how highly do you value your U.S. citizenship?

[datasuspect]

would you ever leave to live in another country permanently?

would you ever do anything to jeaopardize your citizenship (swear an oath of allegiance to a foreign country)?

[Starbucks Anarchist]

1. Very highly.

[greatauntoftriplets]

2. If I could document it, I'd go for dual Irish citizenship.

Unfortunately, all the paperwork was destroyed during the proverbial house fire when my father was a boy.

I'd also love to live in Ireland one day...maybe after I win the Lotto.

[treestar]

4. Get the paper again from the courts

I just did this for my mother. Got the birth certificate from Ireland, the marriage and birth certificates and death certificates from the various states, and made the case.

As long as you know the names and places of birth, death, marriage, that is.

[greatauntoftriplets]

7. I am not certain where or exactly when they were born except that it must have been the 1840s.

Or when and where they were married, and there is no one left alive who knows.

It was County Mayo, and I tried to find records on visits, but came up with nothing. I was told to check church records, but there is one shitload of churches to search and lacked the time. They emigrated in the 1869s.

Congratulations on doing this for your mother.

[datasuspect]

11. check this out:

http://www.irelandemb.org/fbr.html

i think in some cases they can allow you citizenship on the basis of grandparents' info.

[greatauntoftriplets]

29. It was my great-grandparents who emigrated; my grandfather was born here.

My grandmother was of German-French-Swiss-Iroquois ancestry. At least I did know her, but I was a little girl when she died in 1957.

All his info disappeared in the house fire, and he has been dead since 1918.

We have so little information about them. What is ironic is that we have access to full information on my mother's family in Luxembourg. Her father emigrated about 1890; I have seen the house where he was born and seen the location of the long-gone house where my grandmother was born. Yet as much as I like visiting the family in Luxembourg, it is always Ireland to which I am drawn.

Thanks for the suggestion anyway.

[Fox Mulder]

3. I'd gladly give up my US citizenship if I could live in a country like Italy

or Ireland, or even Britain.

[datasuspect]

12. i was thinking about moving to britain

i often wonder how different it actually is there (aside from environmental factors).

i have nothing here really holding me in the US.

plus i have relatives in the UK, so the transition wouldn't be as harrowing. i like the idea of health coverage and a pension. figure i ought to get 20 years in the system while i still have some working life in me.

[liontamer]

26. just because you're moving doesn't mean you have to give up US citizenship

from a purely pragmatic point of view, the more countries you're allowed to live in the better.

[datasuspect]

36. i'm a dual national

i probably didn't frame the question correctly.

i think the only way i could lose US citizenship is to serve in the british military or to become a diplomat.

[liontamer]

37. well then you're set

I love living in the US, but i could see relocating outside of it. I just wouldn't want to risk not being able to move back. But if you have UK citizenship (and you're not military or political professionally) go for it! A change could do some good.

[bdamomma]

43. exactly, just because you move into another country does not mean

you have to give up your citizenship, I haven't.

[KatyMan]

67. Britain is weird

You'd have to come here to understand that, but watch BBC America for awhile, and you'll get the gist--honestly, even their comedy shows aren't too far off the mark with reality ;). Our daughter and one of her friends are here visiting, and the friend loves it here, but does think the people are weird. Probably largely due to the fact that it's an island, and so is cut off from general Euro trends.

We've lived in the UK for 2 years (and spent a year here in the 90s, and 1.5 yrs in Ireland), and have been to France and Italy, and I've found I prefer England, although I think I'd live in Italy given the chance. Britain is a good choice to 'transition' to European life, since you'll see a lot of the same food brands, tv shows, etc that you're used to in the States, but enough Euro influence that you can ease into it. Plus, the bonus of everyone speaking English helps.

I have a US and an Irish passport. I wouldn't willingly give up my US passport/citizenship, but to be honest I like it over here so much better that if I had to choose, I'd probably keep my Irish passport.

[SmileyMarie]

5. America is all I know.

I doubt I'd function well anywhere else.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

61. Welcome to DU, SmileyMarie!

I hope you have fun in our addictive little village!

:hi:

[treestar]

6. I value it highly

I have known stateless people and their plight is bad, or potentially very bad, so any citizenship is good.

A US citizen has an easier time traveling around the world, so I don't think I would trade it in or give it up even if located permanently to another country.

[Mojambo]

8. Why? What's the trade in value?

I'd absolutely swap it out for citizenship in a few other places if I could.

[alarimer]

9. I move in a heartbeat to some more liberal, progressive country

But they probably wouldn't want me. LOL.

I don't feel particular allegiance to this country at all. It was simply an accident of birth that determined my citizenship.

[querelle]

10. I Have Dual Citizenship

In Canada and France. I was born in France and immigrated to Canada (Montreal) when I was two years old. I wouldn't mind being a US citizen because of all the opportunities, but I don't see it happening any time soon. I'm actually quite envious of Americans and I love to travel in your country. Boston is one of my favourite cities in the world.

Q

[datasuspect]

14. what opportunities do you find lacking in canada?

i've been to montreal once, border areas many times, canada seems like a great place. plus you guys have better candy.

[querelle]

30. Not Really Lacking...........

It's just that in the US, there are much higher wages for most professions and much lower taxes. I'm in a 44% tax bracket in Canada which I find obscene. Okay, I know that I don't have to pay for medical care and the cost for that has to come from somewhere, but hey, whining and complaining is a national pastime here.

Q

[Deja Q]

34. 44% tax bracket?

:wow:

After state, federal, social security, and other taxes, I'm in the 40% bracket. And I make far, far less than $200,000/yr.

[querelle]

41. Not Me...........n/t

[rockymountaindem]

45. Thanks Querelle

I'm always happy when people from abroad express a desire to come to and live in America. It's what our country was built on and it's also a relief that in spite of our poor image these days, not everybody hates us. I was having coffee with some friends the other day here in Colorado. One is a Romanian who came here as a child and has US citizenship now. Another is from France and has lived here for eight years, with three under a green card. She is going back to Europe to get a master's degree and work on her Spanish skills, but she told me she will be very careful to come back at the appropriate times to maintain her legal status and get US citizenship after two more years. A third friend who couldn't make it to coffee is from India and has lived here for about six years. I think he will be getting his citizenship soon.

Being a young person myself, it makes me glad to see people of my generation coming to the US. It's nice to know they'll be here as long as I will be :)

[querelle]

49. I Have Never Hated America

On the contrary..........I love your country. More than Canada? No. I love Canada and I love France as well. I guess I should qualify this. France is where I was born so I will always love France. Canada was the country that accepted me as an immigrant so I will always love this country. The USA is something that I aspire to. One day.

Q

[rockymountaindem]

52. Well, I hope you get the opportunity soon

I'm going to be living in Boston for the next few years myself.

[querelle]

53. Is That An Invitation?

[rockymountaindem]

54. To live in the US, yes.

To live in what will most likely be my one room apartment? I just don't think that would work out ;)

[bicentennial_baby]

47. So when are you coming to visit me?

:D

[querelle]

50. Bi Baby!

I would love to visit you and Sniffa! Maybe this summer I can arrange a business trip to Boston.............

we'll see...........

Q

[pagerbear]

57. I quite like Canada, and if I'd found a Canadian to fall in love with would have moved there.

The Pagercub is, however, from right here in NY. We both love Canada, though.

[Evoman]

65. I'm Dual Canadian/Argentine.

Lol..I'm really not envious of Americans at all. I've been to the states several times, and though I've always enjoyed myself (and overall, I find the American people warm and friendly) there is no way I'd want to live there. Give me higher taxes in exchange for a social safety net anyday.

[billyskank]

13. Above everything else that exists in the world.

[datasuspect]

15. i've been meaning to ask you

are you a dual national?

how'd you end up in britain?

[billyskank]

16. No! I'm British British

there's nothing American about me at all. Born here, and lived my whole life here.

No idea how I ended up at this place. :rofl:

[datasuspect]

18. oh

my bad.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

32. Probably by boat ...

It's an island, right?

[EstimatedProphet]

17. I value it highly enough to not roll over for freepers

I might very well live in another country. I have in the past, without giving up US citizenship. But I don't think that is not "valuing" the US, even if it is permanent.

[datasuspect]

19. i'm not really torn on any patriotic angle

i've never felt any strong sentiment similar to patriotism. i have great admiration and respect for the founding documents of this country, mainly the constitution, probably in a way that the supreme court doesn't (otherwise they wouldn't eviscerate it like they do).

my thoughts on the matter are less motivated by "escaping" anything as they are motivated by going somewhere else.

[EstimatedProphet]

22. OK. Let me add then:

I love what my country is supposed to be, and could be, and for a while was - the shining city on the hill. The leader in science. The Golden Door.

I wish it still were, instead of the capitol of uneducated bigotry it has become.

[SKKY]

20. I've dedicated the past 15 years of my life to this country...

...so you could say I value highly my citizenship. And I've been lucky enough to see things throughout my Navy career that make me me realize just how special this country is. Having said that, yes, I would consider living in a foreign country after I leave the Navy, but I would not become a citizen of that country, nor would a "swear an oath of allegiance" to that country. I would live in a foreign country, much like I have most of my Navy career, as an American.

[Inchworm]

21. Extremely high

I may be in a fantasy, but I'd like to think that anything I do not like here can and will be changed over time. Its just a matter of getting all the Cave People to step out of the cave.

I just wish some of them would stare into the sun and not slow down the changes.

:hi:

[NewWaveChick1981]

23. I value it extremely highly, which is why GWB and pals piss me off so much.

:cry: They've trashed the country during his tenure in office, and there is a lot I am afraid we won't recover from. :(

[datasuspect]

24. i wonder if having acquired almost dictatorial power

how easily will they give that up.

kinda scary when you think about it.

plus, the power of the corporations is seemingly unchecked. that's a lot of money being played with by relatively few people. no one would give up that access too easily.

[NewWaveChick1981]

28. Gotta agree with you there.

:( They won't give up easily, I know that. It scares the hell out of me to think of the lengths they'll go to keep that power. :scared:

[liontamer]

25. a lot actually

i might live outside the country permanently, but I'd probably maintain US citizenship. It's really valuable.

[MedleyMisty]

27. Hmm

I don't feel any real connection to the political entity, but I do so love the land that I live on. I am the trees and the grass and the sky and the mountains and the dirt and gravel roads and the pastures and the ocean and the sand and the air.

I will never be able to afford to travel to another country, much less live in one. I would also probably not pass another country's immigration qualifications unless I could get refugee or asylum status or something like that.

So, I love the land and I can't leave, but like I said I feel no tie to the political entity. I do not feel a patriotic fervor when I go to Wal-Mart or drink Coke.

As for the second question - I don't do oaths of allegiance to any group. But if I were in a situation where I would have to make a decision that could affect my citizenship, there'd probably be other things that I would consider first and it wouldn't be an instant yes or no based on the citizenship thing alone.

[Oeditpus Rex]

31. Yeah, like Agent Mike isn't watching this thread

I ain't sayin' a word. :P

[Lyric]

33. I value it highly

I'd like to live in Britain someday, but I wouldn't want to give up my US citizenship.

[theNotoriousP.I.G.]

35. Hey Agent Mike, go fuck yourself.

I've got a "permanent resident" stamp in my passport from the country I live in now and I'm Auslander first class, but I would eventually like to come home and live in my homeland. Unfortunately, as long as I find the need to tell agent Mike to quit listening to my phone calls home, I won't move back. I would never swear an oath to a foreign country or give up my passport or rights as an American.

[Deja Q]

42. Agent Mike (with his partner, Agent Carol) can do what they want.

And their ilk have done so in the past, long before the 'war on terror' was ever commissioned. Anyone who thinks everything was cozy before 11 Sept. 2001 is naive. And, quite frankly, what's to hide?

Besides, why should Agent Mike or Carol care when any bank can pull up your purchase history in a matter of minutes? In even less time if you use a credit card. If anyone was a threat to anonymity, it's your bank. Yawn.

In short, loosen up. Absolute freedom is called anarchy. And that's never going to happen.

[Skip Intro]

59. would you swear an oath to your country of origin?

[sg_]

38. Not atall..

since I am not from the US.

I have a UK passport, but I can get a Rep of Ireland passport if I ever decide to since I am from Northern Ireland..

[TZ]

39. I would like to keep my US citizenship but

more and more I keep thinking that Australia is someplace I would like to live. I have lots of friends from there or who have lived there and are always saying good things about it. But I wouldn't want to give up my right to vote. Dual citizenship is something I would pursue IF I ever moved down under...

[Deja Q]

40. As people in a globalized world, surely government as such has no relevance?

:shrug:

[rockymountaindem]

44. Very highly, and I wouldn't jeopardize it

Whether or not it sounds cheesy I'm proud to be an American. Some of my European ancestors died so that their descendants (me) could live here, and I won't forget that.

[Deja Q]

48. I wouldn't jeopardize it either.

(my previous response was obvious hyperbole, but we all know what my favorite topic is... and no, it's not sexual innuendo... :rofl: )

[Hippo_Tron]

46. I'd have a difficult time living anywhere else

[Rabrrrrrr]

51. Very highly. Yes, I would move to another country. No, I would not give up citizenship.

[LaurenG]

55. I have a deeply held belief that all of us who are here in this country

are supposed to rock this boat until it is turned around and back on course. I will stay until I am dead or unless I am forced out.

[My Good Babushka]

56. I wouldn't trade down.

But if America's really down the tubes once and for all, I would certainly look for a more promising country with better opportunities.

[Skip Intro]

58. coolest avatar I've seen in a while. as far as allegiance, I swear it to no country

[cemaphonic]

60. I spent three summers living in Belgium.

My parents were living there when I was in college. It was a great experience, and there is a lot to how Europeans approach living life that we would do well to emulate, but I was always glad to get back to the US at the end of the summer, and never really felt at home there.

[Common Sense Party]

62. I couldn't imagine living anywhere else. I love it here.

I think, far too often, we forget all the good things we still enjoy here, even though * is trying to screw many of them up.

I lived in Argentina for 2 years. I love the people of that country, I love the beauty of it, but it is one messed-up nation (crime, corruption, pollution, legal system, etc.). Living there opened my eyes to how good I have it as a U.S. citizen.

[ellisonz]

63. Amerika? Ha.

[EFerrari]

64. Citizenship is a construct that doesn't mean much to me.

My neighbors mean something to me. My family does. Citizenship doesn't. People do, bureaucratic bs doesn't.

[UrbScotty]

66. Yes - that's why I'm a Democrat (nt)

[SeattleGirl]

68. I value it very highly, but I admit there have been many times over

the past 6+ years that I've seriously considered moving to another country. But I think I love this one too much, messed up as she is right now.

[enigmatic]

69. I have

I moved to Canada 6 years ago and I'm working on getting my citizenship now. I'll never renounce my US citizenship, but I'm not coming back either; Canada is my home...

[Celeborn Skywalker]

70. i do value it.

I would possiby live somewhere in Europe, but I would always be an American citizen.