Originally posted by Stevie Wonder Boy
The only privilege I got as an American abroad is to pay the US Gov to evacuate me from somewhere. (I read somewhere that an American citizen was airlifted out of Somalia and the bill for him and his family was $100,000 - probably payable in instalments.) Being a US citizen abroad does not have many privileges - there are no free consular services, and probably has more downside, including increased harassment from the USG.
Well, as far as I'm concerned, my life is here, now, and may require occasional travel to the States. But it did take me a couple of painful years to make the decision. (I served 6 years in the US Navy, and well-steeped in patriotism, but it finally occurred to me that the government of "my" country felt no obligation to me, so why should I reciprocate?)
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