Why expats are ditching their U.S. passports: Here's a profile of some of them...

CNN Money via Yahoo News ^ | 03/11/2014 | Sophia Yan

[SeekAndFind]

3,000 Americans around the world renounced their citizenship last year. Meet five U.S. citizens who have given up their passports -- or are thinking about it -- to escape an overly complicated tax code.

I threw up after renouncing

View photo.

Donna-Lane NelsonName: Donna-Lane Nelson, 71
Lives in: Geneva, Switzerland

I renounced my U.S. citizenship in 2011. After I did it, I was so emotional that I threw up outside the embassy.

During my renunciation, I broke down. It was like getting a divorce. America gave me my education, a good career path, and I came from a beautiful part of the country. This was very hard.

Before I took the last oath, I asked if I could change my mind. The embassy worker said maybe, with official permission. But I still went through with it.

My decision to renounce was triggered when my bank threatened to close my account because I was American. What would I do without a bank? Americans in Switzerland were having trouble with their investments, getting credit cards, and some weren't even getting loans.

I've been in Switzerland since 1990, and became a citizen in 2005, because I wanted the right to vote where I was living. The Swiss can tell I have an American accent, and I'm often explaining that I grew up in the U.S. and have a daughter who still lives in the Boston area.

[americanbychoice3]

Interest is taxable as income, thus included. It would depend on the overall income vs taxation. If you lived in a country (Bahamas) without income taxes, that credit would be zero and you would only have your exemption.

[Marcella]

“Wherever they are - You can KEEP them. They’ll likely desert there if/when the going gets tough too.”

My son was born in Texas and will always be a Texan US Citizen. He has lived/worked in England for over 25 years. When he began working there, he didn’t make enough money to pay US taxes because you can make up to a certain amount of income before the US wants taxes. He did have to file a return even though he owed no taxes, and from that early time, has an accountant to work up his tax return. After he became very successful making much more money, he gladly paid US taxes on top of British taxes, because Texas is his true home.

If he doesn’t come back to live before retirement, and I think he will, he will retire here anyway - not in England. His Texas driver’s license is still in effect and I’ve already transferred the ownership of my house to him which will take effect when I am no longer here.

Not long ago when he was here, he was talking about Piers Morgan, (whom film makers like my son, despise), and Morgan’s attack on guns. He said he has heard his English friends talk about our guns in the US and says they simply don’t understand why we won’t give them all up. He said, “They just don’t get it.”

He would never give up his US citizenship and I can’t imagine a US citizen doing that.

[wku man]

"The first time the rebels take over their little backwater country, they’ll come crying to the US Embassy wanting protection."

Spot on. A certain particular lying, cowardly worm expat in the Philippines said as much not too long ago, except it was on a thread about the Chicoms looking to drill for oil in Filipino territorial waters. The worm's comment was something to the effect of, "if that happens (the Chicoms invading), the Philippines have a mutual defense pact with the US". Of course, that's the same US he otherwise likes to call the USSA. So on one hand, he loves to badmouth his former nation while sipping Mai Tais on the beach, but WTSHTF, he wants us to save his sorry a**.

BTW Alex...where's the quote, puke? Liar. Coward. Come out and face me like a man, quit hiding like a slug.

Woof, woof! Dawg soldiers up!

Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!

[AppyPappy]

Ummm....you know you are on the internet, right?

[NFHale]

“..He would never give up his US citizenship and I can’t imagine a US citizen doing that....”

And THAT is the difference here.

As you well know regarding my other posts on other threads, my problem has never been with someone wanting to go explore the world, live here, there, wherever. Hey, that’s NOT a bad thing to want to do.

It’s the renunciation of being an American - and all that it took our people to even MAKE THAT APPELLATION HAPPEN - and the knowingly saying “the Hell with it - I’m outta here”.

That is what is so offensive to me.

And of course, we all know the little fella on this forum who sits offshore making his snotty commentary - which is, of course, what gave birth to “The Manger Dog Pound”, of which you and I are proud members...

Woof, Woof, ya wonderful Texas lady!

[wku man]

"Hm, what sort of honor does a country have when:"

The Republic, the Constitution, and our heritage still have their honor, and those are what I think of when I think of America. Those who have lost their honor -- our institutions, about half of the people and the politicians we/they send to DC and the 50 statehouses -- are half the problem. The rest of the problem, of course, is us...being the other half of the population that are letting them get away with it.

Yes, we have problems as a nation, but remember; every time you point the finger of blame, you point three back at yourself. Everything that "is" in our nation, "is" because we let it be. We're half of the problem, and the entire solution. Let's get busy fixing instead of just bitching about it.

Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!

[NFHale]

“...while sipping Mai Tais on the beach,...”

That’s MAO Tais... I believe :^) (just sayin’!)

WOOF!

[wku man]

"Come out and face me" in the internet sense.

Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!

[OneWingedShark]

Let's get busy fixing instead of just bitching about it.

I've done some, esp. WRT contraconstitutional gun "laws" [state level vs. State constitution]… it appears that the only way to challenge it in court is to [intentionally] violate it, thereby implicitly acknowledging its authority, and then arguing from the weak position of "the accused", forced to use the juvenile-sounding defense of: I'm not guilty because the law is invalid, really! Even though there have been many arrests and convictions for its violation, it isn't valid!

[NFHale]

“...Hm, what sort of honor does a country have when: ...”

Hell, that’s not “the Country” brother; that’s just the temporary hired help, and SOME Of it’s citizens. There’s a big difference.

We’re not the first Nation to go through this. But we SHOULD be the first Nation to actively STOP it. And that takes people sticking and staying, and not bugging out.

Some of your own posts over the years - and I’ve read a lot of them - provide rationale and methodology for changing things. You and I have spoken before on issues.

So you haven’t given up, nor have you run away.

Yeah - things suck right now. They COULD suck a whole lot worse. But giving up isn’t - and never was - an option for Americans.

Can we make a difference, each of us, individually? Sure. I became a firearms instructor just so I COULD make a difference. And every new gunny I create is one more Citizen, and one less mind that the other side can indoctrinate. One more mind that says “Hey... WTF are YOU to tell me I can’t own and carry a firearm? This is my RIGHT!”

And that is something the other side hates passionately... an independent, awake soul.

We have a long row to hoe, but that isn’t any different than it ever was, in our long climb to liberty.

What you do - what WE do - matters. People learn from you, even when you’re not trying to teach...

[OneWingedShark]

Did they spill blood and write “guarantees” that ours did to provide us this country and freedoms?

If you think the federal government even intends to honor those guarantees I'm inclined to think you a fool; let's look at how effective these guarantees are:

1. The first amendment, which guarantees the freedom of the press:

   In impassioned language, it intimated that conscription was despotism in its worst form, and a monstrous wrong against humanity in the interest of Wall Street's chosen few. It said "Do not submit to intimidation," but in form, at least, confined itself to peaceful measures such as a petition for the repeal of the act. The other and later printed side of the sheet was headed "Assert Your Rights." It stated reasons for alleging that anyone violated the Constitution when he refused to recognize "your right to assert your opposition to the draft," and went on "If you do not assert and support your rights, you are helping to deny or disparage rights which it is the solemn duty of all citizens and residents of the United States to retain." […] When a nation is at war, many things that might be said in time of peace are such a hindrance to its effort that their utterance will not be endured so long as men fight, and that no Court could regard them as protected by any constitutional right. (Schenck v. United States)

   IOW, when the nation is at war (and when is it not?) the ability to print opinion (and presumably organize for a redress of grievances) is curtailed.

2. The Second Amendment — Rendered nearly null and void with the GCA and the general acceptance of stripping the right to bear arms from felons (even after serving their sentence) or even those who are accused of domestic violence.
   {NOTE: The proliferation of felonies means that you could be regarded as a felon for engaging in everyday activities.}
3. The fourth amendment has been rendered nearly impotent with the acceptance of "exigent circumstances"

   The Fourth Amendment expressly imposes two requirements: All searches and seizures must be reasonable; and a warrant may not be issued unless probable cause is properly established and the scope of the authorized search is set out with particularity. […] The proper test follows from the principle that permits warrantless searches: warrantless searches are allowed when the circumstances make it reasonable, within the meaning of the Fourth Amendment, to dispense with the warrant requirement. (KENTUCKY v. KING)

   Translation: The 4th amendment requires warrants, but we don't!

4. The fifth amendment?
   Try looking at asset forfeiture laws.
5. The Eighth Amendment?
   Try looking ant mandatory sentencing and the ridiculously long sentences. (20 years!? That's an eighth of a lifetime! Less cruel to kill a man than steal his life and coyly say we didn't [technically] take your life.)

[ScottinVA]

Why would you expect them to be safe anywhere else?

I have relatives in two foreign countries who would help them, if needed. I don't want them seeing my head get taken off by well-placed, high-capacity kill shot.

My fervent hope is that that is NOT the case. I’m all in favor of Patton’s doctrine in that regard.

I only hope I take down one or two of them in the process. Those of us who fight will be vastly outgunned, so I'm realistic about the outcome.

[windsorknot]

Our forefathers broke free from a country whose abuses they could no longer tolerate. In communist controlled East Germany one risked his life to leave.

[DuncanWaring]

My plan B is getting my family to safety, in another country, most likely.

Out of the frying pan, into the fire?

When it all falls apart (and it will), Merkuns are going to be hated and reviled around the world.

[Stingray51]

I agree

[SZonian]

Why don’t you try to keep the context of the conversation in mind before you run around calling people you don’t even know “fools” based on a snip of a post?

But I will say this; I do not expect this government or any future government run by politicians to honor any of the Constitution if they can get away with it. Thus the quotation marks in my comment.

It was/is up to us to ensure they do and to this we have apparently failed.

[ScottinVA]

Merkuns are going to be hated and reviled around the world.

Almost as much as they are by liberals here.

[NFHale]

“...I have relatives in two foreign countries who would help them, ...”

I guess my point is that, if the Left feels that they can get away with it here, then nowhere is really safe. I do understand your point about the family though, as I am also a family man. My kids are grown, and expert marksmen, and very adept at handling firearms. That being said, I wouldn’t want them around for SHTF either. But that’s not up to me.

As for outgunned ... of course we will be. So were the Minutemen.

I’m a realist too. But that doesn’t change what sits on our shoulders.

What was it that Reagan said, quoting Churchill:

“You and I have the courage to say to our enemies, “There is a price we will not pay. There is a point beyond which they must not advance.” And this—this is the meaning in the phrase of Barry Goldwater’s “peace through strength.”

“...Winston Churchill said, “The destiny of man is not measured by material computations. When great forces are on the move in the world, we learn we’re spirits—not animals.” And he said, “There’s something going on in time and space, and beyond time and space, which, whether we like it or not, spells duty.”

It is what is. And we either call ourselves Americans, and prove ourselves worthy of the appellation - or we don’t.

You’re not alone.

[DuncanWaring]

“Daniel Pearl” reviled.

[wku man]

That's a good first step. But we on the Right need to do a little community organizing ourselves. The majority of this nation doesn't like where we're headed, but are too afraid to speak up, thinking they're in the minority. They watch shows like Will and Grace and think the whole nation is in love with homos, and therefore they must be "behind the times" if they don't agree with homo marriage or homo adoption. They watch NCIS make a mockery of gun owners and those who go to gun shows, and think the rest of the nation must also believe we're all knuckle-dragging yayhoos who are incapable of responsible gun ownership...or completing a coherent sentence, for that matter. They hear songs like Pink's "Mr. President", and think that they, too, must be evil, heartless SOBs if they're not willing to pay 50+% of their income for social welfare, pigs at the trough programs. We can counter a lot of that crap by talking.

We who are opinionated and know how to string together a coherent argument need to actively seek public confrontations with Leftists, rather than shying away from them. We need to make clear, coherent and sensible arguments, without using big, intimidating words. Of course we'll never get a liberal admit they lost the argument, but that's not important. What is important is that people will be watching...people who may be closet conservatives, who will be encouraged by your public display of brains and ba**s. A couple of times, I've actually had people approach me afterward and ask where I learned the facts I used to destroy my opponent. They've told me they thought exactly the same as I did, but they thought they were alone. Bam-o! You've recruited another conservative, someone with whom you can work to turn them into a crusader.

You can also do this by trolling Leftist websites like the Puffington Post and the WaPo. They'll never admit they're wrong, but someone will always be reading or listening, and you very well could be the motivation they need to step into the arena and do battle.

I could go on and on about what we can do to fix our nation, but it all comes down to the fact that we have to start doing it right the @#!* now! We don't have another ten, or even five years to dither and have arguments amongst ourselves about what the definition of "conservative" is. We have to kick meek, wimpy Generation X conservatives in the a** and turn them into fanatics, and deprogram all the Leftist indoctrination Generation.com has had shoved down its throat all it's lives, that Generation X parents allowed to happen.

There's a lot of steps that can be taken before we all start loading magazines. But we have to start right now...yesterday would've been better. Now's not the time to read books or play political chess games. Now's the time to draw lines, put chips on our shoulders, and recruit more "soldiers".

Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!