I am very disappointed that our government is unable to get e-voting up and running quickly and securely. My wife and I feel at a big disadvantage when exercising our democratic rights. We never know whether our voting papers will arrive in Switzerland in time. Not only is it a complete lottery, but it also costs money. It is a textbook example of how to lose interest in Swiss democracy.
Paul Jann, Nagypáli, hungary
I am completely in favour of e-voting, because our postal service is too slow to get our voting papers back to Switzerland in time. It is a shame, but I feel I have no other option but to stop voting for the time being.
Friedel Leopold Paierl, Phetchabun, Thailand
We have given up, because our voting papers usually fail to arrive until shortly after the voting date. We live in South Africa, and it is a challenge even for letters to reach their destination. E-voting is the only way for us to vote at all.
Peter Kläusli, Cape Town, south africa
In addition to the flawed Swiss Post platform, there was a second e-voting solution developed by the canton of Geneva. As far as I understand, Geneva also prioritised security over speed, but the project was ditched for financial reasons. If they could resurrect this idea, there would be no need to start from scratch. You could simply start where Geneva left off.
David Bernhard, UK
Voting is a right, not a privilege. Like many other Swiss Abroad, I am pretty certain that my vote in the federal elections never arrived in time. I love e-voting, but I can understand why security concerns might prevent it.
William Comish, USA
This is an unbelievable situation. I wish they would sort it out. How on earth is a high-tech country like Switzerland unable to make e-voting secure? If bank accounts were at stake, centre-right parties would leave no stone unturned to solve the problem. But Swiss expats tend to vote left-green, so why would a party like the SVP bother? The newly elected National Council and Council of States should seek to improve the electronic voting channel for all Swiss citizens who live abroad.
Albert Moser, Dettighofen, germany
It seems that if one could increase the herds of deer and wild boar, the wolves would not go after so many sheep.
Virginia Lange Walter, USA
I also think we need to keep the wolf and if we get some bears, be happy and proud. These wonderful animals have a right to live in the Swiss mountains. Give the farmers money for every killed sheep and they will be happy, too.
Christina Hoffmann, Sörup, germany
Wolves are very dangerous when hunting in packs. People in the 19th century knew that travelling on horseback through forests at night-time was a risky business, because there was always a chance of wolves attacking. Herewith ends my history lesson.
Werner Meier, Portugal
I like wolves, bears, and wild animals per se. But we should be allowed to control their numbers to a certain extent. More wolves mean fewer deer to hunt. Some conflicts of interest defy logic and common sense. Nevertheless, I basically agree that wolves and bears both have a place in Switzerland.
Markus Immer, Philippines
It is excellent to see some cantons adopting early intervention programmes during early childhood: this is when there will the greatest effect. Enjoying literature is just like any other part of our culture or society we value, we can’t afford to take it for granted and must continue to strive for a place and space for reading at home and in schools.
Ajita Cannings, Lismore, NSW, Australia
I am very impressed by your understanding of what journalism means to democracy. Past injustices committed by the Swiss state need to be uncovered and reported. This includes difficult topics such as the Swiss children who were separated from their families and sent to correction facilities because they didn’t fit in. Thank you for the varied way in which you report on Switzerland.
Sylvia Schilbach, Bad Endorf, germany
Comments
Comments :
Wir hatten seit Jahren eine Wühlmausplage in unserer Gartenanlage (ca. 330 m2 groß). Die Mäuse wurden immer mehr und der Schaden immer größer. Keine der verschiedenen Fallen oder auch Chemie halfen wirklich.
Eine Verkäuferin in einem Gartencenter gab mir einen wertvollen Tipp: Nutella (Nußhaltiger Brotaufstrich für ca. € 2,70 das Glas) auf eine Klappfalle (Schweizer Fabrikate mit Plastikwippe halten länger).
Dieses war ein totsicherer Tipp gegen die Mäuseplage. Innerhalb von sechs Monaten gingen ca. 170 Wühlmäuse in die Fallen. Abschließend möchte ich noch erwähnen, dass die Fallen mit Maschendraht oder ähnlichem abgedeckt werden sollten, damit auch nur die Mäuse getötet werden und keine Vögel.
Ein bißchen zeitaufwendig jeden Tag nachzuschauen und zu erneuern, aber garantiert tötlich.
Viel Erfolg
I am reading with great interest your article 'The CIA used a Swiss company to spy on over 100 countries'. In the opinion article of Patrick Feuz, he refers rightly to 'paying the price of our amenability, both political and economic'. It is a shame that our country cannot rise to the high ideals of neutrality - but - where in the world exist such a high standards? I wish politics and economy could be honest and transparent. However, life has taught me that there is no such thing. Who is so naive as to believe the world is not ruled by money and consequently by power hungry people? The suffering of the ordinary citizens of many countries seems to be unavoidable (or is it called collateral damage?).
Yours, forever hopeful,