following on from your discussion. You can’t pick and choose what you want when you reside here. I’ve been here over 20 years and I knowyoung 20 year olds who were born here but refuse to get their passport because they don’t want to do the military. I also know foreign families who also refuse to get the passport because they don’t want their children to do the military. It’s all or nothing. Either welcome Switzerland with open arms and everything that is Swiss or don’t. Too many people just like to have the money and amenities of Switzerland but nothing more. Then they want to tell Switzerland what they should do. Disgusting. Yes they paying taxes but they also have jobs in a safe environment, that’s the choice. They don’t want to go that extra bit and learn the language or do the military. It’s pretty selfish to demand the vote too, they majorly came for economic reason anyway. If foreigners feel sooo strongly they should become Swiss. I don’t know of any other country where referendums are taken to the extent of Switzerland. The votes are only for parliament, nothing more and then I doubt foreigners can vote on parliament in those countries either. As a foreigner, I find this debate embarressing.

Why do people always highlight negative parts of immigration/foreigners. I am sure if you actually took a serious poll there are many people who have chosen to move to Switzerland for a lot of reason and want to contribute in a positive way and be part of the society. Maybe some are just not welcome and no matter what they do they end up feeling alienated and as a result keep to themselves. Let us be honest Switzerland is not the most welcoming country and the residents probably don’t want foreigners here. It is true there are many people who are here for economic reasons and I want to point out that it is not only the Africans and Asians …I know just as many British, Americans, Germans etc who have moved here because of the type of money they can earn. I live here because my husband is Swiss and even though I am a foreigner, Geneva is now my home and where my children will grow up and yes I would like to have a say and I would like to be part of Geneva society and be considered full fledged Swiss one day…will that happen??? maybe never if this negative attitude towards foreigners continues. The one thing I really hate to hear are foreigners like Dawn adding fuel to this anti-foreigner fire. You have lived here for 20 years and are well integrated… I assume… congratulations! There are just as many trying to do the same. Give us some credit!!!