禁漫天堂

Hey Ubudian,

I have never been one to follow the rules of a website so....

You've got a point there. The political landscape in the U.S. has indeed seen some changes. Elon Musk has been vocal about his commitment to free speech on his platform, X, which some Americans are now looking at as a beacon of open dialogue. With Musk's influence, there's a push towards what he describes as free speech, though critics argue it's more about amplifying certain voices over others.

JD Vance joining the team as VP might be signaling a shift towards policies that emphasize free expression, and there's talk that Vivek could be next in line, further stirring the pot on what free speech means in practice versus theory.

So, if you know anyone who felt like they were walking into the darkness of political discontent, maybe remind them that the U.S. is trying to turn on the lights with a new take on free speech.

With a nod to the complexities of free speech

I close with commitment to the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights and the Constitution

WE WILL: SURVIVE!!!!!!!!!!

WE WILL: GET BY !!!!!!!!!!!!

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Expats from all over the world settle in Indonesia.

If I might be so bold, expats who hope to thrive in a new country must adapt. That doesn't mean you must stop eating burgers and celebrating national holidays, but it does entail accepting you are the foreigner and behaving as a guest.

Over 7 years ago I moved to Indonesia, not because I was looking for a new and better life, but because I had accomplished what I had hoped to achieve in Canada. Not rich, not famous, but successful in what I believed to be me purpose there. Life without purpose is not an option for me. I am not so arrogant as to believe that I am here to fix anyone or anything, but have discovered a gap in which I may be able to use what I have to make a contribution.聽 Through my restaurant, I provide training and employment to eager young men and women.聽 And, I am rewarded with a life on a beautiful island, enriched by the people and culture that host me. As Fred stated, I am a guest, privileged to learn and be welcomed, into the community (to some degree, I will always be the foreigner).

When I return to Canada on short visits, I am appalled by what I see in the erosion of human rights, freedom of speech and increase in far reaching government controls. There were several years as a young adult that I served in the Canadian military and was willing to die for those freedoms. My heart breaks for the country that was. I am grateful to be a guest in this country, for as long as they will have me, where I have no expectations of rights, living my purpose and doing my part helping others live theirs.

An excellent attitude.

I was granted the privilege, responsibilities, and pleasure of citizenship some years ago. Much as I dearly love Indonesia (Yes, I really mean that - but not about the traffic), I will never be quite fully Indonesian.

We all carry out history with us but, for me at least, the future is more important.

Returning to the UK is not even a thought in the back of my mind. I just don't see myself wanting to live anywhere else - ever.

@Fred

I just don't see myself wanting to live anywhere else - ever.

As Sean Connery would concur - 'Never Say Never Again' . The problem with many (though not all) god fearing expats in search of a 'new life' is that they fail to legislate for the unexpected. Some are financially independent in that they can bail out if for whatever reason things go tits up. Sometimes the honeymoon period can take many years to wear off, yup just like a marriage. Most expat men are divorced and yet when they tied the knot everything was milk and honey, just like that Bali beach on the first day.

Most expats, including many vloggers, are hostages to fortune whether they like it or not. Some will never admit they wish to return to 'mama's home cooking' as their youtube income would dry up. Expats in the main having sold their motherland property are well and truly stuffed as western property prices, particularly in North America, Western Europe & the Antipodes have reached stratospheric proportions. There IS no going back unless you have kept a rental or have the luxury of a high (at least $100k P.A.) unearned income which most expats do not. That's not to dilute the 'get up and go' attitude of most expats but perhaps brings into question their, ahem, forward thinking.

I myself took off to apartheid South Africa( and yes like the OP take politics at arms length unlike some people on this Forum)聽 to work for an international advertising agency at the tender age of 21. I rented an apartment in Bantry Bay, Cape Town, which I shared with another Brit. Life was idyllic. Average temp of 23 degrees, copious sunshine with minimal humidity. Alas I returned after a couple of years but in time to get on the property market hamster wheel.

My 2nd visit to Asia was for a client in Manila in 2001. I was there for 3 weeks, all expenses paid, and was put up in the Mandarin (since demolished) Hotel on Makati Ave. Still the best most stylish customer service orientated hotel I have ever stayed in. Sorry I digress. My client took this innocent Brit to the girly bar area called Burgos. We were having a beer in one of the caf茅s, enjoying the 'sights' where I noticed a club opposite called 'Plan B' - yes I still remember it.

My honeymoon period is still with me in a massive way.

I divorced and remarried.

I have a reasonably nice income but I hardly spend on big items so I have a smiling bank manager. That leaves me with little to care about money wise.

I could retire, but I don't really want to.

Indonesia isn't for everyone, but it is most definitely for me.

@Fred

I have been in Indonesia for 8 years now, living with my Indonesian wife near Bogor. I am looking into becomming an Indonesian citizen also. Maybe you could start let us know a little about the process of doing so?

Dooney

I have been in Indonesia for 8 years now, living with my Indonesian wife near Bogor. I am looking into becomming an Indonesian citizen also. Maybe you could start let us know a little about the process of doing so?
Dooney - @haroldgregg

聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽Since Indonesia does not allow dual citizenship for anyone over the age of 18,聽 part of your process will involve renouncing your US citizenship.聽 It will cost a聽 $2,350 fee, you will have to be current on all of your income taxes and annual FBAR reports as required and you will have to surrender your US passport.

Yeah, I went through that BS and exorbitant $2,350 fee twice with two of our three sons.聽 I also chewed the ear off of our US consular agent twice, even though I knew he wasn't responsible for it.

The bottom line was:聽 American hubris just can't stand the idea that ANYONE would give up American citizenship.聽

As for the passports...you will get them back, and although they are cancelled, they will serve as proof of your American citizenship (at one time) and in case you change your mind.聽 聽 聽

Many years ago, it was a battle royal to get Indonesia to at least accept dual citizenship for the offspring of Indonesian/Other marriages.聽

The hope, and eventual plan was then, and still is, that eventually Indonesia will accept the concept of dual citizenship overall.聽

聽 聽 聽 聽 In 2023聽 5,315 US citizens renounced their citizenship, up from about 3,000 in 2022.聽 The main reason most sources listed was tax avoidance.聽 Americans are required to pay聽 income taxes on their world wide incone, but for a $250,000 investment an American can become a citizen of St Kitts and Nevis.聽 One need not even set foot on the islands, can be done by mail,聽 takes about 6 months, and need never show up.聽 The big plus is there are no income taxes nor inheritance taxes.

聽 聽 聽 聽 聽The Philippines allows dual Philippines/US citizenship for Filipinos who become US citizens and then go to a Philippines consulate and fill out the paperwork, can be done in one day.聽 But the US does not allow a US citizen to become a citizen of the Philippines while maintaining U S citizenship.聽 So even if Indonesia changes their laws, I doubt that the US would recognize dual citizenship for Indonesians.

"So even if Indonesia changes their laws, I doubt that the US would recognize dual citizenship for Indonesians."

The US already recognizes dual citizenship for Indonesian citizens.聽 And why are we discussing the Philippines on the Indonesian expat's board?聽

"So even if Indonesia changes their laws, I doubt that the US would recognize dual citizenship for Indonesians."
The US already recognizes dual citizenship for Indonesian citizens. And why are we discussing the Philippines on the Indonesian expat's board? - @Ubudian

Compare and contrast.