>>>Funny how that choice becomes available only when you are among the richest among the richest. The less fortunate have to take the whole package (...rod, line and sinker). >> >>Really ? Germany, Belgium, The Netherlands etc.. > >The Swiss have the banks. The Norwegians have the oil. So they can have the special status.
The swiss also have a history of keeping themselves out of such groups / staying neutral. And I believe that started well before swiss banks were important, if they are at all, have not checked the % or total amount kept there, even surmizing the per capita rate to be much higher than many or most countries. Except for Napoleon the swiss kept themselves apart from surrounding political structures.