A new Declaration of Independence? Opinions?

In many ways I do not blame them. I don't want their garbage here and if they cannot or refuse to assimilate they need to leave. It should be the same down there. Although why anyone would want to live down there is beyond me but each to their own.

 

Very simple, Cost Of Living. Which is why a lot of American ex pats go to these developing nations.

 

I understand the cost of living part. I suppose I tend to think about living in mexico similar to the old adage. If you lay down with dogs you will get up with fleas.

 

"...so IMHO using the system you suggest could be very perilous to our republic... they could vote in their own worst interest like Venezuela got tricked into..."
No, that is not quite correct. The nation would still remain a Republic under the Constitution and all that entails, not a pure mob ruled Democracy. It would follow the same guidelines except instead of 465 people voting for something we would have the nation voting, using the same percentage to pass/fail any Bill, regulation, etc.. Having said this, certainly even today, the nation could vote 'in their own worst interest like Venezuela.' There is nothing in Congress to stop that from happening and many in Congress now would love to see it happen...if they had the votes and, let's be honest, they were moving quickly in that direction before Trump.

In fact, you could say the nation has done this in electing Biden or a more current example is that Commie that won the Democratic Primary for mayor in NYC. Is there any doubt how that will turn out if he is elected? None. Yet, he might win (especially if election is rigged). Another good example is Washington State wine tax, where they raised the tax of their wine sold in the state by 20% severely hurting their wine industry...not to say all the folks that enjoy a nice glass. Damn Leftist fools!

My point here is that it could happen at any time and has upon occasion. Does Congress truly have the nation's best interest at heart? I would love to see that poll... Hell, maybe only 10% of Republican Representatives are worth a damn on the best day...and 10% is being very generous.

The other point to be made is if those elections were fair and honest. I think many County and State elections are rigged as are many House and Senate elections; however, I think we have seen only one Presidential election rigged in our lifetime, Biden, and the reason for that is obvious, too much scrutiny, too many eyes on that election. However, they did it because the timing was right, Covid, and they were desperate, and they got away with it so expect to see it again in the future.

EDIT: One last point and I will get off my soapbox, I have always thought that if Civil War ever came to this country again that the UN would never set foot upon this ground. I saw much of the Bosnian civil war and knowing American nationalism - well - I just don't see it happening. Most European countries wouldn't dare send their forces to a country where they will be seen as invaders, with a 'gun behind every blade of grass.' Should they send some other inferior Blue Hat troops like, Pakistani troops or etc. then all it would do as to serve as an example that they shouldn't interfere. We Americans are complete assholes when it comes to certain things in our culture, some things are sacred that we simply will not tolerate, and foreign troops upon our soil would definitely cross the line while also driving the fence-sitters to the Right and you would see something that would make the Bosnian war look like a child's playground. No mercy, no prisoners, much like Tito operated during WW2 where that little country tied down 10 German divisions...

 

i have a friend that has a villa in pureto vallarta. its on a golf course in a gated community with a large expat community of Canadian, french usa. really beautiful. i think it was 220k when he got it. the 3 story mansion next door, fully furnished was 320k. he passed and his wife still winters there. so the why part is what you get for the money. i went down to look at the mansion for mom,, truly stunning. but. i dont think they own it outright. if jose gets pissed like he is now you could lose it. drug cartels control all of mexico with some villages as pockets of resistance. i wouldn't recommend it but as a second retirement home i get it. large expat medical complex with state of the art dentist, surgery ect. i do worry about her ,,, not sure if she will sell. gang violence is not far and cops with m16s common. il stick with ak.

 

KMB, yeah, that is definitely one of the problems with being an expat. I was one for a long time, 32+ years. You just do not know how you will be treated. It all depends and do not give me that bull$hit that the American Embassy would help you. They won't. I have seen it firsthand, numerous times. For example, a young American's apartment caught on fire. He was away for the weekend, was not a smoker, and having seen the original photos taken by the firemen it was completely obvious even to an amateur that the fire started in the electrical box...but no. The landlord didn't want to pay to repair the damage, there was no such thing as insurance in that country and the American kid obviously had money because - well - he was American so...suddenly the fire chief changed his report to 'caused by cigarette' and they threw the kid in jail to ensure he got the message. What did the Embassy do? Nothing. First, they couldn't do anything except make sure he was being treated like other prisoners. Second, they didn't want to do anything because, in their minds, he shouldn't have been in the country anyway because in their minds only they should be. Pompous pricks...

The other thing is even if you are treated correctly, you are ALWAYS still a second-class citizen and you need to understand this for should it come down to a citizen's word or yours, you lose. This is why I never, never, NEVER drive when I go overseas, better to pay for a driver or take taxis. I am not talking about Western Europe but about anyplace else...no, I never drive.

I also have a story of a guy I knew who had a hotel and when the government changed all of a sudden, he was not allowed to own property anymore, almost overnight, and had to sell at an extreme loss...strangely to one of the Congressmen that voted for this Bill.

Anyway, this is one of the reasons, I decided to hang it up and come back home. Now, we are considering purchasing an apartment overseas again, but it will be in my niece's name (she resides there) and my wife still holds citizenship there along with her American citizenship. It will be sort of a bolt-hole if something bad happens and also should I pass away - well - the wife has no reason to stay in this country as no relations here, mine or hers (because of ridiculous immigration policy), so she'll sell out and move there.

 

Won't get into where I've been or why, but this is still (for the time being) the greatest country on Earth.

 

It is and you certainly won't get any disagreement from me. Yes, we have problems, mostly caused my either Leftists commies or corrupt politicians but on the whole, it is a fantastic place to live. Great nature and it's not allowed to be destroyed, decent roads, a large variety of good products, huge amount of food and food choices, real individual rights and real rule of law. After it became obvious that I could not bring my niece over since the odds of her winning the Green Card lottery are about the same as the Powerball lottery, I did think of leaving...that thought lasted for about 3-5 seconds. LOL!