As Benjamin Franklin said:
“Those who give up liberty for security deserve neither.”
It’s a tough time to be a U.S. citizen. Americans are a patriotic people. What does it mean to be a patriot? Can you be a U.S. patriot and still renounce your U.S. citizenship? We are returning to 1776 – the debate between the Loyalists and The Patriots – does the true patriot stay or renounce U.S. citizenship?
The Isaac Brock Society consists of individuals who are concerned about the treatment by the United States government of US persons who live in Canada and abroad. Continue reading
In reaction to my position that US persons abroad suffer taxation without representation, some at the Expat forum make the claim that it is a commonplace today, such as Ladyhawk:
The issue of “no taxation without representation” comes up over and over again. While I sympathize and agree, this is nothing more than a historical sentiment, in reality. Every Continue reading
No person, company or government can grow if all of its energy is channeled into defensive purposes. If General Motors had concentrated on innovation and growth rather than exclusively on defending its markets, it would be a very different company. For growth, the United States must move beyond a defensive mindset and embrace the rest of the world. The best investment in U.S. defense is to have more friends – repeal FATCA. But to make friends it must learn to” play nicely in the sandbox”.
I saw this comment castigating the Globe for its article, “Four tips for Americans looking to come clean on their taxes“:
Oblique wrote:
“Come clean” ? What kind of toady wrote that?
This post original appeared at the Righteous Investor. It argues that since the US census does not count US persons abroad, they do not have proportional representation in the House of Representatives. Thus, even though citizens abroad may vote in Federal elections, they are voting for someone else’s representative, not their own. This is a violation of the Ninth Amendment of the United States Constitution.
See also:
Is it taxation without representation if you can vote? Damn right!
Do United States persons abroad differ substantially from residents of Washington D.C.?
Tax Treaty in conflict with Canada’s Human Rights Act
On December 7, 2011 the IRS posted its Fact Sheet for U.S. citizens and dual citizens residing outside the United States. I am continuing to update my post as new interpretations come in. Thanks in particular to @FBAR_ compliant for digging up some interesting perspectives. Some have been retweeted at: @renounceus
FATCA is causing foreign investors to pull their money out of the United States. Don’t take my word for it alone. Today in Singapore reports:
Would you like to join this discussion? There are two ways:
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Please Note: The US State Department under John Kerry, who served in Viet Nam, is now charging $2350 to receive any CLN whether one has relinquished or renounced. So if you are coming to this only now, you are SOL when it comes to getting a free CLN.
See also Relinquishing your US citizenship in Germany
Those of us who have participated in the Expat Forum have seen that one of the first things that many many newbies say is, “I am going to renounce my US citizenship as soon as I have my Canadian citizenship.” Now, I want to suggest that one should never renounce their citizenship if they can relinquish it instead. Months ago I wrote a post on this subject, which I provide below.
