Monthly Archives: August 2012

On the July 23, 2012, I filed a complaint on housing discrimination with the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.  On housing discrimination, HUD writes:

Housing discrimination based on your race, color, national origin, religion, sex, family status, or disability is illegal by federal law. If you have been trying to buy or rent a home or apartment and you believe your rights have been violated, you can file a fair housing complaint.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

In Switzerland, one has to refinance one’s mortgage every few years.  Yet, as a direct result of US policy, the following banks personally told me that they will not refinance my mortgage since I am a “US Person”:

• Raiffeisen
• Bank Coop
• AXA Bank
• Migros Bank
• NAB
• Valiant Bank AG
• SwissLife
• Hypothekarbank Lenzburg
• Swissquote Bank
• FinanzZentrum Jungfrau AG

Concerning my mortgage history, the current lender wrote:

All experiences with [SwissPinoy] and the bank have been very positive.  There has never been a problem with any of their business relations.  We are very pleased with all of our dealings with [SwissPinoy].  Our experiences would indicate that there is a high degree of integrity and responsibility in the way [SwissPinoy] conducts their financial affairs.  Therefore, we consider them to be respectable, honest, trustworthy and of good standing and repute.  This data is based on actual data and experience.

The Swiss government informed me that banks have the legal right to deny individuals mortgages based on national origin.  However, since this action is the result of US policy, I filed a complaint with the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.  After several days, I received no response and so I called HUD and was advised to call back in about 3 weeks.  Today, I was finally able to reach someone and was informed that my complaint was not on file.  It had vanished.  I explained that I’m probably the only US person in Switzerland who has a mortgage and was advised to resubmit the complaint.

HUD will only help Americans who are harmed by US policy in the 50 States and US territories.  Americans citizens who are harmed by the US government in other nations are ignored by the US government and left on their own.

Well, no worries.  I’m a US veteran and the US Home Loan program allows veterans to purchase their primary residence.

The VA Home Loan program allows veterans with qualifying income and credit to purchase a primary residence without putting any money down towards the sale price of the home, as long as that sale price does not exceed the appraised value of the home.
US Department of Veterans Affairs

So, I called VA to inquire if they would help me to refinance my mortgage since banks are refusing to lend me money simply because I’m a US veteran.  Well, the US Department of Veterans Affairs informed me that it does not help American veterans who are denied mortgages for being US persons as a result of US policy.  This shows that the US government is not only willing to harm innocent American citizens who served the country and are living abroad, but that it will then do nothing for them afterwards.

One the 10th of August, The Isaac Brock Society reported difficulties in making donations from abroad to the Romney campaign, with one being unable to select the country where one lived.  The Obama campaign appears to be experiencing the same issue.  Did Romney hear Americans living abroad after the issue was reported?  On his donation page, there is now an option to donate from abroad:

Continue reading →

The subtitle translation of this song attempts to reflect how some Americans abroad may feel or view the situation, or how America may be increasingly seen beyond US borders, in response to some recent changes in US foreign policy.  The subtitles attempt to show the impact such policy may have on innocent persons abroad while questioning its nature.  Yet, each individual may interpret the information presented here as they see fit.

Warning: It is strongly prohibited for US persons or those taxed by the US government to view the subtitles of this song.  This warning is in place since this warning has been increasing in popularity with many firms globally in response to US policy.  Thus, it is only natural and normal for US persons to be restricted as usual.

——————————————————

Disclaimer: This is for entertainment purposes only, with about 90% of the song being translated into English and the other 10% being modified to match the current American political situation for Americans abroad in the context of the song.

It appears that the same honorable commitee that tried to reinforce (unsucessfully, I regret) the Constitutional need for a popular vote to approve treaties in Switzerland has raised a triple referendum against treaties with Germany, UK and Austria.  http://fr.referendum.ch/index.php  (http://www.asin.ch/index.php)

La façon de procéder précipitée, prétendument au service  de l’économie suisse et de sa place  [fiancière, le] Conseil fédéral n’est qu’un harcèlement des citoyens  suisses. Sur le plan international, ces accords sont uniques. Aucun pays  n’encaisse les impôts pour des gouvernements étrangers.

By proceeding in a precipitated manner, pretending to be in service of the Swiss economy and its financial sector, the Federal Council is nothing but a harrassment of Swiss Citizens.  On an international scale, these conventions are unique.  No nation collects taxes for foreign governments. 

Continue reading →