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.
@Bubblebustin – “Our only known ally so far, Priebus, is considered by some Republicans to be “the enemy within”.”
It’s a Breitbart piece. Bannon (Breitbart/Goldman Sachs/alt.right) and Priebus(traditional Republican, Paul Ryan ally)) are fighting over who gets to control Donald Trump.
“Trump’s Ragtag Wall Street Backers Placed Bets That Can Pay Big”
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-11-10/trump-s-ragtag-wall-street-backers-placed-bets-that-can-pay-big
Mnuchin is rumoured to be Trump’s favourite for Treasury Secretary.
Slovenia signed the Iga so, you’d think trump would be interested in eliminating fatca because if they wanted, Slovenia could demand all financial information from the First Lady.
@iota
Let the games begin!
Unfortunately it’s not a game.
“Donald Trump Leaning Toward Extreme Militant John Bolton As Secretary Of State”
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/john-bolton-secretary-of-state-donald-trump_us_582a314ee4b02d21bbca46b2
My interpretation of the phrase is that nothing is real until now. These appointments make it more difficult for those who’ve believed that Trump can’t possibly be what he’s characterized himself to be to continue consoling themselves that “everything will be alright”.
@Bubblebustin – thanks for the clarification. I agree.
Thanks, iota. Rand Paul not a cheerleader for Trump:
http://www.politico.com/story/2016/11/rand-paul-no-john-bolton-trump-231406
There is a refreshing diversity of opinion here, from flat-tax flat-earth to feeling the Bern. Whether we are disgusted or happy with the election results is beside the point. I voted for Hillary, and for Bernie before that in the primaries, and I’m not thrilled.
But right now we need to agitate and support those who agitate for the repeal of FATCA. And of course ideally CBT. This probably won’t happen, but a lot of things were “probably” not going to happen. So let’s keep the faith and keep fighting. The new administration in Washington along with a solid GOP Congress may help us along, soften things up, or even solve our problem. If Republicans Overseas and Reince Priebus can help, that’s fine with me, I’ll support them fully in this regard. After all, solving FATCA doesn’t mean taking away anything from anybody, doesn’t harm anything or anyone, quite the contrary. It can even be construed as environmentally friendly, getting rid of all that useless data and paper. Peace, my friends!
@Bubblebustin – that’s very interesting, thanks.
@Fred
You highlight the points that make it clear how division along party lines can be counter-productive when we’re expected to throw the FATCA repeal and Return to RBT baby out with the bath water. Unfortunately NO ONE seems interested in finding common ground any more, just reasons to vilify and blame each other for the reasons why the nation is do divided!
I’d like to see Rand Paul as Treasury Secretary.
@Fred, you are talking a tremendous amount of sense. Case in point, when Joe Arvey was hired I commented that I personally dislike the positions that Joe Arvey has taken and cases he has defended.
Nevertheless this Foreigner to Canada regularly donated my FOREIGN MONEY to help Canadians on a Canadian Court Case!!! And I donated to pay money to a lawyer who I totally disagree with.
So yes it pains me to read that some liberal Canadians do not care that millions of deemed Americans have a chance of getting rid of FATCA and getting rid of CBT but instead need to bend over because their person was not elected.
You get it and others get it, by the end of next year the battle is OVER. We will have won or lost.
Oh, the whingers as Boris calls them, also predicted that Trump could NEVER win….so when I hear folks poo poo FATCA will not be repealed nor CBT…………I laugh at them.
Thanks, George. Kudos to Fred for better expressing what I meant to say when I wrote that supporting the GOP’s position on FATCA and RBT doesn’t impinge upon the rights of any other group of people.
@George
I don’t think even Trump himself thought he’d be moving into the White House:
http://www.newsmax.com/Politics/trump-move-white-house/2016/11/14/id/758707/?ns_mail_uid=92171968&ns_mail_job=1696096_11142016&s=al&dkt_nbr=aejxjgn3
I am going to open the curtain slightly on my prior life, I have intimate knowledge over many years on how Congress and Washington functions. It is because of this prior life that I am HIGHLY confident that FATCA will be repealed with respect to outlanders (it could have residual effect for homelanders) and I am very optimistic that CBT will be replaced with RBT.
How have I reached this conclusion?
1.) FATCA repeal and CBT replacement are part of the GOP platform.
2.) The Bopp lawsuit with Rand Paul which will continue into the new presidency. The new administration would need to defend what they pledged to repeal!!
3.) Rand Paul is a powerful Senator and he wants a victory notch.
4.) Reince Priebus is Chief of Staff, is on record oppssing FATCA and is connected to Republicans Overseas.
To guarantee that we get to the finish line, expats must constantly lobby Congress members so that it is a hanging thread in their mind.
So yes I am thrilled and by the end of 2017 the battle will be over.
We are going to win, the only question is if full FATCA repeal, repeal for outlanders only and if we get CBT.
The discouragement is seeing liberal Canadians who are now willing after receiving hundreds of thousands of FOREIGN dollars to help them sue their government now saying bend over. (Pat Moon, I know this is NOT you or anyone at ADCS.)
@Nononymous, “No, I will not attempt to influence the incoming administration. I neither have nor want a say in US affairs.”
Then thank you for visiting but please move along.
To be blunt this is a site that is trying to end extraterritorial laws from the USA and I will say if you are not part of the solution then you are part of the problem.
There are plenty of websites right now where you can piss and moan about Trump and talk about the election in four years.
See sadly, there are millions of people who have links to the USA and they are being screwed very badly by a law passed by Democrats and enforced by Obama.
My family has been harmed by USA Democrats.
My friends have been harmed by USA Democrats.
I have met many seniors who have now left too many life credits bacuse of harm by USA Democrats.
The one thing I can say is that Donald J. Trump has NOT harmed me, my family, my friends or many OAPs that I have met and tried to help.
@Bubbles, I disagree completely. Trump had a good idea he would win just as many in Brexit thought they would win.
There were basically five sets of polling in the USA coming from ABC, NBC, CBS, Los Angeles Times and IBD.
Two out of Five polls had a clear win for Trump.
Further because mathematics education is so pathetic in the USA, Canada and much of Europe, people can not read a poll which is a statistics field.
The three polls that had the headline of a Clinton win when read PROPERLY showed it was also likely that Trump would win, sadly most North Americans can not balance a check book let alone read anything to do with statistics.
Fred and George: Amen! Kudos to you both for your comments.
@Muzzled @Bubbles…..you and MANY others here do restore my faith in Canadians.
@George
Ask me how I feel later if US protectionism kills the Canadian export market.
George This site is not just for those wishing to end extra territorial laws of the US.
It is also for those who wish to exit the US with a minimum of cost and worry.
Some of us have US relatives living in the US who are profoundly worried about the con man Trump. (Repeal Obamacare, defund Planned Parenthood , obliterate any controls on assault weapons,deport millions, etc, etc.
Some of us are profoundly worried about the con man Trump’s plans for the rest of the world. Deny global warming, cosy up to Russia, curtail trade , step backwards with Iran and Cuba, etc, etc.
So don’t you tell us to move on.
@Bubbles….sorry to say this but that is not a concern at IBS.
@George
Republicans Overseas FB page posted the polls favouring Trump all along.
@ George,
Re
I disagree. There are several fronts on which to fight this CBT/FATCA/citizenship problem(s). For each individual, some aspects are of more concern and interest than others. And for practical purposes (due to only so many hours in a day), I would guess no Brocker could fight on every front, take part in every project, in this war, even if they wanted to. So we each do what we can and it’s all appreciated.
IMO, All are welcome here!