Ask HN: Given that SOPA or a similar legislation passes, would you leave the US?

5 points by 8bitpal 14 years ago | 7 comments

I live in Europe and when I was in school we learned about the "American job mobility" as a driving factor for the economical success of the US. I understand this applies to mobility within the US but it does indicate a certain mindset.

Given the scenario that

  - a bill like SOPA passes 

  - it is being enforced, creates a controlled internet and thus substantially threatens your business model as well as free speech. 
 
  - the current status quo (or "better") of the internet is being maintained in most of the world.

Would you leave the US?

  - If not, how would you adapt? 

  - If yes, where would you go and why?

bartonfink 14 years ago |

I was already planning on leaving the US for similar reasons, and SOPA isn't doing the US's case any favors. The fact of the matter is that the US can no longer claim it holds a monopoly on a first-world quality of life the way it could in the past. The US hasn't taken itself seriously as a country for a while, and I don't see any reason to stick around and subject my family to whatever comes down the pipeline.

I'm planning to head to Australia for a number of reasons, some personal, some political. I've decided to effectively vote with my feet. I'm an intelligent, successful person and I see no reason to put up with a government that seems to take me for granted while it can't even do its most basic job. The world is getting smaller every day, and things like Skype mean that a move like this doesn't entail cutting all ties with family in the way it used to. Why put up with a country that acts like it doesn't want you?

tobylane 14 years ago | |

Is there a specific timeframe where you think the US had that monopoly?

bartonfink 14 years ago | | |

Post-WW2 comes to mind immediately, largely because the rest of the world was either in the grips of colonialism or trying to rebuild after the war.

robdoherty2 14 years ago |

Interesting question.

As I've been reading the developments of the SOPA legislation, the very thought occurred to me of what would happen if it passes, and whether I would consider leaving in the near or long term.

The problem is that once it gets to the point where it makes sense for intelligent people to think about leaving, it will become very difficult to do so. The trick is to leave before it gets really bad-- but how to know when that is.

And then there is the question of where can we go?

Canada is the first thought, but it's not easy to emigrate there from what I understand. And Europe? Without an EU passport forget, about it unless you have very exceptional skills.

I lived in Japan for some years and would also consider there or another East Asian country, but even for those who know Japanese, for example, it is not easy to secure employment except in very specific industries.

I'm curious to hear what others have to say about this question.

edelweiss 14 years ago | |

It made sense for intelligent people to leave the U.S. since 2003 (when I moved my family of 5 to Vienna Austria), so it's already too late (not so easy to renounce US Citizenship now, new draconian financial reporting laws for expats and new laws which prevent taking assets out of the country kick in 2013).

In 2013 I will renounce my US Citizenship to gain Austrian Citizenship. I have thought long and hard about this. I am proud of the principles the US was founded on, which are trampled on each and every day in Congress, by the President, and in the Supreme Court. I am proud of those who sacrificed for the good of our country, who sacrificed to preserve those rights and to bestow them on me upon my birth. Those sacrifices are dishonored and spit upon daily by our politicians, and their kleptocrat corporate owners.

I will always love the United States, and the majority of it's honorable, kind, and caring people. However I have no love of this totalitarian nightmare which is our government.

Our government is illegitimate, despicable, and dishonorable.

"But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty to throw off such government and provide new guards for their future security."

People don't talk that way anymore.

Beautiful, huh?

- No idea what you said. - It means, if there's something wrong, those who have the ability to take action have the responsibility to take action. "

National Treasure - 2004

"Because you are the president of USA, sir. Whether it is to your character ... Of the oath that you have taken To the Constitution to protect. Of the weight of history That rests on your shoulders. I believe you Are an honorable man, sir.

Gates, that sort of thing People do not believe anymore.

They want to believe in it."

National Treasure Book of Secrets - 2007

Getting a VISA in Austria is straightforward, and Vienna is the best city in the world for quality of life (Mercer 2010, 2011).

http://www.migration.gv.at/en/types-of-immigration/permanent...

polyfractal 14 years ago | |

And regarding Europe, should the Eurozone start to crumble things could get pretty dicey. May be less relevant if your work is remote, but I imagine it will be profoundly uncomfortable no matter what.

That said, if the Eurozone crumbles, it will be profoundly uncomfortable worldwide.

daimyoyo 14 years ago |

If I had the resources, yes.(I'd either go to Norway or Australia, I'm not sure which) Unfortunately, I can't afford to leave the city I live in now, let alone the entire country.