Liberty and justice for all United States persons abroad

The Isaac Brock Society

Did Obama “keep his word” to U.S. citizens living abroad? – keepinghisword.com

Posted on by Posted in Issues regarding US persons abroad 29 Comments

Check out the new “Keeping His Word” site from the Obama campaign. During his campaign Senator Obama made certain promises to U.S. citizens abroad.

In a recent comment Roger Conklin wrote:

Roger Conklin

@Wellington, Indeed Romney has made no pronouncements on the treatment of US citizens abroad so we don’t know what his attitude would be. But we do know that Obama made a series of commitments to “level the playing field” for us prior to the past election. His commitments unquestionably garnered massive support from expats, but he has kept none of them. With the FBAR crackdown and the enactment of FATCA he has in fact done just the opposite of what he committed he would do. What he has done is a better gauge of his policy than his pre-election promises. The result is that President Obama has left little alternative for Americans abroad but to renounce their American citizenship. Some of my Democrats Abroad leadership friends have made serious attempts to follow up Obama up on this comittment he made to overseas Americans, but their letters have been totally ignored. It was pure “campaign rhetoric. It was an outright lie.

This is very clear in the wording of the Treasury Department official who responded to the Congressman through which our contributor Markpinetree, who lives in Brazil, was attempting to obtain guidance with the statement, and I quote “…he can consider relinquishing his US citizenship.”

Ironic that in light of this recommendation two Senators of President Obama’s party have introduced a bill to more severely punish citizen like Sevarin who have followed this recommendation and renounced by making sure they continue to be subject to US capital gains taxes at twice the tax rate of persons residing in the US. This is in addition to the massive Soviet-style exit tax have already paid when they renounced their citizenship.

Actions speak much louder than words.

Might be worth  using twitter to attack the President on the “Keeping His Word” issue.

29 thoughts on “Did Obama “keep his word” to U.S. citizens living abroad? – keepinghisword.com”

  2. Pingback: President Obama opens dialogue with U.S. citizens abroad – Seize the day! Hope you wont’ get fooled again? | The Isaac Brock Society

  3. An update from our petitioner’s attempt to get Obama to respond to an Expat Minnows plight….

    Following the suggestions here, this petitioner decided to write back to Obama, but finally has given up trying communicate with the White House. The latest robo response got a letter on Obama’s Human Rights policy.

    Here is the text…

    Dear XXXX:

    Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me. Many Americans have written to me about human rights around the world, and I appreciate your perspective.

    The United States was founded on the principles of freedom and
    equality, and our history is marked with triumphs and struggles in fulfilling these timeless ideals. Our task is not finished, and
    protecting these core values is a shared obligation and a priority for my Administration. No nation should be silent in the fight against human rights violations. When innocents in places like Sudan, Syria, and the Democratic Republic of Congo are raped, murdered, or tortured, it is a stain on our collective conscience. I am committed to reinvigorating America’s leadership on a range of international human rights issues.

    As the struggle for human rights continues around the world, we have witnessed an extraordinary change in the Middle East and North Africa.Country by country, people have risen up across this region to demand their human rights; too often, these calls for change have been answered by violence. The United States opposes the use of violence and repression against these men and women. Rather, we support a set of universal rights, including free speech, the freedom of peaceful assembly, freedom of religion, equality for men and women under the
    rule of law, and the right of people to choose their own leaders. We also support political and economic reform in the Middle East and North Africa that can meet the legitimate aspirations of ordinary people throughout the region. While change may not come easily, America will stand squarely on the side of those who are reaching for their rights, knowing their success will bring about a world that is more peaceful, more stable, and more just.

    As you may know, the United States has joined the United Nations Human Rights Council and is working to make this body as effective as possible. My Administration will also advocate for human rights in other international settings. In our relations with other countries, the issue of human rights will continue to be raised as clearly, persistently, and effectively as possible. Among other things, we will continue to promote accountability for mass atrocities; respect for the rights of minorities and women; freedom of association, speech, and religion; and freedom for people to live as they choose and love whom they chose.

    Our commitment to human rights is an essential element of American foreign policy and serves our national security. Through it, we will help to shut down torture chambers, replace tyranny with good governance, and enlist free nations in the common cause of liberty. To learn more about my Administration’s human rights agenda, please visit http://www.HumanRights.gov or http://www.WhiteHouse.gov/CPo..

    Thank you again, for writing.

    Sincerely,

    Barack Obama

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