“G’day mate, we’ve privatized our social security system!”
Posted on 02/04/2013 6:26:56 AM PST by Kaslin
A reader from New York has a follow-up question for me.
Referencing a “Question of the Week” from last month, in which I expressed guarded optimism that America could be saved, she wants to know what I would do if things go the wrong way.
In other words, what if things go really wrong and America suffers a Greek-style fiscal collapse? And imagine how bad that might be since there wouldn’t be an IMF or European Central Bank capable of providing bailouts to the United States.
Perhaps because of an irrational form of patriotism, I’m fairly certain that I will always live in the United States and I will be fighting to preserve (or restore) liberty until my last breath.
But I probably would want my children someplace safe and stable, so I’ll answer the question from that perspective.
The obvious first choice is a zero-income tax jurisdiction like the Cayman Islands that is prosperous and reasonably well governed.
But I’m not sure about the long-run outlook for the Cayman Islands, in part because the politicians there have flirted with an income tax and in part because the jurisdiction inevitably would suffer if the United States was falling apart.
So what’s a place that is stable and not overly tied to the American economy.
Then the obvious choice is Switzerland. That nation’s long-run fiscal outlook is relatively favorable because of modest-sized government and a very good spending control mechanism.
But while Switzerland is not dependent on the U.S. economy, it is surrounded by European welfare states. And I’m fairly certain that nations such as France, Italy, and (perhaps) Germany will collapse before America.
And even though most Swiss households have machine guns and the nation presumably can defend itself from barbarian hordes in search of a new welfare check, Switzerland’s probably not the ideal location.
Estonia is one of my favorite countries, and they’ve implemented some good reforms such as the flat tax. But I worry about demographic decline. Plus, I’m a weather wimp and it’s too chilly most of the year.
Another option is a stable nation in Latin America, perhaps Chile, Panama, or Costa Rica. I haven’t been to Chile, but I’m very impressed by the nation’s incredible progress in recent decades. I have been to Panama many times and it is one of my favorite nations. I’ve only been to Costa Rica two times, but it also seems like a nice country.
The bad news is that I don’t speak Spanish (and my kids don’t speak the language, either). The good news is that Hispanics appear to be the world’s happiest people, so that should count for something.
“G’day mate, we’ve privatized our social security system!”
This brings me to Australia, the country that probably would be at the top of my list. The burden of government spending in Australia is less than it is in the United States.
But the gap isn’t that large. The reason I like Australia is that the nation has a privatized Social Security system (called Superannuation) and the long-run fiscal outlook is much, much better than the United States.
Plus the Aussies are genuinely friendly and they speak an entertaining form of English.
So if America goes under, I recommend going Down Under.
Sounds gorgeous, Cuban leaf...
Good for you!
New Zealand or Australia. But really ... if things go-to-hell-in-a-handbasket in The States, there will be global repercussions.
To my grave fighting.
Good question bump
I like the idea, but I wish they had a way to eradicate all the Funnel-Web spiders and Box Jellyfish.
It will be Molon Labe time.
And the leftist creeps they elect to the Congress will plunder by tax confiscation the prosperous/Republican states until we are bled white. Then what?
Our local Wal-Mart and quickly to grab the last of the Sweet Baby Ray's and A-1 Sauce...
Australia all the way!
Kangaroo meat is TASTY! Mmmmm! And great wines!
I’ve been to detroit and Newark. On my way back to the airport I pulled off the freeway to get gas for the rental car. It is the only time in my life I’ve feared for my life in the middle of the day, and I’ve been to some seedy places in Mexico.
This is where my thoughts go as well. I would love to live with my conservative brothers and sisters, working hard and playing hard, and watching the blue states go up in flames (choking on their debt and social rif-raff) while we prosper. Plans will be needed to keep them out though. When their rainbow/unicorn utopia hits bottom (it wouldn't take long), they'll want another crack at our wealth.
Heaven’s looking better all the time. It will bever collapse under enemy tyranny nor via evil. No death and taxes either. Can’t wait until that train to Paradise leaves the station.
I’ve seen that pic before, you bastard. :)
Serously that is REALLY nice...I’m happy for you, and I’m certain you’ve earned every square inch and blade of grass.
The restored Republic of Texas.
Lake Whitney or Lake O’ the Pines. (exurban Dallas) Got family in the areas.
Been looking on Realtor.com ...
Beautifully put.
I wish for a half-dozen like you at my side.
Australia??? Daniel Mitchell is insane. They confiscated all the guns and its a total nanny state like Britain.
Why the “where to run” talk? How about dig in and fight to restore the consitutional republic.
Ask yourself how scared are you of the dilbergs who pat you down at the airport? Thats who’s coming after you not the military. Did you see the pic of the #1 Dilberg with his shotgun? He probably believes that the DHS can back up his martial law plans. But he probably believes in the tooth fairy also.
Leave the city maybe but not the country.
What is this map representing?
I happen to live in Gwinnett county, GA, which is FEATURED as a call out on your map. And we are not a ‘blue’ area.
REALLY curious what these data are.
It’s my facebook profile picture. Are you a “friend”, or have I posted it here before?
BTW, it was 78 degrees at the time I took that picture. We’ve since gotten a rider mower and about an acre of that grass is lawn. The rest we cut for hay. Gawd it’s beautiful right after the bales are taken off.
Especially with a single malt and a cigar.
Beautifully worded.
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