Swiss political leader and asset manager Sasha Pictet joins the show to explain how Switzerland’s unique system of direct democracy works—and what the U.S. might learn from it.

Guest Bio: Sasha Pictet is a Swiss national, asset manager, and co-founder of Leo Ventures and Salva, a company focused on regenerative tourism. He is a member of the Green Liberal Party of Switzerland and currently resides in the United States.

Topics Discussed:

• Why Swiss women only gained full voting rights in 1991
• Switzerland’s adoption and evolution of a U.S.-inspired constitution
• How direct democracy works in Switzerland (referenda, constitutional changes, voting logistics)
• Political party structure in Switzerland and the role of the Green Liberal Party
• Public education, healthcare, and taxation in Switzerland vs. the U.S.
• The flaws in U.S. presidential and electoral systems
• Social cohesion, representation, and trust in government institutions
• The limits of inclusivity politics and DEI
• What Americans misunderstand about European "socialism"
• If Sasha could import one feature of Swiss governance into the U.S.

Best Quotes:

“Only the Swiss would vote against giving themselves more vacation.”
“In Switzerland, if you want to change the constitution, you don’t amend it—you rewrite it.”
“The damage one person can do is far greater than what seven people can.”
“We don’t talk about race like Americans do. We talk about people—humans.”
“You don’t change the rules for 99.99% of people to accommodate 0.01%.”
“If you could fix one thing in the U.S., I’d start with the right to petition Congress directly.”

📺Watch the full podcast on YouTube➡️https://youtu.be/5ozbBsZfhvc?si=NdeG-4H-XYaWqStQ

🎙 The Pod is hosted by Jesse Wright
💬 For guest suggestions, questions, or media inquiries, reach out at https://elpodcast.media/
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