UPDATE SUNDAY NOVEMBER 13, 2016
REINCE PRIEBUS CHOSEN TO BE PE TRUMP’S CHIEF OF STAFF
EXCERPTS:
WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald J. Trump on Sunday chose Reince Priebus, the chairman of the Republican National Committee and a loyal campaign adviser, to be his White House chief of staff, turning to a Washington insider whose friendship with the House speaker, Paul D. Ryan, could help secure early legislative victories.
But as chief of staff, Mr. Priebus will be the one who has several hundred White House staff members reporting to him. He will be the primary gatekeeper for Mr. Trump and the person most responsible for steering the president’s agenda through Congress. That role will be especially critical for Mr. Trump, who has never served in government and has few connections to important political figures.
As Mr. Trump denounced the Republican primary process as rigged and, on occasion, threatened to quit the party and run on his own, Mr. Priebus remained neutral. And when Mr. Trump secured the nomination, Mr. Priebus stood by his side.
Mr. Priebus worked with Mr. Trump on the nuts and bolts of presidential politics, trying to smooth his rough edges and staying in close contact as a bare-bones campaign prepared to go up against the Clinton machine.
PRESS RELEASE VIA MR. PRIEBUS JULY 2015
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I found myself wondering just what it is expats will want to focus on now, that the Republicans have the Presidency, and control of the House and the Senate. As Stephen Kish pointed out, this could change in two years (well, really just a bit more than a year as once the campaiging for the interim elections in 2018 start, we will likely have lost our chance to get this done quickly. What we do in the next year is critical to dumping FATCA and CBT.
I started thinking about what they promised and have gone through the Platform. I am going to list the main things I found that relate to our issues; if anyone finds more, please post. I also have two documents that focus specifically on FATCA and RBT as well as the link to Republicans Overseas Resolutions posted long ago on their FB site. It would be helpful if others want to isolate points and phrases to focus on in communications to the Republicans.
People may. may not want to coordinate efforts but I assume there will be letters written, emails sent and so on. You may remember that Congressman Mark Meadows (R NC) introduced H.R. 5935 seeking to have an oversight hearing on FATCA repeal. Once we know the date of the hearings and who will sit on the committee, we would start there I presume. And then follow the movement of what occurs……Calls for witnesses were posted on the Isaac Brock Society indicating interested parties should contact Keith Redmond by email at FATCA_Testimonials@outlook.com
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THE REPUBLICAN PLATFORM
excerpts from sections related to our issues
RESTORING THE AMERICAN DREAM
Fair and Simple Taxes for Growth p 1
The current tax code is rightly the object of both anger and mockery. Its length is exceeded only by its complexity. We must start anew. That will be an enormous undertaking and, if it is to succeed, it must command the attention and approval of the American people………….. We will welcome all to this enterprise — to discuss, debate, challenge, and amend — so that together we can restore economic growth for the American people and, even more important, renew their faith in the future
NB:This is their promise to listen.
Our Tax Principles p 2
To ensure that past abuses will not be repeated, we assert these fundamental principles. We oppose retroactive taxation. We condemn attempts by activist judges at any level of government to seize the power of the purse from the people’s elected representatives by ordering higher taxes. We oppose tax policies that deliberately divide Americans or promote class warfare.
NB:This would deal with the bizarre idea that 877A is retroactive.
To guard against hypertaxation of the American people in any restructuring of the federal tax system, any value added tax or national sales tax must be tied to the simultaneous repeal of the Sixteenth Amendment, which established the federal income tax.
NB:This would eliminate the whole need for filing in terms of taxes as value added or national sales tax will not affect Americans abroad in any significant way.
A Competitive America p 2
American businesses now face the world’s highest corporate tax rates. That’s like putting lead shoes on your cross-country team. It reduces companies’ ability to compete overseas, encourages them to move abroad, lessens their investment, cripples job creation here at home, lowers American wages, and fosters the avoidance of tax liability — without actually increasing tax revenues. A more damaging policy is hard to imagine.
NB:Please see an excellent paper by Roger Conklin which outlines how CBT directly affects Trade.(via The Revenue Act of 1962 & The Tax Reform Act of 1976; the U.S. has never recorded a trade surplus since 1975).
We endorse the recommendation of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, as well as the current Administration’s Export Council, to switch to a territorial system of taxation so that profits earned and taxed abroad may be repatriated for job-creating investment here at home. We believe American companies should be headquartered in America. We should reduce barriers to accomplishing that goal. A Winning Trade Policy International trade is crucial for all sectors of America’s economy. Massive trade deficits are not. We envision a worldwide multilateral agreement among nations committed to the principles of open markets, what has been called a “Reagan Economic Zone,” in which free trade will truly be fair trade for all concerned.
NB:Trade is important to Trump. He needs to know how CBT affects it. If they offer territorial taxation to corporations,they can offer RBT to Americans abroad.
A REBIRTH OF CONSTITUTIONAL GOVERNMENT
The Fourth Amendment: Liberty and Privacy p 13
The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) and the Foreign Bank and Asset Reporting Requirements result in government’s warrantless seizure of personal financial information without reasonable suspicion or probable cause. Americans overseas should enjoy the same rights as Americans residing in the United States, whose private financial information is not subject to disclosure to the government except as to interest earned. The requirement for all banks around the world to provide detailed information to the IRS about American account holders outside the United States has resulted in banks refusing service to them. Thus, FATCA not only allows “unreasonable search and seizures” but also threatens the ability of overseas Americans to lead normal lives. We call for its repeal and for a change to residency-based taxation for U.S. citizens overseas.
NB: This needs no comment. Other than it might be pointed out that many of the accounts reported on FBAR and 8938, are registered government plans. Some even include government grants which are taxed. The idea that these can be used for money laundering or terrorism is simply absurd.
GOVERNMENT REFORM
Reforming the Treaty System p 26
We intend to restore the treaty system specified by the Constitution: The president negotiates agreements, submits them to the Senate, with ratification requiring two-thirds of the senators present and voting. This was good enough for George Washington but is too restrictive for the current chief executive, who presumes to bind this country to bilateral and multilateral agreements of his devising. His media admirers portray his personal commitments — whether on climate change, Iranian weapons, or other matters — as done deals. They are not, and a new Republican executive will work with the Congress to re-establish constitutional order in America’s foreign relations. All international executive agreements and political arrangements entered into by the current Administration must be deemed null and void as mere expressions of the current president’s preferences. Those which are in the national interest but would traditionally have been made by treaty must be abrogated, renegotiated as treaties, and transmitted to the Senate for its advice and consent as required by the Constitution. The United States will withdraw from all agreements and arrangements failing those standards.
NB: Bye bye IGAs
Please see Professor Allison Christians excellent paper The Dubious Legal Pedigree of IGAs (and Why it Matters)
Internal Revenue Service p 27
We also support making the federal tax code so simple and easy to understand that the IRS becomes obsolete and can be abolished.
NB: Bye bye OVDP, Streamlined, threats of penalties etc
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Here are three more direct sources of the Republican positions. I will probably do the same with these as above. But the more the merrier!
Resolution Supporting Residence Based Taxation
Resolution toRepeal the Foreign AccountTaxCompliance Act
A proposed RNC Resolution titled — Resolution to Repeal the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) compiled by Republicans Overseas.
@Jim Jatras: You ask why there was no outright vocal support for Trump from expat groups? Simple, easy answer: Trump never spoke a word about our issues. Not an offhand remark, not a word in his platforms, websites, countless tweets, etc. Clinton did (mealy-mouthed and despicable, but she did acknowledge us). Sanders did. Ted Cruz, and of course Rand Paul did. Not a peep from Trump. How can you expect to have found expats vocally supporting him? Nobody had any idea where he stood (or stands) on FATCA and CBT.
As you obviously know, huge numbers of expats vocally declared their divorce from the Democratic Party and openly called for a Republican rout in all three branches. Sorry, but that’s going to have to be good enough.
So let’s get on with it, get Congress to repeal FATCA and CBT, and convince White House staffers to get Trump to sign it.
@Barbara
I totally agree. For all we know he hates expats, thinks we’re all traitors.
Had Trump spoken up in favour of the GOP platform (sorry BC Doc and others) I would have held my nose (and closed my eyes) and voted for him. Its a failure on the part of the Republican Party that they did not get his clear commitment on their platform. But that’s all water under the bridge. There’s now never been a better opportunity for the change we need, whether or not you hate the man.
@ EmBee says
“Yes but wink when you say that last part. I’m seeing Brockers and honorary Brocker Jim with some fire in their bellies. It’s so heart warming.”
Sorry EmBee but I have to respectfully disagree. I don’t consider @JimJatras to be an honorary Brocker. I view him as a Republican opportunist trolling for Trump and trying to reach into expat pockets here at IBS.
@Bubblebustin
Hemlock only for me!
Cheers,
BC Doc
A new thread has been created in the Side Bar directly under the heading “Take Action!” It’s called “Lobby the New US Government!” It provides addresses of people who need to hear from us and is a great place to share your letters. The list of contacts will grow as we get more information.
Thanks go to Pacifica for getting the thread set up and to Charl for supplying the initial contact information.
@ BC Doc
Whatever his political preferences, Jim Jatras has been an advocate for our cause. I appreciate that.
@Brockers say it loudly say it proudly
Roy Berg…….Your FIRED
Well said, George! Love it! 🙂
Are form letters effective and if so, can anyone take the time to post one? Or at least a sample. Much to busy and sleepless to assemble one myself.
@JapanT, I have slept my best in years……this is the break we needed. We have a pledge in the 2016 GOP Platform (manifesto) to 1. repeal FATCA and 2. change to CBT.
I think we have several letters that need to be written all staged, all one page letters.
We also need to figure out who to write to? Rand Paul ? former reps? Maybe Bubbles can help in that regard.
I think Step One are letters asking __________, to ask President Trump to invalidate the unconstiutional IGA agreements. That will not be a fatal blow but the damage will be immense.
@JapanT, the second benefit……the neocons lost which includes the Democrat neocon running and the Republican neocons that failed in the primary. IMO the world has stepped back from a major war involving Russia.
@JapanT, see the sidebar on Lobby US Government.
Transition team has a website : https://www.greatagain.gov
It has a suggestion box
@Fred, thanks for that….I will start submitting stuff.
One them we need to beat on….the name and shame list has become the shame of the USA. As it grows in length with the names of everyday former Americans the shame on the USA grows.
I saw you wrote McCain and I think that theme would resonate with him.
Cheers, George
PS. Does anyone have an argument how OVDP et al and FATCA is NOT a money maker for USA?
Trump has considered Maine’s controversial governor Paul LePage for a position in his government. Perhaps IRS Commissioner would be a good fit:
http://isaacbrocksociety.ca/2012/08/18/here-we-go-again/
@Bubbles…after looking at the link…one word came to mind-Priceless.
As odd as this sounds…..I wonder if Bernie Sanders could be brought into the government. Its way out of the box….but Trump in the primary and general election has been outside the box.
Lastly I know how you did not renounce, which I respect. I think you may have an ever slight tingle in you that is saying you might have done right. At least your decision is now confirmed for you personally.
@George
I am in a race against time. I told myself to give it until the next presidential election, and if the situation did not improve significantly I would renounce. I don’t want to take the burdens associated with US citizenship into my old age for my family to deal with. It would simply be unfair, and the wrong thing to do.
A Republican president, and a Republican controlled senate and congress with a platform to repeal FATCA and bring a return to RBT can only be approved upon by Trump himself declaring he supports the GOP platform as it pertains to expats. Carpe diem!
Tricia:
Forgive me if you’ve suggested this already and I’ve missed it, but is ADCT considering a submission to the Trump committee? Japan T has requested a form letter. Would ADCT be the organization to create such a letter that individuals who are under the time constraints of work and family could sign? Could ADCT send a compendium of Brocker letters to the committee as per the Senate Finance Committee submission several years ago? Just thinkin’.
From Republicans Overseas’ FB page, here’s a comment from today that might be of interest:
@Bubbles….firstly and in the scheme of things more important, I highly recommend “Finding Dory.” Watched it on a flight to the homeland….. Its getting easier to go back, albeit with an EU Passport and I am at peace with that.
There are so many emotions with this…….
I am a product of the plantation itself without a CLN but have relinquished so visibly and can not unwind what hath been done though being without a CLN. Too many alphabet soup combinations involved for me to rewrite time and events.
Right now…..I am in this for my kids, I am in this for Calgarys son, I am in this for Dr. Kish to get back for him what he cherished. But Bubbles? You have a plan my friend, well thought out and willing to let it play out all the way. Bubbles, God speed to you and when this is all over with I am glad to have stood with the lot of you.
Yes, we are now at the final round of the high stakes poker game. This is indeed going to trump the ADCS lawsuit and will make it now moot. No regrets though…… The ADCS lawsuit has been overtaken by events….
Having been deep in the belly in my other life how do I think this will now end? Yes, the fog is burning off…..
President Trump WILL invalidate the IGA agreements which will shock the world. But……it will be the tree falling in the woods with no one to hear. This is easy to do based on RepealFatca info.
I THINK Canada may be pressured to bail on the defense of the lawsuit which will be a default win for ADCS. Hey its a sinking ship and Trudeau is smart enough to see that, so he will take the accolades, let him take all the credit A Canadian is a Canadian!!. That will require effort from Canadians to push it over the cliff and guts to let Trudeau take the publicity for doing what is right being all his idea.
The new Secy Treasury WILL update the FBAR rules based on the power he has under law raising the $10,000 limit and exempting countries that have robust AML/KYC rules. This is an easy win and no one cares other than condors.
The Congress WILL repeal FATCA in order to meet promises made promises kept. This is a manifesto pledge not a campaign trail pledge. Within two years. Again unhappy condors…
With the above in place renunciation numbers WILL collapse. Numbers above 500 a year are shame on USA.
I PRAY Congress will provide a path for folks to regain USC like Dr. Kish. Dr. Kish who knows of me, knows much of my story…..he has helped his neighbour with no desire for gain and he has done this selflessly. I now owe him for what he has done in the past and for what he has sacrificed so recently. But for George…….I am like Moses who could see Israel from on high but would not be permitted to return to the promised land and thats OK.
I THINK State can be convinced to start giving the presumption that a person is NOT a USC until they submit a passport application requesting confirmation of same. That puts Calgarys son in the clear.
Bubbles……the unthinkable is now thinkable.
@EmBee, you have brought tears to my eyes.
We have now been at this so long…
We have rearranged our financial lives so weirdly that it has become normal to us. This morning I broke down and confessed to a friend what my families financial life had become and where/how things were done.
I have a superb credit rating yet I “bank” like the “unbanked.”
I told the person “I solely want to be treated like you.”
Politically we are all sooo different, what a motley ship we are and still sailing too.
I so eager look forward to flying into Canada for an IBS meet up so that this book can finally be closed.
I look forward to the day of IBS closing down because of non-payment of server fees and lack of use.
A followup from @EmBee linky……
“Additionally, on the first day, I will take the following five actions to restore security and the constitutional rule of law:
* FIRST, cancel every unconstitutional executive action, memorandum and order issued by President Obama”
http://www.npr.org/2016/11/09/501451368/here-is-what-donald-trump-wants-to-do-in-his-first-100-days
That should be the IGAs especially in light of the Bopp lawsuit with Sen Rand Paul.
@George,
Thanks. I agree that the potential for a much brighter future is the greatest it has been in a long time.
My sleeplessness has nothing to do with our situation, however. Our situation does not help getting a good night’s sleep but work keeps me up until 1or 2 am and I have to get up around 6 each morning.
I think a list of people to send letters to has been posted in the side bar.
@Jim Jatras
I am supportive of your proposal however am currently unable to contribute in any meaningful way.
Well, looky there! Sample letters in the side bar! Hope one suits. Should have actually looked at the side bar.