The whole world's watching--fallout in the German press was quick

[DFW]

55. Since I vote in Texas, my Senators couldn't give a rat's ass about me, or about 95% of Texans for that matter.

That goes for our governor and state attorney general, as well, as most know.

The last time I tried to reach out to any Texas member of Congress, I needed a passport renewal when COVI first hit, and they were useless. Only the US Consulate in Frankfurt helped out. The only time before that was in 1990, when for some reason the IRS determined that my elder daughter, age 7, was delinquent on some $7 payment to the IRS and was getting threatening letters. I sent the info and a letter of explanation to the office of Sen. Phil Gramm. Though a Republican, his office acted promptly and made the problem go away. They didn't even ask me for their $7.

I figure that there has to be a minimum of 5 million Americans Abroad of voting age, possibly six million. There will be plenty of Republicans among them, of course, but I suspect they are a minority. People who live abroad will, by necessity, be open to foreign languages, cultures and ideas in far greater numbers than typical American communities, with the possible exception of academic-rich enclaves in Massachusetts, New York and California. That would seem to indicate a majority of ex-pat Democrats. Even taking the lower number of 5 million eligible voters, 1,350,000 absentee ballots from overseas is only a quarter of the people eligible for them. If our reps in Congress would get busy rectifying the lack of residence-based taxation, the donor pool--and possible the number of voters, period--could double. PLenty of swing state companies based in PA, WI, MI and GA have large business presences overseas, and need mid-level American managers to run them. This, in turn, necessitates the teachers, accountants, and usual support staff that goes with it. The host countries are liberal in granting residence visas, because it brings in new tax money without their having to give anything back. I have to pay full boat taxes in Germany, and get ZERO in return. No pension, no health insurance, no nothing. Just the German government demanding half my income.

Colin Allred came a-calling again for money for his Don Quijote quest to oust Ted Cruz in the Senate. The first time I talked to him was a couple of years ago, when he was running for Congress. I said I'd give him money if he remembered the tax situation for Americans Abroad--not the theoretical situation (the Double Taxation treaties have it all covered), but the real situation (no, they don't, either). He said absolutely, and I never heard a peep from him until he came calling again for money for his Senate run. He even remembered that I had mentioned it last time. Funny thing how he never even gave it a thought after he got into Congress. I'm under no illusions about what he'll do for us if he somehow beats Cruz and becomes our Senator. I can add zero plus zero as well as the next guy.

If five million potential voters from overseas thought they could get some tax justice, imagine what a mere extra $100 per voter would mean: a half billion dollar pool of contributions (Republicans, included, of course).

But that would require some creative thinking and some action. Aiming rather high, I'm only too aware.