It’s been one of those days.
It’s time to make a choice. This is the day you say Alex Dorsey has completely lost his mind or he’s a visionary?
Let me tell you a story.
In the last three years the Atlanta police department entered my sisters home, tazed her three times, and broke her arm above the elbow for having a party and being too loud.
My uncle’s home, my home, was sized and confiscated for lack of tax payments and my uncle thrown into the street during a New Jersey winter. My grandfather worked in a factory at RCA his whole life to pay off that house (71 Davenport Street, Somerville, New Jersey, United States Of America) in order to leave his family with a home.
I was boarded twice by the United States Coast Guard in the last three years, once forcefully with a firm “NO” while Guinevere was sleeping and Samantha was unclothed. I had an assault weapon in my closet and the thought that I needed to protect my family crossed my mind. When an honest man feels the need to protect himself from the people who are paid to “protect” us we have some very grave problems in our system.
I was harassed numerous times by state & local police, and the department of fish and game. Not to mention a very small man (Leif) who ran the Fort Myers city marina. I was shaken down and harassed by small ignorant men with a badge for money (fines). This is not acceptable to me, and this is why I do not feel welcome in my own home anymore (The United States Of America). That being said I forget the guys name but there was a really nice water cop among them in Fort Myers. He was a light shining in a very dim sky.
Now the IRS sized my bank account and left me in the street in Panama for two days with only a few bucks in my pocket. I didn’t have enough money for a bus back to Splendid, food, or a place to stay. It’s a good thing I had a friend nearby that could loan me $50.00. The IRS put me in a “Hardship” program, and I must say I’ve never been more insulted in my life. They asked me how much I spend a month on fuel, clothes, food, and personal products. The truth is, it’s none of their business what I spend my money on and I will not be treated in such a manner, not one more day!
If you guys want to ignore what is happening, loose yourself in the television, and conform like good little boys and girls that is your choice. I will not! I don’t believe my government (my servants) hold my best interests as a priority anymore. I believe that my civil liberties were finally stripped away with the “patriot” (un-patriot) act and my fellow Americans just don’t seem to care or even acknowledge that there is a problem. I am not willing to pay for the illusion of “national security” with my freedom as an American citizen.
My uncle was a poor man who was not able to pay his taxes. He lost his small business with the recession and the state of New Jersey made him homeless and he was forced to hide (live) in the basement of his ex-wife’s store at nights to protect himself from the snow and cold.
When he was evicted from his home he had not had power or heat for nearly a year. He didn’t have any money, just the home his mother and father left him in order to shelter their child from the world. He was too embarrassed to tell me or anyone else in the family until it was too late. Why didn’t anyone help him? Why didn’t the state of New Jersey come to his doorstep and say “Mr. Koehn, we see that your electricity has been turned off, its cold out, what can we do to help you”? How can this happen in the “Home of the free, and the land of the brave”? Tears are streaming down my face as I write this. You may be comfortable now with a good job and a support system (family) to protect you, but what about the Americans that don’t have this? Fuck standardized health care, war, and fuel prices, how about simple compassion for the American people and their right to shelter or property?
I’m mad, VERY MAD, but more sad. I’m not a middle-class working guy and I guess in the eyes of my government a bum and an open target for harassment. The IRS forced my into a “Hardship” program that I did not want to be a part of. I am not a hardship case, nor do I want to be a drain on the American people. I just want to be left alone and allowed to live in poverty as an international sailing minimalist. Is that asking so much? I just ask for what I need out of life, not how much I can get, It’s a personal philosophy, am I allowed to live this way? I don’t want any food stamps or welfare. I just want my passport and I don’t know if “they” (The American Government) will allow me to live as I choose anymore? What is the next step. Will they seize my home (Splendid) for the fictitious $12,000 they claim I owe them from the 2000 tax year? Can they file for me in 2005 and claim that the case is only 6 years old as opposed to the 11 that it actually is? Remember my new years blog? 2000 was the year I had my breakdown and ended up on the beach trying to end my life. I explained this to the IRS. Must really reveal personal aspects of my life to the government, is there no shame? I do here because I choose to communicate with my peers. I don’t remember anything “financial” about the year 2000 or have any records, and no, i wont pay it! Must I pour gasoline over my head and light myself ablaze to be heard!
I have a better idea.
According to the The United Nation’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 13) gives all peoples of the world the rights of citizenship and the freedom to move within, leave, and reenter a country without hindrance.
I am an American Citizen but I seek duel-citizenship in a system I feel safe in, and believe in. Our government does not make us Americans, our hearts do. America is my home, I was born in New York City, and the people I love and my family reside there. I know the Channel Islands of California like the back of my hand and the sands of the California shoreline are where I call home. I wish to feel them beneath my bare feet once again with a heart full freedom. Sadly I do not now.
It is my responsibility as an American citizen to speak out and fight for what I believe in and this is how I will do it.
I know this is going to sound a bit off the hook, but I’m starting my own country, what else can I do? New countries are formed in Africa all the time.
This is how the government of Oceanus is able to issue Passports, birth certificates, and drivers licenses:
http://oceanus21.tripod.com/documents.htm
as well as the conch republic:
http://www.conchrepublic.com/passports1.htm
People do travel on these documents. They may not be welcome everywhere but I think I’m better off starting my own country than relying on the one I have to protect my best interests.
The World Ocean Republic (WOR) represents the rights and freedoms of international mariners, indigenous men of the sea. I claim the soverin oceans of the world our home.
Here is what wikipedia has to say about starting your own country:
http://www.wikihow.com/Start-Your-Own-Country
What I’m proposing is a bit grander in scale than the Conch Republic, Oceanus, or The Principality of Sealand.
Try not to laugh too hard at me as I’m completely serious about this.
I’m going to appoint myself prime minister of The World Ocean Republic for a term of 8 years. At the end of 8 years the citizens of WOR will vote to keep me in office or appoint someone else as they see fit. I’m also going to appoint representatives (Mariners) representing France, Germany, Sweden, Ireland, Japan, Panama, The United States, and a few other countries (I don’t recognize the EU). I’m seriously talking to my international friends about this and people I truly believe will protect and represent mariners of their respective countries.
Once I appoint a representative of a country (ambassador) to the World Ocean Republic I will issue them a diplomatic passport and citizenship. In turn they will represent WOR and issue passports to mariners (citizens) who seek international freedom and dual citizenship with the World Ocean Republic.
Each ambassador will have their own blog page at www.worldoceanrepublic.com in there respective language and will actively communicate with the citizens they represent in their native language. They will actively promote The World Ocean Republic to sailors of their respective countries, issue passports, and assist in broadening the freedoms of the republic.
Once I get this all in place our “citizens” will offer their World Ocean Republic passports to countries as they travel. Some countries will stamp them, some may not. In a worst case scenario all immigration people are allowed to give a mariner a stamp on a blank piece of paper or “stamp book” so they do not have to carry their passports as they travel within the country. They will Stamp WOR passports one way or the other.
As I travel the world I will meet with officials of the country I’m in to promote the freedoms of WOR citizens. I believe mariners from all over the world have the right to travel in peace separated from the political views of their respective governments. Seemingly the UN believes this as well.
Let me tell you about The World Ocean Republic flag. The lone star in the sky of 
the WOR flag represents the United States, my home, and freedom. It stands alone in the sky and never moves. The sun on the flag is rising, not setting and represents a new day, change, and a new era. Poseidon’s trident represents the power of the sea and nature. Poseidon was known as the “earth shaker” and caused earth quakes when he was unhappy with mortal man as he slammed it on the sea floor. The trident was also used for spear fishing and as military weapons. It is my weapon against any system that tries to take my freedom, or the freedom of my brother mariners. Freedom is not something given to us, it is something we must demand and take!
My old friend Aki and I used to speak of the world often. Aki is the man I respect above all other men. He was a Japanese fighter pilot who later became a General, and finally the Japanese attaché in Washington. We used to drink my very, VERY bad home made sake that tasted like dirty socks on small South Pacific islands and talk about government, wars, and the world around us under a full night sky of stars.
If you know me personally you know I am very passionate about my country. Unfortunately of late it is more negative than positive. He told me I had the heart of a revolutionary and that my generation needs to fight a war on the internet (The pen) and how it truly is mightier than the sword. Aki is in my second video. He is a wise man, a friend, and is a great inspiration to me.
I will be heard, I will be respected, I will not be afraid, and I will be free!
I am no systems “Hardship” case!
I will not be treated like this. Not one more day!
Alex it’s time to put Splendid in my name. I can pay you $1.00 a year to be my Captain and write the boat off on my tax return. It’s the American Way! Also I need a Passport for my Colombian Fiancée. How much do you charge someone to become a citizen of your new Country? It has to be cheaper than what the US charges.
Alex –
Just the idea that my personal liberties are being encroached upon makes my blood boil and the hair go up on the back of my neck, so as a fellow freedom-loving, libertarian, contrarian thinking, non-conformist, I understand your passion, your pain, and your desire to want to start a revolution, like Che Guevara, and break the back of the establishment machine.
However, embarking on that path is an all or nothing commitment. I don’t believe you can start a country, a revolution, or a new Zeitgeist (thanks for the recommendation – amazing movie!), AND … simultaneously live a your own life on your small ship on the hook in peace . You will have to choose. Either: Prime Minister of the World Ocean Republic, or sailing the worlds oceans in peace. Which is it going to be?
In my humble opinion, dropping out of the system and refusing to participate in the matrix, is revenge enough. You are in the ideal position live your own life in your own way. Don’t let a letter from some bean counter at the IRS sneak into your life like a trojan horse, and seduce you back into the very thing you’ve spent the last decade extricating yourself from.
All of us that follow your blog understand your anger and frustration – but don’t let the bastards get you down! Don’t allow them the pleasure taking away your dream. Don’t give them the opportunity to steer your ship off course and onto the rocks. Don’t let the small-minded men that are nothing more than minions working at the behest of the apractic determine how you are going to feel, think, or act.
In short, don’t be a martyr … life is way too short.
As a friend of mine says, “sail far and live slowly”
I am sure you thought about it, but you can renounce your US citizenship tinyurl.com/669nh7g and work towards citizenship of Panama for example tinyurl.com/6dfxcrb . Ideally gaining Panama (or other ) citizenship first.
Dual citizenship too, but still would have the IRS issues and filing every year.
You’re not alone, I have felt that way, and so many others. The US forefathers did, against their government at the time. The mathematician John Nash (loosely based on A Beautiful Mind.) did. He didn’t approve of US politics. He would go to US embassy while in other countries, and renounce. He was jailed, and in all cases he was deported back to the U.S., on a new passport issued by the U.S. embassy. The other country wouldnt know what to do with him. It can hard with no country, I dont agree with it, but it is. Renouncing could be good for you soul, there are real and logical reasons not to of course, but may be a move to take.
Cheers,
Mark
Jason,
It’s not the American way my friend. Thanks for the offer but I would rather set Splendid on fire then look for a loophole to hide from the people that are in place to protect me. As far as your girlfriend, if she is your fiance, and you love her, you can bring her to the US as your wife. My very good friend Gary married his wife (Colombia) and brought her to the states.
Contrairian,
I’m not the kind of guy to find the door to freedom and not hold it open for the man behind me. My good friend Ross, who was commenting in the last Blog I watched fight physical hurdles for years in order to get a boat and start living on the hook in Australia. He has been in and out of hospital and only by sheer determination has forged the life he demands. He is a man who has gained a great deal of my respect because of his perseverance and heart. I’m also not afraid of commitment or investing salt (sweat & tears) into something I believe in. If it takes hard work and time to make this happen, so be it!
Mark,
I don’t have any desire to renounce my US citizenship, if anything I want it recognized and respected. The day hasn’t come where I have compleatly lost hope for my home soil, I believe in change and that is what I was thinking when I designed the flag. I could always marry a woman here but just having another passport isint the point. Having a passport and believing in it is the point. I like the idea that mariners could travel on a passport that is not connected to any political agendas. When I was in Colombia years ago the FARK highered the IRA to train their troops in Colombia. They bombed a hotel in Cartagena. My Irish friends that were there on their boat were asked to leave the country over the indecent just because they had an Irish passports. The last thing I would want is to be shipped back to the US because someone didn’t know what to do with me. This isn’t about making a useless point, it is about change. I’m not a radical seeking attention, just an American man seeking freedom. If they can turn off my bank card, they can turn off my passport, and that is just not cool with me.
I need a lawyer/accountant to deal with this for me. I don’t mind filing every year once this is all worked out, I do mind being treated like shit and I will not accept it. Either way I believe in the concept of The World Ocean Republic and the service it would provide mariners around the world and will make it happen one way or the other.
The Cuban priest in the hostel was right. My sleep is molested and I need to clear my heart.
Cheers
Alex,
I have all your products and all that. My input is to keep your eye on your goal. Fill out some paper work once in a while and keep up to date with the mighty US goverment machine. Also keep in mind that there is no perfect system. Every now and then you’ll hit some bumps in the road (IRS, dental stuff, etc) but your goal is your goal. At least until you change it.
Talk to some maericans who reside down there about how they all get by. Maybe there is a simpler way.
good luck and peace be the journey mon.
Dave
Dave,
It’s all perspective i guess. From my perspective my sister was physically abused by the police and my uncle thrown onto a winter street for not paying taxes.
At what point are we allowed to say this sort of behavior is just not acceptable anymore?
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is something every person from every nation should read:
http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/index.shtml
Alex,
I’m in the Coast Guard and I’ve really enjoyed your website and journey. I’ve had trouble with the IRS, taxes, Virginia State Police and even with the Coast Guard while on my private boat because the boarding officers treated me with disrespect. But, after 20 years in the CG and 5 years out at sea as a cutter doc I have seen a lot of good being done. I know The United States has problems, lots of them, but like you I’ve been blessed to travel and live all over the world but I still love coming home. Good luck and don’t let “The Man” get you down.
Mike
I don’t know, dude. You’re politicizing your blogs and polarizing your readership. Not too long ago, you said you wouldn’t do that.
I wrote a long rant. I then deleted it.
peace brother.
Alex,
When i read your latest blog i wasn’t sure if you were serious of just pissed off at the system.
You are 100 % correct. Our Governments in the Western world have slowly started taking away our freedom in the name of home land security. They have completely ignored their citizens rights and freedoms in the name of protecting us. At least that is the excuse they use. It doesn’t matter if you are left or right on the political scale. It doesn’t matter whether you voted for Obama or Mc Cain. It is so much higher then them. It is about obtaining power and control over their people to persecute and collect as much cash as humanly possible.
In Canada we have experienced the very same thing here. I mentioned before that i was stopped by our police in the name of protecting our citizens from drinking drivers. Great reason to stop people but when they start asking questions on where are you coming from and where are you going. That crosses the line. If you refuse to answer then you are detained for obstructing justice. At that point it is up to you fight for your innocence. It is the same with a traffic violation. They ticket you and you have to prove your innocense in court. This means lawyers and evidence. Which by the way you are not aloud to collect ie pictures and measurements because it is illegal to photo graph a police officer or collect measurements on a public road way. What happens is they let you pay half of the fine if you just say you are guilty before you go in front of a judge. Huge cash grab. We have cameras every where here in Canada. The people here are apathetic and say it is to protect us from terrorist and criminal activity. But they use those same tickets to send you fines for speeding or running a read light or Jay walking. I would rather a police officer stop me one for speeding then to collect the cash 2 weeks later after they receive the fine in the mail. The rich can speed because they just pay the fines. The poor and middle class have to follow the laws. The [police here say that this form of collecting fines works. How ever they make record profits year after year. If this worked should fines be decreasing?
I mentioned our government health care not allowing people to seek their own medical care. It is all government controlled. Great once you get help but God help you while you wait.
I could go on and on. It is sad because i love my country so much and it is slowly declining to the point i think it is too late to fix.
I don’t understand the new independent country you are mentioning. I can’t see what country would recognize it. You would have to end up using your US passport to gain entry.
Your country has no land mass and international waters belong to the world. You have to pay tax for the benefits of your US passport or what ever passport you carry.
People from around the world long for the chance of being an American or Canadian. Their governments are far more screwed up then ours. I wish there was a way to escape it but it is really impossible. I feel by doing what you are wanting to do will just leave a bitterness in your heart. You are better off to escape to an island in the pacific where you can live your simple life.
The last thing i would like to say about the US is this. I have an American uncle who sailed around the world. I remember when he was off the coast of Yemen he was demasted. He crippled in to a port city in Yemen and contacted his family in Portnd Oregon to send money so he could fix his mast. While he was waiting the Yemen authorities found out he was American and push him back out to sea. This was during the first Gulf war. 1993 i think. It was the American Navy that found this out and sent a ship to find him.
So no matter how bad things are in our home land. Your government stepped up to the plate and recued one of their own. There is some thing to be said about that. I know they can be ruthless and uncaring and have stupid rules but compared to the rest of this messed up planet it is still the best place to be. Just seek a place where you can find peace.
R I G H T O N!
In fact when ever I type/write the word america, I spell it Amerika. If I am forced to spell it correctly, for whatever reason, I will not capitalize it.
I feel exactly the same way as you, and obviously others do about the state of our country.
When I bring this up, and express my thoughts on the matter, more times than not I am told “if you don’t like it, then get the &$^% out!” My answer to that is, “I am”.
There is no such thing as America anymore. There are only banks, companies, and unbridled greed for more money and more power. Too much is NEVER enough. Can’t be satisfied with a 20″ TV, nnooooo, you gotta have the 32″ TV. Then the 42, 52, 72 2002 … when is enough enough?
People in amerika have filled their lives and their homes with useless bullsh*t that owns them, not the other way around, and they are so afraid of losing that useless crap, that they won’t, -WON’T do anything about anything. Except buy more useless crap. By the time people realize, and I mean really realize what is going on, it will be far far too late to do anything about it.
It’s like drinking and driving, it’s ok if ‘I’ do it, because bad things only happen to the other guy. Stuff like the government taking over the country from it’s citizens can’t happen to us … it happens in places with too many consonants in the name of the country to pronounce. WRONG. Look at history, it explains itself.
Why do we need all these &&^%$$^( weapons and killing machines? Ask that at the bar, and the answer is “because ‘they’ are jealous of our way of life” Bullshit. It’s what’s been done to attain/maintain that way of life. Our government commits horrendous atrocities across the globe, then acts like it’s crap don’t stink. China on the other hand makes no bones about it. Do I respect that? The acts, hell no, but the fact that they don’t try to act like Mother Teresa about it … well at least China is always China. They aren’t running drugs into their own country, then spending billions and billions of dollars to fight it (Contras anyone?)
I would like to point out that the state of Amerika is N O T the fault of our government. Really, it’s not.
It’s OUR fault. Our fault for not taking control of our elected jackasses, our fault for being too stupid to handle more than a two party system, our fault for actually listening to things like Faux News, our fault for letting this happen to us, our country, our families and ultimately our world. We should vote with our money. If everyone said, just for one day, I won’t spend a dime on anything, turn off the lights, the air, the fridge, and park the car, we could show those who would rule us who actually is in charge. Now imagine a week of that. But I think I have a better chance of having boobs grow on my forehead than having that happen. Even for an hour.
While our own government might have saved those sailors, and done about a million other useful/cool/kind things, it does not excuse the rest of the horrendous acts it commits.
Hilter was responsible for the Volkswagon Beetle. One of the best cars in the history of ever. Do we praise him for that? Do we say, hey dude, since you made such a great car killing the Jews was ok? Or how about the V2 rocket? Hey, without that, Neil would have never stepped on the moon. Did anyone ever say, again, thanks dude, rad idea? AAAhhhhhhh how about NO? How about hell no? Just because you by your wife a nice ring, doesn’t mean you get to punch her in the face and expect to be praised about the ring. We are not the greatest country on Earth, and when people finally get over all the bullshit and realize that, then maybe we can get busy working on making it the greatest country on earth.
I think we all have to face the fact(s) that this trend amerika is on, is in fact going to build steam, and not just continue, but to continue to grow and gain speed. When my own mother tells me to “Shhhhhhhh” when talking to her about this on the phone because she is afraid of the government taking her son …. excuse me … it’s time to get the fuck out.
I am an American Patriot. That means I am willing to fight, and to die, fighting against ANY government to save my countrymen from enslavement. Do I want to? No. Violence should never be an answer, let alone the answer.
The sad …the very very sad fact of all of this is, there will be no measure of change without bloodshed.
This blog entry, even the ones about your breakup with Sam, is by far the darkest and farthest reaching. Maybe it’s time that all of us with like minds form our own country together, even if it is only on paper. I vote Alex as our first president, do I have a second?
On a side note Alex —- I love you man.
Sic gorgiamus allos subjectatos nunc
Hello Alex,
Read the site(s) that you mentioned. While I agree that there are, where, and will continue to be violations of human rights in any country at any time. There is a reason that the UN is not spending alot of time working on the United States “issues”. Its obviously one thing to have a policeman come in and break your arm versus what goes on in Libya, Somolia, China, where people are beaten badly. put in to jail or labor camps on b.s. charges, or just dissapear. Not to say there isn’t room for improvements in the US. In the US we do have options to address if not right these injustices. File a grevance with the police dept, get a lawyer, call up the local media outlet, etc.
The tax issue I would liken to a health condition that is manageable but for some reason is neglected until the point of no return. Tragic, but as a outsider and not emiotionally connected I would wonder why something was not done earlier on.
In both of these cases you are dealing with family. That in it of itself makes things more difficult. The Familia get you involved late in the game, you might not have all the details, your far away (hundreds or thousands of miles away), and your probably knee deep in your own life ta boot. All of that sucks plain and simple. But in the grand scheme of injustices by goverment(s) and or organizations its rather small. Still sucks, but small. I don’t think you neglect your family obligations, but they also have a obligation to be reasonable to you with regard to their expectation of you helping them. (Family and reasonable don’t seem to go togehter, kind of like the opposite sides of two magnets)
At the end of the day these events are said and done. You have your life to live and your dreams to pursue. I am just trying to add perspective.
Anyway sorry for rambling on.
dave
I too have friends in the USCG and they do many, many, many good things. I also have friends that are cops that do many, many, many good things. If I ever had a heart attack at sea, was sick, or flipped the switch on my EPIRB, I know the Americans would be the first to show up, no doubt about it.
I have a friend that was flying a mission over Cuba, I wont get into the details to protect his identity, but they picked up beacon signal from an EPIRB. They called in for permission to go and investigate. They were denied permission. As good men they went anyway and found a German sailor with a 4 year old daughter floating at sea, the wife/mother had drown and they had been in the water for over 24hours. The man was on his last leg and barely able to keep his daughter afloat. They dropped them a life raft, called, and waited for the CG to show up. He still gets Christmas cards from the German man every year for saving him and his daughter who is now in college. Upon his return to base he was demoted, yelled at, and sent to a far off post as punishment. Guys like this are my heroes. Guys who are not afraid to say “Sorry, but NO, I understand the difference between right and wrong, and you are wrong”!
I love my country and I want to believe in it. The IRS told me that they didn’t have a mailing address for me and they didn’t know how to contact me. I’m sorry guys, but if you invaded my banking information, wouldn’t you think to look at where my statements go? I also feel betrayed because even tho they didn’t/shouldn’t have the right to my bank account, they put there hand in my pocket and took every dime. Not 40, or 50% to get my attention and say “Alex, you need to deal with us”, they took 100% and left me in the street in Panama like my uncle. I’m sorry but that is just wrong, very, very wrong!
I am guilty of many things of late, mostly I am guilty of being angry. When I left the states on Splendid Sam and I really wanted to visit Cuba. I called and asked for permission and was informed that If I visited Cuba I would be found guilty of “trading with the enemy” and my boat would be seized. I tend to have more balls than brains and was really tempted to go anyway, I didn’t, and I didn’t because I was afraid of the people who are in place to protect me, and that is very, very, very wrong. I should not be afraid of my government in any way!
I will start the World Ocean Republic so at least I have a system I believe in if only in my heart. I know its not just me though. I know Canadian, French, German, Spanish, Italian sailors who all feel the same as I do. We wish to have the right to travel on our passports and not to be judged by the political agendas of our respective countries. We wish to be free and only seek friendship, knowledge, and peace as we travel.
I don’t believe that is asking too much. If “crazy” is not subscribing to mass opinion and control, than I am guilty of being “crazy” also.
I just wish to be left alone. The fact that I am now “afraid” of the people who are in place to protect me, and they may try to confiscate my home for fictitious tax money is just not acceptable. I have a lawyer friend who will look into this for me, and I am lucky to have friends. But I am not happy about this. I am angry and I want to see change!.
Alex,
Your passionate screed resonated with me on a number of levels. I myself initially got into the cruising life because of taxpeyer-outrage. My outrage was at the time rather petty, looking back but it was valid. I have been lucky not to have been on the clobbered side of the state I come from, but still wonder when that day might come. There seems to be a corner that states turn when they are founded on principles of freedom. It starts with Government of the people, but in the end winds up becoming Management of the people. When an entity changes its attitude that way things seem never to ratchet back. Free people become seen not as citizens but individual threats. I dont want to see your country of origin or mine start to use that old Asian proverb “The nail that sticks out gets pounded in” seriously, but it may already be too late.
I looked at the micronations thing and I explored the philosophies of freedom and the social contract. I am still trying to muddle through and figure out how it all applies to me, my family and my boat. I have been reading your site for years, and will continue to read with interest as you build this strangely attractive edifice to freedom amongst so many not so free states. Best of luck!
Dave,
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights:
( http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/index.shtml#a13 )
Is a “system” I believe in, I only wish I could travel on their passport.
No they don’t focus on U.S. problems because I’m sure they have their hands full of much more severe problems in the world. That does not negate the fact that “we” have serious problems that need to be dealt with, spoken about, and fixed.
As an American citizen that travels full time I have a really good perspective on what other countries think about us. Remember I spend my time on the outside looking in, and most of my readership spends their time on the inside looking out. I’m the window washer on the 70th floor. Just because I can see something that happens 40 blocks away doesn’t make me smarter, or closer to God. I just have a different perspective on what I can see.
Unfortunately “we” (the united states government) has shown great disrespect to the UN and the rest of the world community. Especially after 911 we disregarded every recommendation given to us by, in my opinion, the greatest minds in the world. We went about “revenge” with absolute disregard to what the rest of the world (human community) thought. That makes us bullies, near-sighted, and irrational. And unfortunately we seem to show the American people the same amount of measure.
We are the most powerful (I wish I could say greatest) nation in the world and have a responsibility, in my humble opinion, to demonstrate candor, grace, and respect to the rest of the world community and seek harmony and peace. We do not!
My mind isn’t filled with television and video games, and perhaps I just think about things too much? I am embarrassed at how my government treats me, its people, not to mention the rest of the world. I know I’m not the only one and your right. I wasn’t going to talk about politics, however that has changed. I can not keep my mouth shut anymore. I want to sleep well at night and believe that I have a good home, and one that I am proud of. This keeps me up at night.
With respect to your taxes. You need to do some reading of Title 11 of the US Code. I have worked the last 20 years for an attorney who practices this type of law and you have options. I am in a similar state due to my wife having a breakdown and not filing. I would be glad to share what I know.
With respect to what you are doing. You are sharing a great deal and a great value. During the last 5 or 10 years, I’ve sailed vicariously through you and others. I am now changing careers to one that will permit better opportunities for a sea life. Thank you for the inspiration.
Mike
Mike,
I went bankrupt after I had an accident I believe it was in 1999. I was crushed in between two boats on a movie job and had knee, hip, and back surgery. I have two titanium cages in my spine (L5S1) I was not able to work for a year. After my bankruptcy I never took credit again, or perused any sort of credit. I owe $50.00 to my friend Roger for helping me out with the IRS thing, and another $200 to a friend for my dive compressor. I don’t think I need to go BK again :)
I believe in living within my means and not asking for much. I suppose that is why I’m so offended by this whole IRS thing. I happily live “sub-poverty”, and don’t ask for any benefits. I’m also 80% disabled on paper and it would be very easy for me to “take” from the system. I just don’t want to, as I am relativity healthy and wish to peruse a life of self-responsibility and independence.
I know I have options, I believe my lawyer friend is going to help me out. I’m coming down from being really angry, hurt, and offended about this whole thing.
Alex,
From my situation, I can empathize with your hurt anger and offense. America has been sliding down the wrong road for a long time and it is unfortunate. Keep up the good fight (that is living true to your heart). I believe you have many like thinkers behind you. Once I graduate (9 mos.) I hope to meet and properly thank you. Good luck…peace, love and coconuts!
Mike
the us of america not a free country unless you are a politician, government employee, large corperation, insurance comp, oil company or bank then you are free to plunder the citizens of us incomes through taxes. us little guys pay and these guys make the rules. democracy my ass
Alex,
As we can see from the posts above, this is a subject that is very dear to all our hearts as it involves our basic need for security and freedom. The whole world is suffering from the hands of the Globalist Elite and there are many that understand your feelings. We are now living a moment in history that will see the end of a civilization constructed as we know it and a rebuilding of new forms of living with each other.
WOR is brilliant. For you have hit the nail on the head. It is up to each one of us to define our spaces in peace and harmony and whomever that wants to join and has offerings of its (his/her/it/alien) SALT shall join or go in peace and make their own space.
Small communities are emerging all over our dear planet that propagate LOVE and are OFF the grid. Choose or make your own. Be free and enjoy the fruit of your sweat.
Bless us all that are re-defining what freedom is …. in love, and in peace and in harmony; completely interconnected with our Mother Earth.
Love on top of love,
Ky
Thanks Ky I’m working on some verbage, any input is good:
The World Ocean Republic (TWOR) represents a community of International mariners who seek freedom to sail the world’s oceans as free men, and who wish not to be judged by the political agendas of their birth countries.
As citizens of the World Ocean Republic we take great pride and responsibility in protecting our world’s oceans, and the freedom of the mariners who sail upon them. Our goal is to live free in the world, promote peace, friendship, and extend help in protecting our world oceans.
Under no circumstance will citizens of The World Ocean Republic try to promote political or religious agendas, or interfere with the political, financial, religious, or spiritual beliefs of any community. We are not teachers of any kind, but students who wish to learn more of the world we live in, and only seek peaceful passage in the countries we visit.
Alex, I’ve always loved this great quote by Bernard Moitessier and I think it fits here:
“I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present. In this limitless nation, this nation of wind, light, and peace, there is no other ruler besides the sea.”
I am really shocked with what I am reading here; to be honest I never thought I would come across stuff like this on Project blue sphere. I really hurts me when people bash America (yes, I spelled it correctly and so should you) and the freedoms we take for granted. What about all the good things we have done in the 400 years we have been a country? What about all the foreign aid we give to the poor African nations every year? I could go on and on with all the GOOD things America has done and given to the world. I know we have our problems just like any huge dysfunctional family but the thing you are all forgetting about our beautiful country is that we will overcome them as a people and when things are broken we FIX them (sometimes it takes some time and is not as immediate as we would like it to be). Look at the civil right movement, the people spoke up and we changed everything. My 3 year old will read about racism in history books where when my parents went to high school there were segregated bathrooms. I bet all of you on here has a family member that is a veteran that you know in your heart would do the right thing if they were confronted with a bad situation on active duty. I really feel like some of you underestimate the humanity of people in general, humans are not evil by nature and I don’t think you should bash them for a failing system that they were born into. America will overcome this slump we are in and come out of it for the better because of the American people, not because of the government. I have friends that have died protecting your rights to put whatever you want on this blog, I am sure you understand why I am passionate about it. I will put a link at the bottom of a friend of mine that passed away in Afghanistan. He was an amazing person that became a navy seal to help the people of the world that were helpless. The week before he died he emailed me about a fire fight he was in where he ran into a building in Kabul to get the children out of “daycare” because the Taliban had taken the building the day before. It was a TV station that was broadcasting (Yes, I know how you all feel about TV) for the first time in years events and shows that were not controlled by the Taliban. I miss him dearly and the children did make it out ok because of Dennis’s actions. He died in a Helo crash that form what I hear was a mechanical failure.
militarytimes.com/valor/navy-special-warfare-operator-3rd-class-seal-denis-c-miranda/4787308/
How about form this post and below you guys put the things that you like about our country or some of the GOOD they have done in the world.
Negativity is like a rash, it infects everything if you let it.
The light Bulb.
The supersonic Aircraft
In 1954 Dr. Jonas Salk invented the polio vaccine, in America (see, it is easy to spell it corectly when you are thinking positive).
Keep this going with only positive stuff guys,,,,I know you have it in you.
THE COMPUTER!!!!!!!!!!! if you are reading this you are on one.
DOnt forget the artifical heart.
Chris – I appreciate what you are saying, and although I’m sure there are a few on this blog that would be first in line to renounce their citizenship, most would not, and I’m sure many empathize with your sentiments.
Speaking only for myself … I love my country and have great respect and admiration of those who serve our country in military service, but I distrust my government and abhor the politicians whom take an oath to serve this country, but instead prostitute themselves to the highest bidder and have all but dismantled our countries founding documents.
I think the US once was a great country, when it adhered to the constitution as our founding fathers intended, but it has lost it’s way, it no longer resembles the country most of our grandparents knew, and today the US is just a big country… not a great country.
I think those whom are proud of our country today are more nostalgic than they are realistic. Their patriotism flows from an idealistic point of view and a fondness for what the US once was. This is not an informed nor pragmatic viewpoint. Spelling America correctly and positive thinking doesn’t change history nor fix the problem.
It saddens me that the thieves and pirates have hijacked this once great ship, have killed the captain and crew, and are dead set on scuttling her and sending her straight to the bottom. In my opinion, this is why Alex and most of those freedom seekers and freedom fighters are mad as hell! My 2 cents
Respectfully submitted.
Alex – I love you man! They may not all agree but you sure made folks sit up and pay attention. What a fantastic log. You got all of these people engaged and thinking! That my friend is the best. As you know from your travels people of all nations have so very much in common – in a good way. We need way more folks paying attention and involved in what is happening in our country. Look at what’s happening in the world right now because common citizens stood up and demanded change. Good on you for stiring the pot enough to get your readers involved. I look forward to seeing the passport application of the WOR.
Take care,
Kirk
Chris,
Be happy people are thinking and not watching telivision tonight.
Has anyone read these words before?
“Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breath free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, the tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door”
-Emma Lazarus, The New Colossus
The “Lamp” is held by the Statue of Liberty in New York harbor, and these words written on a plaque at her base. The first time I read them I was about 4 feet tall on a school trip. I thought it was cool.
I was born in NYC, I grew up in NYC, my mother died in NYC. When 911 happened, it happened in my backyard, and to my people! No matter how much of an atrocity it was it is no excuse to put The United States Constitution in the toilet and instate marshall law (The Patriot act). I don’t know about you guys but I am not willing to trade freedom for security; personally, I would rather die fighting for it!
THE WORLD IS NOT A DANGERIOUS PLACE, AND “PEOPLE” ARE NOT INHARENTLY EVIL LIKE THE TELIVISION WANTS YOU TO BELIEVE!
I’d bet my bottom dollar that if you gave a vote to New Yorkers, my kind of people (Americans), they would abolish the patriot act immediately. Christ, we don’t even talk about pulling the plug on it? What’s up with that? Doesn’t anyone else see this?
I must agree with the analogy that I feel like my ship has been hijacked, my leaders killed, and pirates are running the show. A lot of good people (Americans) are being controlled by a system that is less than working. People are not products of their governments, and this is not about turning in my passport.
It wasn’t all that long ago some English guys decided they were not going to be double taxed; fucked off, and started their own country. If ANYTHING WHAT I”M DOING IS IN THE AMERICAN SPIRIT!
Anyone want to have a tea party?
I must say I didn’t like the comment about not spelling America correctly, as it is my home. “Americans” are not products of the “Government” we are people (We “the” people) !
This isn’t about being un-patriotic, this is about getting “people” to think, to get off their asses and get MAD! Perhaps to act and say “NO, I will not be treated this way!
I’ve personally had some really, really bad experiences in the last three years and I want to know what point I can say “No”! You can not enter my home, you can not psychically abuse my family, you may not toss my uncle into a winter street and sell my home, and you may not have access to my banking information!
If anything I feel like I have gone far out of my way to demonstrate and exercise my freedom as an American citizen, share it with others, and fly my flag in more countries than most will ever dare to see.
I challenge any man willing to call me un-American!
“Fear blind patriotism as only a blind man may wave that flag”
– Alex Dorsey
Great Blog!!!
Chris, thank you for telling us the story of your friend Dennis. Dennis provided the ultimate gift to his country. His Life.
See, that’s why I love America because part of being a Patriot is questioning authority. I see everyone on this blog doing what most in the world cannot do, asking for accountability, sticking their finger in a bullies face and saying “not now, not today”. It’s a beautiful thing.
Keep it coming!
Mike
Chris,
Your a personal hero of mine but let me say this:
Screw the light bulb (no pun), how about freedom of speech!
Good, bad, or indifferent, any man may speak his mind on my website, no matter the words!
Perhaps things need to be said?
I for one am willing to listen!
Alex,
In cases like yours I refer to a CPA right here in Stuart, FL. He is a sole practitioner and former/recovering IRS goon. The IRS fears him as he knows their system better than they do. A very cool, low key guy married to a Choctaw indian gal. Reasonable fees. He will un-f#*k this for you. He asks that you give him Limited Power of Attorney and he just starts pummeling the IRS on your behalf. I am sure he will make payment arrangements with you.
Email me privately and I will forward his contact info.
Enhance your calm, this little skirmish will be resolved. Got to agree with you on the bigger picture. Don’t see much improvement coming. Be happy you don’t have 20 year-old kids who have to “grow up” in this system.
Paul,
Can you email me at alexdorsey at gmail.com with his info? I dont know that I can “afford” much, does he like sailing charters? Does he know how we can un-fuck everyone?
Chris,
I looked at your friend Denis’s face and thought about a few things. I think we should all check it out:
militarytimes.com/valor/navy-special-warfare-operator-3rd-class-seal-denis-c-miranda/4787308/
I didn’t know him personally although I do know Toms River N.J. I remember getting stoned there as a kid with my buddy Thumper on the river. Thumper died the following year in a car crash.
Didn’t Denis and all the others that give their lives for the United States (I prefer capitalized United States to “America” as many other Americans (Canadians, Mexicans, Panamanians, Brazilians) find it offensive when we refer to ourselves as “Americans”, as they are as well . Didn’t they give their lives so people like this can write whatever they want, and poor SOB’s like me can go sailing in peace and not fear my government?
I think that is the point?
Why are we fighting over there when we are loosing liberty right here? I think any good magician/politician will tell you the whole “trick” is based on illusion and distraction. “Look over there, while I quietly do this over here” I don’t know so much about the “war”, and still don’t understand the point, maybe my ignorance is from a lack of television? Someone please tell me first hand, someone who has fought there. Why are we fighting and sacrificing the lives of our children? If it’s for freedom, I can understand that. I’ll be the first one to pull the trigger on a fanatical religious killer, terrorist, or ANYONE who represses the freedom of the innocent.
You know what scares the hell out of me? Click on the following link:
http://www.infowars.com/dhs-seizes-websites-for-merely-linking-to-copyrighted-material/
My fight is right here, right now.
When I posted a link to watch Zeitgeist it dawned on me that I could loose everything, I’ll post it again:
http://www.zeitgeistthefilm.com/
“Not one more day”. That is what i told myself when I pulled a handgun out of my mouth on a Malibu beach, and that is what I’m telling myself today.
Write what you want guys, tell me to fuck off, use obscenities, but speak from your hearts AND SHOUT!
Carpe diem
If anyone wants to share this blog on their face book page, please do so. Lets get everyone asking questions! If this is a place where people can say what they want this is my gift! If they turn my website off, so be it, I’ll do something else.
Alex,
Chris is pretty good at using Google! Most of us are unhappy with certain areas of our government, yet, Most of us do nothing but whine about it! If starting your own country works for you, DO IT! At least you are doing something! I myself am afraid to sail the world under my countries own flag for fear of violence against me because of the things my government does to others, and I dont get to say anything about it. If someone loves America so much, then speak up, act now, and save it before its too late! I wont get scocial security when I’m old, but I still have to pay it! Proof of a failing system! Borrow from peter to pay paul, whats going to happen when its time to pay peter back? America needs to quit helping others for a little while and work on helping its own people.
Could one claim dual citizenship and visit Cuba with a TWOR passport? Would that keep us free from persecution in our own country for going where want, when we want? (also known as freedom!) We need to unite and rise up! It dosent have to be violent, in fact, a financial boycott would get MUCH better results! Alex, thank you for being your own man and doing something YOU believe in! It starts with you and me and you and you and you…Etc!
Isn’t everybody good at using Google?
Warren,
Wow, I’m surprised. I thought you would be all over my like a cheap suit :)
It’s 11pm and I cant sleep.My sleep truly is “molested” as the Cuban priest told me.
I’m thinking I have to pass on my job in April. I don’t want to return home feeling like some sort of criminal, fill out a W4, and leave Splendid by herself. I was really looking forward to making about 5k in three weeks but just don’t think I can do it in good consciousness. I was going to buy a motorbike and tour around Panama. I’ll run some backpackers to Colombia instead.
I got the results from my blood work today all is good but my triglycerides are high. The doc is going to put me on some sort of medication for three months.
I’m going to take most of tomorrow off of the internet. I’m going to Colon and need to rest my brain from this. I’ve really been upset and need some peace. I went spear fishing today and could not hit the broad side of a barn.
I want this IRS stuff out of my life!
Good night.
I know Chris, he is a good man and believe he has a lot to offer here.
Real quick cause I have written twice now and your site jusst goes down, call ya later STEWART
Whoooaaii I’m still alive!!!!
Thought I would just tell you that under the constitution, every american who owes taxes, after ten years they are null and void. I would have thought your lawyer would have explained this to you!!!!!!,
I have personally been off the “grid” since 1988, but I have made money in concrete, construction, gambling, etc…oh I forgot-writing. BUT!! you still have to file a return. Pretty simple as then you can say go fuck yourself, which I have, many times!!! You rock brother!!!!! but shift your anger into positives!!1!
Remeber the line in “Kellys Heroes”: “Don’t hit me with those negative waves so early in the morning”
ROCK ON Stew
Stew,
Man I don’t like being negative at all, but what I’ve seen over the last three years has really hurt my heart.
I’m a man who feels things deeply. I have some sort of “amplifier” in my heart and well…, when I hurt, I really hurt, and when I’m happy, I’m really happy. That coupled with having large testicles and a loud voice brings me to where I am. I cant be quiet any more, not one more day! I want peace in my heart once again and will only find it once I am not a criminal or a “hardship” case in the eyes of my country.
When I came back from Tokyo after selling Namaste in Australia I was so shocked at the changes I saw in my country, people were afraid. I’ll never forget reading a sign at the Ft. Myers Yacht basin telling all people to report “suspicious” activities. I couldn’t believe what i was reading. Our government was turning brother against brother.
Napoleon said it best. In order to conquer a people, we must divide them and keep them fearful.
That is what is happening.
I know I could turn a blind eye, close my mouth, and continue sailing. It’s just not who I am. I feel things deeply, and I’m really ANGRY!
Wow. I have written a reply now three times and had to erase it each time. We have to learn to acknowledge our own weaknesses in life and understand that the choices we make impact our lives and those around us. Alex, not to come down on you, but your choices have placed you where you are today. Not the US or any badge toting idiot. You chose not to file your taxes and the IRS made an estimate based on prior earnings and what they knew about you and assessed the tax accordigly. Now this doesnt mean that you have to pay it, it simply means you have some tax filing and amendments to do. Your lack of taking care of it had now only made it worse….very similar to your teeth. Your Uncle and your sister also made choices and those choices are what made the responses. Not asking for help, not considering the impact on other people, and not taking care of your responsiblities doesnt mean that you go a create a new country and slam the one that gave you a start in life. Your problems could be much worse, you could face generations of your family wiped off the map…like in IRAN or Lybia. Or you could face starvation in Africa or even the US….where there are approximately over 2 million people in the US starving and under nurished.
I am not saying our country is perfect….niether am I. We have a responsiblity to make it better for us and our children. I agree with your friend who states we need to take the war to pen and the internet and expose the issues to find progress. Without progress, we have no freedom. It is our responsiblity to teach love and kindness and to spread the word of faith. Faith in ourselves, our choices and faith in others. Yes there are idiots out there that will take advantage of people, but WE need to stand agaisnt them!! We dont need to run and create another country to fight for the change we believe in.
You would be better off placing your energy with family and friends to ensure that they are okay in times like this and not expect our government to take care of us and come check to see why our lights are off. I have three families living in my house now, three generations under one roof. This has been hard on me and my wife, but we feel it is our place to help now and not later. To make a change and to help those in need. I have put off my retirement and still work and probably wont sail for awhile, but I know in my heart the families living with us are better off and that is America.
Im sorry if you find this rough to read, but I truly belive that we are elements of our own actions.
Peace be with you Alex and may love always surround you and yours.
Alex, I also volunteer to help you file your taxes and file amendments. I am a CTEC and have years of experience in doing taxes. It will just take time and without paperwork to support entries you will be alotted percentages of allocation. No worries though…its just paper and time.
Best log to date, in my opinion.
Ask questions. Give answers. Help a stranger. Help yourself. Cry. Love. Laugh. Get Angry. Break an inanimate man-made object. Sing off key. In the absence of these things, we cease to be human.
Let me be the first to pre-order a WOR flag. I will proudly fly it. If only as a symbol, it would at the very least, solidify the notion that you indeed do not have to fuck people over to survive.
I hope you reconsider the job in April. We need to drink beer and lounge on rolls of carpet. These people have a whole lot of money. Take some of it!
Buy yourself a little motorcycle, so I can borrow it when I get myself down there! ha!
With the money I will make from this job, My mast will be put up with brand new rigging, and more than likely a new mainsail. Some spools of wire and a year’s worth of provisions will get tossed in the lockers, and the anchor will be popped loose for the last time in this strangely familiar and odorous mud. My heart races and a smile appears on my face every time I think about it.
Even if you should decide to skip the job, I will nonetheless be seeing you again soon.
We have much catching up to do.
You need to file your taxes, as a citizen of the US. Making more then $400 self-employed. If you are not a citizen, you don’t have to. Just need to accept that, be happy with it, and if you are not, work on changing that.
If you are really upset, you can work at changing the system . It is hard however. I have worked on numerous senate and congressional campaigns. In order to get into office usually, you have to accept aome special interest money for the air time to reach the public on an equal level with the incumbent. Its difficult, most new senators or congressmen already must side one way or another with particular groups (unions for example)to get their votes. Agreeing once in office, to vote a certain way, and it usually does not invite much broad changes. After all is said and done, it is hard to bring true change but not impossible, just takes a lot of time and money (I too wish that money was not needed so much).
I am assuming you do participate in elections. You can do it via mail.
You’re civil rights are a different issue, but seems to be thrown into the same boat. i would keep that separate and address separate of the tax issue. I know it all of it makes you upset as a whole.
Just have someone to work on it, and get back to sailing. Seems I am sailing more than you, and I am primarily just getting out on weekends. This is bad for your inner well being, and scattering your emotions. Remember, you have rights as a citizen, and that will all work out. I feel like I am finding more peace in the pacific northwest, then you in the carribbean, and that is just not right. :)
Mark
Wil,
Responsibility is a good subject and one I speak of often.
Please point out my “weakness” and tell me how my “choices” are negatively affecting the people around me? And I really don’t think I’ve been “slamming” my country. If I have, I honestly ask my readers to point it out to me. You also mentioned “spreading the word of faith”. Religion is another subject all togeter lets keep church and state separate here. I believe that is part of our former constitution?
First of all let me say, in my humble opinion, under no circumstances is it in any way, shape, or form, viable for the government (State or federal) to seize a mans home or property (Paid off) and put him into the street for tax monies owed. I believe there is also something in our former constitution about this, correct me if I’m wrong:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Constitution
Secondly, under no circumstances is it in any way, shape, or form viable for the police to enter and beat a woman in her own home. Had she been drinking, sure, was she being harassed, absolutly. Do you have any idea the excessive force it takes to break your arm above the elbow? Tazed three times? Think about it.
My sister has been in and out of courts trying to find justice and justice is no where to be found. Now she just cant afford the lawyers and “justice” will never be served. Is this the American way? Is this “responsible” of us to accept in our daily lives? Is this what our brothers die fighting for?
For the most part modern “westernized” people/cultures tend not to be “personally” responsible , however some (like yourself) are socially (legally) responsible. Here is a good image of the hundreds of thousands of floating tuns of plastic in the Pacific because it is “leagle” to produce plastic products on an epic scale. You dont see it on your shore because the currents keeps it offshore, but I have to live with it.
electrictreehouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/plastic_water_bottles.jpg
http://www.californiagreensolutions.com/images/p-trash-pattern.gif
There is a very big difference between “social” responsibility, and “personal (real)” responsibility. I believe people are not inherently bad and know the difference between right and wrong on an instinctive level. It is not okay to have sex with pre-pubescent children, however our system puts these people on the street all the time. “Socially” responsible, yes, but just not right. I also don’t think it is “responsible” for people to be running around in SUV’s burning excessive fossil fuels to go pick up a war movie at blockbuster, return home, sit in an air-conditioned palace, and program their children with violence. But hay, that just my opinion, I’m entitled to it, and believe I still have the right to it. I live more than 80% on solar power, that is just my choice.
There are not two million under nourished starving people in the USA. Every American has access to food stamps and welfare. Poor people in the United States are fat, really fat. Poor people in the rest of the world (like Panama) are skinny, very skinny.
Am I “guilty” for not filing my tax returns, yes. Did I make enough money to owe taxes to the people of the United States in the last 10 years, no. And when I do file I will receive stimulious monies and “benefits” that I don’t want. I believe it is “personally” responsible of myself to not take these monies when my fellow “Americans” are in such a “recession” they feel the need to throw people like my uncle into a snowie street. I have about $800.00 to my name, no income, and a very rewarding life. I am a poor man, and if any of my readers are one of these “two million starving Americans” your welcom to every dime I have. I can spear fish to feed myself. Do I want my $800.00 to go to campaign contributions, the production of weapons of mass destruction, politicians who throw my family in the street, and to pay for police that break my sisters arm, FUCK NO! I am being rolled in the street by a mugger for my last pennies, my captain has been killed, and pirates are running my country!
I am a responsible man, my sister did not deserve to be tazed and beaten in home, and my Uncle deserves his home back.
I am not a criminal, and I wish not to be treated as one. Am I guilty of not filing, sure, and will un-wantingly have an attorney friend file. Do I owe you, the people of the United States any money, no. Will I give my last dollar to a starving man, yes. My sister, my uncle, and myself are not to blame here! Please don’t call us “irresponsible”.
I hope you don’t think I’m coming down on you too hard. If I’m wrong and you don’t agree with me, get in my face and tell me.
Hi Alex, thank you for taking time to address my post. One of the greats is being able to express oneself freely and I belive that is what you are doing and what we do when we post back. To address your comments:
1) Please point out my “weakness” and tell me how my “choices” are negatively affecting the people around me?
My point was that our choices, some great …some not are the weaknesses of our life…some choices take us down a road and there is happiness…..like your trip with Namaste and now Splendid. Other choices we make, like not taking care of the taxes…make the road you travel …rough. Rougher than it needs to be. Yes if you filed you would be eligible to take tax credits and exemptions that would provide you additional dollars due to how the tax code works. How you choose ….to file or not to file…to take credits or not to take credits…thats a choice you make and the impact….impacts you and the road you take.
2) I never mentioned faith in the context of religion…that by itself is a whole different subject. Please reread that section. It has nothing to do with religion. Not all faith is religion, it can be faith in one self…as you found when you were on the beach in 2000.
3) Regarding Americans going hungry. You are correct there are food stamps and welfare…but even that is limited and eventually your status runs out. Or you can be homeless and no address and you have to go to food banks, if they will release food when you need it…and not when they want to distribute. Or you skip out on meals so that your kids can have meals. We are a great country but we have been ignoring our citizens. See this website….http://feedingamerica.org/faces-of-hunger/hunger-in-america-2010/hunger-report-2010.aspx. The 37 million Americans served annually by Feeding America include nearly 14 million children and nearly 3 million seniors. Things have changed since you have left and the problem still grows. Correct me if I am wrong after you read the report. I volunteer at food banks and let me tell you …there is nothing that hurts you deeply when you see kids like Guin standing in line for food. If you dont want your tax credits after you file, then donate them to a worthy cause.
4) You are not alone with the plastic issue. We deal with it all the time in the bay area and with our fishing boats. It is not an isolated issue. Its an issue that needs attention and needs to have change driven to impact it. Again progress….not regression or agression….but attentive people like your self adn others on this site to take action….again like your friend stated….take pen to battle…..may the pen be mighter than the sword.
5) There are more and more people here practicing social responsiblity and that was my point. We make our choices….your choice is to start your own country and make your own rules….my choice is to help where I can and to make changes where I can. To press and never give up. To make a proactive change. The company that I work for Sonoma Mountain Village is 100% green. We use solar for our power…our factory runs completely on it….no power from the grid. We recylcle everything…even our garbage…we have zero impact. We even recylce steel and use it build green homes.
6) I never stated that the police were right or that it was correct for your Uncle to loose his home. It was the choices that made those paths. The choice for the police to react the way they did, the way that the state levied the tax on the house…all choices. Thats all I meant. Your Uncle per your own words could have asked for help, but didnt. Your sister could have had a quieter party but didnt…..again choices.
Does it make it right, NO!! Hell the police towed my sons car on Thanksgiving in front of our house…it was parked next to our driveway….but since it had expired tags….only because the smog couldnt get done on a holiday. I talked to the CHP officer and the tow guy and they both stated that they had no choice. No choice?? They did have a choice….its nothing compared to a broken arm….but it too was harassment. Why is a CHP officer in a neighborhood towing cars…..there were three other cars towed in our neighborhood too. It cost $525 to get the vehicle out of impound since they had it over the weekend….they intentionally towed it on a holiday to make more money…knowing they would keep it over the weekend til they opened on Monday. Was that justice? Hell No!!…but I wrote letters to the mayor, city council members, chief of police and the comadante for the CHP. Did I get actiion from any of them ….NO!! But it is my responsiblity to act and to make that change…tell you sister to keep fighting….and things will change.
Well enough said. I never meant to state that you or your family were irresponsible. I have enjoyed your site and thought this time it was necessary to voice my opinions for whatever its worth. No battles…just communication of respect for each other and each others choices and paths. Much happiness and safe travels.
Will,
You sound like a good man, and I’m reading about your very cool company:
http://www.sonomamountainvillage.com/
I’m also reading the Feeding America report.
feedingamerica.org/faces-of-hunger/hunger-in-america-2010/hunger-report-2010.aspx
If anything this makes me even madder, how can 37, of 308 million Americans citizens be hungry and not have access to food? If this is really true I’d like some other people to comment. Where are they? If this is really true we are a hell of a lot closer to destructing than I had thought. You know about taxes? What percentage of our taxes go to feed our own people? I want to pay those kind of taxes. I’m trying to find an “American” hunger scale to see how fast it’s rising…, cant find one. Maybe we could funnel some DHS $$$ to hungry Americans?
I live amongst very poor/hungry people. I see men hunting iguanas all the time. I could take pictures of people in Colon that would blow your mind. Panama is getting better tho and the corruption decreasing. It was bad when the Americans left as all the canal money went to the politicians, and not the people, go figure.
I don’t know much about “Feeding America” but I hope it is better run than most hunger programs. Do they post their books and what percentage of donations go to “administration”? Sorry but I’m always a bit weary after reading a Salvation Army report. I was on the phone with the Salvation Army trying to find legal help for for my uncle and it was a complete dead end.
Perhaps our administration truly is hell bent on driving our good lady into the ground?
Thanks for the information, and your voice. Who else is up to bring something to the table? I would really like to hear from more people about 37 million starving Americans?
Here is how the red cross allocates funds:
http://www.bbb.org/charity-reviews/national/human-services/american-red-cross-in-washington-dc-679
an, this can not be true?
http://www.nowpublic.com/world/1-8-americans-went-hungry-last-year-how-many-2009
Will,
I just finished the report and went to make a donation, unfortunately they don’t take paypal and I don’t have credit.
I also sent them an email asking for a banner of which I will post at Project BlueSphere.com
My heart hangs even lower, WTF is going on?
I ask myself why our country is falling apart and turn to history, why did Rome fall?
wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_did_Rome_fall
The ancient Roman Empire fell because it was unable to logistically maintain its military supremacy in Europe. This was despite the de facto control of the government by military leaders in place of the Emperor. After the fall of Rome to Germanic mercenaries in 476 AD, the eastern or Byzantine Empire continued for another 1,000 years until conquered by the Ottomans in the 1400’s.
Why is military supremacy take prescience to feeding the people of our nation?
I suppose the answer is simple….,money and power!
I shouldn’t have said “poor people in America are fat, and poor people here are skinny” Although the scale of “poverty is a bit more extreme here and in most other parts of the world. Hungry people are hungry people!
it’s weird how people on your blog associate “mad” (anger or and some crazy) to something that is NEGATIVE (as in minus). It gets the blood flowing , the ideas gushing (sp?)! GRRRR!
what pisses me off is some of the VERY ignorant comments from VERY intelligent people….. like : Your problems could be much worse, you could face generations of your family wiped off the map…like in IRAN or Lybia BY WIL. is just one example!
(and he’s taking Western Media Propaganda’s word for it) GRRRR!
i read : globalresearch.ca/
and Alex Jones does a lot of good stuff BUT he takes lots of his stuff from the WM powerhouse…. what i love about him is he is always ????? EVERYTHING!
Hope you have a wonderful day off. I’m dealing with my 5 year escape from taxes too!
big hugs and kisses
Ky
it’s weird how people on your blog associate “mad” (anger or and some crazy) to something that is NEGATIVE (as in minus). It gets the blood flowing , the ideas gushing (sp?)! GRRRR!
what pisses me off is some of the VERY ignorant comments from VERY intelligent people….. like : Your problems could be much worse, you could face generations of your family wiped off the map…like in IRAN or Lybia BY WIL. is just one example!
(and he’s taking Western Media Propaganda’s word for it) GRRRR!
i read : globalresearch.ca/
and Alex Jones does a lot of good stuff BUT he takes lots of his stuff from the WM powerhouse…. what i love about him is he is always ????? EVERYTHING!
Hope you have a wonderful day off. I’m dealing with my 5 year escape from taxes too!
big hugs and kisses
Ky
Dearest, dearest, Allie
I am truly conflicted and troubled by what you are going through. You know if there is anything at all I can do I will. One of my good friends is an accountant and might have some expertise he can offer you. He too is pretty much disgusted with all that goes on in this country and spends as much time as possible overseas. He is seriously pursuing relocating his family and expertise to the Balkans or Asia. In many ways he has an insight into your plight and shares your outrage.
Where I am conflicted in this is that I am concerned that you, like so many, have been been distracted by the machinations of the power elite and status quo. Look, my favorite political mantra is “I love my country… it is my government that I do not trust.” But you really have to understand that “government” in that phrase doesn’t mean the notion of government itself but how the basic mechanism of its administration has been (de)evolved. By the systematic erosion of the very reason for its existence.
What many people, mostly on the right and among the politically illiterate “Tea-Party” folk, is a fundamental misunderstanding of why government exists. Simply, government exists to do the vast necessary things we as a people need that we, as individuals, can not accomplish. You know, basically- the defense of the people and to ensure their welfare and well-being.
200 years ago it really was a tiny country and our forefathers in all their brilliance and their almost supernatural ability to envision “the future” they never imagined a nation as vast and complicated as the one that exists today. But they truly even then saw the ominous writing on the wall. Many fought valiantly to prevent the establishment of political parties… they knew it would all go to hell if that were to happen. They lost and early on and political parties were part of the process by the 3rd presidency and of course it did really all go to hell. And yes, even way back then, some of forefathers were suggesting the notion of national health care. But this mini-history lesson is not what I want to get into.
What I’m trying to say is that “The Big Lie” is so big because it has been so successful in polarizing the people against each other. This lie is that “government isn’t the solution but the problem” Look, this “We the people…. a government of the people by the people and for the people” is the real deal. Twas always thus. Even the most primitive people today and all through our entire history people have all formed some form of government to govern themselves. The Big Truth is that government works. Big Government often works extremely well. Your and my outrage should always be focused on the folks who are attempting to pervert and take advantage of what essentially is a benign and benevolent system.
Your current situation and my ongoing one are not victims of the purpose of government but how its administration has been gamed, transformed and, yes, perverted. Government is not the enemy and as long as you believe that you are playing into the dirty greedy hands of the very people responsible for all the pain. They want nothing more than for you to be disgusted and to walk away so they can have it all. They’re counting on it. You can’t see this simply as “I don’t like the game so I’m going to take my ball and go home.”
You know me, I’m still the 60’s radical. There is lot that is wrong and the system is certainly broken but that is when we as “American’s” roll up our sleeves, put our noses to the grindstone and fix it. We don’t shrug, throw our arms up in desperation and split.
Don’t forget that OUR parents fought tooth and nail to come here. Of all the nations on the planet they consciously chose this land. You and I are the beneficiaries of that desire. Admit it or not the freedom we expect and demand is a result of that. Although I was not born in the USA, like you I grew up here. Our “world view” is essentially “American” Like it or not it’s fundamental. We, as American’s simply expect things to be a certain way that is unique. Where we are polarized is the notion of what “America” truly means. When Tea-Party people scream that they want their country back it is not the same America I want or value. They see no place for people like me or you. You quote “give me your tired, your poor….” but these are values that most of the people on the right and tea-party are completely against because immigrants, the poor and people of color are easy scapegoats.
I really don’t want to re-live this again but I will just once because I see you don’t understand what truly happened to me. The State did not take the house away from me because I did not pay taxes but because the system had been gamed so that someone was able to, unknown to me, go behind my back and pay these taxes. A problem that began while your grandmother was still alive and I was unaware of until it was so out of control and insurmountable. The people who “bought” this debt were allowed to access an interest rate of 18% monthly and by the time I became aware of the situation it had become so huge that it was essentially impossible to deal with. Blame capitalism not the State.
Blame your cousin, the trustee, who was aware of the situation long before the rest of us could fathom its depth. For a couple of years at least she avoided telling anyone of what was going on and instead kept telling me that she was doing everything possible. Years, I ( and the rest of the family) might have been able to actually do something. If she would have only fessed up, put all the cards on the table… we could have salvaged the situation.
I am not at all blameless in this. Understand that your grandmother and grandfather did not trust me to manage affairs. This is why the house was entrusted to your cousin. My parents knew that I’d screw everything up, not be a responsible person and I’d probably lose the house. To prevent this likely occurrence they believed that they had to protect it for me and from me. Imagine how painful this understanding is for me to accept. For some reason Baptsa chose my niece. I can only assume she had no choice after my brother and my sister, your mother, died. People that would have done the right thing. It didn’t work out that way. It went to your cousin who had absolutely no understanding in what her duties as Executrix actually were.
Please understand that I was essentially put out of the loop. I had no legal position in this. I was neither the owner nor the tenant. I had no law that would protect me because of this position. I couldn’t borrow money to pay off the debt because the house did not belong to me, I couldn’t use the equity or refinance or re-mortgage or even sell it, I was told that if I even listed the property I could be arrested. Essentially the house had been placed into a “box” that only your cousin had access to and she refused to do anything about it. I explained to her that she alone had the power to save the house. She could borrow or refinance it. That she could charge me rent or evict me and rent to someone else to pay it off or even just sell the place. She said that the only reason she originally agreed to being the Executrix was because Baptsa assured her that she would have no financial obligation. Repeatedly I have been told that my only legal recourse has been to sue her for the entire amount due to her negligence, malfeasance and lack of actually administering the “estate” When I wrote her over and over that she was actually enabling the very fate that my mother feared her reaction was to tell me that I was merely trying to “shame” her, that she wouldn’t tolerate emotional blackmail and broke off all contact.
I can’t sue her, it’s not in me. It repulses me. I’d be ashamed to do so. I don’t blame her for not wanting to help her “screw-up” uncle.
Don’t blame the people who came in the back door and took over the property. They only played the game better than me. They took advantage of what was available to them in the tool box. It’s completely irrelevant to wonder how they sleep at night because they took all my possessions and sold them. When I tried to deal with them about my stuff they called the police and threatened me with a restraining order. When they ran an “Estate Sale” on all my belongings I was barred from it. Yeah, it’s unfair that the law protected everyone but me. Get over it- I have. I will not be angry or bitter. Maybe that’s wrong, but that’s me. It wouldn’t be the only or last time that I’m wrong about something.
My only regret remains that so many people, friends and family never fully understood the situation and how dire it truly was. That was my fault as well. I was ashamed and frightened and I never wanted to admit how awful it really was. Always showing an aloof and happy face. I really believed that some salvation was imminent- not religious mind you but that somehow it would work out OK. As usual I believed that the outcome would work out for me. It has, but not in the way that I or you or anyone could have predicted. Look, I’m not at all happy by what happened but, Alie, it’s so liberating. I’m so free. I have not been destroyed.
Frankly Alie what astounds me is that for someone who spends his existence on the water that you are so unaware of the Tao. The so-called “River of Life” ya gotta go with the flow, that’s what the Beatles are telling you when they sing- “Relax! And float down stream.” Things only go wrong when we struggle, when we foolishly believe that we’re somehow in control. My tale only proves how powerless I was and the solution, resolution and salvation was when I let it go. Water, that is what we mostly are and water always seeks the path of least resistance.
I have only taken you down this path not because I want you to go all “Zen” about this but to get you to refocus. Stop wasting your time and energy raging against the machine and get your stuff together. I’m not saying to give up and roll over. I’m telling you to not be distracted by how broken that machine is. It’s always about money. The corporations are in charge and they are efficiently transforming our system into being nothing more than another way to raid the coffers. This is not the time to turn and hide. It is a time to draw the line in the sand.
I can’t tell you how many times it has occurred to me to give up and claim my dual citizenship with France and ask to be deported. But I can’t. Like it or not I am an American. Even when things go wrong, even when what goes on in this country embarrasses and infuriates me. I guess I’m a sucker believing that this Land of the Free and the bold and the brave is real and that “we” will prevail. History is on our side. The course of “civilization” though often very slow, always goes forward and small “s” socialism is inevitable- that’s what is written on the Statue of Liberty.
Look, I’m really sorry and I want to do whatever I can to help you but I want to remind you what is real. In your own words to me- “The stuff in the house is just that, stuff… Well when I took off and left
all my shit behind, and it was a lot of expensive shit, it was the best thing I ever did.” Remember? Do you really want me to say, hey Alie, it’s just a boat? This isn’t spite. I just don’t know any other way to get you to get your bearings again. Just trying somehow to remind you to get real. Don’t get distracted by this catastrophe.
A few last thoughts. Re: “The ancient Roman Empire fell because it was unable to logistically maintain its military supremacy in Europe. This was despite the de facto control of the government by military leaders in place of the Emperor. After the fall of Rome to Germanic mercenaries in 476 AD, the eastern or Byzantine Empire continued for another 1,000 years until conquered by the Ottomans in the 1400’s.”
I love this shit. Actually the truth of the matter is that of the 10 million people that populated the Roman Empire only about 4,000 were “free” the rest were all slaves. Something the Right, corporations and the top 1% actually yearn to recreate. But what really caused the final collapse was not the “barbarians” or Christianity but the almost unbelievably simple fact that the pinnacle of Roman industry was their system of aqueducts. Aqueducts that were lined in lead! By the time of Caligula and Nero you had an entire population suffering generational brain damage. “Normalcy” didn’t begin until this part of the Roman infrastructure collapsed.
My favorite part of Roman history is Hadrian’s Wall in ancient Britain. Ostensibly built to keep back the tide of barbarian invasion. Now we know that is the spot when the Roman Empire ended. No longer concerned with conquering and expansion Hadrian was saying that the grandeur that was Rome was over. America is at that point now. Built on a cruel philosophy of “manifest destiny” the moment we start building walls across our borders to keep “others” out we are signaling our decline. It’s probably a good thing. I’m not a big fan of the Roman Empire. And oh, Alie, we’re Ukrainians. Our blood is descended from the Cimmerian, goths and Visigoths. You do know who the Visigoths are don’t you? Those are those “barbarians at the gates” that the Romans were so afraid of.
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