[Lazamataz]

Fed: US consumers have decided to 'hoard money'

A second data point emerges. The first was a 5x increase in the 'fees' associated with renouncing citizenship. This is a small but significant erection of a financial Berlin Wall.

This second data point is the introduction of the concept that savers (and eventually, preppers) are 'hoarders' to be shamed and eventually raided.

The conversion of the United States to the Soviet States of America is progressing nicely.

[Red in Blue PA]

U.S. Hikes Fee To Renounce Citizenship By 422%

Over the last two years, the U.S. has had a spike in expatriations. It isn’t exactly Ellis Island in reverse, but it’s more than a dribble. With global tax reporting and FATCA, the list of the individuals who renounced is up. For 2013, there was a 221% increase, with record numbers of Americans renouncing. The Treasury Department is required to publish a quarterly list, but these numbers are under-stated, some say considerably.

The presence or absence of tax motivation is no longer relevant, but that could change. After Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin departed for Singapore, Senators Chuck Schumer and Bob Casey introduced a bill to double the exit tax to 30% for anyone leaving the U.S. for tax reasons. That hasn’t happened, but taxes are still a big issue for many.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/robertwood/2014/08/28/u-s-hikes-fee-to-renounce-citizenship-by-422/

[kiryandil]

This second data point is the introduction of the concept that savers (and eventually, preppers) are 'hoarders' to be shamed and eventually raided.

Well, I happen to agree with this view.

For instance, the government is hoarding ammunition, armored vehicles and automatic weapons...