The votes are in and the Swiss have decided by a slim margin of 50.3% in support of a referendum proposal that brings back quotas on migrants from EU countries. This does have large implications for the future relationship between the EU and the extremely independent country, who has chosen not to become a member of the EU. The European Commission is especially upset by Switzerland's choice and has spoken out against what they believe to be a huge mistake.
As a dual citizen of Switzerland and America, I don't condone racism and I am totally for immigration being a viable option. I also believe immigration caps should not be applied to asylum seekers and refugees. It seems to me the fact that Switzerland is coming across as racist has more to do with its clumsy response to the EU ('the “yes” campaign poster showing black legs striding purposefully over a Swiss flag' is definitely not a good look) than it does with its actual message.
I think we need to look at the bigger picture here...Switzerland is trying to do what it believes is in its best interest, and that for them means not having free flowing immigration. And if everyone was honest with themselves, we could all agree that from a rational standpoint, this logistically makes sense. I mean, we might as well just get rid of territory lines next and countries, who needs those, right? We can just all live in one big mish mosh society where everyone gets along and cultures don't clash...oh wait, no we can't. Hmmm...on second thought, maybe Switzerland's motivation has a point, even if their way of delivering it is not the politest ('a 2009 referendum showing white sheep ejecting a black sheep from Switzerland' also not cool, guys).
So before we all lose our cool over what is at times not totally politically correct (have we found a country that is politically correct?), let's consider the other side of the coin, which is preserving a country's well-oiled political and social machine. This country services both Swiss-born as well as the other quarter of the population who have migrated over from other lands.
Let's consider whether this small country of 8 million people would be able to stay afloat in the way that it does if it were inundated with foreigners. This may sound cruel, but I don't believe it is wrong to have a cap on migrants, EU or not, and I think other EU countries should reconsider their migration laws.
http://franciscastewart.blogspot.co.uk/