“Go where you are treated best.” Andrew Henderson, Nomad Capitalist
Last week, actor Steve Buscemi (Boardwalk Empire, The Big Lebowski, etc) was randomly punched by a stranger in Manhattan.
This is just one of a number of recent attacks in New York City, mostly involving assaults on women.
However, the targets have occasionally been on famous people, although maybe not very recognizable as such. Rick Moranis (Ghostbusters) suffered a similar fate to Buscemi a few years ago.
One brutal video showed a man sneak up behind a woman, lasso her, and drag her in between two cars, where he sexually assaulted her.
If you are a reasonable person, why on earth would you continue to live in NYC, which appears to be descending into chaos?
The same can be said of Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, St. Louis, Baltimore, and even Washington, DC.
Taxes in these cities tend to be higher, and yet there is almost no guarantee of safety.
Many people have had enough and are moving out, but the fact is, this problem is widespread.
It doesn’t matter if the cities are located in more conservative leaning states or in progressive states such as California and Illinois.
Some people are at least moving to cities in states where the tax regime is much more friendly. Florida, Texas and Tennessee come to mind.
These people have had enough and are choosing to go where they are treated best, at least here in the U.S.
However, it’s becoming clear that the U.S. and other countries in the West are becoming less hospitable to their own people.
Before the Covid Pandemic, Australia and New Zealand were perennial contenders for the most freedom award among the world’s nations.
And then came the lockdowns and forced jabs. Those two countries were among the absolute worst offenders.
The U.S. and Canada have also been high on the list.
Given how Canada moved to freeze the bank accounts of truckers who protested being forced to be vaccinated, I’m pretty sure that should be a hit on its freedom index.
In the U.S., the current administration suggested that corporations should fire employees who would not get vaccinated.
Many members of the military were forced to quit because they refused to get a vaccine they didn’t need.
Another sad trend in the West is the attacks on freedom of speech.
Just this week, the kicker for the Kansas City Chiefs, arguably the best in the NFL, gave a Catholic-centric speech at a Catholic university, and is now the focus of cancel culture.
Why? Because he dared to suggest that it is perfectly ok for some women to be stay-at-home mothers and wives.
That example is actually quite minimal compared to the censorship campaign that the Federal government and corporations engaged in during the pandemic.
For example, dissenting voices against vaccines and school shutdowns were shut down by social media tyrants at the request of those in political power.
Consider a Plan B
For people who have the means, it’s time to consider a Plan B… citizenship or at least residency in a country outside of the U.S.
There are a number of ways to do this. The Golden Visa is the most popular way for many people to attain residency status, or even citizenship in a country outside the U.S.
Golden Visas typically involve citizenship by investment.
Globally, this investment may range from as low as $100,000 to upwards of $1 million.
In general, the stronger the passport (allowing you the greatest travel freedom and lowest taxes), the higher the investment required.
Some of the more popular Golden Visa programs around the world may be found in the Caribbean (St. Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, and St. Lucia come to mind) and in Europe (Portugal, Spain, Greece, Turkey).
Over time, some programs are withdrawn, requirements change, and/or become more expensive.
There are also opportunities to simply obtain residency status through different programs.
For instance, Digital Nomad visas are popular for people who can work anywhere in the world.
To obtain such a visa, you have to prove you have a minimum level of income, and you’ll need to go through a background check. Requirements differ by country.
There are also retirement visas for people who are able to support themselves with passive income from pension plans, 401Ks and other retirement programs.
Why set up a Plan B
The primary reason for setting up a Plan B is to have the opportunity to “Get out of Dodge” if and when the shit hits the fan.
More and more it is becoming clear that certain areas of the U.S. are becoming less friendly to some people.
And, faith in our institutions is declining as the government seems to be targeting some people because of their political views.
If you have the means, there is no reason to stick around when law and order collapses.
Many people remain in denial that this is going on and that it could affect them. Others accept that reality, but don’t think it will affect them anyway.
Thus, no plans are being made.
It’s anyone’s guess what the future holds.
However, it is undeniable that the world is far less stable than it was just a few years ago, and this is also the case in the U.S.
Therefore, it only makes sense to give yourself some options.
