Associated Press, Adam Geller, interviews persons who don’t fit the stereotype…

53 thoughts on “Associated Press, Adam Geller, interviews persons who don’t fit the stereotype…”

1. Correction: Renouncing America Story
   April 28, 2014 (AP)
   By The Associated Press

   “In a story April 26 about Americans renouncing their citizenship, The Associated Press reported erroneously that the U.S. government does not tax Americans abroad on their first $96,600 in income. The exclusion for the 2013 tax year was $97,600, and it applies only to earned income……..”

   A corrected version of the story is below:
   http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/correction-renouncing-america-story-23498382

2. Florida Times-Union readers had some surprisingly sane reactions to Mr. Geller’s article (mixed in with the usual Homelander “don’t let the door hit your ass on the way out” and “hang all the tacks evaduhrrrs!!!” stupidity, of course):
   http://jacksonville.com/reason/sound/2014-05-02/story/sound-readers-comment-those-who-choose-leave-us

   I believe in personal freedom. I have no problem with native-born Americans who choose to become citizens of another country — whatever their reason. … Some flee religious persecution, some seek economic opportunity, others choose a culture of their liking. I welcome and embrace each and every one as an American. As for the tax issue, I believe there are at least as many wealthy Europeans emigrating to the U.S. to avoid confiscatory tax policies as there are Americans seeking tax relief. I no more condemn their behavior than I do former residents of New York, Massachusetts and New Jersey who relocate to our state to avoid the high property, income and estate taxes of their native state.

   Andrew Messina, Fernandina Beach

   We encourage others to become U.S. citizens, and we frown upon those who insist on retaining their alliance to another country either through citizenship or culture or language. Why should Americans not have the same choice to embrace another country and culture as their own? The world has become a global living space; citizenship is a choice.

   Lise Everly, Jacksonville

   If former citizens are living abroad and because this is their choice, it seems they have a right to their choice. … Sometimes as Americans we cannot understand why people may want to leave, but they have their reasons and we have to accept them.

   Sonie Hecht, Orange Park

   And one from an ex-expat:

   Taxes that make no sense! People who renounce their citizenship because of the U.S. tax structure should not be the ones judged. We should explore what caused them to do it and when you do that, you will find a tax system out of sync with the rest of the world. Most countries tax their citizens when they live in the country and when living overseas, they do not tax them. The U.S. taxes its citizens on worldwide income even when you are not living in the U.S. That translates into double taxation … Fix the system, eliminate the problem, let folks remain Americans.

   Luke Byrne, Green Cove Springs (lived out of country for many a year)

3. Thanks for highlighting those reasoned comments, Eric. There are ones scattered here and there among the over 10,000 at the yahoo.com coverage and comments of Adam Geller’s story, which makes each such comment as you highlight more valued. Some actually do “get it” and take the time to say so. That helps squelch the ignorant knee-jerk reaction comment, followed by a sort of mob hysteria copy-cat / who can condemn us better followers.