Saturday nights, saving money, staying in.
And watching ordinary people, with ordinary lives, trying to get an opportunity to make their lives extra-ordinary, by doing something they love, which can also make them, hopefully (no rip-off recording contracts please) a lot of (ahh, come to Switzerland, and make it Tax-Free) Money.
I am talking about the Television Programme Phenomenon; THE X-FACTOR.
There are many arguments to be a debated on, possibly over a nice, good, deep, rich red wine, and salty snacks, here.
The X-Factor.
For, or Against, or Indifferent, or Neutral....?
Exploitation of the masses ?
False hopes and dreams ?
Manufactured emotions ?
Certain individuals being made a mockery of, in sometimes, perhaps, distasteful ways ?
The Humour, The Drama, The Sad, and The Mad, Personal Stories ?
But, above all, There is the SHEER VOLUME of people who turn up to sing and apply !!??
That`s SHOW BUSINESS....
Entertainment around the Globe, usually shown, on a Saturday night, at "Peak Viewing Hours".
And this is my point :
Where is the SWISS X-Factor ??
Thank you very much "Wikipedia", from which I now cite, as my source of, err, "Knowledge", on the subject of this Post :)
There is a German X-Factor, which started, in September, this year, on Channel Vox.
There is a French X-Factor, whose second series, is due to start, early in 2011, on Channel M6.
There is an Italian X-Factor, which started, in 2008, and is now in its fourth series, on Channels, Rai Due, Rai 4, and Rai Sat Extra.
OK - err, are these not the make up of the 3 Parts of Switzerland..? - I use the word parts, forgive me, for not being able to find a Better Way to try to Summarise, the way the "Lay of the Land" has Evolved over the Centuries, here in Switzerland.
There is a SWISS LOTTO, called: SWISSLOS.
This is played on a Saturday night, here in Switzerland.
Also at "Peak-time".
Also at "Peak-time".
But, no X-FACTOR....???
Which, is as much a Lottery, as any other - no ?
How strange - for there must be many a, not so "Shy" Swiss Folk, who Can sing, and who Want to sing..(and beyond, or even including the Skills of Yodelling....)and who would Love an opportunity, in a very tough world to, err, "Break in-to"...
To Date, the Original, British X-Factor (which started in 2004, now showing its seventh series, on Channel ITV)has FRANCHISED THE X-FACTOR SHOW to the following countries:
Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Colombia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Ukraine, USA, and Arab World.
The British Isle (surrounded by Seas) is well-known, well established, for being a HUB OF MUSIC on this, Planet Earth.
The Swiss Isle (surrounded by Land) is well-known, well established, for being a HUB OF CHEESE, CHOCOLATE, WATCHES, BANKING AND INSURANCE.
And many VOTING REFERENDUMS....
In my humble opinion, there is a HUB of MANY THINGS, IN MANY COUNTRIES.
And MANY X-FACTORS, which need a Voice....
On that, err, note....Listen to these 3, Candidates, First Audition, Voices.
They have my Vote, and Best of Luck.
(Though I must admit, that not sure where these Successful First Audition-nee-s are now in the overall Competition...)
Perhaps there Should be a Voting Referendum....on having a Swiss X-Factor ?...?!
The Swiss seem to be Very Good at having Voting Referendums.
(Please find, quoted, again courtesy, and thanks to, Wikipedia.)
Switzerland
In Switzerland, there are binding referendums at federal, cantonal and municipal level. They are a central feature of Swiss political life. It is not the government's choice whether or when a referendum is held, but it is a legal procedure regulated by the Swiss constitution. There are two types of referendums:
- Facultative referendum: Any federal law, certain other federal resolutions, and international treaties that are either perpetual and irredeemable, joinings of an international organization, or that change Swiss law may be subject to a facultative referendum if at least 50,000 people or eight cantons have petitioned to do so within 100 days. Within cantons and municipalities, the required number of people is smaller, and there may be additional causes for a facultative referendum, e.g., expenditures that exceed a certain amount of money. The facultative referendum is the most common type of referendum, and it is mostly carried out by political parties or by interest groups.
- Obligatory referendum: There must be a referendum on any amendments to the constitution and on any joining of a multinational community or organization for collective security. In many municipalities, expenditures that exceed a certain amount of money also are subject to the obligatory referendum. Constitutional amendments are proposed by the parliament or by the cantons or by citizens' initiatives. Citizen's initiatives at the federal level need to collect 100,000 valid signatures within 18 months, and must not contradict international laws or treaties. Often, parliament elaborates a counter-proposal to an initiative, leading to a multiple-choice referendum. Very few such initiatives pass the vote, but more often, the parliamentary counter proposal is approved.
The possibility of facultative referendums forces the parliament to search for a compromise between the major interest groups. In many cases, the mere threat of a facultative referendum or of an initiative is enough to make the parliament adjust a law.
The referendums are said, by their adversaries, to slow politics down. On the other hand, empirical scientists, e.g. Bruno S. Frey among many, show that this and other instruments of citizens' participation, direct democracy, contribute to stability and happiness.
Until next Time, Thanks for reading, Yours, CFC x
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