other than that I found it to be the most boring country in Europe.//
Rubbish, there are dozens of interesting places in Belgium, historic towns, enough art galleries and museums to make you dizzy, hundreds of old manors and castles, a cuisine better than in France, decent and friendly people.
What I particularly like about it is the light patina of age that seems to cover so much of the place, including in Brussels, and that gives it a nice melancholic air.
“What I particularly like about it is the light patina of age that seems to cover so much of the place, including in Brussels, and that gives it a nice melancholic air.”
Who are you trying to kid, Noel?
You only went for the chocolate..