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CloudWatcher

(1,831 posts)
Sat Jun 25, 2022, 01:43 PM Jun 2022

US Passport Fees

We should be lobbying to eliminate passport fees. Far too many people in the US have no idea how the rest of the world works and think that how we do things here must be the best way.

And ... soon we might need to leave the country to get health care.

Map from Center for Reproductive Rights: The World's Abortion Laws

International travel should be encouraged and even subsidized. Not just limited to those that can pay extra fees to prove citizenship.

6 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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US Passport Fees (Original Post) CloudWatcher Jun 2022 OP
Could Biden accomplish that by executive order? Jeebo Jun 2022 #1
I think he could CloudWatcher Jun 2022 #2
Great idea except for one thing PJMcK Jun 2022 #3
I agree with everything you've said! CloudWatcher Jun 2022 #4
Great point concerning abortion PJMcK Jun 2022 #5
And we're in Colorado ... CloudWatcher Jun 2022 #6

Jeebo

(2,005 posts)
1. Could Biden accomplish that by executive order?
Sat Jun 25, 2022, 01:49 PM
Jun 2022

I'm pretty sure he could. I had my passport renewed in December 2016. It cost $110, if I remember correctly. That's a lot of money for somebody who literally just barely gets by from paycheck to paycheck.

-- Ron

CloudWatcher

(1,831 posts)
2. I think he could
Sat Jun 25, 2022, 01:52 PM
Jun 2022

But I wouldn't be too shocked if it needed congressional approval.

But I could imagine this as something that might get bi-partisan support. After all the GOP is all for better ID's, right?

PJMcK

(21,921 posts)
3. Great idea except for one thing
Sat Jun 25, 2022, 02:03 PM
Jun 2022

Most Americans are afraid/terrified to travel to other countries! Hell, many of them don't even travel to other states. When they do travel, it's to enclosed resorts or on cruise ships; neither of those really expose one to the wonders of the world.

Too many of our fellow citizens are nearly totally ignorant about the rest of the world. They don't know geography or the history of other nations. Damn, they don't even know American history! They have no idea of the scale and scope of other peoples. They think most of the world is undeveloped, except for the cities, of course. Xenophobia has a long and ugly history in the United States. People that closed-minded are not going to be curious about other cultures even if they speak English.

I've traveled extensively and love to see new places, meet people, eat new foods and just breathe the air of different exciting exotic environs. I cannot comprehend those folks who are stay-at-homes.

As to your suggestion, passport fees aren't that much and the ID is the best you can get. It lasts for 10 years and is backed by the full faith ands credit of the United States of America. I really don't think the cost of the fee is what is holding Americans back from foreign travel. But when my passport needs renewal in a few years, if they State Department has followed your idea, I'll be happy to not have to pay the fee!

Enjoy your weekend, CloudWatcher.

CloudWatcher

(1,831 posts)
4. I agree with everything you've said!
Sat Jun 25, 2022, 02:08 PM
Jun 2022

But eliminating passport fees would at least remove one barrier (excuse) for people that are considering travel.

But the darker vision is needing a lot of emergency passports ($$) for an international underground railroad to get abortion care for people here ... if the crazies are able to ban abortion in all 50 states.

That's what's going to be needed soon if they ever get control again.

PJMcK

(21,921 posts)
5. Great point concerning abortion
Sat Jun 25, 2022, 02:26 PM
Jun 2022

I wasn't clueing into that focus. It's an excellent point and I'm sorry I missed it.

We're in New York City and the governor has made it clear that women's rights will be protected and declared our state a sanctuary for anyone who wants an abortion. Thankfully, the Republicans haven't made passports necessary for travel between the states!

For those 30 or so states that have bans in place, they are going to suffer the burden of their actions.

CloudWatcher

(1,831 posts)
6. And we're in Colorado ...
Sat Jun 25, 2022, 02:59 PM
Jun 2022

Another abortion-rights state. But if the GOP takes Congress and the Presidency, you can bet we'll have federal abortion bans by the end of their term ... unless there is a major change in the Supreme Court.

Canada might have to put up a wall to keep out all the women needing abortions (just a joke ... I hope).

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