Author Archives: Victoria

Cross-posted from the Franco-American Flophouse.  

Just Me thought it would be a dandy idea to post this here even though the video has already been circulated in the comments section.  This video is quite good and deserves wider circulation.  I received some wonderful mail in response to the post.  I was contacted by a few of what I would describe as Quiet Renunciants.  Their reflections started much earlier than mine but when I read about how they came to the conclusion that renouncing was the only sane option, I recognize my own thinking which is just a few steps behind theirs.  It’s both exhilarating and humbling – I need to be reminded on a regular basis that I’m not alone and that there’s nothing particularly special about my case, my angst and my anger.  

Another extraordinary resource passed along by Just Me.  The Life of An American Abroad is a twenty minute video that was filmed during a tax seminar earlier this year.

An actor plays the role of a very naive American who moves to the UK to study and work and who ends up falling in love,  getting a permanent residency permit, buying a house, getting married, having children, saving for retirement, and ultimately passing away in his host country.

Now if this person were from any other country in the world (i.e. not the U.S.) you know what we’d call him?  An emigrant/immigrant.  I find it very amusing that, for the most part, we don’t and I think that’s a problem.  As Camus once said, “Mal nommer les choses, c’est ajouter au malheur du monde.” (Calling things by incorrect names is adding to the misery in the world.)

As this American tells his life story, a panel of tax advisors is there to explain to him what he has to do to stay compliant with the U.S. worldwide tax and reporting regime (citizenship-based taxation).  To his horror (and mine) not one thing that he does in that life remains untouched by the IRS.  Well, perhaps that is an overstatement since he is allowed to eat, breathe, and eliminate waste without the U.S. government looking over his shoulder.  How generous of them.

I personally know many Americans who have experienced all the life events talked about this video and I think I’m on very firm ground here when I say that even the folks I know who think they are compliant, probably aren’t.

So I strongly urge everyone to watch this video and I mean everyone.

For those of you reading this blog who are not U.S. citizens or Green Card holders and who think this does not concern them, please think again.  You are indirectly concerned because many of your governments find the American system rather admirable (the French, for example).  Members of other diasporas ( French, German, Mexican, Brazilians and so on) would do well to be aware of how U.S. worldwide taxation works so they can fight efforts to have something similar imposed on them.  As for those of you who are married or contemplating marriage to a U.S. citizen, best to know what you’re getting into (or the merde you are already in).

For Flophouse readers who live in the U.S. and who are still under the impression that Americans abroad are making a big deal out of nothing, watch the video and ask yourself:  would you be willing to live like this? And what about your children who may one day wish to live and work abroad?  Do you want them to be captive citizens shut out from all the goodies associated with globalization, unable to take that great job in Shanghai or London because no one will hire Americans anymore or because the cost of compliance with all the U.S. requirements is simply too high?

And finally for my fellow Americans abroad, I’d like you to do something for me before you click “start.”  Find a quiet place, take a deep breathe, and relax.  You have options.  Not all of them will make you happy and some will require effort on your part.  What you do with this information is entirely up to you.  I fully understand and empathize with those who are renouncing.  There are others who are fighting like demons:  joining American Citizens Abroad and the Association of American Residents Overseas, writing letters, putting pressure on politicians,  voting this year against those lawmakers who are refusing to listen, and pestering the homeland media to get the story out.  And, yes, there are folks who are doing a Deep Dive and cutting all ties to the U.S., avoiding the U.S. embassy like plague-infested territory, not renewing their passports and so on.  I’m not sure the last is viable given the arrival of FATCA, and I wouldn’t do it, but it’s a big big world out there and surely some of them will succeed.

Wherever you are in this mess, the important thing is that you do the next right thing and I honestly think that the only wrong answer here is to kick back and pretend it isn’t happening at all.

Cross-posted from the Flophouse.  Probably the closest I’ve come to losing my temper over this whole business. And thank you for the comments and the encouragement you left chez moi – as always it’s wonderful to see familiar names and to read your words.  

U.S. citizens and Green Card holders living abroad are waking up to the fact that their status and connections to the “Land of the Free” brings with it certain obligations.  If you’ve ever read The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, one of the great science-fiction classics by Robert Heinlein, you’ll be familiar with the acronym “TANSTAAFL” which stands for “There ain’t no such thing as a free lunch.”

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I wrote this up after I sent my ballot off for the local primary in my home state.  Will re-post later on the Flophouse.  A couple of comments first.  1.  Not everyone should vote in U.S. elections – if you don’t consider yourself a U.S. citizen (but the U.S. is trying to claim you) or you are in the process of renouncing relinquishing, then probably best to avoid it.  2.  Not everyone is thrilled by the voting methods being offered to overseas voters – this article is a good summary of their objections.

I just sent off my ballot for the primary election in my home state in the U.S.  For those of you U.S. citizens abroad who have tried to vote in the past and found it to be a frustrating and fruitless endeavor, this year I urge you to give it another shot.  Here was my experience.

My starting point was the Overseas Vote Foundation.  I used their wizard to answer a few simple questions and got a printable packet of documents that I then mailed to the government agency in the U.S. responsible for handling these requests for my voting district.

In a few short weeks, I received a new voter registration card in the mail at my Versailles address. A few weeks after that I got a mail from them that asked me how I would like to receive my ballot (paper copy or on-line).  I asked for a paper ballot but it didn’t seem to have been taken into account because, although I have been watching for it in the mail, it didn’t come.  With the date for the primary fast approaching, I was wondering what do.

In the end, I didn’t have to do anything.  They contacted me.  Here is the email I received – a gentle reminder that said:

Dear VICTORIA FERAUGE:
The deadline to return your ballot for the 2012 Primary Election is fast approaching and we have not yet received your ballot.  You must submit your ballot packet on or before 8 p.m. (PT) Election Day, August 7, 2012, for your vote to be counted!
You can go online to access King County’s secure electronic ballot delivery system where you may log in, mark, and print your ballot packet.

So I did as they suggested. I logged on, filled out my ballot using their very nice, user-friendly on-line interface, printed it out, signed it, scanned it and sent off the .pdf this morning.  Green.  Done.

Outstanding!

I sent along a Thank You note with my ballot.  Hey, when you catch people doing something right, it’s important to say so.  This was better than “right” – it was perfect.  I’d like to say again (publicly) to King Country Elections that they did a really fine job this year making life easier for us overseas voters who want to participate and have a voice in homeland politics.

Now, that is my experience with my state’s election officials.  It might be different with yours.  Nevertheless, there is progress and you may be pleasantly surprised.

So give it a try and register.  Americans abroad have a few issues on the table right now and this is one way (among others)  we can make those issues known and put pressure on homeland politicians to sit up and pay attention.

Just Me wrote a wonderful post about the presidential candidates.  Here is a post about the senate races that I already published a few days ago on the Flophouse.  Re-reading it, I think I set the bar pretty low…

2012 is a major U.S. election year .  In addition to the presidential race there are quite a few Senate seats  up for grabs in 2012.  If Americans abroad decide to vote in large numbers it is quite conceivable that they will have an impact on how some of these races shake out.

Now I would not even think of telling anyone how to vote.  All I can do is tell you what is important to me and what I look for in a candidate.  To that end I thought it would be an interesting exercise to take a few of these races at random and tell you what I see when I look at their websites, platforms and biographies.

As an American abroad what am I looking for in a candidate?  First of all I would like to see some life experience that includes studying, traveling or living/working/serving in the military outside the U.S.  If the candidate is already in Congress, I want to know if he/she a member of the Americans Abroad Caucus and how he/she voted on FATCA.  For that matter,  does he/she ever mention issues of direct interest to Americans abroad (taxation, voting rights, citizenship, strong interest in foreign affairs) on his/her official website(s) or even acknowledge the fact that he/she has constituents outside the U.S.?  Is that website “expat friendly”.  In other words,  is it easy or hard for a constituent overseas to contact him/her via email or to make a contribution to his/her campaign?

I also include for each state an estimated number of expat voters from this site, the U.S. Elections Project and I used the 2010 “Overseas Eligible” numbers.  No idea if this reliable but it was the only information I could find.  For those who are interested in how some of the incumbents and candidates (those who are already in Congress) stood on H.R. 2847 (111th): Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act (father of FATCA) you can find their voting records here.

Hawaii:  Estimated number of eligible expat voters:  20,090.  Here is their Factsheet for voting from abroad.  What is the situation in 2012?  Senator Daniel Akaka (Democrat) is retiring.  Democrats appear to be divided between two candidates:  Ed Case and Mazie K. Hirono.   The Republican candidate is Linda Lingle.

Ed Case:  Former U.S. representative from Hawaii.  A quick look at his agenda shows no particular interest in issues of direct interest to Americans Abroad but he does have some experience traveling outside the U.S.  In his biography he says, “Perhaps the trip that influenced me most was a low-budget six-month backpack through Asia…”

Mazie K. Hirono:  A naturalized U.S. citizen (she was born in Japan). Three terms in the House of Representatives.  Member of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.  Not a member of the Americans Abroad Caucus.  Official website is not  “expat friendly” and does not make it easy for non-residents of Hawaii to contact her.  I could not find anything on her campaign website mentioning issues of direct interest to Americans abroad.  Hirono voted for FATCA.

Linda Lingle:  Former governor of Hawaii.  No experience abroad noted.  Her website does indicate that she is interested in Asia-Pacific economic relationships and in tax reform.  Like many others her “Donations” page asks for a U.S. city, state and zip code. It is possible to contact her campaign directly through email or snail mail here.

California:  Estimated number of eligible expat voters:  486,207.  California’s Secretary of State has this very nice, very friendly website for those voting from abroad.  The incumbent senator, Diane Feinstein (Democrat), is up for re-election.  Her opponent is Elizabeth Emken (Republican).

Dianne Feinstein:  Her biography lists no overseas experience but she has a strong interest in foreign affairs.  Her website does not reveal any particular attention to civilian Americans abroad.  Her “Contact by Email” page requires that an overseas constituent select a U.S. state and give a local zip code. Feinstein voted for FATCA.

Elizabeth Emken:  Her biography shows that she studied in the UK at Cambridge University. Looking at the list of issues that is interested in, most of them appear to be local.  Her “Donations” page does not allow for a foreign address and the “State” field will only permit her military constituents to indicate that they are out of the country (Armed Forces Europe/Canada/Asia).

Pennsylvania:  Estimated number of eligible expat voters:  203,791.  For help voting from abroad there is this website for overseas civilian voters.  The incumbent for this senate seat is Robert Casey (Democrat) and his opponent is Tom Smith (Republican).

Robert Casey:  No overseas experience on his official biography but under his Issues and Priorities he shows a strong interest in foreign affairs and is a frequent traveler abroad:  “In July, Senator Casey led a Senate delegation to the Middle East to discuss the ongoing threat posed by Iran and to review developments in the Middle East peace process. Senator Casey traveled to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, Israel, the West Bank, Lebanon and Egypt where he met with top officials. He met with U.S. troops in Iraq and Kuwait. In Iraq he also met with Vice President Biden and General Ray Odierno, Commander of U.S. troops.”  The “Contact“ page on his website calls for a state and county but the only overseas voters that are taken into account are military (FPO/APO).

Tom Smith:  No experience abroad on his biography and there is no particular attention to the interests of Americans abroad on his Issues page. His “Contributions” page only has a few options for those living outside of the U.S. (American Samoa, Virgin Islands….)

Wisconsin:  Estimated number of expat voters:  33,788.  The State of Wisconsin has this fine site explaining overseas voting.  The incumbent in this senate race, Herbert Kohl (Democrat), is not seeking re-election and the primary is not until August.  Tammy Baldwin is the candidate from the Democrat party and I count no fewer than six contenders on the Republican side so I will select two at random: Marc Neumann and Tommy Thompson.

Tammy Baldwin:  Her biography reveals no overseas experience and her Issues page is almost 100% devoted to domestic concerns. She says that “fighting for Wisconsin’s middle class is her top priority.”  Not clear if she would include the interest of middle-class overseas Wisconsin constituents in her fight.  In the State field of her “Donations“ page an overseas voter can select some areas outside the US:  AA, AE, AS (I think this is for overseas military voters) but also GU (Guam?) and PR (Puerto Rico).  A bit confusing for a civilian voter from, say, Europe.  Baldwin is currently serving in the House of Representatives but does not appear to be a member of the Americans Abroad Caucus.  Her “Contact” page is not expat-friendly. In fact it clearly states, “Regrettably, I am unable to reply to any email from constituents outside of the district.”  Baldwin voted “Yes” on FATCA.

Marc Neumann:  No experience overseas on his biography and no particular attention to Americans abroad on his website.  He is, however, a supporter of tax reform, “a simpler, fairer, and flatter tax system with fewer loopholes.”  Not sure if this can be interpreted as something that would help Americans abroad. His “Donations” page requires a State and it’s not clear if an overseas donor would be able to complete the form with a foreign address.

Tommy Thompson:  No overseas experience on his biography and I found no issues of direct interest to civilian Americans abroad anywhere on his website.  He is, however, for tax reform and wants to “simplify taxes for individuals.”    His “Donations” page requires a State but a voter can select AE, AP and the like if one is (I think) overseas military.  Again it is not clear if a civilian voter can complete the form with a foreign address.  His “Contact” page does not require an physical address – just a name and email address.

I’ll stop there.  All the information above was what I was able to glean from on-line sources.  It is entirely possible that the above candidates have a more complete (more nuanced) approach to their overseas constituents that they just didn’t feel compelled to share. If that is the case, I’d be delighted to hear their reasoning for hiding their light under a bushel.   As always, feel free to disagree with (or correct) me if you feel that the candidates above are misrepresented.  And finally if you are an American abroad who plans to vote in 2012, I would love to hear your take on the federal elections in your home state.

Cross-posted from the Flophouse.  Your mileage may vary on this one.  After I posted it I thought of at least two reasons some folks should not try to vote in the 2012 election:  Accidental Americans who do not acknowledge that the US has sovereignty over them and those who are in the process of renouncing/relinquishing.   But for everyone else, I wanted to reply to all the reasons I’ve listened to over the years for not voting in U.S. elections – reasons that frankly just don’t make much sense anymore.  In particular this strange idea that we may have a legal right to vote there but not a moral one.  Huh?   If the U.S. is going to try to hold us to obligations of U.S. citizenship in our host countries, then we should have our say too even if our interests are at odds with those of the homelanders.  And if they don’t like that then they should keep their hands and their laws well within the boundaries of the U.S.

A few days ago I tried to make a contribution to a political campaign in the U.S. and was stymied by their on-line software that didn’t like my foreign address and wouldn’t take my home phone number (French format  + 33 1…).  If this had happened a few years ago I probably would have given up in disgust but this time around I decided I wasn’t going to let it go.  So I wrote them an email and I explained that I was one of millions of Americans abroad and gently proposed that they look at their software and make it more expat-friendly.  In the meantime I asked for a workaround so that I could send them money and participate in the American political process just like Americans in the homeland.

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Don’t know if any of you are familiar with Patrick Weil.  He is a researcher at CNRS here in France and he has written extensively on citizenship and integration issues.  He’s done some amazing work (I have read almost all of his books.)

A few days ago this article by him appeared in La Tribune, Une taxe internationale sur les ultrariches.

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Crossposted from the Flophouse.  Okay, folks, am feeling perkier and so I thought I’d bring this one over.  This is a very modest attempt to explain some of the thinking behind a decision to renounce (or not) American citizenship.  I know there was another thread about this some time ago here at Isaac Brock so I’m sure there is nothing new here.  But given all the recent media attention about this issue, I thought it was timely to bring it up again.  This represents the state of my “internal committee” at this time.  Your mileage may vary.  🙂

The U.S. has a new export that is really taking off:  Americans.  In 2010 a record number of U.S. citizens decided to renounce their citizenship.  A mere drop in the bucket (under 2000) but a trend that has some people worried and others horrified and angry.  This topic has finally hit the mainstream media with articles in the New York Times and the Huffington Post.  Any discussion of why this is so tends to degrade very quickly into an emotional argument with lots of exclamation points, capital letters and a “don’t let the door hit you on the way out” mentality.  It’s a subject that hits all of us (homelanders and expatriates) right where we live.

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And it just gets better. This is so funny that I just had to share it with you.

I discovered that one of “my” senators is up for re-election in 2012. So I went to her opponents website to learn a little more about him and read up on his platform. I really liked what I saw so I did what I do normally and sent a campaign contribution.

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I threw this up on the Flophouse the other day. I went through the fine wizard at the Overseas Vote Foundation and ordered my absentee ballot and a few days ago I got my voter registration card from King County Elections. That done I now need to think about how I’m going to vote. My first order of business was really trying to understand where homeland voters are coming from. Laws in the homeland are not made in a vacuum. Second order of business was going to the websites of my representatives and seeing what they had to say. It was quite a shock to realize that overseas voters are not even on their radar – even in a state that has a lot of registered overseas voters. I was left with the feeling that I’m in a terrible trap here. OK, I have a vote but I don’t feel like I have a voice or effective representation. Really frustrating. Anyway, here is what I wrote. Your mileage may vary. I’m sure there are a few things in here that some of you will disagree with. Please feel free to comment or criticize. I don’t have a lot invested in being right – on the contrary it’s when you’re wrong that you actually learn something. 🙂

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