My July 4 message could not be more eloquent – "...That to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed, that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive to these Ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, & to institute new Government, laying its Foundation on such Principles, & organizing its Powers in such Form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety & Happiness."
People of substance have a lot to do in November but nothing to worry about.
What a perfect last line. A very Happy 4th to you and Carol!
ReplyDeleteA very encouraging Independence Day message....Happy 4th to you and Carol!
ReplyDeleteHi Doug and Carol - It seems to me I heard these very same words at the Washington Campground Association ceremony this morning. I don't think we can hear the Declaration enough. The words were true then and they are true now. We have a lot of work to do before November. Have a great Independence Day!
ReplyDeleteIf the form of government after the November election becomes destructive to the above ends, it may be time to think about a refuge. One candidate is a country that is not on the radars of most people: Chile.
ReplyDeleteChile is remarkable for having the lowest level of public debt anywhere in the world. A constitutional democracy since Pinochet ceded power in 1990, Chile also boasts one of the lowest levels of perceived public corruption in the world. Chile is endowed with an independent judiciary and a free-market economy that is one of the fastest-growing in Latin America. Chile features a large emerging middle class and a balanced government budget with a rainy-day fund. Only the FairTax would make it better!
Chile welcomes American retirees. For retirees in Chile, Social Security benefits are payable by the US and tax-free in Chile. The beneficiary need not be a US citizen. Remember, however, that if you keep your US citizenship, you are liable for U.S. income tax. (This country keeps unique company with the Philippines and North Korea on that score.)
Medicare, however, is a different story. Chile has a modern healthcare system, but don't count on Medicare to help you pay it. No matter that you paid into the system throughout your career. When you flee the Reich, you leave the Medicare benefit behind. If ever there was an argument for less dependency on government, this is it.
I hope we do not have to seriously consider Chile as a refuge. But keep Chile in your Emergency Bag - just in case you need it.