Whenever the left wants to push their socialist-esque policies, they always point to European countries...even though some, like Denmark, would prefer they not. Other citizens who have actually lived through socialism, think these socialist admirers are clueless, dangerous rubes. They're not wrong.

Now you can cross Switzerland off the leftist utopia list. Though to be fair, Swizterland is rarely called out as a leftist example. Here's one reason why: the people just rejected a plan for a basic income from the government.

The plan could have seen people in this wealthy nation of eight million people receive about 2,500 Swiss francs ($3,315 Cdn) per month — enough to cover their basic needs.

Proponents argued that a basic income would free people from meaningless toil and allow them to pursue more productive or creative goals in life. Critics said the plan would explode the state budget and encourage idleness, arguments that appear to have convinced voters.

Based on a partial count of results from 19 Swiss cantons (states), the gfs.bern polling group calculated that 78 per cent of voters opposed the measure.

The Swiss government itself advised voters to reject the proposal put forward by left-wing campaigners who collected the necessary 100,000 signatures to force a vote on the issue.

So, when you hear American leftists pushing "basic income" here in the States, remember...it was too socialist for Switzerland. Though we already have many versions of "basic income" already. See also "welfare." Related Mississippi Passes Law Requiring Welfare Recipients to Work. The Results?

But many reasons why Switzerland said heck no to free money regardless of one's level of slackitude?

1. If people are paid an arbitrary amount of money to do nothing, more people will do nothing.
2. If people are paid an arbitrary amount of money to do nothing, more slackers from other countries will move to Switzerland. So they may proceed to do nothing.
3. People are typically paid to work. This is why your payment is referred to as "compensation" for your time. You do a job for me, I compensate you for your time with money. It's an exchange. Time for money, money for time. But if you're sitting around cutting holes out of cheese with your Swiss Army knife? Why should you get paid? A majority of Swiss voters agreed.

The three concepts listed above? Hate speech for the left. What about fairness, they'll say. What about compassion, they'll say. Fine. Let's talk fairness and compassion. How is it fair for people to be paid to do nothing? I fail to see how compensating people to be losers helps them to become successful on their own. Also, the money being given to people who don't work? It came from people who worked. I'm not sure how it's compassionate to take from those who earn to give to those who won't. In order for any government money to be "given," it must first be taken, by force, from the person who earned it. In certain circles this is known as "theft."

None of what I just wrote is news to anyone with even one functioning brain cell. Yet I find myself repeating it often. Especially around April 15.

So what Switzerland did here, overwhelmingly, is something America should have done years ago. It's a move we should take now. The rejection of the welfare state. If you want to be an entitled, whiny little slacker, fine. But don't you dare demand I pay for your lifestyle of suck. Some states are already moving to a "if you want money, work for it you loser" sorts of programs. Read Main Makes Welfare Recipients Work for it. Guess What Happens Next...

NOT SUBSCRIBED TO THE PODCAST? FIX THAT! IT’S COMPLETELY FREE ON BOTH ITUNES HERE AND SOUNDCLOUD HERE.