Blue state blues cure in Canada?

[Moloch]

QUADRA ISLAND, British Columbia - We've all heard the jokes about liberals from the blue states packing up and moving to Canada with the re-election of President Bush, but Lorraine Wright, 45, did just that.

"I found a country that is more reflective of my values," said Wright, who now runs an 11-room hotel and a tour company in this remote part of British Columbia. "It's just the notion that they have universal health care and gun control and no death penalty."

Wright, who has lived in Canada off and on for the past few years, went back to the States briefly to vote for Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry on Nov. 2, and then the next day received her Canadian citizenship papers in the mail. The results of the election, she said, confirmed her choice to become a Canadian citizen.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6694546/

[GOPBasher]

1. People who do that need to get dual citizenship and still vote here.

They also need to continue to be active in our politics. We can't all just leave the most powerful military in the world, by FAR, and all those nuclear weapons in the hands of extreme right wing fascist theocrats; they'll bring about the end of humanity. We need to stay here and fight.

[kainah]

3. don't need dual citizenship

you remain a US citizen, even if you are living in another country. So there's no need to get "dual citizenship" to be able to vote. Of course, whether your vote would count is another question. But that question exists whether you're living here or abroad.

In the spring, my husband and I are planning a trip to Alberta & British Columbia to see if we can find an attractive alternative. In a year, he can take early retirement from his job and we've got an appointment next week to discuss the possibilities with our financial advisor. Best to know all your options, we think.

[Hello_Kitty]

5. That's true. You cannot renounce your US citizenship.

Apparently people have tried in the past and were denied.

[bluestateguy]

4. I agree

I can respect and understand their decision to leave (but not agree with it), so long as they expend the minor effort necessary to cast an absentee Democratic ballot on election day every other year. I don't think that's asking much, and the neo-cons policy goals have consequences for the whole world, not just America. As long as one is eligible to vote in American elections, he or she owes it to the world to keep these people out of power.

[GOPBasher]

6. "neo-cons policy goals have consequences for the whole world"

Exactly!! Well said!

[The Zanti Regent]

7. What more can I do?

Bush took my only child from me, a child buried in the VA cemetary. There is nothing that can be done to remove these thugs as long as they control the voting process.

I'm in California and I will do everything I can to take California out of Jesusland. I'd rather live in the US of Canada and see Jesusland go down the tubes!

[GOPBasher]

8. I'm so sorry about your loss.

:cry: :-(

I would love for the US to break up into two nations, the blue and the red. But if we were the ones to break away, they'd be the ones left with the military. Isn't that scary? Now if you move, I'd understand, but you might as well do the absentee voting thing. Hopefully, we'll get fair elections soon; that's what the left really needs to concentrate on right now.

Again, my sincere condolences. I can't even imagine your pain. I so wish we could go back in time and prevent the unnecessary death and suffering caused in this war. :cry: :cry: :cry:

[sadinred]

10. I'm with you. This is OUR country! This is your child's country! n/t

[The Zanti Regent]

22. Jesusland is NOT my country. It's time to leave.

http://moveoncalifornia.org/index.html

NO INDEBTEDNESS WITHOUT REPRESENTATION!

[barb162]

23. I am sorry...Dear, do whatever you want to do

[Cha]

2. I'll be staying here..just moving to

Hawaii in a couple of years..but I say more power to her if she is able to live where it makes her the happiest ..especially about her Country's goals for its people.

[sadinred]

9. my father planned on retiring in FL but has changed his mind

and is moving to Vancouver.
My mother is looking to move to Canada as well but has less (much less) money than he does.
Bye family!;(

edit for sp

[SheathedPeace]

11. Not me. I am going to stay and fight.

I also resent having the title Democrat being associated with these deserters. They need to change their party claims if they are going to act in this cowardly manner. I don't want any of the baggage they are chaining on the name Democrat. Leave if you must but don't let my name be hung out to dry on your banner.

[AndyTiedye]

12. I Cannot Fault Those Who Leave

At least their taxes won't be supporting the regime anymore,
which is more than you or I can say.

(You are still subject to US taxes if you leave, but get a credit
for foreign income taxes paid).

[SheathedPeace]

13. Only if they fire up the ovens and start loading trains

And then only children, elderly and women need to leave for a while.

[bain_sidhe]

15. By then it's too late.

They close the borders to make sure you don't get out.

[Laelth]

16. That's the problem ...

I've heard you're still required to pay American taxes is you live abroad. It's not enough to leave. You've got to become a citizen of another country (and give up your right to vote in the US).

Might be worth it, though.

-Laelth

[AndyTiedye]

17. But You Get a Credit for Your Foreign Taxes

If you are earning your money in another country,
you are taxed on it there. While it is also taxable
in the US, you get a tax credit for the foreign taxes paid.
If you are not earning money in the US, and the foreign
tax rate is higher (likely), that should eliminate US tax liability.

http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc856.html

I am not a tax expert, but I believe I have summarized this accurately.

[Laelth]

20. Thanks.

Do you happen to know if you can ever be relieved of the responsibility of having to file with the IRS? Can you get rid of that duty by earning citizenship elsewhere?

-Laelth

[SoCalDem]

19. How can you be subject to taxes here ?

If you earn your money in Canada, and do not even live here, wouldn;t you just pay Canadian taxes?

If you become a Canadian citizen are you off the hook for US taxes??

But then, if you are collecting SS, I guess it might be better to stay a US citizen or you might have to give that up:(

[Pachamama]

24. IRS tax law is any US Citizen making over $70K has to pay taxes on the

amount above that amount....

Double taxation, but its the law...I know because I used to work in Europe for several years....

And actually, you can collect Social Security even if you don't work or if you work but make under $70K and don't pay for years (as long as you had the qualifying credits to begin with). You are however as a US citizen required to file income taxes regardless of whether you are living abroad or making $0.

[Maple]

14. Whatever the personal decisions

they're all very welcome. They sound like great people to join us in Canada.

[enigmatic]

18. I moved to Canada in 2001.....

To be w/ my wife and love it here. Voted in the Presidential Election by absentee ballot, too.

I wasn't planning on going back even if Kerry won; I love the US in it's big, beautiful mess, but my home is here now.

[TragicHipster]

21. Are Conservatives Right?

You know, liberals hear from conservatives that we're not patriotic. Well, it seems that when their is the first sign of trouble, we head for the border. Man, I'm staying and fighting.