New DU Group proposal: Leaving the US/Why, How and Where

[Digit]

Partly out of a sense of adventure because I had always thought it would be neat and I am almost retirement age.
The other part because I don't know what the hell has become of my country.
Anyone else interested in a DU Group such as this?
Our mission would be:
To explore new worlds...to boldly go...somewhere else!

[livinginphotographs]

1. I would be interested....

mostly if it covered the day-to-day experience of being in another country. Travel guides are so superficial, I think it would be interesting to see what the quality of life is for an average citizen of another country.

I've been thinking of expatriating for a while, I'm just not sure where to start. I don't want to head off with some rose-colored view of another country...

[ailsagirl]

2. I'm interested-- I'm thinking of Canada but I'm open

http://www.escapeartist.com/

Here's a kind of interesting website-- for what it's worth...

[brokensymmetry]

3. Good idea!

Yes, I'd like to be included.

Especially if * guts Social Security, I may need to find a really cheap place to live. Or, at least, exist.

[sweetheart]

4. not on democratic party's underground

As much as i myself relate, having left, it has no place as an
official position of the underground.

How about, "Living Abroad"... something less defeatist....

The presumption of the exile population is the very principal of
exile, not banishment. When the criminals are put back in prison,
returning is a possibility the democratic party stands for.

[ailsagirl]

5. The only thing about Canada is...

their tax rate. Check out the differences between them and us:

Canada/US Tax Rates (2004)

Canada Taxable Income (in Canadian dollars)
$32,180 or less 22%
$32,181 - 64,368 32%
$64,369 - 104,000 40%

American Taxable Income (in American dollars)
$14,300 or less 10%
$14,301 - 58,100 15%
$58,101 - 117,250 25%
$117,251 - 178,650 33%

[Digit]

6. All I can add is....AT THE MOMENT eom

[bluestateguy]

8. For guaranteed health care for life that cannot be taken away, I'll pay it

I wouldn't pay those taxes for wars or Halliburton's next no-bid contract, but I would if it meant never having to worry about starving in the street or going without health care.

[ailsagirl]

11. Yes, the health care issue is a huge plus... not to mention the

people, who are intelligent and sane and RATIONAL!!

[LynnTheDem]

14. Your facts are wrong.

By the way, you're also comparing USD to CDN; if you convert Cdn to US, the Cdn tax rates are even with or lower than US rates in your post. But your post is incorrect; the top Cdn federal tax rate is 29%. In USD, that would be apx 23% at today's lower US dollar exchange rate.


Canadians pay less than Americans in taxes

We've all heard that Americans pay less taxes than Canadians. But in fact, for more than half of Canadians, the grass is still greener here at home.

In Canada, governments tax upper middle-income earners and the rich much more stiffly, and go easier on those with lower incomes. The poor, and those in the lower middle-income ranges, end up with more in their pockets in this country than they do in the States.

http://www.kaminternational.com/whatsnew/t061199a.asp

Canada federal income tax rates; 2004

16% on the first $35,000 of taxable income;
22% on the next $35,000 of taxable income;
26% on the next $43,804 of taxable income; and
29% of taxable income over $113,804.

http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tax/individuals/faq/taxrates-e.html#federal

[bluestateguy]

7. One question I have

When you leave the country are you still obligated to pay US taxes? Say you move to Canada, which has a dual citizenship agreement with the US, would you have to pay US taxes, and thus continue to fund the war?

[Lydia Leftcoast]

9. Depends on the country

If you live in Japan as a U.S. citizen, a certain amount of income you earn there is tax exempt, because it's assumed that you're paying taxes to Japan.

[sweetheart]

10. 70k exemption

You can earn to 70k US and not be "dual taxed", and then the taxman
wants your earnings in both countries.... That said, the IRS may know
exactly what you earn stateside, but that is not true elsewhere...
just a thought. ;-)

[ailsagirl]

12. That is not a simple question, I'm afraid. You might want to look

at the book, "The Border Guide," written by Robert Keats (an American who has dual citizenship with Canada). That's where I got the tax info I posted earlier.

The book is written mostly for Canadians who want to take advantage of our low taxes but there is info in there about Americans wishing to live/work in Canada as well.

http://www.pubgouv.com/immigration/border_guide.htm

(You might want to shop around for a better price-- I paid $19.95 plus shipping)

[Freddie Stubbs]

13. I doubt that the Admins would allow such a defeatist Group

Yet another thing to make us look bad.

[Digit]

17. I love history, and there is ALOT more history beyond our borders.

MY reason is not solely because of what is happening here. If everything were peachy, I might still want a change in surroundings. Hard to say.
Suffice to say, I am a boomer and I am checking things out. My daughter is 20, has a serious boyfriend and has no plans to return home. I am checking out my options.
I rely on DU for information as I am doing now.
Is this a viable DU Group?

[Digit]

15. Great, but who wants a DU Group about living outside the US?

[sweetheart]

16. frankly is a popular topic

but need it be displayed in such a manner. Many people from america's
founders onward have spend some years abroad learning about the world
at large to the benefit of us all. Travelling about and living about
is healthy, even if it is decades, just as with people migrating within
the 50 states... just the defeatism of the "title" posted in this
thread is my concern... but otherwise... its a legitimate question.

Where can one migrate to outsdie us borders, safely where one will be
able to work and live and survive. ?

[democracyindanger]

18. Seems like the Democrats Abroad group

already does that, among other things.

[Digit]

19. What Democrats Abroad Group??

Maybe it is past my bedtime (it is), but I don't see it.

[democracyindanger]

20. Here ya go

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=194

(It's in the State & Country folder)