Expats (and green card holders, I believe) are taxed even if they don't live there - but have no representation in congress.
Splitting this off the original thread.
Representation.
Expats, as a group, do not have representation. As a U.S. citizen, I still can vote for the president and all federal offices, including my state (last state of residence) senators and representatives.
Even U.S. citizens who have never lived in the U.S. can vote (see links at the side).
It would be nice to have an additional "state" for all the expats. But we'd probably still have to fill out the IRS forms.
Ah, but there is no representative in Congress.
You mean that there is no representative just for expats in Congress, correct?
Expats are not counted in the US census.
And the census determines how a congressional district is drawn.
I voted for Congress in 2006 and 2008....even governor (I think or maybe not, a bit foggy on that). And greencard holders lacking representation is no different than any other country (other than the term)?
I stick to taxation without service as the major gripe that can made at the practice of taxation Americans abroad.
I suppose this is a point but not so solvable unless expats lobby for their only congressional district.
What about the overseas military, anyone know if they count in the census?
Yes, but your state where you vote doesn't represent you. I have no more ties with Ohio (last state I lived in) than I do with other states I lived in. My representative from Ohio in Congress is there to represent the interests of his constituents, not those who don't live in the state or the country any longer.
Fair point
I voted in New Jersey(one of the most corrupt states in the union), I don't think the politicians even represresented my interest when I lived there.