If you haven’t seen it yet, you will want to read the recent opinion piece at the Huffington Post. Another application for the Isaac Brock Hall of Shame. 🙂
Rebooting Our Definition of “Patriotism”
In this piece, the author, David Macaray, cites a June New York Post article as his sole basis to rail against the “Ultra Rich” that are renouncing their citizenship. You almost wonder if it is worth trying to educate this guy about the issues via comments like we did successfully with Al Lewis and Peter Dunn. They too went down the unpatriotic renunication rabbit hole on a misdirected invective against those that give up citizenship. However, came around to a more nuanced understanding when presented with new information. Here are links to their original misguided perceptions. Al Lewis, Peter Dunn
I see David is responding to some well written comments, so he is paying attention, although I am sure he is somewhat surprised by what he is reading. You are welcome to join in.
@all
I too emailed David to commiserate with his unexpected negative onslaught of responses to his article. I got a nice reply, below:
To which I replied:
David…
And I thank you for the response. Fair enough, and I appreciate your openness….
We all do have our particular areas of interest, and focus, and limited time resources. I can certainly understand this might not be one of yours.
However, let me pitch you an angle for consideration. As a person with Labor Rep back ground which comes with an interest, I assume, in promoting good jobs for American labor, the question about what is best for US labor job creation in a global environment should interest you. What is it creates good export led jobs in America?
Also, there are many opportunities across the Canadian border for American labor, and if U.S. tax complexity and penalties restrict that access or mobility, then American labor loses there too. If Americans can not go abroad as laborers, goodwill ambassadors, or salesman, to promote the American Labor products from Homeland manufactures or take up good jobs without unnatural citizenship restrictions, then Export job creation in the homeland suffers.
A question the labor movement should be asking itself, is why does Germany, with a worse Currency exchange rate, and higher labor costs than America have such a massive Trade surplus with China and lower unemployment percentages than America with it perpetual high trade deficit and concerns about exporting jobs overseas? How is it that the Germans aren’t having similar issues?
Some of that answer is directly related to the Citizenship taxation and complexity that the US places on its citizens, as compared to the lack of similar restrictions on German citizens.
There really is an ‘win win’ alliance here between American Labor movement and US Citizens abroad that is mutually beneficial, if you don’t lump Americans abroad with just Rich Homeland Tax evaders.
That is something to think about, I think.
Here is something to digest about the relationship between jobs in the homeland and trade deficits
That should interest you. 🙂
Cheers Mate, and all the best.
PS, if you want to read the entire Conklin Report as given in testimony to the House Ways and Means Committe, here it is.
The Negative Consequences of Citizenship-based Personal Taxation on the Competiveness of American Companies and the Resulting Destruction of Jobs for American Workers
@ Just Me
That was a great angle to take with Mr. Thanks-for-educating-me-but-I-just-can’t-get-interested-in-this-topic. Now, I really think it’s time you fess up and tell us just how many of you there really are. I can’t believe how many places you can be at one time. 😉
@em…
Always looking for another angle! I am sitting in an airport, waiting for a ride, so nothing else to do, but chase these FATCA follies. Look at this crappy piece tonight, which I have to respond too.
Moving Overseas Checklist
Where is the advice about Citizenship taxation, FBAR and FATCA penalty exposure? Geez
Thought I’d give this one a try but I’m not sure it will get past moderation at http://www.expatintelligence.com/moving-overseas-checklist.shtml …
<i>My advice? Ignore all the advice in the above missive and start reading the 70,000 pages of US tax code. Learn all the perils of citizenship based taxation which the USA uses to terrorize all of it’s hapless citizens living abroad. It is the only country in the world to use this outrageous system (except for tiny Eritrea which it hypocritically condemns). Still want to live abroad? Then my advice is to acquire citizenship in your new chosen country as soon as possible and renounce your US citizenship right afterwards. Otherwise you will be forever the slave of the IRS and subject to crippling penalties if you fail to dot an “i” or cross a “t” on that stack of IRS forms you must mail off to the IRS every year.</i>
Em,
I posted one too, and it has not shown up either. Nor has yours… I see one from Senior, “I luv you”, as made it, so not sure what gives. I think, now that I look at it, this is an OLD post, recycled, and comments may not be open.
My comment…
@ Just Me
Ah, you’re right but your comment was good, as always. I missed that the posting was from back in August of 2011 — something to watch out for next time I guess. I really wish there was a sure way to reach all potential expatriating Americans who think it’s all easy, breezy to pick up stakes and move to another land. We thought it was no big deal and boy were we wrong! Seems to me the US government should be making a much better effort to inform.