Y|yukichigai

What’s the Venn Diagram of “childhood pyromaniacs” and “Linux users” look like?

Kinda the same here in Nevada. Our Spanish teacher explained them briefly but told us we didn’t need to learn them, didn’t test us on them, so on.

For taxes: initially it was because business owners were renouncing their citizenship as a way to avoid income and capital gains taxes, as well as estate taxes. Once that was done though then the feds realized they could squeeze everyone.

For the draft: during the Vietnam War people would flee to other countries (usually Canada) and renounce their US citizenship, even if they didn’t obtain citizenship elsewhere. Becoming a stateless person was (correctly) seen as less of a death sentence than being sent to Vietnam.

Ironically enough, you actually have to pay the US Government to renounce your citizenship. The base fee is $2,350, but the application process is so lengthy and complex the total cost can run up into the $20k range. Oh, and you’re still obligated to pay taxes and subject to the draft.