AARO (Association of Americans Resident Overseas) and FAWCO (Federation of American Women’s Clubs Overseas) have an idea for how we can make the most of our summer vacations.
For those of you who are U.S. voters why not stop by and see your local Congresspersons while you’re in town? Think about it – haven’t we all dreamed of letting them know how we feel? Here’s your chance.
AARO has some suggestions for how to set up the meeting and topics for discussion (though I’m positive that folks here already have that covered, right?) They also include a link to the Overseas Vote Foundation’s fact sheets for each state.
I’m giving it a try. Asking for a meeting was easy since my reps have an automatic meeting request system on their sites. Thus far I have received one answer saying they will try to set up a meeting with my rep in person.
Some other ideas while you happen to be strolling around town:
1. Talk to local media. Ask them to reprint Colleen Graffy’s article so it gets the widest possible distribution. Point them to whatever site or organization you belong to that’s fighting FATCA/CBT.
2. Offer to provide more information to a reporter and accept any and all interview requests. Say that you can attest personally to the accuracy of Graffy’s article and give them a local angle.
3. Write up your experience and see if the local paper will print it.
Love to hear other ideas as well.
Will this do any good? No idea but I think it’s worth trying. My feeling is that it’s a win-win for us. If our reps are willing to talk to us then we win a chance to let them know how we feel up front and in person. If they won’t talk to us, then we have more ammunition for our argument that we are poorly represented AND we have a story for the local media.
But what I like the most about it is that it gives each and everyone one of us an opportunity to advocate and lobby for ourselves. Be persistent mosquitos, folks, and perhaps together we can unleash the perfect swarm.
If you are visiting a Congressperson who has been around for awhile, you can find out whether your rep voted for or against the bill that contained the Reed Amendment by going to Eric’s posting:
http://isaacbrocksociety.ca/2013/07/09/who-voted-for-the-reed-amendment-in-1996/
As Eric says, your rep probably had no awareness of the Reed that was buried in the bill–but you could remind rep of his/her vote, point out consequences of Reed, and suggest the alternative solution of RBT.
I like how the article Badger recently posted makes emphasis of the point in Ms Graffy’s article that the IRS has suggested that US citizens renounce citizenship in order solve their tax problems. What are they, the State Department? This is something any politician worth their salt will pay attention to.
The article: http://rothcpa.com/2013/07/tax-roundup-7172013-stories-of-wounded-jaywalkers-and-checking-in-on-rashia/
A lot of the frustration I have with many homelander’s attitudes is that they denounce us for making the choice to renounce, when we really have no choice. The IRS is making victims of us, and we are taking the blame.
Thank you for taking the time during your holiday to make these whistle calls for US persons abroad.
Excellent Idea. I have been remiss with my opportunities here. I went to see my representative, but did not follow up with a meeting with his aide when travel conflicts got in the way. You have prompted me to follow up.
…er, that is “whistle stops”. Referees make whistle calls, although you may find yourself doing that too 😉
If you’re visiting the US, here are some examples of why US tax has now contaminated even decisions about who to marry and how to protect their future children:
http://genevalunch.com/2013/07/12/tax-implications-for-americans-abroad-now-start-thinking-ahead/
“Tax implications for Americans abroad: now start thinking ahead”
July 12, 2013 by Ellen Wallace
…………..”A northern European friend who is not American tells me her son is considering marrying his long-time girlfriend, from the US, who grew up in Europe. She’s wondering at what point details about the family money, left to her children, would become part of the US tax system if her son has a US wife….”
……..”Tangling with the next generation’s US taxes
Not so easy: they have children. And those children inherited US citizenship. And they have spouses who are not American.
My friend whose son is considering getting married will have to think beyond love and romance and consider the financial implications of having an American spouse – someone from the only major country in the world that taxes its citizens no matter where they reside and what taxes they pay to other countries……”
…..”anyone who has children who grew up outside the States, and young people with US passports, are among those who need to think about their tax future now….”
We just ate at a small shop in Malta. The shop has an American appearance and the clerk has an Amerian accent. I thought about asking the clerk if they are US and aware of FATCA, which Malta just approved, and US taxes, but couldn’t think of a good reason for doing so.
Update – I have had two replies to my requests for meetings. Still no firm dates though.
Has anyone else had replies?
For info, I will be heading up to Vancouver, B.C. on August 4-5. If anyone would like to meet just send me an email at v_ferauge@yahoo.com