I'm out of here.

[dutch508]

Star Member FightingIrish (2,604 posts)
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100213336370

I'm out of here.

I have known since the G.W. Bush presidency that I am eligible for Irish citizenship because my maternal grandmother was born in Ireland. My cousin obtained Her Irish citizenship through that route and now lives in Ireland. Leaving the U.S. was kind of an idle threat and a diversion from my anxiety about what this country was becoming.

I gave it some more thought after the 2016 election. My wife and I looked into emigrating to Canada which is just a few miles up Interstate 5 from where we live. We quickly learned that we were too old to be welcomed into Canada. We were in New Zealand when this virus madness erupted and thought it would be an ideal refuge from Trump’s America. That too was not possible.

Now we are very seriously preparing to abandon the country in which I have lived for seventy-five years and whose uniform I once proudly wore. I would be leaving my family and friends far behind, probably never to see many of them again. My sister thinks that’s selfish and not a great idea. Why would I do that?

I’m in reasonably good health and have no real idea how many years I have left. No matter how many, I won’t spend them in a country that would not reject Trump’s failed presidency. We get daily glimpses of the ugliness that empowers Trump. If those goons are the real Americans, I am no longer an American. I don’t belong here.

I feel like I’ve already lost three and a half years of my life from having Trump in my face every God damned day. He’s a cancer on my soul. My first waking thought every day is how much I want him gone from this planet. I’m perpetually outraged. If I look away for an instant, I open my eyes to some new horror he has perpetrated while I wasn’t paying attention.

By November, I hope to have my Irish citizenship. We will be making plans for a new life and that will make the coming months bearable. If Trump stays in office by whatever means, we will be on our way to a new life, an uncertain life but one free of possession by the ugliest creature that ever claimed to be a human being.

 

one down...

Star Member Yavin4 (29,022 posts)

3. The election this fall is a referendum on the America people not Trump.

We all know how rotten Trump is, and if this country puts him back into power, that says more about us than it does him. I don't want to hear about cheating from Russia. The margin should be big enough to overcome any cheating.

Star Member FightingIrish (2,604 posts)

11. We'll definitely vote and campaign like hell for Biden and

I won’t be leaving DU.

 

Star Member smirkymonkey (50,436 posts)

20. I could probably get Italian citizenship since my Grandfather wasn't naturalized until after my

father was born, however it would be a very long, difficult process (I looked into it years ago) and I don't know how I would support myself over there since I don't speak the language other than a few words and would have a hard time finding a job at my age. If I had a nice nest egg, I would seriously look into it, but I don't.

Star Member Doreen (8,812 posts)

17. You will stay with us on DU? I hope you will.

I wish I was allowed to move to another country. I am only a poor disabled nobody who can not give anything to a society anymore.

Please stay just long enough to vote. As you know we need everybody.

Star Member cwydro (37,178 posts)

42. I thought you were moving with your boyfriend?

Germany, I think?

Star Member Doreen (8,812 posts)

84. Nope, he is long gone. Sociopath.

 

Star Member coeur_de_lion (2,733 posts)

19. I've considered Ireland too

If he wins in November I may have no other choice.

Kaiserguy (499 posts)

30. I can't blame you

if Trump wins again America is all but done. It will be a 24/7 hate fest from Trump and the RW.

Star Member DFW (37,241 posts)

33. It's not a move one makes lightly. I know. I did.

At least you won't be disgusted by the weather, coming from where you do.

But even in an English-speaking (sorta) country, there is some culture shock to get used to. That having been said, as one who moved years ago to a non-English-speaking country, you CAN get used to almost anything if you want/need to. I am married to the friendliest of natives, so that helped with the residence permit. I told them (and furnished proof) that I would never ask them for a dime (they are expert at asking for all of mine). I also passed the language test without even having to take it, which helped speed things along. BUT--there are all the little things to get used to, and despite what all the armchair website experts tell you about what paradise the EU is, they are not fluent in the local languages, and they have never lived here. It CAN be done, and you CAN feel right at home, but nothing is free, and you have to work at blending in. As long as you keep ALL that in mind, and are still determined to do it, come on over. You'll do fine.

 

Star Member KatyMan (2,778 posts)

56. This is very true

We lived in the UK 2 different times for a total of about 6 years and Ireland for 2, 2000-01. It's a beautiful place and the people are the nicest you'll ever meet.
But--
You don't realize how much you don't know about a foreign country even one that speaks your language. How do you rent a place? How to get a driving license? What are taxes like or insurance? Where do you buy furniture? When we were in Ireland, there were no big stores like Rooms to Go or anything, you had to find the tiny furniture stores in town (unless you're in Dublin). And delivery takes for ever. We always referred to it as "Irish time". Make an appointment on Tuesday for them to come fill your propane for heating and they say they'll be there Thursday. They mean next Thursday. We bought some furniture and they told us it would be 7 weeks for delivery. The order was placed on a Friday. So, on the Wednesday seven weeks later I called them and they said "well, it hasn't quite been 7 weeks yet has it?"

The weather: Wet. 1000 shades of green? No, 1000 shades of gray. Slate gray skies from Sept to probably April or May. In fall and winter, sun comes up around 9 or so in the morning and it's dark by 4pm. On the plus side, in the summer the sun doesn't set until about 10 and doesn't get dark until 11. It rains a lot, but they call it a 'soft' rain, very misty. And cold.

Driving: Learn to drive a stick. You have to have a car unless you live in a place like Dublin or Cork where they have buses. The roads can be narrow--two way roads that are barely big enough for one car. Plus you're on the other side of the road on two lane streets. That's not hard to get used to though--always make sure when turning your passenger side is toward the curb. But, you'll likely still have to learn to drive, as the bus and train systems aren't quite what they are in the rest of Europe. May have improved some, but we looked into moving back a year or two ago and things seemed mostly the same.

If you have pets, there are restrictions on bringing them over. It may be different now, but back then they had to quarantine in the US for 6 months before they could be shipped over. And airlines only fly pets at certain times of year ao timing is important.

Money: if you're working, prepare for a salary shock. They don't pay near the same amount there as here. Mrs KM is retiring soon and we were thinking of going back to Ireland. I would still be working. For my position, the salary was less than half. Not giving my numbers, just as an example, if one makes say $50k, here, over there the same job would probably pay 20k in euros. And everything is way more expensive.


I'm not trying to dissuade you at all, just want to reiterate what DFW was saying--it's really really different over there. It's not easy to move countries, but it's an awesome experience, and to tell you the truth Mrs KatyMan and I would move back there tomorrow and never look back!

On another note, I though you had to be in country to get your citizenship nowadays? In 98 I did mine by mail, but I thought it changed. It was hard to chase down all the docs but this was before everything was online.

Good luck, all the best, and if you can be easygoing about the changes to lifestyle and all, you'll absolutely love it!

 

denvine (653 posts)

86. I completely understand your entire reasoning for getting the hell out of here!

We've thought about that since 2016 and looking back on the misery of the last 3 1/2 years, I wish we would have. I also do not want to live in a country where a majority of the people approve of this total annihilation of everything that is good about our country. I hope that we see a total rejection of everything Trump and republican in November so you don't have to leave and we don't have to figure out a way to get the hell out of here. Best of luck to you.

[SVPete]

Please let the door hit ya where the good Lord split ya, three ways:

Hard

Fast

Continuously.

[Rufus2010]

Bye Felicia!

[DUmpDiver]

aiserguy (499 posts)

30. I can't blame you

if Trump wins again America is all but done. It will be a 24/7 hate fest from Trump and the RW.

I thought America was going to end when Trump got elected the first time.  It didn't. What happened? Now he gets another four years to destroy the country?

It's akin to the global warming hoax.  1989: If we don't do something in the next ten years then we're doomed.  2000: OK, well it didn't happen yet. But it will. Ten years from now. (Lather, rinse, repeat.)

The only hate-fest we'll get is the same one we've had from the left since 11/16.

[DLR Pyro]

Delta is ready when you are.

[Movie buff- The Sequel]

Need help packing, DUmmy?

[FaC]

Star Member FightingIrish (2,604 posts)

<...>

By November, I hope to have my Irish citizenship.

<...>

But I am sure Sh/e/it will vote before they leave 

[Old n Grumpy]

Star Member FightingIrish (2,604 posts)
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100213336370

I'm out of here.

Adios asshole, I hope the Irish don't ship you out when you start pissing and moaning over there.

[I_B_Perky]

I'll give ya $1000 to leave... as long as you renounce your US citizenship by declaring you are a member of ISIS or Al Queda.

So what is it dummie?  Want a grand or do you want to be proven to be a liar?

[Wineslob]

The election this fall is a referendum on the America people not Trump.

  (insert any Repub)




Humm, seems awfully familiar.....

[FiddyBeowulf]

Delta is ready when you are.

In case Delta goes out of business we should start building a trebuchet in order to get him there (or at least to get him going in the right direction).

[Ausonius]

"We get daily glimpses of the ugliness that empowers Trump"

I would like to know more about these "daily glimpses of...ugliness".  What are they exactly?   Babies who are alive and not aborted?  Minorities who are employed rather than on the dole?   Women like Kayleigh McEnany and Alyssa Farah and members of minorities like Ben Carson in positions of power in the Administration?  Is that the ugliness? 

[freedumb2003b]

Please let the door hit ya where the good Lord split ya, three ways:

Hard

Fast

Continuously.

+1 million

[freedumb2003b]

We quickly learned that we were too old poor to be welcomed into Canada. We were in New Zealand when this virus madness erupted and thought it would be an ideal refuge from Trump’s America. That too was not possible because we were too poor.

Canada has some of the strictest immigration laws on the planet, no matter how much you hear about how "welcoming" it is.  Yeah, certain refugee programs lets people participate in the government/taxpayer largess but to be more than a tourist requires a cool 2 million USD (or so).

New Zealand even more so.
 

[Delmar]

Why are the shitgibbons worried about whether the these other countries will take them or not?  They simply need to get together with a bunch of like-minded dipshits and form a migrant caravan and just go.

[Ptarmigan]

I would like to know more about these "daily glimpses of...ugliness".  What are they exactly?   Babies who are alive and not aborted?  Minorities who are employed rather than on the dole?   Women like Kayleigh McEnany and Alyssa Farah and members of minorities like Ben Carson in positions of power in the Administration?  Is that the ugliness? 

Leftists are racists and sexists. They do not even know that. They are brain is so warped.

[BamaMoose]

Doreen (8,878 posts)

84. Nope, he is long gone. Sociopath.

For those who missed this little slice of DUmmie drama:

Star Member Doreen (8,878 posts)  Jan 28, 2017

6. My boyfriend
 
Was born in Germany to a German mother and a permanently stationed US Army father. His father died in Germany and his mother and him came to the states when he was 14 and he then got his citizenship when he was 15. He is now 54 but I fear that they may send him back or force him to give up his German citizenship. I also fear that if he had to go back that by then I would not be allowed to leave because common people will have lot that right. I would rather be dead then go through being here without him.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10028552269

Star Member Doreen (8,878 posts) Feb 16, 2017

OMFG!!!

Last edited Thu Feb 16, 2017, 06:25 PM - Edit history (1)

My boyfriend who has a duel citizenship with Germany just got called into immigration!! He is 54 and has had U.S citizenship since he was 15 and his father was also U.S army permanently stationed in Germany. I knew they were going to start picking on people with ANY type of dual citizenship. I know it does not help that he is into politics but now I am scared. I am about to cry.

GOOD NEWS!!! HE DID HAVE AN IMMIGRATION LAWYER. HE IS NOT GETTING SENT BACK. I WILL LET YOU ALL KNOW LATER MORE DETAIL WHEN HE IS ABLE TO TALK MORE. HE IS STILL WITH ICE. THANK YOU ALL FOR TALKING TO ME BECAUSE I WAS REALLY FREAKING OUT...AS YOU MIGHT HAVE NOTICED.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10028661497

Star Member Doreen (8,878 posts) Feb 17, 2017

OMFG!! he got forced back to Germany!!!

I can not talk about it but I wanted to warn you so you know what is really happening. I am serious though I can not talk about it. I will be on to talk about other things but not this. THIS IS SIMPLY A WARNING!!

Star Member Doreen (8,878 posts) Feb 17, 2017

24. His mother was a German citizen his father U.S military. He was born in Germany. Thank you.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10028667463

Later in the same day:

Star Member Doreen (8,878 posts) Feb 17, 2017

OMFG!! with new news to make this more clear.

My boyfriend just called me on his way to Germany in Iceland. I found out that he was born to a German father and mother. His German father died on the Autobahn when he was 4 months old. His mother later met his American father while he was stationed in Frankfurt Germany. They got married and when my boyfriend was 3 his American father started procedure to adopt him which because my boyfriend was a German citizen and going through American law also it took until he was about 6 before it was complete. When he was 7 his American father died. Now his mother had had dual citizenship to the U.S by the time my boyfriend was born but he was born in a German hospital. He came here when he was 14 with his mother and had to take the citizenship test to become a citizen of the U.S. His mother died when he was 16 ( yes he has dealt with a lot of death ) so she is not here for them to check with. He is on record for being a protester and belonging to groups fighting the Republicans and that is one of the reasons they are picking on him, his protests go deeper than just standing on the street with signs but he has not broken the law though they did try to give him a felony for inciting a riot which they had to drop because they could not prove it and with this crap they are pulling they of course tried to bring it up. He by the way has 6 immigration lawyers a couple are in Germany and the others are in a few different states in America and except for paying $500 it is all Pro Bono. He does not want me to go to a news source at this time because he does not want to ruffle the idiots feathers at this time any more than they are already ruffled. He went to Germany by the way so he did not have to sit in a detention center which he found out by his lawyer would take longer for them to get the info and being free in Germany it would be faster to gather the info the assholes need. That is why he went to Germany so it was not forced...well not completely as they gave him a flippin choice of leaving the country or detention. He is also not entirely sure if we will end up moving to Germany...still kinda up in the air about that. I will try to answer questions but our talk was not very long as he was just doing a layover for a little while. 

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10028668592

Part of this was posted here when it happened and everyone agreed that it was complete BS.  And in a rare instance where we agree with the DUmmies, many of them also called BS on this story.  So the real question is did the boyfriend even exist?  Or was it just a homeless person who shacked up with her until a life on the street was preferable to spending one more day with her dumb ass.

And I can't believe no one noticed this:

Lady Freedom Returns (10,273 posts)

15. Can't blame you.

Can't tell you how tempting that southern border looks at times. 

Amber, do it.  Mexico needs you.  Don't look back.  And every time I pay my taxes, and they are just a tiny bit less, I'll think of you.

[Delmar]

For those who missed this little slice of DUmmie drama:

Part of this was posted here when it happened and everyone agreed that it was complete BS.  And in a rare instance where we agree with the DUmmies, many of them also called BS on this story.  So the real question is did the boyfriend even exist?  Or was it just a homeless person who shacked up with her until a life on the street was preferable to spending one more day with her dumb ass.

High five.  Great showcase of Doreen's 15 minutes of fame.

[SVPete]

Doreen (8,878 posts)

84. Nope, (German boyfriend) is long gone. Sociopath.

I suspect this means that DU-member Doreen has in the past 3 years discovered that her boyfriend's Perils of Pauline melodrama was fiction.

[Rufus2010]

Ferris Bueller's message to this Dummie.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1XgFsitnQw