US Passport Fees

[PJMcK]

3. Great idea except for one thing

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.