Call it an unexpected side effect of the election...

No flounder, I promise.

As most of the regulars on the board here know, I'm a pretty recent import from Europe. I've been eligible to apply for US citizenship for a few years now but haven't done so - mainly because I hate dealing with German bureaucracy, which I will have to do if I want to keep my German citizenship[1] - but if anything, this election really changed my mind in the sense that I need to get it done.

In case you're wondering why, it's because being affected by the outcome of a political process that you didn't take part in even when you could have. I have no illusions that my vote in this district would change anything - they're close to 80% for one party anyway - but it's still a case of sitting on the sidelines looking at the game when you know you should be playing. Taxation without representation, indeed.

So if you're undecided if you should even bother to vote, take it from someone who can't in this election - do it. Exercise your right, have your say. One can't have a functioning democracy if people don't vote.

[1] I have to get approval from the German government to keep my citizenship before taking another one, otherwise I lose the German one. Over the years German citizenship has become less important, but my mother isn't getting any younger either and losing my German citizenship means I'm fairly limited on how long I'd be able to stay over there if I had to for family reasons.

German?? I thought you were a Limey.

Wait a minute...you mean Germany has rules about how long you can stay?

I don't know what your future holds for you but should you become an American citizen and decide to go back to Germany, there are some draconian tax implications. The line of expats waiting to get rid of US citizenship for tax reporting reasons is now over a year long and for good reason. This will affect your investments overseas and any inheritance or retirement moneys you might receive.

If you are staying forever, then no worries.

spitfirebill wrote: German?? I thought you were a Limey.

Passport says German[1] . I've actually got English and Welsh ancestry (and some French aristocracy in there somewhere, too) and I've lived in the UK for a long time. Never really felt that much at home in Germany and still don't when I go back, but that's a different story. Funnily enough said ancestors seemed to be of the opposite opinion when they buggered off from the UK to Germany in the 1910s.

spitfirebill wrote: Wait a minute...you mean Germany has rules about how long you can stay?

For US (well, non-EU) citizens, yes. Six months IIRC for US citizens and then you need a residency permit. Well, assuming that you don't get stationed there.

trucke wrote:

That, too .

NOHOME wrote: I don't know what your future holds for you but should you become an American citizen and decide to go back to Germany, there are some draconian tax implications. The line of expats waiting to get rid of US citizenship for tax reporting reasons is now over a year long and for good reason. This will affect your investments overseas and any inheritance or retirement moneys you might receive. If you are staying forever, then no worries.

Yeah, I'm pretty aware of the implications of renouncing US citizenship. I don't think that's going to happen, and obviously I'm already subject to taxation of any sort of overseas income as a permanent resident.

[1] Boxhead is actually an old English slang expression for German.

I have quite a few friends that became citizens recently just so they can vote. I've found that recent citizens tend to be the most appreciative of our system and freedoms.

I believe voting is the most patriotic action you can do as a citizen.

I've been begging any of my friends who say they aren't voting to go and push the button for either the Libertarian or Green parties, as they see fit. No, you may not fully agree with either one, and those candidates won't get elected anyway. But that's the only way to break the stranglehold. As long as there are only 2 chairs at the table, the Unstoppable Force will continue to smash into the Immovable Object, and the US citizens will continue to be crushed in between.

^Oooor an Australian-style preferential voting system...of course I don't see anyone from the big 2 parties ever putting such a thing in place...

GameboyRMH wrote: ^Oooor an Australian-style preferential voting system...of course I don't see anyone from the big 2 parties ever putting such a thing in place...

There's actually progress on this front - the state of Maine has on the ballot a proposal to switch to RCV for future elections.

In reply to Duke:

Amen.

As far a voting is concerned, its not just the big elections you miss out on, its the little local stuff that you really can get involved with and really feel a difference if it goes your way.