Posted on 04/27/2014 8:08:31 AM PDT by Navy Patriot
Inside the long-awaited package, six pages of government paperwork dryly affirmed Carol Tapanila's anxious request. But when Tapanila slipped the contents from the brown envelope, she saw there was something more.
"We the people...." declared the script inside her U.S. passport — now with four holes punched through it from cover to cover. Her departure from life as an American was stamped final on the same page: "Bearer Expatriated Self."
With the envelope's arrival, Tapanila, a native of upstate New York who has lived in Canada since 1969, joined a largely overlooked surge of Americans rejecting what is, to millions, a highly sought prize: U.S. citizenship. Last year, the U.S. government reported a record 2,999 people renounced citizenship or terminated permanent residency; most are widely assumed to be driven by a desire to avoid paying taxes on hidden wealth.
The reality, though, is more complicated. The government's pursuit of tax evaders among Americans living abroad is indeed driving the jump in abandoned citizenship, experts say. But renouncers — whose ranks have swelled more than five-fold from a decade ago — often contradict the stereotype of the financial scoundrel. Many are from very ordinary economic circumstances.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
When I first saw this headline I misread it thinking that Michael Moore had renounced his US citizenship.
Another example of wishful thinking on my part.
Another example of wishful thinking on my part.
Happens to me a lot.
Canada’s government had to stand up to the U.S. government for it hounding dual citizens to pay U.S. taxes - including the minor children of dual citizens and asking them to pay taxes on their education savings accounts.
Panama has attracted me and other FReepers as permanent residents. I’ve still got three years to go before applying for citizenship. Not sure whether will keep U.S. citizenship at that point.
Not perfect but better than any blue state. Think U.S. pre-1960.
I don't understand what you're saying.Canada has no say in US laws regarding its citizens any more than we have a say over Canada when dealing with their citizens.Of course Canada isn't going to assist the IRS n a situation like that nor are they gonna let IRS agents into Canada to enforce such laws.The US is basically the only "civilized" nation on earth that taxes its citizens *regardless* of the source of income or the country in which they're living when its earned.Stupid ain't the word for that.Actually,criminal might be the word.But it's none of Canada's business to support *or* oppose these laws.
I've never been to Panama but I *have* been to Brazil...twice.Unless Panama is 1000 light years more civilized...more stable...than Brazil you couldn't pay me enough to live there.
It might be a good idea for productive US parents to have their children born in another country that allows the child to become a citizen by virtue of birth. I don’t think that hedging bets is such a bad idea these days when the economic Berlin Wall is getting higher and higher, and when it appears that conservatives and constitutionalists are becoming the new 1930s German Jews.
I don’t think that many other nations allow birth in the country as a sufficient sole requirement for citizen status; Canada perhaps?
With the U.S. presence there since circa 1903, Panama is a true melting pot without the “gringo go home” attitude you find in many Latin America countries.
Panama’s economy is growing at 10-11% per year.
The first subway in Latin America just opened in Panama City. The city is about the size of the Dallas metro area if you like that type of thing. I personally prefer the rural areas but that’s me.
Not perfect but better than any of the other Latin American countries (and others) I looked at as an alternative. Factors included political stabilility, capitalism, number of expats, attitudes toward expats, cost of living, flights, and climate. It’s also the easiest country right now for getting permanent residency either as a retiree (pensionado visa) or as an investor (a 416 visa). The 416 visa ultimately lets one apply for citizenship if wanted after 5 years. The pensionado does not.
Yep. On the current path, the Untied States will eventually experience a brain drain. Especially if one was young and accomplished, what would you see here for the future?
Just watched a rerun of ‘Space Cowboys’ today. Bittersweet, the references to a pre-”NWO” United States.
Millions?!? Try billions. Almost every Chinese, Indian, Indonesian, Bangladeshi... there's 3 billion right there... If only 1/3 of those living in those impoverished nations wanted the be here, there's a billion already.
“Untied States” lol.
Panama has attracted me and other FReepers as permanent residents.
*******************
Panama attracted one the of most brilliant and productive technologists I have ever had the privilege of working with. He also served his country with great distinction in several areas. In short, the kind of person who is a credit to his country and an asset to society.
The fact that someone of this caliber would find life outside the U.S. appealing speakes volumes about the sad state of the country and the misguided direction we’re heading in.
Good luck in your newfound home. I may join you soon.
The US is much less of a special place.
... Last year, the U.S. government reported a record 2,999 people renounced citizenship or terminated permanent residency ...
2999 isn't much, even if it is a "record number".
Too small really to be an indication of anything in particular.
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