We also voted against an extra week of vacation here in Switzerland. And we decided to forbid the construction of minarets, a sad low-point in the history of ou

We also voted against an extra week of vacation here in Switzerland. And we decided to forbid the construction of minarets, a sad low-point in the history of our democracy. But you know what? It keeps everyone involved and engaged in political matters. Because in principle anyone can make a proposal, collect enough signatures, and there will be a binding vote. The mentality is "we control the government". Of course, there is still the manipulation of the masses, politicians prefer to re-interpret what we voted about (they aren't allowed, but often there is some gray area and they can delay things), and sometimes a majority decision seems to be a very bad emotional one. But in contrary to Germany, people here feel more in control over the government, rather than being helpless observers. If you don't like something, stop complaining and start collecting signatures. I'm usually not very patriotic, but if you want to take my direct vote away, you can pry it out of my dead hands.