>>Well, the US was (still is?) rich, too... unless they've spent too much on poorly-thought-out social programs and "wars" of various stripes.

The Swiss like things ordered... they will deduce your spoken language from your clothes and reprimand you at 130db for crossing the road or using the wrong door on a tram or driving too fast/slow or even for daring to travel with luggage to inconvenience them. To such people it's worth a few thousand francs (yes, they still use francs) to prevent begging and other untidiness. ;-) Under their shells they do have a soft spot and probably don't like the idea of poverty in the midst of such wealth either.