"It’s unrealistic to expect any one country…to be the best for you in every way."
~Nicole van der Hoeven, YouTuber, Software Engineer, Multiple Passport Holder.
I love America--I should rephrase that: I love the land most folks nowadays refer to as the United States of America. I was born in the USA, and I lived there for the first 51 years of my life. My family has lived on this continent, which most folks nowadays refer to as North America, since at least 1638. For a while I was even a dues-paying member of the Sons of the American Revolution. I was raised with a strong sense of patriotism, and I’ve made some deep and lasting friendships there.
(Essay continues below; also in this issue:
🇺🇸Our Son's Decision to Return to the US
🇨🇦4 Things that are different in Canada
🇲🇽Featured service provider in the expat space, and lastly,
🇯🇲Fun with AI: I ask ChatGPT "What are 10 lessons from the Upper Canada Rebellion of 1837?"
Now back to my essay:)
So why would a nice guy like me wanna leave the land of his birth? Because guess what? It just so happens that I also love Canada. And Mexico. And England. And a number of other places I’ve visited. In fact, there are plenty of places I haven’t even visited yet, and I bet I’m going to love some of them, too.
Guess what else? Who’s to say the whole world can’t be your neighborhood? What's wrong with being a global citizen? I've done a little reading on the long arc of the human species, and I’m pretty sure moving doesn’t make someone a bad person.
You know what else? Things change. Politicians constantly pull new rules out of their butts. They change horses midstream. People begin to feel like they’re paying more and getting less in return. People start to feel like they’re underrepresented–let's be honest: unrepresented. Some people get mad and lash out; others overreact and rashly (or not so rashly) make even more rules. Like the Patriot Act, for example. Cooler heads don’t always prevail. And I still haven't found where it’s etched on a stone tablet:
"Verily I say unto thee: wheresoever your mom's grid coordinates were when she went into labor, that’s the place you're tied to. And that's the place you stay."
Is it just me, or does that resemble a toxic relationship?
Contrary to how I was raised, I think it makes sense to draw a clear distinction between 1: the beautiful land, 2: the wonderful people who dwell there, and 3: the not-so-wonderful people who strut about thinking they’re in charge. Are we seriously supposed to settle for all three being rolled into one Holy Trinity? Is it possible to criticize one without
Are you with me so far?
I’m not just talking about the good old USA, of course. It’s the same everywhere. People all over the world are expected to feel some sort of unquestioning loyalty to the land of their birth. I guess there’s nothing wrong with that in and of itself. If you’re happy to put all your eggs in one basket, then this article probably isn’t for you, is it?
Citizenship-by-grid-coordinates-at-birth is kind of an accident; am I right? I mean, what if I’d been born into a doomsday cult in a coastal village in Kenya? Would I have to go by those rules and starve myself to death?
For people who say to their friends and family, why would you want to leave? It's like saying to someone in an abusive relationship: why would you want to leave? They might answer, well, the people are great, the countryside is lovely, the winters are divine, but it’s really only the self-anointed who suck.
We shouldn't shame each other for wanting to make a change. Change can be good. Everyone's different. Some people never move more than 15 minutes from where they grew up. That's fine. Other people like to move every few years. That's fine, too. But it's not fair to call people unamerican or unpatriotic just because they leave. People's relationship with their country should be subject to change, just as in any other relationship. It shouldn't be punitive or shameful.
But then of course one has to wonder: is moving abroad merely jumping out of the frying pan into the fire?
Is it true that there’s simply nowhere to go?
I know it may seem that way, but not every country is an arrogant jerk. Surely there are some countries that see how poorly these mega-states treat their people, and view it as an opportunity to welcome newcomers. Hey, I hate seeing the goalposts move as much as the next guy. But it’s an ever-changing world.
🇵🇹Is Portugal still a crypto-friendly country?
🇪🇨Is Ecuador still a safe place to retire to? Does Panama even make sense anymore?
🇨🇦What’s changed in Canada since 2022? It pays to stay on top of these things.
That’s why I’ve put together the Many Flags Newsletter and Cooperative. It’s only been one month since I launched, and already 70% of my subscribers live/have lived in a country other than the one they were born in.
Even if you want to stay where you are, it's still smart to plant a flag somewhere else. Diversify in some way. Move at least a handful of your eggs to a different basket. Let’s face it: diversifying across at least one other country only makes sense. And this cross-jurisdictional arbitrage ain’t only for the super rich anymore. What about you? What steps have you taken? Was your grandmother born in Italy? Do you have a condo in Mexico City? An offshore trust?
This is about so much more than just a second passport. Let us know if you have all your eggs in one basket: simply reply to this email. It'll come directly to me. And thanks for reading!
***
Our Son's Decision to Return to the United States in 2024. News Headline: Canada Announces Visa Restrictions and Limits on Foreign Workers. We did a ton of research before we moved to Canada. We knew the grass wasn't greener. We knew it was expensive. We even knew there were lots of dumb rules. What we didn’t count on was how frequently and how drastically they change the rules up here. It's like the whole social experiment that is Canada has gone sideways, and the people in charge are just frantically putting out fires.
We should've become Permanent Residents by now and well on our way to citizenship. But here we are after nearly three years, still temporary workers.
Our son was led to believe was that after he graduated from a Canadian secondary school, he would be able to move seamlessly into the next phase of his education. He met all the eligibility requirements, passed all the tests and was accepted to the apprenticeship at the College of Carpentry and Allied Trades. But two weeks before his start date he was notified that the rules had changed and he was no longer eligible. This even came as a shock to the administrators, who were struggling to put butts in seats. So even after living here for nearly three years, and graduating with honors (sorrry: honours) from a Canadian secondary school, and pursuing a trade for which there is a severe shortage in Canada, he had the door slammed in his face. The advisors basically told him to get a job at Tim Horton’s to tide him over “until you go back to the US”…
His reply was, Well, I was planning on staying and becoming a Canadian citizen, and becoming a carpenter—-you need carpenters, right?—-but fine I’ll go back to the US.
Nothing lasts forever, but our little family attempt to venture beyond the United States and forge an international lifestyle is suffering its first casualty. He started his job in the United States before the first full month of 2024 came to a close!😢
***
Four Things that are different in Canada:
Passing in a no-passing zone is not an offense (sorrry: offence, at least not in Ontario. Everywhere I’ve ever lived you can get a ticket for passing in a no-passing zone, but apparently not here.
When you move here, all those movies that you "purchased" on Amazon Prime—guess what? They’re not yours anymore!
I miss cheap Chinese food. Yep, even Chinese food is expensive here, just like everything else.
At least I can still go to Costco and pay $1.50+HST and get a big polish dog or all beef hot dog and it’s 100% the same as the ones in the US (no little sauerkraut cups, though). Yup, the Costco food counter is the last good deal on food in all of Canada.
Featured Service Provider in the Flag space: Patrick Hicks. I don’t know anything about this guy (I know he went to Wash U), but I like this article he wrote about offshore trusts: https://trustandwill.com/learn/offshore-trust Please let me know if you know him or have done business with him, and I’ll put the word out to the others in the newsletter.
Fun with AI. I asked ChatGPT "What are 10 lessons from the Upper Canada Rebellion of 1837?" and here was its verbatim answer:
(begin AI text) The Upper Canada Rebellion of 1837 was a significant event in Canadian history that led to important lessons learned for both the rebels and the government. Here are ten lessons from the rebellion:
Grievances Must Be Addressed: The rebellion demonstrated that ignoring the grievances of a significant portion of the population can lead to civil unrest and violence. Issues such as political corruption, lack of representation, and economic inequality fueled the rebellion.
Need for Political Reform: The rebellion highlighted the need for political reform in Upper Canada, particularly in terms of representation and governance. The fact that many rebels were advocating for responsible government and more democratic principles underscored the deficiencies in the existing political system.
Role of Leadership: Effective leadership is crucial in any rebellion or uprising. The rebellion lacked cohesive leadership, leading to disorganization and ultimately contributing to its failure. Future movements would learn the importance of strong, strategic leadership.
Military Response: The government's swift and decisive military response to the rebellion demonstrated the importance of maintaining control and order. It also showed the potential consequences of challenging the established authority without adequate preparation or support.
International Context: The rebellion had implications beyond Upper Canada, as it occurred during a period of significant political upheaval in other parts of the world, such as Europe and the United States. This context influenced how the rebellion was perceived and managed both domestically and internationally.
Impact on Indigenous Peoples: The rebellion had consequences for Indigenous peoples in Upper Canada, who were caught between the rebel forces and the government. It highlighted their marginalized position and the complexities of their relationship with both colonial authorities and settler communities.
Legacy of Rebellion: The rebellion left a lasting legacy in Canadian history, influencing subsequent political developments and movements for reform. It served as a catalyst for change and contributed to the eventual establishment of responsible government in Canada.
Lessons for Governance: The rebellion prompted reflection on the nature of governance and the responsibilities of those in power. It underscored the importance of accountability, transparency, and responsiveness in government, lessons that would shape future political institutions in Canada.
Impact on British Imperial Policy: The rebellion had implications for British imperial policy towards its North American colonies, leading to increased scrutiny and reforms aimed at addressing underlying grievances and preventing further unrest.
Continued Struggle for Rights: Ultimately, the rebellion demonstrated that the struggle for rights and representation is an ongoing process that requires vigilance and persistence. While the rebellion itself may have been suppressed, its ideals and aspirations lived on, influencing subsequent movements for social and political change in Canada.
These lessons from the Upper Canada Rebellion continue to inform our understanding of Canadian history and the challenges of governance and democracy.(end of AI text)
Thanks to everyone who's helping me get my first 1000 subscribers. If you are a RLF or family, if you would kindly forward to other RLFs or family, that'd be a big help.
Sincerely,
Gene