Would you trade the right to vote for, say, $3000/year?

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Because that's the dilemma I face...sort of.

Looks like we finally found a buyer for our house in Pennsylvania, which means that, after this election, I'll no longer be able to vote there.

Now, technically, I have no specific residence in the US. But the State Dept. requires us to choose a state of residence, and provide some pretext, however flimsy, for doing so. Typically, this means choosing the home of an immediate relative.

My wife and I have immediate relatives in 4 states: New Jersey, Rhode Island, Illinois, and Texas.

As a lifelong registered Democrat, I could vote meaningfully in NJ, RI, or IL; NJ and IL are battleground states, and RI, though solidly Democrat, still presents the opportunity to make a difference through the primary process.

But Texas? My liberal Democrat vote won't mean squat deep in the gerrymandered heart of Texas.

So no problem, right? As a dyed-in-the-wool Yankee, I should just declare residence in one of the Northern states. Except...

Texas, alone, has no state income tax. NJ, IL, and RI all have state income taxes of at least 3%.

So is it worth saving a few grand a year, if the cost is never again being able to cast a meaningful vote?

[Victor Galis]

I would give up my vote for that.

[Gangerolf]

No way. I wouldn't sell my soul either.

But if it was 30000... hmmm

[VetLegion]

Don't know much about US politics, but shouldn't you as a Democrat support the income tax, and start by paying it yourself?

[Victor Galis]

Originally posted by VetLegion
Don't know much about US politics, but shouldn't you as a Democrat support the income tax, and start by paying it yourself?

Why should you pay state income tax in a state in which you leave don't live in?

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Originally posted by VetLegion
Don't know much about US politics, but shouldn't you as a Democrat support the income tax, and start by paying it yourself?

I know that's meant as a troll, but I've actually considered that question.

The fact is, as a liberal Dem, I do support taxes; I'm happy to pay into the public coffers in exchange for public services and entitlements. I was happy to pay Pennsylvania's income tax because, as a Pennsylvania home owner, I has a vested interest in the general health of the state and a specific interest in having public services available in case, say, my house caught fire.

But as someone living overseas, my relationship as a citizen to any of the states I named is entirely artificial; I will never actually benefit from any taxes I pay, nor will I ever belong to a larger community that does so benefit.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Originally posted by Victor Galis


Why should you pay state income tax in a state in which you leave don't live in?

Because the State Department requires me to list a state of residence so that they can yank taxes out of my paycheck. Why they have to do this is anyone's guess; my guess is that there's no way to process an I-9 without it.

[Skanky Burns]

In a heartbeat.

The net benefit to me of putting one candidate in parliament over another would not come close to an extra $3000 a year.

[DRoseDARs]

No and Nevada lacks a state income tax as well.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Originally posted by DRoseDARs
No and Nevada lacks a state income tax as well.

As do Alaska, Florida, South Dakota, Washington, and Wyoming...but I don't have relatives in those places.

[Victor Galis]

Originally posted by Rufus T. Firefly


Because the State Department requires me to list a state of residence so that they can yank taxes out of my paycheck. Why they have to do this is anyone's guess; my guess is that there's no way to process an I-9 without it.

This was my response to his point. I know why you have a legal obligation to. This question was my short version of your longer explanation about paying for services

This brings up the very interesting question of where I am liable to file for state taxes. All my earned income this year comes from investments and France, some of the investment income was already taxed in Canada. Although the point may be moot, as I was only paid for 3 months in France, and I can claim substantial deductions for educational and other expenses.

[Addled Platypus]

NO

never

how ever does is a commie

[Bkeela]

I would trade my right to vote for 1 cent.

No, I would actually pay money to be able to avoid the farce that democracy is. It would be worth $5 per election for me to avoid the hassle.

[RGBVideo]

I was planning to post a long explanation why the presented logic is faulty and the thread starter isn't actually losing much more influence as a TX resident than as a NJ, IL or RI resident, but then I noticed who the OP was and realized I'd just be wasting my time...

[Sikander]

You don't think that you get some benefit from the state portion of the education budget? It seems that educating the young is a boon to anyone who expects to live long enough to be cared for or supported by them. On the other hand given the effectiveness of the K-12 system in the U.S., it might not be a very good investment at that.