Should I call off the troops headed to Switzerland?

August 3, 2009 ·

I had recently begun arguing to my friends that in fact our problem was not that we were involved in too many wars, but rather too few. Specifically, I felt that we needed to undertake an invasion of Switzerland and seize their bank records to discover every tax evader hiding their money there.

Yes, I know every Swiss citizen is required - NRA-style - to own a gun, but let's get real - we are not talking Iraq or Afghanistan here, and our objectives are limited and clear - get the bank records and leave the melting Alps to them.

This, unlike our other wars, will easily pay for itself in back taxes and massive penalties and help counter some of the massive damage the banking industry has wrought upon our country and our taxpayers. That's a "win, win, win" in my book.

Now, however, my clarity of conscience re: this mission is under challenge by the attached op-ed in the NYT in defense of Swiss banking practices. (“Leave Swiss Banks Alone” 📷http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/03/opinion/03bessard.html )

The author, Pierre Bessard, president of the Liberales Institut, a “research institution” (whatever that may mean), explains that the Swiss "peculiarity" of considering tax evasion as a mere administrative offense is like, well, a key part of their culture: "Our financial privacy laws are a foundation for individual dignity."

Among the Swiss, he explains, "We think government exists to serve us, not the other way around. We understand that we have to pay taxes...but we do not think it is the government’s role to intrude on our privacy and wrench them from us."

He concludes on a stirring note: "Banking confidentiality enjoys overwhelming support in Switzerland....We will not solve the global problem of tax evasion by punishing honest depositors and destroying Swiss traditions."

So, did I get it all wrong? Is it time to run to the red phone and call off the invasion?