There is something wrong with the people of Switzerland, that little country of beautiful lakes in Western Europe. Its 8m citizens have just declined an opportunity to help themselves to the state’s coffers. An overwhelming two-thirds of them have decided they don’t want the US$2,500/month they could get “free”.That is a staggering R38,000 every month. Each child would be paid $640/month.To qualify, you merely need to breathe!But the people voted against the “free” cash this past Sunday in a “popular initiative system” referendum. Basically anybody can propose a referendum, whose outcome is legally binding, on anything — as long as you can convince 100,000 other people to sign a piece of paper in any given 18-month period.One of an average three referendums a year, the proposal this time was that government would pay every adult resident — not only citizens — a basic income irrespective of their employment or wealth status. No strings attached: take the cash and do as you please!Thi...
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