Some new price increases...great

[dxh]

Forgot to add, but it's probably obvious that that's per month.

I assumed the worst

[bsd777]

Is it weird for me to feel as if you should have to give up everything you own and take nothing but the clothes on your back to renounce your citizenship?

I don't mind someone leaving if they don't like it here but it seems hypocritical to use that which you have acquired in this country to start anew in a different country.

*This may just be my American elitism showing.

Well, Castro agrees with you. The lucky ones, who were allowed to leave in the 50's, were only permitted to keep the cloths they were wearing. EVERYTHING they owned and worked their entire lives for was stolen. I think it's wrong for anyone, including the government, to steal.

[dxh]

I think it's wrong for anyone, including the government, to steal.

I agree. Thieves are some of my least favorite people.

[timholian]

Well, Castro agrees with you. The lucky ones, who were allowed to leave in the 50's, were only permitted to keep the cloths they were wearing. EVERYTHING they owned and worked their entire lives for was stolen. I think it's wrong for anyone, including the government, to steal.

Yes, I am just like Castro..... LMAO
My question was is it weird to have that line of thinking.... the answer was "yes".. given by dxh.

I severed my country and don't appreciate being compared to Castro, asshole.

[danielan]

whats more "Un-American" than leaving America?

IMO, it's a matter of perspective.

What is more American then being free to leave?

(Lame "In Soviet Russia" joke alert.)

In Soviet Russia, you can't leave unless they throw you out.

This is actually, IMO, a universal human right:

Article 13

1. Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state.
2. Everyone has the right to leave any country, including their own, and to return to their country.

...
Article 15

1. ...
2. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his nationality.

...
Article 17

1. Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others.
2. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.

https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikiped...f_Human_Rights

[timholian]

IMO, it's a matter of perspective.

What is more American then being free to leave?

(Lame "In Soviet Russia" joke alert.)

In Soviet Russia, you can't leave unless they throw you out.

This is actually, IMO, a universal human right:



https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikiped...f_Human_Rights

I guess I just take it as an insult. And I did concur that that line of thinking was wrong. lol
Like I said, "See, I knew something had to be wrong with that line of thinking but whats more "Un-American" than leaving America? LOL You are right though, just get them the hell out as fast as possible."

[danielan]

On the other hand... And disregarding the human rights aspect.

Everyone who says things like, "If X happens then I am moving to Y", ought to have that enforced.

Not that "Y" really wants a bunch of fair-weather citizens.

[dxh]

IMO, it's a matter of perspective.

What is more American then being free to leave?

(Lame "In Soviet Russia" joke alert.)

In Soviet Russia, you can't leave unless they throw you out.

This is actually, IMO, a universal human right:


https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikiped...f_Human_Rights

That is what I was thinking, you said it better and included links.

[danielan]

(CNN) -- Get ready to open your wallet a little wider to satisfy your travel bug: It is soon going to cost more to apply for a new U.S. passport or renew an old one -- a move criticized by the public and some lawmakers.

So, back to the topic.

I think what we need here is some of that transparency that we were promised.

The price of these things should, IMO, completely support the bureaucracy required to issue them. Whether this is $2 or $2000. Other citizens should not be required to subsidize these nor should these be a source of revenue for the government as a whole - the books should more or less balance.

[dxh]

So, back to the topic.

I think what we need here is some of that transparency that we were promised.

The price of these things should, IMO, completely support the bureaucracy required to issue them. Whether this is $2 or $2000. Other citizens should not be required to subsidize these nor should these be a source of revenue for the government as a whole - the books should more or less balance.

Yeah. that would make the most sense. Hence that will never be the way it is done.

[shikitohno]

Just a hypothetical situation here, but say I were to move away and renounce my citizenship. How are they going to enforce that fee? If you gain citizenship elsewhere, it's quite beneficial monetarily to renounce your US citizenship as you no longer have to pay taxes to two different countries. So if I don't pay that $450 and stop paying taxes to the US, what are they going to do? Deny me entry to the country? Clearly I didn't want to be there anyway if I renounced my citizenship. I highly doubt my new country would deport me for failing to pay taxes when I've surrendered my US passport and am a citizen of their country.

As for the idea that people leaving should have to give up everything because the US made it possible, I'll agree with everyone in saying no. I could see doing that if we were being constantly scammed by people coming from Africa, declaring citizenship, making a few million real quick and then renouncing US citizenship to bounce back to Ghana, but that's just not happening. I was born in the US as a matter of chance, I did not pick the country. If I want to leave it, I should be allowed to take all the stuff I earned. I busted my ass for the money to build up my book and records collections, and it's not under my control that the US happens to be more affluent than many other countries or that it has a higher minimum wage. Again matter of chance.

[Ainkor]

The cost of living for the working family is just ridiculous at the minute. If you've got a family you get hammered because you have to pay for absoloutely everything. We're paying 2,621.40 USD alone for childcare and get absoloutely no help from the state. How people with normal jobs like me are surviving I just don't know.

My post came across to me as a rant so I deleted it. Here's your answer to the $2,621.40.......

Have your wife stay home or work opposite shifts!

Problem solved and you will have much more cash in your pocket. My wife and I did it for 10 years AND we got the added benefit of raising our own kids!

I'm not saying that as a criticism of you but just an observation. if you can't afford it, do something different!

[bsd777]

Yes, I am just like Castro..... LMAO
My question was is it weird to have that line of thinking.... the answer was "yes".. given by dxh.

I severed my country and don't appreciate being compared to Castro, asshole.

Excuse me, I answer your question. You made a public admission, that you harbor feelings justifying theft. I pointed out that those feelings were wrong, it is theft, it is communistic and I gave you a real life example. It's not my fault, you now realize how unjust your urge is or are troubled by the fact that Castro thought of it first.

[timholian]

Excuse me, I answer your question. You made a public admission, that you harbor feelings justifying theft. I pointed out that those feelings were wrong, it is theft, it is communistic and I gave you a real life example. It's not my fault, you now realize how unjust your urge is or are troubled by the fact that Castro thought of it first.

Oh, that clears it right up. Any other insight professor? Maybe you can go answer another question that has already been answered. I knew it was wrong when I said it which is why I worded it the way I did, I took leaving this country as an insult as should most Americans. Sorry, I don't run my posts by a PR firm before I hit Post Quick Reply.

[danielan]

My wife and I did it for 10 years AND we got the added benefit of raising our own kids! ... if you can't afford it, do something different!

I don't know how far you can extend this, or if it works in all situations (I doubt it does if you both make comparable salarys), but as for us, my wife quitting work and taking care of the kids saved us a lot of money.

It didn't seem like it would at first (comparing her salary to childcare costs) but in the end it did by eliminating a lot of miscellaneous costs (lunches out for the two of us, extra gas, extra work clothes, extra dry cleaning, her cooking dinner instead of getting take-out, tax advantages, etc).

After the kids got a bit older she took a part-time job to get out of the house, which pays enough for her to "not have to ask for money".