I think this is way too narrow. Following Marx? For sure, you’re right… but if you look at “Liberalism” - which can span anything from “taxes and government are literal hell” to “we support LGBT rights” - and “Conservatism” - which can span anything from Angela Merkel to Trump to follow-my-millenia-old-book-by-the-letter-or-I-will-murder-you - the word “Socialism” in the modern age can definitely contain nuances as well. For instance the main centre-left party in Denmark is called the “Social Democrats” then right to the left of it you have the “Socialist People’s Party” - which is far less revolutionary than it sounds - and then you have a few other parties, including one identifying as “Communist” but which doesn’t even really fight for any kind of revolution or the total elimination of class but recognises the requirement for collaboration and compromising when in power.

In that case it wouldn’t be that common to have a “casual” boyfriend coming to sleep over after a month though

I always make the same argument as to why left-wing politics has been so generally unappealing to working-class, average people - in spite of the irony. I vote left, I have a uni degree, and they still piss me off. Don’t talk about Marxist analyses, and don’t make everything about gender identity or Palestine (I care deeply about Palestine, but it’s not the main issue that I’d want my local political party to focus on) make it about the issues facing regular people on an every day basis. Say “bro, me like taxes” instead of producing a 20-page paper on the evils of capitalism.

It’s not that I don’t understand your argument, or sympathise with prioritising EU products, it’s just quite a far reach to claim that Switzerland is “not a real country”. I’d choose a Swiss company over a Hungarian one - so EU membership isn’t the only determinant.

The way forward, imo, is full EU integration - also for Switzerland - but even with Trump threatning us too this is too far a reach from happening…

So, I’ll welcome products from any European country that generally cares about data protection, neutrality, and a non-American future.

That adds a bit more context to your stance, although it’s quite narrowminded imo.

Europe is filled with tax havens from Monaco to Andorra to Ireland to the Netherlands to Luxembourg, and British overseas territories. It’s not only a Swiss sport to have unfair tax systems. Other current EU members have traditionally been neutral such as Sweden, Finland (although forced), Austria etc…

Then talking about “taxes to the EU community” and mentioning Germany in a reality where German fiscal policies have dictated those of most everyone else - until they now decide it benefits them to change their own - German policies towards Russian energy, Meloni’s flirtation with dictators and fascism, Spanish friendship with China, and increasing anti-EU and anti-Ukraine sentiment in most countries.

Now tell me why I should have a particularly hard stance on Switzerland? Choosing EU companies first is completely fair, but don’t justify it with some holier-than-thou attitude.

All countries are “made up”… modern Italy was fully unified in 1870 and Germany in 1871.

What is a real European country in your opinion?