We hear the word ‘narcissist’ a lot these days in articles and media. It has become a popular buzzword used to describe manipulative, controlling people who have an inflated sense of their own importance, a deep need for admiration, a sense of entitlement, and a lack of empathy for others. According to psychcentral.com, in order for a person to be diagnosed with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) they must have five or more of the following symptoms:
- Has a grandiose sense of self-importance (e.g., exaggerates achievements and talents, expects to be recognized as superior without commensurate achievements)
- Is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love
- Believes that he or she is “special” and unique and can only be understood by, or should associate with, other special or high-status people (or institutions)
- Requires excessive admiration
- Has a very strong sense of entitlement, e.g., unreasonable expectations of especially favorable treatment or automatic compliance with his or her expectations
- Is exploitative of others, e.g., takes advantage of others to achieve his or her own ends
- Lacks empathy, e.g., is unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others
- Is often envious of others or believes that others are envious of him or her
- Regularly shows arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes
Most experts agree that narcissism exists on a continuum, with some people naturally being more narcissistic than others, such that the defining line between who has a full blown narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) versus who exhibits highly narcissistic traits is not distinct. Essentially, to some degree, all of us have behaved narcissistically at one point or another. Regardless whether we are dealing with full blown NPD or a highly narcissistic person, such individuals can cause a lot of pain and chaos in the lives of those they cross paths with.
Psychologists and therapists say, watch out if you suspect you are dealing with a highly narcissistic person as their personality is typically fixed, and no amount of pleading, explaining or appealing to their non-existent empathy will change their behaviour unless something is in it for them. Your best bet is to run far away and never look back if you can. If you are forced to deal with them on a regular basis, for example if such a person is your boss or your parent or your spouse, there are ways to make life less chaotic in terms of how you relate to them, but never forget that they are who they are, and will always be who they are.
Is the USA behaving like a narcissist with regards to its ‘US persons’ living outside USA?
Is USA’s insistence on unique to the world, citizenship based taxation (Eritrea doesn’t count), indicative of a grandiose sense of self-importance?
Is USA preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, and does it believe it is ‘special’ and unique, to the degree that it can justify taxation on people who neither live nor work within the geographical boundaries of the United States of America?
Does the USA require excessive admiration by insisting that people who have lived entire lives outside the USA pay tribute to the USA in the form of taxation and the revealing of their so-called ‘foreign’ bank accounts, simply because they were born on ‘special’ US soil?
Does the USA reveal a strong sense of entitlement by insisting that all other countries in the world, at their own expense, hunt down their own citizens living in their own countries, just because USA says these people are its ‘US persons’?
Is the USA being exploitative of other countries by threatening them with economic sanctions if they do not hand over their US born citizens (and other ‘US persons’ as defined by the USA) to the USA?
Does the USA lack empathy for those it deems ‘US persons’ who are typically citizens of other countries living in those other countries, paying taxes already in those other countries, and who cannot live normal financial lives, cannot save adequately for retirement, and are burdened by having to marry two incompatible tax systems?
Does the USA show arrogant, haughty behaviour or attitude by presuming it is OK for it to be the ONLY country in the world(Eritrea doesn’t count) to impose citizenship based taxation, knowing full well that if ALL countries did this, the world would be a financial mess?
Even if FATCA and CBT are struck down, is it safe to remain a ‘US person’ living outside USA, or is your best bet to run to the nearest US consulate and renounce US citizenship to get the narcissist out of your life forever?
Dead on and thank you for the laugh that turns into a grimace.
Publius, my understanding of the J part of your personality type (as opposed to the other possibility P – perceiving) does not mean you are judgmental in the sense that most people understand the word judgmental.
“This fourth preference pair describes how you like to live your outer life–what are the behaviors others tend to see? Do you prefer a more structured and decided lifestyle (Judging) or a more flexible and adaptable lifestyle (Perceiving)? This preference may also be thought of as your orientation to the outer world. “
Publius, more on the J (judging attribute) versus P (perceiving)
“Judging (J)
I use my decision-making (Judging) preference (whether it is Thinking or Feeling) in my outer life. To others, I seem to prefer a planned or orderly way of life, like to have things settled and organized, feel more comfortable when decisions are made, and like to bring life under control as much as possible.
Since this pair only describes what I prefer in the outer world, I may, inside, feel flexible and open to new information (which I am).
Do not confuse Judging with judgmental, in its negative sense about people and events. They are not related.
The following statements generally apply to me:
I like to have things decided.
I appear to be task oriented.
I like to make lists of things to do.
I like to get my work done before playing.
I plan work to avoid rushing just before a deadline.
Sometimes I focus so much on the goal that I miss new information.
Perceiving (P)
I use my perceiving function (whether it is Sensing or Intuition) in my outer life. To others, I seem to prefer a flexible and spontaneous way of life, and I like to understand and adapt to the world rather than organize it. Others see me staying open to new experiences and information.
Since this pair only describes what I prefer in the outer world, inside I may feel very planful or decisive (which I am).
Remember, in type language perceiving means “preferring to take in information.” It does not mean being “perceptive” in the sense of having quick and accurate perceptions about people and events.
The following statements generally apply to me:
I like to stay open to respond to whatever happens.
I appear to be loose and casual. I like to keep plans to a minimum.
I like to approach work as play or mix work and play.
I work in bursts of energy.
I am stimulated by an approaching deadline.
Sometimes I stay open to new information so long I miss making decisions when they are needed.”
http://www.myersbriggs.org/my-mbti-personality-type/mbti-basics/judging-or-perceiving.htm
One could look at US policies and behavior as narcissism, but seeing it as hegemony and raw imperialism is just as good, I think.
Yazz, the fallacy there, is that hegemony considers that the states that the “bully-nation” is trying to imperialistically take-over agree to being “overlorded”.
This is not the case with sovereign nations and the simple fact that most of the sovereign nations’ governments (without the agreement of those sovereign state’s citizenry) colluded with the United States government to force IGAs through does not make the US the ruling state nor the rest of the world a part of a so-called “American hegemony”.
I do agree with you on the “raw imperialism” point.
The simple fact though is that the United States is making enemies all over the world now. It is only a matter of time before the rest of the world decides that it doesn’t want anything to do with the schoolyard bully and creates another world monetary standard currency, thereby cutting the United States out of the world trade market, leaving it to sink on its own. It’s only a matter of time before the rest of the nations need to clue in that isolation is the best remedy for a bully.
This article is all too true. The US really is a narcissistic nation. Thanks for posting White Kat.
There is only one way to deal with Narcissisitic Personality Disorder. That is, get away from people who have it as quickly as possible.
In other words, renounce or relinquish US citizenship while you still can. The US will inevitably put more roadblocks in front of renouncing. Narcissists hate when their targets try to leave them.
Just food for thought and as an aside-but how many americans are guilty of not being or getting informed and letting the narcissists ( or power junkies?) take over for them? Switzerland is a so- called “direct” democracy. America uses federalism and appoints people into power to speak for them. Then we have the corruption and the greasing of palms in these spheres – are these the pathological narcissists? Or is it similar to show business that those who are candidates for office are loving the stage and the power and therefore a form of pathological narcissism drives them to occupy such positions? How many people are just too lethargic to get involved? ( That is what pisses me off when I hear all the fuss about legalising marijuana. I think: dont they have anything better to do with their time?) And how many are notpatholoigcal narcissists but focussed on their own dire needs with good reason because it is about survival, such as the poor who are fighting for anything Obama and the dems can get for them- like food stamps and health care?
It`s complicated.
“And how many are not patholoigcal narcissists but focussed on their own dire needs with good reason because it is about survival, such as the poor who are fighting for anything Obama and the dems can get for them– like food stamps and health care?”
I’m sorry, but I’m not the least bit sympathetic. When it comes down to it, what they want comes out of my wife’s pocket when she gets FATCA’d and I think my kids need the benefit of that money more than the “poor Americans” who 1/3rd of the population are sitting on welfare yelling “Somebody gotta pay for my kids!” Bullshit…
We don’t make a whole hell of a lot ($18,000/year was last year’s gross income) and I don’t care if the US thinks that we should be taxed on it because my wife was born in the good ol’ US of A. My family comes first.
My American grandmother was on welfare…she was not a bum or a leech….. I am out of here.
@northernstar, please don’t feel you need to leave. I don’t think TheAnimal meant to suggest that everyone on welfare is a bum or a leech, although surely there is an element that takes advantage of the system – just human nature – and TheAnimal most likely does not think it is fair that he and others who have nothing to do with the USA should be paying for it. It is a valid gripe.
What happened to Kragu’s comment? Did someone mistake it for spam?
@ northernstar
Please don’t leave. That would put my spirits even lower than the Sovereignty Thermometer which is really struggling this month. I don’t know how my Canadian grandmother managed after my grandfather passed away but I’m pretty sure there was a government cheque there to help her (plus the 8 surviving of her 10 children — 2 lost during the war). She was worth every penny and much more. I’m sure your grandmother was too.
@WhiteKat and Embee
I appreciate your caring. Lately I find so often alot of hatred on Brock directed at the poor, who are called lazy and undeserving. ThIs hatred should be directed at the corporations who pay no taxes and elites like the Koch brothers Who want to say who can eat and who can’t.
When I was a fraud analyst I had to look at the big spider web of fraud. So many connections and strange bedfellows and criminal allies. I see it has not gone away.
These days I hate and rant at bankers, wall street and politicans who want to stomp on the middle class and poor for their financial gain. It is a very unjust world..
This is an interesting article with other interesting and informative links. Many of the seeds of narcissistic behaviour in the US are planted by congressional hearings.
http://tax-expatriation.com/2015/05/25/the-intersection-of-u-s-federal-tax-law-with-collection-of-international-information-including-other-federal-agencies/
Maybe the question should be why expats should pay for the welfare of the poor in America- or better put- even those who don`t even consider themselves to be americans.
@northernstar Of course there is anger here. But sometimes anger gets twisted and turned. It is against FATCA and CBT in truth, and those homelanders who believe we should be tormented, as Nina Olson noted. We ARE tormented.
Let me ask you, @northernstar. I just quoted my wife’s total gross income from part-time work (which is all that she can get at London Drugs where she puts in a lot of work trying to feed our family – because of my back injury). Does that put my wife in the “POOR” category. I damned well think so. So where the hell do the American homelanders get off wanting to take money out of MY family’s pocket due to where my wife was born? You want to answer me THAT?!!!
@northernstar;
My wife makes a grand total of $18,000 before taxes (this year!!).
Here you go: http://b-i.forbesimg.com/theapothecary/files/2013/09/Welfare-v-work-2.png
Over 35 states have welfare incomes over what MY WIFE MAKES WORKING ANNUALLY!!! And you think my wife should pony up to pay for the POOR south of the border?!!!
Hi all, let me interject for a moment to clam the waves if they need a calming…….
My family income is pretty low, I am in receipt of benefits from my home country. I take no issue with anyones thoughts on that as its a matter between me and my government.
I join in anger that the USofA has the gaul to TAX benefit recipients on those very same benefits in my home country!!! On this line item, I am sure Brockers rightly agree.
I know many US Persons who can not afford to renounce that are in receipt of benefits that would be taxed by the USG to fund benefits in the USofA. To be honest, I do not give a damn about low income Americans, I care greatly about low income persons in my home country!! And I am mighty pissed off that the USA is willing to claim a portion of the benefits of those persons to pay benefits to low income Americans!!!
—
Secondly, at times we have little political flare ups on IBS.
As I have said many times before, we are all rather different politically. But we are united on a single item.
Case in point, I disagree with assisted suicide. At IBS there was a post above the fold on the subject.
I probably disagree with most brockers on that subject but that has zero bearing on the matter at hand.
While I disagree with the case law, I was happy to see an expert litigator in Joe Arvey regarding a case.
Hope that helps……
In my opinion the money collected from expats with FATCA goes to fund America’s war production in the military industrial complex with its very well paying jobs And This money is given to the politicans, who sign FATCA to provide funds for war. These politicians are bought by MIC lobbyists. Blame gerrymandering, blame bad education for most of America’s kids so their ignorance is the norm. Blame our own politicans In the countries we live in. Blame our own citizens in the countries we adopted. There is no interest in FATCA, unfortunately. I understand the anger. it is very much like the anger I had and still have when my son and husband were both told they were dying of cancer, two months apart. It is beyond trying to explain to anyone how it feels. People say how awful it must be and then go back to their own lives. I don’t blame poor people for FATCA. I blame the rich and powerful. That article link either preesented by WhiteKat or Bubblebustin with all the laws showed that FATCA was being started in 2001. That year the lies started that the MIC nurtured. We now know about the lies. Some of us knew then but all of us know now. I been to USA and hear the ignorant talk. It is talk they are fed every day. The question is how to change it. Hopefully the Canadian lawsuit will shine a spotlight on this injustice. My high school teacher eho taught me US history told my class that the USA would implode from corruption within 250 years of its birth. I think he is right.
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/may/24/turn-a-liberal-hipster-into-global-capitalist-world-factory
oh well
@The Animal, I hear you! We should not be having our meagre incomes squeezed out to satisfy the demands of the country south of the border, no matter what financial problems it has. The country need to solve their financial problems within its own borders!
The country we live in is where we should rightfully pay our taxes. The local N.B. schools and local hospitals don’t have nearly the resources of the modest American town I’m from. For example, our neighbourhood kids don’t have a cafeteria from grades K-8; they have to eat sack lunches at their desks. There is no money for librarians, gym teachers, etc. Kids in sports have to pay out of pocket for the privilege. And even if that wasn’t the case, it still isn’t right for the U.S. to extort money from its diaspora. It angers me that the reason America is so seriously in debt is primarily because the leaders initiated wars without raising taxes and have repeatedly bailed out the banks so they can continue to act like casinos to enrich the .001 percent.
Sadly, America has hurt her poor the most. I don’t want to take sides here about sympathizing or not sympathizing with the poor because there is not just one type of poor people. There is a big difference between the Working Poor who are faithfully performing jobs that don’t pay well to care for their families and themselves, and the Mooching Poor who won’t keep a job, finding ways to mooch off others. To my mind, the people who deserve the MOST help in any country are the working poor and the vulnerable poor (who are too young or too elderly to work, along with the disabled vets and other injured people who can no longer work). While little children need to be helped, their parents shouldn’t rely on welfare after the kids are raised; meaning moochers shouldn’t be allowed to mooch off welfare forever (although if they can mooch off people they know, of course, that’s their business).
All indications are that It won’t be long before another collapse comes. And when that happens and America goes into hyperinflation, who will be the worst off? Sadly, it will be the American poor of all stripes. And I honestly think this time they will be much worse off than our Canadian poor. Especially if one prognosticator at Greg Hunter’s usawatchdog is correct, who says “the world will become Baltimore when the debt bubble bursts.” http://usawatchdog.com/world-will-become-baltimore-when-debt-bubble-bursts-gregory-mannarino/
” I don’t blame poor people for FATCA. I blame the rich and powerful.”
The simple truth is that the rich people will not be the ones paying for FATCA and that’s the reason for the outrage. It’s simple folk like you, me, my wife and millions of others who have to suffer because the United States has deluded itself into thinking it has the moral high-ground from those “dirty rotten tax evaders”. That’s why I hate the United States with a passion that 35 years ago I didn’t think possible.
The USA has a narcissistic personality disorder but Canada is an enabler. I support this particular fight because I am concerned about eroding civil liberties and this is–for a variety of reasons–the battle that I have chosen to help fight for the time being. The USA has a narcissistic personality disorder but Canada has been nearly as bad lately and Canada has not behaved sufficiently differently from the USA to be able to take any pride in being different from the USA.
I’m concerned about civil liberties. I’ve picked this particular battle to support but there are many other assaults on civil liberties happening on both sides of the border. Brockers and other supporters of this action can justly take pride as individuals and as a small group for standing up to the bully but there is nothing in Canada’s behavior at the national level lately that would justify assuming an air of moral superiority solely by virtue of being Canadian rather than American.
Again–America has serious issues but Canada has played a big role–especially lately–in enabling America’s issues.
@ Dash1729
I agree. I’m appalled by the direction the Harper government is taking this country and I’m very worried about the apathy that has allowed him to get away with it. I have no idea if a Mulcair government would descend to the level of US enableness that the Harper government has but I listened to a Jim Goddard podcast tonight which gave me some hope that Harper might be stopped in the next election. Would Mulcair unwind all the damage done by Harper? Not sure. Would Trudeau? Not a chance.
http://talkdigitalnetwork.com/2015/05/will-avoiding-tv-debate-hurt-pm-harper/