Antonio
Carlos Jobim once remarked that there wouldn't be equality in the world
until everyone got to live in Copacabana. — The
irony in what he said was that Copacabana at the time claimed the highest
population density in the world. He was making an environmental statement,
not a cultural proposition. Is the same true of Panama? There's no denying
that it has certainly been the target of an influx of expatriates. But
no, the population density of Panama is 117 people per square mile.
Panama is not over-populated except that everyone seems to want to live
in Panama City. For example, while the population of the nation of
Panama is 3,360,474 people in a land area of 28,695 square miles, Panama
City alone has a population of 1,206,792, in an area of just 106 square
miles. Okay, that is not 7,000 people per square mile like Copacabana,
but it's still fairly dense, as anyone who has tried to drive in Panama
City has discovered. What has this density brought with it? The price
of real estate now exceeds that of Miami, and no one has the brains to
understand that it's an unsustainable price. (Nothing sells, no one lowers
the price.) There have been other changes, including a new President who
wants to put an end to corruption and nepotism. The road to hell is sometimes
paved with good intentions; but the jury is still out. Can you produce
more freedom with more rules? . . . and if the production of freedom isn't
the intention, what is the intention? More government?
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| Real Estate
In Panama By Province |
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Why
Retire With One Passport When You Can Have Two?-
Americans who move abroad quickly discover that despite the fact they carry
an internationally recognised passport and herald from what is arguably
the most powerful and influential nation on earth, most international banks
and financial institutions will not assist them when they want to open
even the simplest bank account. These reputable institutions simply
do not want the ‘hassle’ of having to contend with the all powerful US
Internal Revenue Service, and many of them are extremely open about the
fact. As useful as it is to know that most banks won’t assist you
and that your nation will tax your worldwide income, assets and gains if
you’re an American, it’s not a particularly advantageous position for you
to be in, therefore a second passport could potentially be the perfect
answer to your dilemma. Europeans who relocate overseas such as British
and Irish citizens soon discover that their passport is not such a financial
restriction because their nation differentiates between residents and citizens
when it comes to most forms of taxation – unlike America.
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Why
Being an Expat Is So Fantastic (Hint: Your Expat Taxes!)
- Imagine if you could live in a tropical paradise US tax free – you can!
There are a number of benefits that you can take advantage of on your expat
taxes to save and protect your income. We will discuss the main ones
here, but it is highly recommended that if you want to maximize the savings
on your expat taxes you should seek expert expat tax advice. The Foreign
Income Exclusion – This allow US expats who are earning money abroad to
exclude up to $92,900 of their income from US taxation (this doubles if
you are married). This is the most common and arguably the most profitable
tax savings tool you can us on your expat taxes. If you combine this
with the Foreign Housing Deduction, which allows you to deduct things like
rent, utilities and insurance, they you and your spouse may be able to
avoid paying taxes on over $250,000 of income each year! LEGALLY! The Foreign
Tax Credit is also a great tool, but unfortunately you will need to be
paying taxes to someone to take advantage of it. The foreign tax credit
gives you a Dollar for Dollar tax credit for any taxes you have paid to
a foreign government. Basically, if you have a good income someplace
like Europe where taxes are high, then this will ensure that you are not
taxed by two governments leaving you with the scraps.
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Why
Panama – Why Chiriqui – Why Bella Vista Del Mundo?
- In August, Escape Artist featured numerous articles on the Republic of
Panama setting out the benefits of living, working and retiring in Panama.
I do not wish to rehash that information but to go one step further and
emphasize the benefits of the Province of Chiriqui, the western most province
which borders with Costa Rica in the Republic of Panama. My first encounter
with Chiriqui was Thanksgiving in the year 2001, some ten years ago. I
had looked at property throughout Costa Rica through the late 90s. Not
satisfied with what I saw in Costa Rica and at the advice of a broker in
Dominical, Costa Rica, I ventured to Panama. After visiting the areas around
Panama City, Colon and the beaches on the bay, I travelled to Pedasi and
surrounding areas of the Azuero and further west to the surfer’s beach
of Santa Catalina, all of which are beautiful in their own right. I first
became enchanted with the mountains of Chiriqui after exploring the “Archipielogo
de Bocas Del Toro,” Isla Bastimentos, Isla Colon, Isla Solarte, Cristobal
and Popa. On crossing the mountain range from Bocas Del Toro going to David,
Chiriqui, I encountered the Reserva Forestad de Fortuna or the Fortuna
National Forest Reserve and the lake from Fortuna’s first major hydroelectric
dam high in the mountains which separate Chiriqui and Bocas Del Toro.
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How
to Travel Panama By Rental Car - Most
people spend a couple of days in Panama City, checking out Casco Viejo,
Amador, and the Panama Canal. You don’t really need a rental car
in Panama City, so I’d suggest using taxis in the city (and from the airport)
until you are ready to leave to the country side. If you try to see
the city in a rental car you will probably end up spending too much time
caught in traffic and getting lost – a taxi driver is a much better option.
Leaving Panama City - It is pretty easy to drive around Panama once you
leave the city, although, you should probably have hotel reservations in
advance as many places fill up and you don’t want to waste time looking
for accommodations. Accommodations - Hotels have become more expensive
over the years but it really depends on your budget. “Nice” places
usually come in around $100/night and go up from there. “Budget”
places are closer to $50/night and of course there are cheaper places but
it starts to get pretty rustic at under $50/night. I could probably
make some recommendations based on your budget and my travel agent may
be able to assist with reservations.
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Video:
Panama, Where the world meets (Adventure) on EscapeArtist-
Panama is known as the "Crossroads of the Americas" due to its privileged
position between North and South America. The indigenous meaning of the
country's name, "abundance of fish", reflects Panama's reputation as a
paradise for water sports enthusiasts and eco-tourists alike. As the isthmus
connecting two massive continents, Panama's flora and fauna is incredibly
diverse. For example, Panama was recently named the country with the most
bird species in the world; over 900. Panama's many indigenous tribes are
still thriving, living in the same ancient manner as their ancestors, making
its cultural fabric exceptionally rich. Panama boasts a large expat community;
about 25,000 US citizens live in the country.
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Into
the Jungle : Panama Video - From
National Geographic podcasts. view the Panamanian jungle and it's wildlife
with natural sounds. Visit the National Geographic website for more podcasts
and videos. Your support is vital to national Geographic's mission to increase
global understanding and promote conservation of our planet through exploration,research,and
education
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National
Geographic Video - Panama + City |
Panama
Canal expansion Video |
Video:
A day in Panama Time lapse photography |
Private
Trust Banking – 21st Century Offshore Banking-
Imagine the setting: A beautiful tropical island, no clouds in the sky
and palm trees gently swaying in the breeze. Wealthy, well dressed
people are sipping an exotic cocktail in the shade, their luxury yachts
nestling in the harbor. An expensive car pulls up and a man with a white
suit steps out with a large suitcase which he proceeds to take into the
bank opposite the sidewalk. The scene cuts to the manager´s office
where the well-dressed man clicks open the case to reveal stacks of 100
dollar bills …. A sly smile creeps across the manager´s face …..
A good setting for a 007 movie maybe, as well as being many people´s
image for how the offshore banking industry works. However, that particular
scenario does not exist – indeed it never has and the fact that it remains
a popular idea in Hollywood movies and works of fiction only goes to prove
how poor general understanding of the offshore industry actually is. MORE
>>>
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Panama
– Medical and Wellness Vacations in Paradise
- As noted in recent articles on Traveling4Health.com, Panama is an emerging
international destination for medical excellence and wellness vacation
for foreigners. The Wellness Vacation is a medically supervised health
management program for HEALTHY PEOPLE who want to experience a new level
of customized service in a spa environment, with a focus on medically driven
planning of healthcare and nutrition. The key to a great Medical Spa Vacation
is the combination of spa treatments with wellness management plan that
is driven by a baseline health status checkup and a resulting treatment
plan that is designed by a personal wellness physician (typically an internal
medicine doctor) who is well versed in nutrition and the relationship between
proper physical and emotional health habits (body, mind and soul). Panama
represents a GREAT OPTION for Wellness Vacations. Not only will you
be impressed with the level of medical expertise, but you will mostly be
astounded by the beautifully rich surroundings that are located within
a 2 ½ hour flight from Miami. So, if you are “in the market” for
a wellness vacation, here’s the “menu”: a multi-disciplinary team
consisting of a personal physician, nutritionist and spa professional are
at your service in a choice of three environments; luxury urban;
eco resort in the Panamanian Rain Forest; or an upscale beach resort.
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Panama’s
Top Resort and Retirement Communities -
Bocas Del Toro - Panama’s Caribbean playground, known by the locals simply
as “Bocas”, offers a laid-back atmosphere and burgeoning tourism industry.
Originally, it was Bocas that put Panama on the map as an off-the-beaten
track vacation destination and is especially popular with surfers, sailors
and sun-seekers. Most travel around Bocas is by boat via the calm
and clear waters that engulf the area’s many islands. Island hopping,
as dreamy as it sounds, can be pleasant while the sun shines, but it is
not so pleasant in the rain. Bocas’ airport makes it easily accessible
from Panama City in about one hour by plane. Drive time from Panama
City is roughly 8 hours to Almirante and then another 45 minutes by water
taxi. If you plan to transport a car onto Isla Colon (Bocas’ most
populated island, you will need to get in touch with the ferry service
which transports vehicles to the island. It is not common for tourists
to transport vehicles to Bocas since there are limited road ways and transport
by hiring boats to wherever you want to go is more convenient.
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Living
in Panama: Making Panama Your Permanent Residence
- Starting with the fact that Panama is one the most interesting countries
one can visit, Panama is a mélange of old and new – of beautiful
skyscrapers and that feeling of old town blues. Escapeartist invites you
to experience Panama as it is – as an incredible Latin America country,
with spectacular landscapes and history lessons like those that you never
heard before. We want to help you with your Escape Plan by introducing
you to the local environment, to ensure that you are indeed aware of what
awaits you in Panama and that you are fully prepared for your trip. Whenever
you radically change your environment there is a certain degree of culture
shock, which you can diminish by assimilating as much as possible beforehand.
This helps to smooth the transition and ensures that you as a traveler
will have a chance to consider your residence in Panama a home, rather
than a temporary arrangement. The moment you arrive in Panama, you will
feel a sense of surprise and security – an interesting combination, no
doubt. Given the fact that in recent years, Panama has managed to rebuild
its economy and compensate for the effects of military warfare that have
created strong upheavals throughout its history, it has a more modern look
nowadays. Most first-time visitors are astonished by the glass architecture
that can be found and admired in larger cities like Panama City, which
bring a U.S.-kind of feel to the Latin capital. Like many other developing
countries, Panama will constantly surprise you with contrasts – therefore,
in order to enjoy it at its fullest, you will have to employ a certain
degree of mental discipline. The contrasts will show up more often the
longer you stay and understanding that the country is under constant development
will reduce that homesick feeling of “Things used to be different back
home”.
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Medical
Treatment in Panama – Exceptional Capabilities, Perfect Location
- Two of the leading hospitals in Panama are expected to undergo
their JCI accreditation site visits in the next 30 days. In August,
2011, Clinica Hospital San Fernando is scheduled for a field visit of JCI
accreditation team. And in September, it is the turn of Hospital
Punta Pacifica (affiliated with Johns Hopkins International Medicine).
These hospitals are on track to becoming the first JCI accredited hospitals
in Panama, says Shai Gold, CEO of International Triage, LLC, and a leading
authority on hospitals in Latin America. International Triage, LLC is recommended
by Traveling4Health as a trusted company for medical tourism and cross-border
healthcare. The company received favorable patient-generated reviews
for its service on our site. Gold is the exclusive provider of medical
tourism services for EscapeArtist.com and is recognized by his peers for
his experience in generating and managing demand for international medical
services. He is the former founding V.P. for International medical
services at The University of Miami Jackson Memorial Medical Center, where
his efforts resulted in some 3,000 cases and over $150 million dollars
in revenue from international medical services in a four-year period.
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The
Happy Expat (Part I): Unhappy Expats in Panama
- A couple years ago,
Malcolm Gladwell wrote an article for The New Yorker about how there are
certain jobs that defy our ability to predict who will be successful and
who will fail once they are hired. The article cited schoolteachers
and professional American football quarterbacks as two examples of jobs
where almost nothing we can learn about a candidate before he is hired
will tell us how well he will do in the job. The article got me thinking
about the many people I have seen succeed, and the few I have seen fail,
transitioning from a developed country to our little corner of a developing
one.
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Live,
Invest, or Develop in Panama - Few
countries in the world today can match Panama in presenting opportunities
for improved, stress reduced lifestyles, for relocation or investment and
portfolio development. Few
can match the environment, climate sheer range of biodiversity of its flora
and fauna. Fewer still can match the comparative low cost of living
and the attractiveness of its retirement Visa benefits and business investment
incentives. Already, tens of thousands of ‘baby boomers’ have settled to
live in Panama whilst global marketing efforts continue to attract more
and more people from the US, Canada, the UK, many of the other European
countries and even from Russia and China.
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Moving
to Panama -
This is going to be like “a message in bottle”. What I write here is my
experience only and not someone else’s and it comes with a considered warning.
Relocation is not everyone’s cup of tea but, if you are open, willing and
need to start to enjoy life away from a lot of stress and strain, consider
it. I did and I am glad I did. Panama, a strange small country in
Latin Central America forming a bridge between the North and South American
continents has an unusual topographical orientation but is blessed with
so very many natural attributes of nature. I am an Englishman, proud of
it, retired Police from the Greater Manchester area and not your typical
male. For much of my life I spent in the service of The Queen and
have seen and experienced unimaginable things both good and bad..
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Learn
Spanish in Bocas del Toro, Panama - Whether
you are retired and seeking a Caribbean adventure with purpose or family-bound
and need a change from the pool and party atmosphere of all-inclusive resorts,
Bocas del Toro, Panama has something to offer. Scuba dive in Bastimentos
National Marine Park, learn about fossils by participating in an archeological
dig or help save endangered sea turtles. If your Spanish doesn’t improve
as quickly as you like, there are two private Spanish schools ready to
help you move past “una cerveza mas por favor”. Contained in this region’s
islands, rivers and bays are white or black-sand beaches, a variety o eco-environments
and an impressive array of fauna and flora to see and experience. Many
travel to Bocas del Toro to participate in ‘voluntourism’ i.e. helping
to protect this lush tropical wilderness while being a tourist.
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Panama
Through a Lover’s Eye - The USA was once the
greatest… well the greatest of everything on earth (I am referring to good
things, not bad things). However, that is now changed. Not because of the
economic crisis, but because of what brought on the economic crisis. I
think all the reasons for this catastrophic situation can be summed and
explained by one dominating reason. This reality can be changed very easily
by putting to use all the new communication instruments (mainly internet)
and making the board of director’s decisions, regarding management and
directors compensation, subject to stock holders’ scrutiny in real time,
and creating the mechanism for vetoing “doubtful” decisions. The question
is what can be done, on a personal level, in the meantime, until these
changes take place. Keeping money in the bank is not a solution, because
the banks, to put it mildly, do not inspire confidence. The answer, then,
is to look for other venues of investment, especially if you are at an
age nearing retirement. I would suggest the following formula: BUY A HOUSE
IN THE US, TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE LOW PRICES OF TODAY, AND RENT IT. Then
move to another country, where the dollar can buy a lot more than in the
US, and live on your US rent.
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Panama:
Working for an International Living - In these
times of mass economic hardship, many people have been left unemployed
or made redundant. The world’s economy has suffered massive blows that
have almost come close to causing total national disaster. You may be living
in a place that simply has no forms of work or employment available to
you or maybe you just want to start afresh in a new country, that’s both
beautiful and economically stable, if that’s the case then Panama is the
perfect country for you. Although panama is a wonderful country with many
tourists’ attractions and a rapidly developing economy, many people have
not even heard about it. Before you consider working in Panama, you
may want a little background information. The Republic of Panama is a country
situated in the southernmost part of Central America, this country shares
borders with Costa Rica on the northwest and Columbia on the south east.
Panama was previously a part of what is now modern day Columbia, but due
to the direct intervention of the United States Government, it was able
to become independent of the republic of Columbia. The name ‘Panama’ is
thought to mean ‘many butterflies’ in the language of the locals.
Panama is a very politically stable nation; it uses a ‘presidential representative
democratic republic’ governing system. That simply means that at any one
time in history, the elected president of Panama is also automatically
the head of state, government and a multi party system.
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The
No Stress Retirement Plan by Jon Hanna, Panama Offshore Legal Services
- Reading this article could change your life forever, for the good. Most
successful people invest for the future, and plan their retirements, envisioning
themselves retiring between 55 to 65 years of age, spending their days
fishing or playing golf in Florida. However, retirement planning is probably
the most challenging it has ever been. The financial world today is in
absolute chaos. US Treasury bonds are yielding almost zero, and the Fed
won’t likely be increasing rates any time soon. Global stock markets are
highly overvalued, and as volatile and risky as ever. Global real estate
markets are so unstable that bank foreclosures are at all time highs. Inflation
is rampant in almost every sector of the global economy. The frenzy for
commodities has pushed gold and silver to outrageous prices. Consequently,
the question of where to park our retirement savings is a major cause of
stress these days. For over 100 years, we have been conditioned that the
best place to invest for retirement is in the stock market. “Diversify
in stocks for the long run”, the Wall Street brokers say, while studies
show that 90% of non-professional stock traders fail, yet ironically the
brokers get paid their trade commissions even when you are losing money.
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Living
And Retiring In Panama - Panama - The Haven Of The 21st Century - by Phillip
Townsend - Home to Central America's most
vibrant and attractive capitals (Panama City), Panama is slightly larger
than the state of Florida. Bordered by the Caribbean Seas and the Pacific
Ocean, it is one of those places that can seduce you through its sheer
natural beauty. The seemingly endless stretches of picturesque coastline,
lush green valleys, near-perfect weather and friendly people make it one
of the most livable places in the world. If you like Florida, the Caribbean
and South America, you'll love Panama.
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Is A Good Idea |
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ADD
YOU LINK -ADD YOUR URL - ADD YOUR PRODUCT OR SERVICE - The links above
lead to our Links pages. We welcome your links on any of these pages.
Note: We also wecome your video.
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Place
A Video Of Your Panama Property (or yacht, or service, or product) On Our
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to include your real estate or yacht in our magazine, we'll tell you how.
Place a listing of your yacht [listing is free] in our yacht broker section.
If you have real estate, place a real estate listing in our Real Estate
Marketplace or Classified Section.
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Guess
what makes Escape Dates different ?
- Single, Married, interested in growing your international
network of friends, now you can travel the world, and make money searching
for the perfect mates with EscapeDates international singles and social
networking community. EscapeDates has fused an online dating and social
networking community, with a unique income opportunity that pays members
to build their friend and social networks. Escapeartist.com, the largest
website in the world for international living and overseas jobs recently
launched EscapeDates and is well position to becoming a leader in the international
dating industry. -
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EscapeArtist
Asset Protection Newsletter -
Live & Invest Offshore - Get the real facts from the best; including
Doug Casey, Bobby Casey, Bob Matthews, Global Asset Advisors, Inc., Jeff
Schneider CPA, PassportIRA and more of the best international investment
advisors.
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How
To Buy A Vineyard Overseas
- 9 Artices About Owning, Managing & Living On
A Vineyard. Fractional Ownership, Vineyards in Argentina, Vineyards in
France, disappointments and successes. If you want to own a vineyard read
these articles and see how others have done it.
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Live
On A Lake - WorldWide Retirement Havens. 9 Lakes worldwide-
From New Zealand to Lake Como in Italy. Lake Como? If it’s the Hollywood
A-list lifestyle you’re lusting after, then look no further than waterfront
property on Lake Como in Lombardy, Italy. Palatial mansions grace
the shorelines of this glacier lake, while aristocratic castles cut into
the steep country hills that descend into Europe’s third largest lake.
-
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| Do
You Want To Buy Panama? Escapeartist.com, the # 1 website
in the world for the international lifestyle is looking for a qualified
licensee-partner
to control and operate the EscapeartistPanama website. The selected licensee
will have instant access to over 150,000 website visitors per year and
over 1.6 million direct messages to long time Escape from America subscribers. |
Horizonte
Hotel and Spa in Panama proves that not all destinations are the same
- relax in the cool, fresh mountain air. Take in the lyrical sounds
and sweet aroma of the local flora and fauna. Indulge in the spa.
Relax by the pool. Join in a morning nature hike or horseback ride.
Bella Vista Del Mundo Resort’s Horizonte Hotel and Spa, an elegant luxury
boutique hotel featuring 27 exquisite rooms for the discriminating traveler,
with views to the Pacific and beyond.
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Self
Service shipping to Panama - Ubox we ship
- Save over 40%! on international shipping. Door to door , Door to
port , Port to port. Professional services with discount prices. Call today
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Medical
Tourism In Panama Safe Overseas Medical Tourism
Offshore Medical Tourism WorldWide. Find Safe Clinics, Read Reviews, Active
Discussion posts. Members and providers can communicate directly and exchange
information freely.
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Escape
From America Magazine Our Expat Magazine - is
filled with information about living oveseas, much of it written by expats
who have moved overseas. Our magazine provides real information on
what it takes to live abroad, including articles on international real
estate, asset protection, and a wide range of issues related to the international
lifestyle - In addition we have 1,000's of archived articles from
past issues free for the reading...
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FREE
eBOOK: An Analysis Of Two Retirement Towns
- Corozal in Belize and Boquete in Panama
- A Free eBook From Lan Sluder - EscapeArtist is happy to provide
this new eBook by Lan Sluder. - To
read the eBook simply click on this link or click on the image on the top
left - Lan "The-Belize-Answer-Man" Sluder is editor of Belize
First Magazine and the author of several books on Belize, including
San Pedro Cool, Belize First Guide to Mainland Belize, Adapter Kit: Belize
and Living Abroad in Belize. His new guidebook, Fodor's Belize 2008, is
now in bookstores worldwide. If he can't answer your question, he'll find
someone who can.
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Each
day American Citizens lose more and more of their fundamental rights.
Many of these rights were given up in the name of “national security.”
It’s a very slippery slope. Scholars have debated the erosion of civil
rights caused by the passage of the Patriot Act. A recent unanimous amendment
to a Senate transportation bill may have just cost Americans the right
to travel. - Senator Harry Reid of Nevada was successful in amending a
Senate highway funding bill to now allow the IRS to revoke or limit the
passports of U.S. taxpayers who are seriously delinquent in their tax obligations.
- Under the measure, if one owes more than $50,000 and the debt is at the
levy or lien stage, the IRS can request the State Department revoke the
taxpayer’s passport. America abolished debtor’s prisons in 1833 but the
new measure is pretty similar - Americans freedom and liberty can be curtailed
until the taxman is paid.
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