4 ms·

You seem to be putting the US on too high of a pedestal. Reality is the US is not all that and you can get most if not all the opportunities you're talking abo

by Fuxy 11y ago

You seem to be putting the US on too high of a pedestal. Reality is the US is not all that and you can get most if not all the opportunities you're talking about somewhere else maybe even better healthcare and unemployment benefits without having to pay tax to a country you're not even using the public services of. I have multiple citizenship and I would find it unacceptable if any of the countries demanded more then their fair share or charges. Having to pay to renew you passport or processing other paperwork is acceptable paying tax to a country you don't live in isn't. Having to pay 2K to renounce you citizenship is crazy and the fact that a lot of people still do shows how bad the policy and taxes are. Reality is owning a US citizenship in a foreign country when you have no intention of coming back is detrimental to your financial well being. I'm not much for patriotism and other such niceties looking at it as a cold business transaction it is detrimental to the owner with very few benefits compared to other countries.

yodsanklai 11y ago
> Having to pay to renew you passport or processing other paperwork is acceptable paying tax to a country you don't live in isn't. One could argue that growing up in the US gave you a lot of benefits (infrastructure, education, healthcare, security and so on...), and that paying tax (even if not living there anymore) is a reasonable price for this.
- Fuxy 11y ago
  One can argue that growing up in any European country gave you similar benefits and they require none of that. You can't control where you are born but you can choose what citizenship you keep so shop around for a better 'offer'.
  - yodsanklai 11y ago
    (but taxes are higher in Europe) I agree that from a practical point of view, it makes sense to shop around. I just disagree with the argument we hear sometimes "I don't owe anything to my country". It's not the same to be born in the US than let say a poor african country.
- davidw 11y ago
  You could make the same argument for France, Germany, Italy, Australia, Japan, etc... Actually they probably gave you more, growing up, like health care. But the US is the only country to do tax people like this.

by Fuxy 11y ago

yodsanklai 11y ago

> Having to pay to renew you passport or processing other paperwork is acceptable paying tax to a country you don't live in isn't. One could argue that growing up in the US gave you a lot of benefits (infrastructure, education, healthcare, security and so on...), and that paying tax (even if not living there anymore) is a reasonable price for this.

Fuxy 11y ago
One can argue that growing up in any European country gave you similar benefits and they require none of that. You can't control where you are born but you can choose what citizenship you keep so shop around for a better 'offer'.
- yodsanklai 11y ago
  (but taxes are higher in Europe) I agree that from a practical point of view, it makes sense to shop around. I just disagree with the argument we hear sometimes "I don't owe anything to my country". It's not the same to be born in the US than let say a poor african country.
davidw 11y ago
You could make the same argument for France, Germany, Italy, Australia, Japan, etc... Actually they probably gave you more, growing up, like health care. But the US is the only country to do tax people like this.