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Carrying an American passport represents power, prestige and gravitas. I know firsthand as an international traveler and someone who lived abroad for 13 years. People and authorities in foreign countries know that as an American, you can’t just be capriciously mishandled or made to be unfairly treated or abused without there being possible repercussions for doing so. If you’re living abroad as an expatriate American and civil unrest ensues, the United States will generally see to it that you be allowed safe passage home. We are known for looking out for our citizens who live abroad with few exceptions.
In other words, it’s a privilege to be an American citizen passport holder. That privilege was carefully cultivated over many decades and came at a great cost.
If you don’t wish to have this privilege while living abroad, then cough up your citizenship and either become stateless or take other citizenship. That’s your choice.
But if you wanna keep that passport and have the rights and privileges of having not only the gravitas that comes with being an American abroad, but also the ability to summon extemporaneous help should you find yourself in a bind: PAY YOUR DAMN TAXES AND STOP WHINING!
The End. SMH
I have dual citizenship -- and have traveled with both passports -- no difference -- no difference at all.
Carrying an American passport represents power, prestige and gravitas. I know firsthand as an international traveler and someone who lived abroad for 13 years. People and authorities in foreign countries know that as an American, you can’t just be capriciously mishandled or made to be unfairly treated or abused without there being possible repercussions for doing so. If you’re living abroad as an expatriate American and civil unrest ensues, the United States will generally see to it that you be allowed safe passage home. We are known for looking out for our citizens who live abroad with few exceptions.
In other words, it’s a privilege to be an American citizen passport holder. That privilege was carefully cultivated over many decades and came at a great cost.
I lived abroad for 6 years and will move again later this year. I disagree, the American passport simply means you have some money for the destination country to squeeze out of you. There’s a big difference between a young, broke, smelly, digital nomad backpacker in Europe and a middle aged, wealthy, executive banker living and working in Singapore or Hong Kong.
You still need to be on your best behavior, there’s a lot of people sitting in foreign jails right now for using or transporting drugs and there isn’t anything America can do for them. And they don’t have the money it takes to either bribe the locals or make bail.
So no, there isn’t any carefully cultivated privilege for American passport holders like we have some magical diplomatic immunity. The average American tourist is known to be belligerent, inconsiderate, obnoxious and rude. Expecting everyone to cater to us and translate everything to English.
But foreigners like money and American tourists will spend it, so everyone benefits.
Having a U.S. passport is almost a curse for expats these days. Because of draconian FATCA reporting requirements no banks or other financial institutions want to take the risk of doing business with U.S. citizens living overseas any longer. It's hard to open bank accounts, impossible to do investments or get real estate loans, even if you have a good job and permanent residency.
On top of that you've got to pay U.S. taxes on any investment or self-employment income or any capital gains on the sale of real estate even though you're already paying taxes in your country of residence. Boris Johnson learned that the hard way even though he hadn't lived in the U.S. since he was five years old.
If you cant cope or manage yourself here, maybe its best for you to go. You have to be willing to adapt to changes. I wouldnt live anywhere else. You can also take for granted and forget about the rights you have here, traveling or living abroad.
Considering our countries debt, lack of decent affordable healthcare for a country of our 'stature' and a quality of life lower than elsewhere- I'd say it's pretty attractive elsewhere. I've been to Germany. My son's been there twice. It ain't all that bad in the Motherland.
Plus the food is waaaaay better.
But I do like Montana. Other states? Not so much. Stay out of Montana- thanks.
Funny thing is I feel freer here in Taiwan than I did in the U.S. You don't have to worry about cops shooting you down in the street or coming to your home and shooting you because you reached for your cell phone. No civil asset forfeiture. Taxes are low. Nobody loses their home or goes into bankruptcy when they get sick because of good national health care.
Nobody here ever gets sent by the government against their will to fight and die in foreign countries.
Funny thing is I feel freer here in Taiwan than I did in the U.S. You don't have to worry about cops shooting you down in the street or coming to your home and shooting you because you reached for your cell phone. No civil asset forfeiture. Taxes are low. Nobody loses their home or goes into bankruptcy when they get sick because of good national health care.
Nobody here ever gets sent by the government against their will to fight and die in foreign countries.
In Spain, I can walk down the street drinking a beer and no one gives gives me a hard time!
Funny thing is I feel freer here in Taiwan than I did in the U.S. You don't have to worry about cops shooting you down in the street or coming to your home and shooting you because you reached for your cell phone. No civil asset forfeiture. Taxes are low. Nobody loses their home or goes into bankruptcy when they get sick because of good national health care.
Nobody here ever gets sent by the government against their will to fight and die in foreign countries.
Sounds fantastic but I have 2 comments/questions:
1. My understanding is that you have to have a good reason to be in Taiwan as in you have a job skill that they need? Otherwise, leave.
2. After having worked in China, I know the Chinese just see Taiwan as their territory and they plan on getting it back...and they ain't happy with the people there in Taiwan. At some point, the Chinese Communists will absorb Taiwan back.
Last edited by Tall Traveler; 05-15-2020 at 05:10 AM..
It is so easy to own a house and a car in the United States.
I see no practical reason for leaving because of that advantage alone.
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