Monday, January 28, 2013

Tina Turner Is Turning Her Back On America

Tina Turner is renouncing her US citizenship and becoming Swiss. On Friday I Tweeted that as part of the process, a newspaper in Switzerland had published the official notice that Tina had been approved for Swiss citizenship. She has been living in the country since the mid 90's but it still sucks that she has decided she would rather be Swiss. She is an American legend and icon and grew up here and became famous here so it just seems strange that she will no longer actually be American.

Posted by ent lawyer at 8:00 AM

Labels:

106 comments:

  1. cheesegrater158:01 AM

    Did she say why? Hell, sometimes I wouldn't mind renouncing my citizenship and moving to a Scandinavian country.

    ReplyDelete
  2. VIPblonde8:03 AM

    Is this a tax thing, like Richard Burton?

    ReplyDelete
  3. Beta8:04 AM

    why is that? privacy?
    I remember shania twain and her ex husband lived in switzerland allegedly because it was way more private.
    I also think the fiscal paradise thingy might help.

    ReplyDelete
  4. DewieTheBear8:04 AM

    Could it have anything to do with legal implications relating to property in relation to her partner? They've never married, but perhaps something in the laws there only enable each other to inherit from an estate if they are both citizens? Just talking out of my ass here... I don't get the sense this is politically-driven.

    ReplyDelete
  5. FSP8:05 AM

    Could she please take the Kardashians with her.

    ReplyDelete
  6. LottaColada8:06 AM

    If she's happier there, who are we to judge. She's been through hell and back and deserves happiness.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Lulu G8:06 AM

    I don't know. It doesn't bother me the way it seems to be bothering Enty. She will always be an American icon. This is where she has lived though for a long time and I am sure she has good (and personal ) reasons for changing her citizenship. I would not put her down for it. This lady is a fantastic performer, I've seen her live and it was one of the best shows I've ever seen..

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous8:08 AM

    Good for her! Probably sick of paying taxes....

    ReplyDelete
  9. libby8:09 AM

    Dewie is most correct at all. I'm sure this is much ado about legalities.

    And Vicki---Scandinavian countries won't take you unless you already have a job there, and even then it's nearly impossible to get citizenship.
    I know, bummer. I like blond men, so I checked it out already.

    ReplyDelete
  10. msgirl8:10 AM

    I'm with Lulu - I didn't know she'd be living there for so long and it seems natural that she would apply for citizenship if that's her home.

    Besides, these days it's embarrassing to be American! :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. yo8:11 AM

    I live like 15 minutes from where she was born, so I really don't blame her. I'm sure she has experienced a lot of hatred and injustice here.

    ReplyDelete
  12. libby8:11 AM

    Yeah! EUROPE is definitely the place if you don't like taxes.

    sarcasm.

    ReplyDelete
  13. MISCH8:12 AM

    Whatever she wants is fine with me

    ReplyDelete
  14. Virtual Boricua8:12 AM

    The more important question is how will she be described in blinds? U.S. born foreign singer, maybe?

    ReplyDelete
  15. Agent**It8:15 AM

    She has lived there for decades. This is not surprising and Entwarded's headline is written by a 10 year old.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Anonymous8:16 AM

    The Swiss are ranked as some of the happiest people in the world. High taxes yes, but great health care, pregnancy pay and time, great child care, great jobs, great educations lots of stuff. Plus have you seen Rich Steve's swiss travel specials?? Everywhere they go to in that part of the world (Scandinavian) look so beautiful. Tina is an American Icon true, but I say let her be wherever she's happiest.

    ReplyDelete
  17. KPeony8:18 AM

    Last I checked Switzerland wasn't part of Scandinavia. Sorry to be nitpicky

    ReplyDelete
  18. Anonymous8:19 AM

    @Libby- By renouncing her citizenship, she would avoid paying taxes in both countries, no?

    ReplyDelete
  19. libby8:20 AM

    KPeony--Die Schweiz and Scandinavia were two totally different subjects. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Now!8:20 AM

    @Virtual Boricua, ha ha.

    Swiss taxes are actually relatively low, although the cost of living is extremely high. Scandinavian taxes are extremely high, especially in Denmark. My personal favorite is the 180% car tax. Buy a $10,000 car, pay $28,000, plus $10 a gallon for gasoline. That said, you can see what you're getting for your money, which isn't always true in the US.

    US citizens abroad pay both local taxes and US taxes, although you can offset one against the other. In other words, I pay roughly 70% of my income towards taxes in Denmark (sales tax and local taxes included), but I can deduct that from my US taxes.

    Tina probably got sick of the accounting nightmares that involve having to file two sets of taxes every year.

    ReplyDelete
  21. libby8:22 AM

    NO, blogurl....just no.

    Talk to an accountant. I just worked for a big bank before the doctors disabled me.

    ReplyDelete
  22. libby8:23 AM

    Nutty to the rescue....

    ReplyDelete
  23. StewMcG8:23 AM

    Anna, Switzerland isn't in Scandinavia. It's in central Europe, bordered by France, Germany, Austria, and Italy.

    And, yes, it's stunningly beautiful there! My ex-MIL and her family own property there, and the time spent there was some of my most favorite vacation memories ever.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Anonymous8:24 AM

    So if she is no longer a US resident she still has to pay taxes here?

    ReplyDelete
  25. Pogue Mahone8:25 AM

    There's nothing wrong with choosing to leave one country and moving to another one that you like better; it doesn't mean you're turning your back on it. People immigrate all the time and you do have freedom of mobility, it's no big deal. I wish I could leave Canada; it's one of the highest taxed countries in the world! I'd leave if I could except I can't afford to move! :(

    ReplyDelete
  26. Vkn8:26 AM

    Good for her!!

    ReplyDelete
  27. surfer8:27 AM

    Is she actually renouncing her U.S. citizenship, or will she now have dual citizenship? There's a big difference.

    Anyway, to me, it makes sense, as she's been living there so long.

    ReplyDelete
  28. tealily8:30 AM

    There's nothing wrong with wanting to be a citizen of the country where you live. Why should we be upset about this.

    ReplyDelete
  29. prolixe8:31 AM

    Turning her back on America? What a ridiculous headline. It's not like she said something crappy about the US. Also, Enty, she will never "be Swiss", she will be a Swiss citizen.

    I'm glad she's happy. No matter where she is, she'll always be our Tina Turner.

    (PS: Around election time or pretty much anytime the nutjobs start up, I think about relocation. It just gets so out of hand.)

    ReplyDelete
  30. Jessica8:33 AM

    It was to get away from the Kartrashians. I envy Tina.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Eeekalicious8:33 AM

    It's probably just a nuisance to keep the paperwork up at this point.

    She's really a great example of someone who has retired gracefully and at the top of her career.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Sherry8:33 AM

    I wonder why she couldn't have/didn't want dual citizenship. Ii am sure Tina is happy where she is. Good for her. Didn't Robert Palmer also live there having grown up in England?

    ReplyDelete
  33. Anna V. Xol8:35 AM

    If it makes her happy then good for her.

    ReplyDelete
  34. crila168:37 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  35. crila168:38 AM

    I have a feeling a lot of celebrities will be giving up their citizenship in the next 4 years.

    ReplyDelete
  36. libby8:39 AM

    Sorry, KPeony--regarding Scandinavia. I thought Vicki & I were the only ones who mentioned it. We probably confused things for others!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. KPeony9:13 AM

      @libby

      It's alright! No need to apologize. I get nitpicky and have endless pet peeves lol.

      I get mixed up too. I blame the hot blondes that live there.

      Delete
  37. Wen8:39 AM

    Oh FSP... She would NEVER associate with the KuntTRASHians.

    ReplyDelete
  38. FrenchGirl8:41 AM

    she lives there since so long time and even if she stayed american citizen ,she will pay as much tax as she was swiss because she lives in Switzerland more 6 months per year.
    She became swiss because it's her home since 20 years and she's retired now

    ReplyDelete
  39. OKay8:41 AM

    @Pogue - Canada's awesome. We pay high taxes to enjoy a certain quality of life, and it's worth it. Compared to European countries are taxes aren't actually so high; it just seems that way because the U.S. pays almost the lowest tax rate in the world. All Canada needs is to get rid of that pinhead Harper...

    ReplyDelete
  40. KidJones8:44 AM

    She is a black American of a certain age who has put up with a lot of CRAP - shame on America, and sadly it still goes on, including that old bigot chestnut "Go Back to Africa". Old European civilizations do not have those undercurrents of hatred against blacks (Asians, perhaps, but that is a separate argument for a separate day). I kind of like the idea of being a citizen of the world...and you don't have to put up with the Tea Party, Sarah Palin or anyone akin to Mitt Romney!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. EGB7:27 PM

      @kidjones, I totally agree with what you said. And idk why anyone should have a hard time with what she is doing, hope she gets to live the rest of her life in the peace she deserves.

      Delete
  41. Anonymous8:47 AM

    Like many have mentioned, Tina has lived in Switzerland for decades. She clearly has no intention of moving back to the US. If this makes her happy, good for her. She didn't criticize the US, she's simply moving on. And it really could be for inheritance purposes regarding her long-time partner. Whatever makes her happy.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Agent**It8:47 AM

    crila, they are dumping their mansions in CA and FL. hehe. I' m waiting for the next round of fake "charity foundations" to open up.

    ReplyDelete
  43. RocketQueen8:55 AM

    I'm with you, Cee Kay. They'd have to pry my Canadian citizenship out of my cold, dead hands. I went down to the U.S. for a concert recently with my best friend (who is American and lives in Seattle) and her friend came along with us, and asked me if I wanted to move to the U.S., out of nowhere. I actually spit my beer out I laughed so hard. No thanks. No offense, Americans, but this is the life up here. (with the exception of our current douchebag prime minister, but all leaders are temporary)

    ReplyDelete
  44. Cheryl8:56 AM

    No hate for Tina here. She has seen it all and remained classy. Good for her if she has found peace and happiness.

    ReplyDelete
  45. Pogue Mahone8:57 AM

    CeeKay: I'd still rather live somewhere where you don't have to pay 40-50% of your income paying income tax, where sales tax isn't 15%, where everything isn't taxed to death and where there's not a limited selection of goods but where it's over priced!Give me Europe, Australia,New Zealand, or the Caribbean any day!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amy in MI2:35 PM

      Australia has a 40% income tax - at least that's what my friend pays

      Delete
    2. xoApril4:35 PM

      Sales tax is 13%, not 15%. Welcome to 2013.

      Delete
    3. feraltart5:28 PM

      Amy in MI, Australia has a scaled system of tax. Up to $18,200 (this is all per annum) the tax rate is nil. $18,201 - $37,000 it is 19cents in the dollar. $37,001 - $$80,000 it is $3572 plus 32.5 cents in the dollar. $80,001 - $180,000 it is $17,547 plus 37 cents in the dollar. $180,001 & over it is $54,547 plus 45 cents in the dollar. It does seem a lot, but we have a very large country & a small population. I do think we overtax, if we had a flat rate of 25% I think we would have a lot less tax evasion.

      Delete
  46. Henriette9:01 AM

    I'm sure it's tax related. Everyone's doing it, not just Tina. Depardu is Russian now. That guy from Facebook is in Singapore now. The list goes on. If my fave poet, T.S. Eliot, can do it, so can Tina. By the way, T.S. Eliot is still considered an American poet even though he died an English citizen and his papers are at Harvard.

    ReplyDelete
  47. ms snarky9:14 AM

    My father was Canadian, and I would LOVE to have dual citizenship. Or just straight up Canadian citizenship.

    A girl can dream.

    ReplyDelete
  48. Mama June9:15 AM

    @RocketQueen-super cute picture! :)

    Good for Tina, bad headline Enty!

    ReplyDelete
  49. Eeekalicious9:23 AM

    OT Canadian Politics

    I don't mind Harper as much as I used to. At least he's holding Canada together economically, and isn't an embarrassment internationally. I have a family member who works with him from time to time and says he's very shy.

    ReplyDelete
  50. Eeekalicious9:26 AM

    OT Canada - Benefits

    @Pogue

    I love it here, because when my kids get sick I can just take a card in and get them treated without any paperwork or insurance hassle. I wouldn't trade that for anything.

    ReplyDelete
  51. CharRicho9:38 AM

    @Pogue - you are confused. Taxes are much higher in most countries in Europe, and just as high in Australia and New Zealand. (I'm Canadian, hubby is Australian and I lived there for years).

    ReplyDelete
  52. Zeeky_Boogy_Doog9:42 AM

    I can't help but think of Michele Bachmann. A few months after she dropped out of the presidential race, she took dual citizenship with Switzerland. She didn't get how it's bad form to try to lead one country, while having a loyalty to another. A day or two later, she dropped it.

    ReplyDelete
  53. Pogue Mahone9:44 AM

    Char: It's not JUST the taxes why I want to leave; the other places also have much better weather and they're not racist and anti-immigration like it is here,either. There are also many other reasons why I want to leave here as well but I won't get into that here.

    ReplyDelete
  54. BringingUglyBack9:46 AM

    I don't have a issue with this. Give me the chance I'm gone to Sweden or Finland.Don't see a big deal in renouncing citizenship.

    ReplyDelete
  55. hothotheat9:49 AM

    I think given that Tina is a legend and an icon she can do what she wants. Besides, isn't her man German and thats why the live there?

    I wish her nothing but happiness. Love that woman.

    ReplyDelete
  56. CharRicho9:53 AM

    @Pogue - if you don't want racism, I suggest you stay far away from Australia. I love the country, but I have never seen that level of racism anywhere.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amy in MI2:38 PM

      I was going to say - Australia has a immigration problem with SE Asians, which is comparable to the Mexican immigration issue in the US. On top of all the Baltic region refugees they allowed during the Bosnian war. It's bad

      Delete
    2. mishimoopoo7:01 PM

      Balkan region not Baltic region. If you're going to criticise at least get it right. I have lived in Melbourne au most of my life and travelled extensively and say that yes, there are racism problems here but I have not seen anything here like the overt racism in Italy, France or Russia. Admittedly easy for me to say as a white middle class Anglo European though.

      Delete
  57. bonnjill9:56 AM

    I could have sworn Tina lived in Cologne back when I lived in Bonn about 10 years ago. I remember driving past her neighborhood, and one of my friends telling me she lived there.

    And yeah, Europe's tax rate is WAY higher than it is in the U.S. But you also get your money's worth in better health care and better roads and telecommunications networks. I miss Europe sometimes.

    ReplyDelete
  58. wordygirl9:57 AM

    http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/ndvdls/fq/txrts-eng.html

    Shame that most Canadians don't know that they don't pay 40% tax.

    Canadian living in the US. Paid less income tax living in Vancouver than I do living in Portland. Canadians also get much more for their tax dollars. Affordable higher education and universal health care. I'm counting down the days until I move back.

    Here's an income tax calculator per province. 20-24% income tax on an $80,000 yeah income.

    http://www.ey.com/CA/en/Services/Tax/Tax-Calculators-2012-Personal-Tax

    ReplyDelete
  59. RocketQueen10:16 AM

    @Pogue - racist and anti-immigration? You mean other than the between 280,000-325,000 Canada admits every year from all over the world, but with a large percentage coming from asia and south east asia? I landed immigrants for Canada Immigration for three years and I assure you, there are problems with our refugee system, but our immigration policies are NOT racist. I myself immigrated here from Australia as a child, my father from New Zealand, and my fiance from Israel (refugee). The vast majority of people I landed were from China and India, but that is a function of having worked in Vancouver. The east coast provinces see more immigration from Africa, the caribbean and Europe. And if it's really cold where you are, might I suggest Vancouver? It's lovely and mild here today!

    wordygirl - THANK YOU. Not only that, but our salaries tend to be higher and we have a respectable minimum wage. My high-school educated fiance and I (degree) make twice what my university-educated best friend and her husband in Seattle make...and I don't pay $300/month for health care and I won't lose all my savings if I get cancer.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. xoApril4:39 PM

      RocketQueen, will you marry me?

      Delete
    2. EGB7:38 PM

      @RocketQueen, reading this about Canada is fascinating! I am dying to visit Vancouver, now even more so! And health care here at $300? I wish, for my little 3 person family it is about $850 a month. And OT, RocketBaby is just darling...

      Delete
  60. Seachica10:21 AM

    So many Americans have such misguided feelings that this is of course the best place and surely everyone wants to move here. The be all and end all of happiness is not money. Once you are past poverty and into a middle income level of lifestyle, many other things are highly valued. Quality of life. Access to healthcare. Cleanliness of neighborhoods. Social safety net once you get old or sick. Safety on the streets. All sorts of things that are maintained by the village, not the individual. And on those factors, lots of other countries score far higher than the US. The immigration scramble is largely from countries dealing with severe poverty. You don't see Western Europeans/Canadians/Australians scrambling in large numbers to immigrate to the us anymore.

    Us Americans would be a healthier society if we were all forced to live in another country for a year. We would come back and be open to real debate over how to improve our country, rather than rely on knee jerk statements like "USA does everything best". We really could learn a lot from how other countries live.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. All about Eve10:28 AM

      @Seachica, totally agree! We're stuck in a "we do it better" mentality. The rest of the world is coming up with new ideas and solutions but we're still doing things the same.

      Delete
    2. Onyx Loathes Hydrangeas1:20 PM

      @seachica, the older I get the more and more I roll my eyes at the dumb ass "America" chants. They tell you were the best country over and over and start telling you that in school as early as possible and people actually believe it to the extent that words like "change" become traitor speak.

      Delete
  61. All about Eve10:25 AM

    Good for her! She's lived there for decades so its a normal step. And to be honest, the environment in this country lately has been toxic. Nothing can be done politically because everything is blocked and even discussing politics can turn into name calling as we have all experienced here. Seems like we are stuck in the 20th century with our outdated policies and laws, while the rest of the world has moved on.

    ReplyDelete
  62. Tru Leigh10:44 AM

    No taxes in Switzerland.

    ReplyDelete
  63. SkittleKitty10:46 AM

    I agree with the other posters--this is primarily due to not wanting to pay taxes in the US when she doesn't live here.
    I've read it's an incredible hassle to file--even Americans living oversees who would like to keep their citizenship are renouncing just to save the money not only on the taxes but on the filing.

    Re: Canada
    You all are very lucky in that you don't have a 'war machine' to constantly fund. And I don't mean this because the U.S. is still in Afghanistan, etc., but because the industries and lobbying around defense spending is crazy. Though we can justify a good portion of it since the U.S. is often called on to act as peacekeepers, assist, etc. It's just too bad more of those funds don't go to the soldiers rather than the defense industrial complex.
    There are plenty of stories out there about gear, equipment, etc. that the Pentagon brass says we no longer need/will no longer fit the mission, etc. but Congress won't allow the Pentagon to eliminate the projects because of the lobbying. So stupid...

    ReplyDelete
  64. Amartel10:48 AM

    KidJones, Europe is just as, if not much more, bigotted than America. Actually, North America is the most open-minded region in the world. Everywhere else has racial and ethnic majorities that rule the culture. You'd know that if you actually were a citizen of the world as opposed to a damn whiny fool who doesn't appreciate the good thing you do have in your American citizenship. And of course you run from people who have differing views from you about the scope and role of government; you're a anxious little wuss who requires cultural conformity in order to feel secure.

    ReplyDelete
  65. Borg Queen10:58 AM

    Dont forget that Tina was an answer to a blind about the family of a famous singer who is keeping the reason for the death of the singer's sister a secret. Hmm maybe she knows that she cant comeback tot he US anyway so why not become the citizen of the country where you have resided for the last 20 years.

    ReplyDelete
  66. Pogue Mahone11:18 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  67. Pogue Mahone11:19 AM

    RocketQueen: I'm not talking about not letting immigrants in, I'm talking about the racist attitudes Canadians have towards immigrants that live here and the racist attitude they often display towards them and how the majority surveyed want to halt immigration and say things like "Why don't they go back where they came from?" It's this mind-set I always see that I'm talking about and how the police are more likely to pull over blacks than whites, how Natives people are oppressed, etc. I could go on and on.This country acts like it's open and tolerant and inviting to immigrants but once they arrive here it's a totally different story, esp. Arabs, blacks,and Asians.

    ReplyDelete
  68. OneGirlRevolution11:35 AM

    Pogue...I think you just described a vast majority of the countries around the globe that are relatively (or very) prosperous and are (or have) experiencing an economic slowdown of some sort.

    Certainly avoid the US and large swaths of Europe if anti-immigrant sentiment is your concern.

    ReplyDelete
  69. Char11:35 AM

    @Pogue - it is far from perfect in Canada, but anti-immigration attitudes are FAR worse pretty much everywhere you're thinking about moving. In Australia, people happily walk around wearing shirts that say "F*#k off we're full." I was only a traveler in Europe (and a white one at that) so I didn't see a lot of racism, but I hear that it's awful in many European countries. New Zealand has a huge racial divide and a lot of tension regarding immigration there as well.

    You might think its bad in Canada, it is, but unfortunately it's worse almost everywhere else.

    ReplyDelete
  70. JoElla11:36 AM

    I hope I don't jinx this thread, but this is really turning into a great and informative topic. (if it goes south, ya'll can blame me LOL)

    I am as red, white and blue as they come, but even I have had 'ideas' about living elsewhere. When my oldest was just a wee wee one, hubby and I seriously thought about moving to Austrailla. Then we had bebe # 2 and life got in the way. Now, we are too "old" (over 40, and not lots in the bank) to permantly live there.

    Parts of Europe look fantastic, and even Canada. And of course, any tropical island nation. Heck anywhere that is warm and tropical.

    I would say my yearnings are prolly 50% wanting more from life and 50% yearning for adventure.

    No shade thrown from me towards Tina, she has lived there for years,and to be honest, if I had that kind of money, I would be lying if I said I wouldn't consider a move like this.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Marie9:28 PM

      @JoElla - look into NZ citizenship. Once you have that you can move to Australia using a special category visa. I'm from NZ and living in Australia, and we didn't have to do anything to move free aside from buy a ticket, and apparently NZ is much easier to get into than Aus.

      Delete
  71. Char11:42 AM

    Regarding Tina, the US shot itself in the foot by changing the law to make its citizens living abroad not only start paying taxes in the US even though they don't live there, but they've actually made people go back 10 years to pay retro taxes as well. I know quite a few dual US-Canadian citizens living in Canada who have now renounced/are renouncing their US citizenship because that is utter nonsense. I can't think of any other countries that require that.

    ReplyDelete
  72. RocketQueen12:12 PM

    @Pogue - again, I'm not sure where you live, but I'm sorry you're hearing that crap. I hear that stuff coming from the small northern town I'm from that is 99% white, but here in Vancouver which is largely Asian, I don't hear that at all.
    I know there's a lot of that crap from Alberta (sorry to any Albertans!) and generally, small hick towns, but to paint that brush at CANADA is unfair and untrue. Canadians are generally incredibly tolerant, especially when considered against a lot of other nations.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SashaJames23:13 AM

      Very well said. I read pogue's comment with shock on my face wondering where in Canada she lives. I am black and originally from Vancouver and can attest to the fact that in all my years I lived there, I never experienced racism. I have lived in a few countries, and travelled extensively and can really say the countries where I saw racism was the states and Russia.
      Good for Tina, while I wouldn't swap my Canadian passport for any other, I would love to be a dual citizen of Switzerland and Canada. I love Switzerland.

      Delete
  73. Zeeky_Boogy_Doog12:23 PM

    IMakeNoSense - Finland is one of the best countries to live in! Schools are the best and college is free, corruption is quite low, health services are good. Finnish language is very different, but most younger people and people in larger towns speak English.

    It's not perfect...
    -It's cold and dark in winter; apartment listings tell you whether there is sauna in the apartment or in the building.
    -Finnish people are generally very quiet, there isn't a lot of small talk; if you ask someone "hi, how are you?" they'll tell you! A lot of non-Finnish people find it quite alien.
    -There's the Finns party... lotta racist jerks there: one MP managed to drop the N-word in interviews, TWICE, in a few weeks! The nice things is there are like 8 political parties and beliefs overlap, so there isn't as much lockstep, party-worship like in US.
    -Finland isn't in the UN, so there's required conscription by all males (but they can do civil service if they object.)
    -Last, alcohol is very expensive, so if you drink, that can be a little painful on the wallet.

    ReplyDelete
  74. warmislandsun12:50 PM

    Good for her! I wish her only the best.

    ReplyDelete
  75. Mango12:50 PM

    @ Vicki - re Scandinavia - It's beautiful, but I cannot live there. I need sunlight. Maybe it's a genetic thing because my ancestors come from the Mediterranean but I just can't deal with just a few hours of weak light in the winter.

    ReplyDelete
  76. Just a girl1:15 PM

    It is very difficult to be an American in Switzerland at the moment because of the strain the American Government has put on the Swiss banks to disclose their American clients. As a result, no Swiss banks want anything to do with Americans. You cannot invest money, buy property, etc.. In addition, the US is one of only 2 countries in the world that makes you pay taxes to the US even if you dont live there or make your money there. There are many American's living in Switzerland who are forced to renounce their citizenship just to be able to function here. In addition, taxes are not that high and while the cost of living is high, so are the salaries, so it balances out.

    ReplyDelete
  77. Seachica1:24 PM

    @char -- I totally agree. That law is crap, and has prevented me from living abroad. When I was in grad school, I lived in London, and have been yearning to go back. But I can't justify it now. Maybe someday I will retire to the Spanish countryside... Sigh.

    ReplyDelete
  78. The Real Dragon2:19 PM

    Do you tina

    ReplyDelete
  79. Henriette2:39 PM

    My father is a dual citizen, French and American. It's expensive to do. He pays French taxes, but lives here. I want to retire to Italy when I'm able.

    U.S. is desperate for dough, hence going after the citizens living abroad. Even Madonna moved back to the U.S.

    ReplyDelete
  80. Agent**It2:55 PM

    Depp was happy to get out of France.

    ReplyDelete
  81. JSierra3:31 PM

    Mango I feel ya, I am more of an island girl. I would love to visit, but keep me in the sunshine please.

    ReplyDelete
  82. it took forever4:19 PM

    She lives there hapilly with her lesbian lover, why hate? She got enough hits and kicks from ike in the US to be free to do what she wants now

    ReplyDelete
  83. it took forever4:19 PM

    Think Ike turned her off men for good

    ReplyDelete
  84. Agent**It4:26 PM

    Tina, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo .

    ReplyDelete
  85. Sunny5:32 PM

    A few of you have mentioned Tina and her lesbian partner. How have I never heard about it prior to this thread? Not being snarky - I'm just wondering if I've been in a gossip coma

    ReplyDelete
  86. JSierra6:17 PM

    Shite feraltart, I have always wanted to move down under but I'm not sure if I can afford it now. Maybe I will come down for a visit and get "lost" in the outback.

    ReplyDelete
  87. Eeekalicious9:41 PM

    @Pogue

    I feel terrible that you have had such a bad experience in Canada. I wish I could do something about it.

    ReplyDelete
  88. babo12:44 AM

    As for foreigners in Switzerland, if I remember, the rate of imposition varies by canton (district) and is often established through a negociation roughly based on the worth of the estate they own in Switzerland and not their income. After going through that, filing again in the US must take her an accountant full time.

    I regret I have not paid enough taxes in Belgium (my home country), I only worked there for 3y before moving to China. I haven t repaid my community for the free healthcare, excellent free education, free highway ...

    ReplyDelete
  89. Kristin2:58 AM

    @bonnjill. Yes, she did live in Cologne, Germany for many years. My former neighbors lived there. One day my neighbor heard an American swearing while doing laundry in the building's laundrymat. She wanted to meet the other American in the building and it was Tina Turner!

    ReplyDelete
  90. prolixe8:59 AM

    @Kristin, I would love to meet up with Tina Turner swearing while doing laundry. Mad Max!!

    ReplyDelete
  91. The Black Cat9:34 AM

    I agree with Pogue Mahones comments about racism in Canada. If you're white you probably wouldn't notice it but if you are black you would for sure. If you're black and speak French, your French isn't quite good enough for a Quebecker. If you're brown and work hard that is resented by lazy "entitled" white people. If you're yellow you get comments about how bad a driver you are. It's subtle but it's there. And there's little sympathy for the aboriginal people the Europeans tainted. Look at how the Liberals have talked the talk but never walked the walk with that, yet Conservatives are actually trying to do something by pointing out the obvious. They get adequate funding, the fact that many Chiefs keep it and it doesn't filter down to the rest of the people IS a reality I have seen with my own eyes for many years.

    I will say that I find it irritating and laughable at the same time when I read negative comments about Stephen Harper - if it wasn't for him Canada would not be such a great country to be living in currently, ASSHATS. We are damn lucky to have a guy like him doing his job at the current time. He's not a media whore, he's more of a behind the scenes guy who just wants to do good things, kind of like how I am at work so I get it. He likes cats too so how bad can he really be? ;)

    ReplyDelete
  92. RocketQueen10:24 AM

    @xoApril - why not? Gay marriage has been legal here for ages ;)

    @E Gee Be - welcome to come visit any time! Send me a little message if you make it :)

    @The Black Cat - that's cool, we can agree to disagree. Personally, I don't care for the way he's throwing our resources away, reducing food inspectors, making the export of oil our number one priority and the list goes on. ASSHAT. (classy to name call, by the way) I miss me some Jean Chretien. I've been around for a few prime ministers now, and Harper is the worst in a long time. Also, if you look above, you'll see a BLACK person mentioning how she hasn't experienced racism here. And classy of you to use the term "yellow" to describe Asians. Well done.

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments ( Atom )

Advertisements

Popular Posts from the last 30 days

  • Blind Item #8
    The mother of a barely there celebrity was overheard musing about how much the sperm donor is worth way more dead than alive, at least to th...
  • Blind Item #7
    The designs have already been set into motion. They were there before but now it’s go time. There's even a code language. The second in ...
  • Blind Item #8
    Is it grooming when you put a child front and center and have them interviewed by national magazines just so you can try and keep the realit...
  • Blind Items Revealed #6 - Anniversary Month
    August 1, 2014 How is it that this actress is rolling in dough? I mean she could literally shower with $100 bills every few minutes and not ...
  • Blind Item #12
    An offspring of a former A++ lister is hooking up with an A+/A list singer. Their first hookup was a messy drunken spectacle in front of sev...
  • Blind Items Revealed #1
    October 15, 2024 Apparently, the growing rift between the alliterate one and her husband began shortly after the big funeral. The alliterate...
  • Blind Item #13
    For old times sake, these two bad actors/former co-stars/former couple hooked up. They will blame it on being drunk. 
  • Blind Items Revealed #1
    October 16, 2024 I guess things are getting more serious considering the permanent A list "singer" has Narcan ready to go througho...
  • Blind Items Revealed #2
    October 9, 2024 The Sean Combs of Hollywood documentary coming is going to send the alliterate one and her husband running like cockroaches....
  • Blind Items Revealed #2
    October 16, 2024 Speaking of alliterate, this foreign born alliterate A list actor thought Oscar was a lock for his latest role. Now that he...