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Record Numbers of Americans Want to Leave the U.S

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Re: Record Numbers of Americans Want to Leave the U.S

#151

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Israel's Navy is a joke. They have nothing of any relevance except a handful of subs that might be capable of launching nuclear missiles. They have no destroyers, no cruisers, and most importantly, no aircraft carriers.

Aren't destroyers, cruisers and carriers considered antiquated in a modern / all out war? A few times a year, I see articles about how these slow moving, once mighty behemoths would make easy targets for newer anti-ship missiles / tech. Nuclear armed submarines are probably their most important defensive asset. So is Israel smart for not wasting money on a huge naval fleet?

You can't project power across the globe with tiny ships. It becomes a matter of supply and ability to launch aircraft. You can't do the same things with a tiny ship as you can with an airwing.

Also, destroyers and cruisers are primarily used as missile-firing platforms anyway. And good luck countering enemy submarines without destroyers of your own.

And I think you are overestimating how large destroyers are. They're basically the minimum size necessary to have a warship that can sail the world's oceans independently.

Re: Record Numbers of Americans Want to Leave the U.S

#152
post #16

Ultimately this indicates that people aren’t satisfied with the returns on taxation. I’m all for supporting a government that supports the people. From my perspective we don’t have this and haven’t had it for some time. Other developed nations have better infrastructure, better social support system, near free higher education, free at point of contact healthcare systems. What we get in the U.S. is the most advanced…

"aren’t satisfied with the returns on taxation" Ironic as American expats are still taxed, unless they give up citizenship. https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/when-us-citizens-liv... https://www.americansabroad.org/us-taxes-abroad-for-dummies-...

The reduction in tax is still substantial.

Re: Record Numbers of Americans Want to Leave the U.S

#153

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I would say it is dissatisfaction with the government's contract with the citizenry, combined with recent evidence suggesting that a good chunk, say half, of the population has no interest in progressing. So people who can leave for somewhere that more closely aligns with their values are doing just that. I have family here and I love the United States, I'm staying, and I hope we can make some more progress, but I to…

>with recent evidence suggesting that a good chunk, say half, of the population has no interest in progressing. Has it crossed your mind that this half might not see what you want as progress but instead destructive?

While this is a valid question, most people understand the fundamental concept of "disagreeing", even if they've considered the opposition and rejected it (perhaps justly, perhaps unjustly, by some metric). Therefore, I'd try to expand on this thought - your single sentence is a little hostile and curt. It doesn't really lead anywhere.

Re: Record Numbers of Americans Want to Leave the U.S

#154
post #87

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Right, our government is now setup to allow minority rule unfortunately. I can't foresee us moving forward when states beyond the coasts are insistent on moving backwards to a mythical idealized time. My main reason for wanting to leave right now is the state of healthcare. I already have one "preexisting condition" out of my hands, it's called sleep apnea. I'm in shape, it's just a matter of my anatomy. My costs are…

Do you not have health insurance? Why would a single illness cost you a million dollars?

Looking at his comment, he said 'Terrible illness' which implies something more severe than just the flu.

Re: Record Numbers of Americans Want to Leave the U.S

#155
post #13

% of people who will actually leave the US? I'd wager near 0.

Outside a few job categories like tech emigration is quite difficult so I also expect the actual number to be quite low. A lot of people may also realize that other countries also have a lot of problems. The US is a pretty good place to live. This is coming.from.a German who lives in the US and is generally quite critical of this country.

Re: Record Numbers of Americans Want to Leave the U.S

#156
post #13

% of people who will actually leave the US? I'd wager near 0.

We left. Three years ago, for Spain. We're not planning on returning, barring some sort of international catastrophe.

If you don't mind me asking...

Did you find a job before you left?

Did you already speak Spanish?

Re: Record Numbers of Americans Want to Leave the U.S

#157
post #136

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Bah, asylym. I bet a significant fraction of those surveyed think they can just walk over the border and live there.

I'm sorry, but what does that add, other than by going "bah, I'll make up things about people I don't care for"?

That people nearly universally think that the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, whereas it's really not. And that most people in the US neither qualify for asylum nor would they pass the skilled immigrant criteria.

Speaking from experience here: I almost moved there before I immigrated to the US. The US process was easier believe it or not, and I'm glad I decided to move here and not elsewhere.

Re: Record Numbers of Americans Want to Leave the U.S

#158

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's also an unusually regressive tax, because it's flat rate, which isn't that bad if what it funds is progressively delivered (i.e. paid out the same to everyone rather than based on how much income you had), but it isn't. And then on top of that there is an income cap above which you don't pay any more.

It’s paid out based on how much you contributed. Flat rate doesn’t mean everyone pays the same thing, it means same percentage.

That's the problem. Progressive means taking from the rich and giving to the poor. It's possible to do that with flat taxes when they pay for a uniform benefit, so everyone pays 20% and everyone receives $10,000, because paying 20% is $50,000 for someone with a lot and $5000 for someone with a little.

Social security doesn't do that. The rich get back everything they put in. Or more when you were forced to put money into social security and then couldn't use it for healthcare, then receive nothing because you don't live long enough, while the rich people who outlive you get the money you paid.

Re: Record Numbers of Americans Want to Leave the U.S

#159
post #13

% of people who will actually leave the US? I'd wager near 0.

We left. Three years ago, for Spain. We're not planning on returning, barring some sort of international catastrophe.

Do you have any good resources for someone looking to do exactly this?

Re: Record Numbers of Americans Want to Leave the U.S

#160

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"aren’t satisfied with the returns on taxation" Ironic as American expats are still taxed, unless they give up citizenship. https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/when-us-citizens-liv... https://www.americansabroad.org/us-taxes-abroad-for-dummies-...

The reduction in tax is still substantial.

I've heard scare stories of dual nationals who have never been to the US being taxed.

As far as I'm aware, its the only nation that taxes its citizens in that way.

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