Switzerland's newest member of the Tea Party, Michelle Bachman!

**Colin P. Varga** · 05-10-2012, 08:43 PM

Just to clarify an earlier remark, Switzerland is not a Euro Zone country.

Also, if Bachman's children wanted to work in Switzerland there was no need for their mother to divide her allegiance.

**Litter Box** · 05-10-2012, 08:47 PM

Originally Posted by Colin P. Varga

Just to clarify an earlier remark, Switzerland is not a Euro Zone country.

Also, if Bachman's children wanted to work in Switzerland there was no need for their mother to divide her allegiance.

In other words we can have her declared an enemy combatant and sent to Gitmo !

**Colin P. Varga** · 05-10-2012, 09:28 PM

Originally Posted by Litter Box

In other words we can have her declared an enemy combatant and sent to Gitmo !

I think we can count on her friends in the Tea Party to take care of her and her Un-American activities.

**Litter Box** · 05-10-2012, 09:49 PM

Originally Posted by Colin P. Varga

I think we can count on her friends in the Tea Party to take care of her and her Un-American activities.

You are right, they are very good at eating their own !

**mixiboi** · 05-10-2012, 10:04 PM

Originally Posted by Smiley

I lived in N. Ireland for over 10 years. Through my grandfather, I was eligible for Irish citizenship. When I approached the American Consulate in Belfast, they told me what I could do and what was frowned upon. I was not allowed to participate in a political party and something as small as voting in a local election could endanger my American ( born and bred) citizenship. I have no problem with someone holding dual citizenship, but as a Congresswoman she should decide where she stands. Yes, it may be a smart move , but even someone like me sees her as someone with divided loyalties.

Oh she knows she is on her way out when the election comes up this Fall. So if anything she is looking at all her post options(including book tours).

**Gio7707** · 05-11-2012, 12:22 AM

AFP: Ex-White House hopeful in U-turn on Swiss passport

well well,,if you are in politics you can't decide for yourself anymore ..

"Today, I sent a letter to the Swiss Consulate requesting withdrawal of my dual Swiss citizenship, which was conferred upon me by operation of Swiss law when I married my husband in 1978," the Minnesota congresswoman said in a statement.

"I took this action because I want to make it perfectly clear: I was born in America and I am a proud American citizen. I am, and always have been, 100 percent committed to our US Constitution and the United States of America.

**Litter Box** · 05-11-2012, 06:54 AM

Originally Posted by Gio7707

AFP: Ex-White House hopeful in U-turn on Swiss passport

well well,,if you are in politics you can't decide for yourself anymore ..

"Today, I sent a letter to the Swiss Consulate requesting withdrawal of my dual Swiss citizenship, which was conferred upon me by operation of Swiss law when I married my husband in 1978," the Minnesota congresswoman said in a statement.

"I took this action because I want to make it perfectly clear: I was born in America and I am a proud American citizen. I am, and always have been, 100 percent committed to our US Constitution and the United States of America.

Flip Flop, kick her to the curb.

**Gio7707** · 05-11-2012, 01:50 PM

So what caused her to flip-flop on being Swiss?

Bachmann’s sudden reversal could have had something to do with her re-election bid – and the backlash that could have followed her decision to apply for citizenship in a country at odds with her conservative platform. For instance, Switzerland has universal health care, which Bachmann railed against on the campaign trail over the past year. Abortion is not only legal in the country, but also covered by health insurance. The rich pay more in taxes than the middle class, same-sex couples are entitled to civil partnerships and assisted suicide for the terminally ill is permitted by law.

Read more: Why Did Michele Bachmann Flip-Flop on Being a Swiss Citizen? | Global Spin | TIME.com

**seand** · 05-11-2012, 02:09 PM

Originally Posted by Colin P. Varga

Just to clarify an earlier remark, Switzerland is not a Euro Zone country.

It is and it isn't. They don't participate in the shared currency or the EU parliament but they did sign on for Swiss and EU citizens being allowed to freely travel and work in each other's countries, as I understand it. So likely Bachman's children (and possibly Bachman) wanted to be able to work in Western Europe as a whole, not just Switzerland. Its caused a little problem as of late with a rapid recent influx of Greeks, Italians and Spaniards, apparently.

Its still a Individual Mandate, universal healthcare welfare state, regardless.

**raider.adam** · 05-11-2012, 02:20 PM

Originally Posted by seand

It is and it isn't. They don't participate in the shared currency or the EU parliament but they did sign on for Swiss and EU citizens being allowed to freely travel and work in each other's countries, as I understand it. So likely Bachman's children (and possibly Bachman) wanted to be able to work in Western Europe as a whole, not just Switzerland. Its caused a little problem as of late with a rapid recent influx of Greeks, Italians and Spaniards, apparently.

Its still a Individual Mandate, universal healthcare welfare state, regardless.

There is no is and isn't. Switzerland is not in the Eurozone.

**Politburo** · 05-11-2012, 02:30 PM

They're in the Schengen Zone. The nuances of the various European agreements is not frequently discussed in the US, and most times it is just abbreviated to "Eurozone".

**Gio7707** · 05-11-2012, 02:32 PM

It is in the Eurozone , but it kept it's currency (who would give up the Swiss Franc... seriously !!)
It's flooded with all kind of nationalities ... they couldn't keep this Island of peace and paradise to themself anymore ..

yeahh the Schengen zone ...god I remember that law..

**raider.adam** · 05-11-2012, 02:36 PM

Originally Posted by Politburo

They're in the Schengen Zone. The nuances of the various European agreements is not frequently discussed in the US, and most times it is just abbreviated to "Eurozone".

That may be, but there are significantly big differences between Schengen and the European Union.

**raider.adam** · 05-11-2012, 02:39 PM

Originally Posted by Gio7707

It is in the Eurozone , but it kept it's currency (who would give up the Swiss Franc... seriously !!)
It's flooded with all kind of nationalities ... they couldn't keep this Island of peace and paradise to themself anymore ..

yeahh the Schengen zone ...god I remember that law..

Still no. We'll make it easy. These are the countries in the eurozone:

Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Spain

I am pretty sure adopting the euro is a criteria, so you can't be in the eurozone, but kept your own currency.

**Gio7707** · 05-11-2012, 02:44 PM

they did keep the Swiss franc currency , but you can also use the euro dollar ...

**Politburo** · 05-11-2012, 02:45 PM

Originally Posted by raider.adam

That may be, but there are significantly big differences between Schengen and the European Union.

Right, and that's pretty much what seand was saying. Some would call this pedantic, but I'm frequently guilty of that myself, so.. carry on.

**seand** · 05-11-2012, 02:47 PM

Originally Posted by raider.adam

There is no is and isn't. Switzerland is not in the Eurozone.

Although the Swiss said no to joining the European Union, they signed up to the EU's treaty on the free movement of people - meaning EU citizens have the right to go and work there without any restrictions.

BBC News - Eurozone migrants head to Switzerland

**raider.adam** · 05-11-2012, 02:48 PM

Originally Posted by seand

BBC News - Eurozone migrants head to Switzerland

That doesn't mean they are part of the Eurozone. That is like saying if we remove border controls with Canada, we get to control their currency.

As Politburo pointed out, the Swiss and other european nations handled border control issues in Schengen, which was not part of the EU. The European Union incorporated the agreements into themselves after the face. (Schengen was signed in 1985.)

**Gio7707** · 05-11-2012, 02:50 PM

all in all...they made a smart decision !!

**seand** · 05-11-2012, 02:52 PM

In the context of my comment where I said specifically not on the currency but yes on free movement, you are sort of splitting hairs on a lazy turn of phrase. The point is if you are signing up for Swiss citizenship its probably to be able to work not just in Switzerland but all of Europe - which Swiss citizens can do.

You don't need to become a Swiss citizen to dump a bunch of your money into Swiss marcs but becoming a Swiss citizen is a ticket to working throughout the eurozone as well as Switzerland.