but there is no mention of this in the article. Perhaps it would be worth a comment or two. Most of the comments/posts on isaacbrocksociety.com are focusing on the restrictions put on U.S. citizens who try to exercise “economic mobility” by living outside the United States. This McKenna article does not mention these and neither do the comments.
This is happening in most 1st world countries for now..
It amazes me how these intelligent reporters never give the underlying reasons: if you encourage people to be poor (welfare) and discourage people from work (tax), this is always going to happen.
I’m not against taxes. There has to be money to pay for social services. But I think that the US should at least re-think the words they use, like tax cheat and criminal, even for people who owe no taxes.
I just posted a reply on Globe website. Barry McKenna has written several articles on IRS issue. I’m disappointed he didn’t see the connection here.
I thought this comment was fabulous “The trouble with the American Dream is that you have to be asleep to believe in it.” George Carlin?
I pay a lot in taxes in my host country BUT I am convinced that I am getting value for my money. I get great public services (health care, public transportation, good schools, nice roads) and in some cases I actually save money because, for example, I don’t have or need a car. And I am perfectly OK paying a minimum income, unemployment, family allocations and so on for people who need it because I know that some day I might need those things. It called solidarité and I am 100% for it. My .02.
Here’s a link to some of the information and discussion from the New York Times, which iis written about in Globe and Mail. One writer suggests moving north might be the solution if things don’t change in U.S. I guess he hasn’t heard about the long arm of IRS!
http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2012/01/08/is-the-us-still-a-land-of-opportunity/canadas-economic-mobility-creates-a-land-of-opportunity.
Victoria, I agree completely about paying taxes where we live. As our Finance Minister said “Canada is not a tax haven. People do not flock to Canada to avoid paying taxes.” How true. But, we get much more for it. Yet, with our present government, many of our valued programs and services may be in jeopardy.