The Liberal Elites: The Real Reason Why They Will Never Leave the USA

Why the Liberal Elites Will Never Leave the USA Despite Claiming Otherwise

With the presidential election in our rear view mirror, we are now able to turn our attention to those in the entertainment industry — and their veiled threats of leaving the United States.

Many of the liberal elite have threatened to leave the United States in the event of a Trump victory.

 I say that they are bluffing.

In truth, these entertainers have enlisted the assistance of the liberal media as an excuse for more face time and for them to remain relevant as “celebrities”.  Late night talk show hosts have also jumped in, as well as mainstream pundits.

Despite Trump’s resounding victory, liberal elites continue their rants of “racist” “homophobe,”“sexist,” “islamophobe, and “xenophobe” as well as the absurd assertion that Clinton should have been anointed the first woman President since she carried the popular vote. Please see the United States Constitution!

Hilary’s epitaph should now read:

“To me, being a gangster was better than being the president of the United States.” Henry Hill: “Goodfellas” 1990.

If history teaches us anything about entertainers, bombastic statements are rarely, if ever, followed up with any meaningful action. While Rosie, Miley, Amy, Whoopi, Chelsea, Samuel, Brian, Al, and others, publicly excoriated the President Elect throughout his campaign, vowing to leave the United States in the event of a Trump victory, it would appear these declarations were nothing more than veiled threats designed to influence the outcome of the election and enhance the respective entertainer’s stock.

The following examples show just how desperate and disingenuous these pseudo intellectuals are and also demonstrate the liberal elite’s penchant to evasively pivot when responding to a simple question that requires an honest answer.

• Whoopi Goldberg  recently walked back her threat to leave the United States by stating on the View that I’m not leaving the country I was born and raised in,’ The cryptic statement, however, fails to answer the  question: Whoopi, why are you still here?
• Likewise, Miley Cyrus recanted her promise to leave the country the morning after the election by treating us to a teary eyed emotional video where she conceded the election results and accepted Trump as her President. Like Whoopi, Miley has offered no explanation why she is still here.
• After being called out on her promise to leave, Amy Schumer offered up a lame excuse in an Instagram statement that the threat of leaving was just a ‘joke.’ Despite dubious explanation, Schumer could not resist the “pivot” by attacking Trump supporters with the following rant: ‘Anyone saying pack your bags is just as disgusting as anyone who voted for this racist homophobic openly disrespectful woman abuser.’

My favorite and perhaps the most creative non-responsive answer came from Samuel L. Jackson.

• After referring to Trump as a ‘motherf****r’ during a skit on the Jimmy Kimmel show, Jackson threatened to move to South Africa if Trump was elected. However, Jackson later announced via twitter that he is staying, but not without first expressing his indignation for those pressing him for an answer. Jackson said ‘When you learn the difference between My Actual Opinion and A Kimmel Skit….. Maybe we can talk. Till then, I’m Barbed Wire Up Your Asses!! [sic].’  Jackson also seized the moment to Pearl Harbor Trump and his supporters comparing Trump’s victory to the introduction of the Jim Crow laws, which enforced segregation: ‘The Last Time I survived Jim Crow I was Poor.’ He then added: ‘Guess what Motherf*****S.. Not This Time!! Enjoy your newfound win, Bigly!!’
• Chelsea Handler offered a more civil, but equally disingenuous explanation on her Netflix Show as to why she will not be leaving the United States by stating: ‘ It’s easy to throw in the towel and say that we’re going to leave, or I’m gonna move to Spain.’ She added: ‘Because I want to move to Spain, I really, really want to move to Spain right now. But everyone in my office is like, “you have a responsibility. You have a voice, you need to use it and you have to be here.”’Chelsea, you still haven’t answered the question. Why are you still here?

There are also others who have threatened to leave in the event of a Trump victory.

Like their colleagues, these entertainers have failed to explain why they are still in the United States, instead electing to pivot.

• Singer Cher, who threatened to move to the Planet Jupiter, has yet to address the question of why she is still living in the United States. Instead, Cher, who has not had a lucid thought since her divorce to the late Sonny Bono, provided her flock via social media with the following words of wisdom: ‘The world will never be the same. I feel sad for the young. [Trump] will never be more than the toilet; I’ve used as a symbol 4 Him. U Can’t Polish [a t***].’

The preceding examples illustrate the hypocrisy behind the liberal mantra: “When they go low, we go high.”  This list is by no means complete, but just a sampling.

The lame excuses as well as the assault on those who dare disagree with these traitors and other dilatory tactics make one thing clear. The liberal elites will never provide us with an honest answer as to why they will not leave. But do not despair. The real answer may be found in the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and the application of the Exit Tax.

Here is how it works. For purposes of this discussion we will assume expatriation takes place in the year 2016.

A U.S. citizen who renounces her citizenship or a long term resident who terminates her U.S. resident status may be subject to what is sometimes referred to as an “Exit Tax.”  The Exit Tax only applies to “Covered Expatriates.”

For 2016, an individual is considered to be a Covered Expatriate if any of the following apply:

1. Your average annual net income tax for the preceding 5 tax years ending before the date of expatriation or termination of residency is more than a specified amount adjusted for inflation. (For 2016 the average annual net income tax amount is $161,000);
2. Your net worth is $2 million or more on the date of expatriation or termination of long term resident status; or
3. You fail to certify on Form 8854 that you have complied with all U.S. federal tax obligations for the five years preceding the date of your expatriation or termination of your residence.

Based upon the above criteria and Celebrity Net Worth, the celebrities mentioned in this discussion would be considered Covered Expatriates.

If an individual is considered a Covered Expatriate, that individual is subject to income tax on the net unrealized gain from the sale of the individual’s property.

The IRS treats all property owned by a U.S. citizen or long term resident as if the property was sold at its fair market value on the day before expatriation. In other words the individual is taxed on the market to market net gain of all his or her assets.

The total amount of gain is reduced by an exclusion amount which is adjusted for inflation. For 2016 the exclusion is $693,000. The net gain, after allowance for the exclusion,is subject to income tax at the capital gains rate of 20% plus an additional 3.8% surtax. This rate is based upon the assumption that the Covered Expatriate is subject to the top tax bracket of 39.6%.

To illustrate how the Exit Tax is applied, consider the following example:

John, a famous Hollywood actor and producer, is considered a Covered Expatriate.  During a radio interview with ABC news on September 12, 2016 John threatens he will leave the country if that “asshole” Trump is elected. John follows through on his threat. On November 13, 2016 John renounces his U.S. citizenship. The fair market value of all property owned by John immediately preceding his expatriation is $75 million. John’s basis in the property is $25 million. The IRS will treat John’s property as if sold on the day before expatriation. The net unrealized gain on the “deemed” sale is $50 million. After allowance for the $693,000 exclusion, the net gain recognized for tax purposes is $49,307,000.Since John is in the top tax bracket of 39.6%, he would be subject to a capital gains rate of 20% and an additional 3.8% surtax. As such, John would owe $11,735,066.At first blush, a tax of 23.8% may seem a small price to pay in order to be free of Trump’s despotic rule, provided the assets are liquid. In this case, however, John’s assets primarily consist of non-liquid assets, such as real estate, luxury automobiles, a personal jet, two yachts, and a collection of antique cars. A “deemed sale” of these assets results in a cash crisis, causing John to “fire sale” his Ferrari, private jet, 2 yachts and his mountain home in Steamboat Springs, Colorado in order to satisfy the Exit Tax.

The above example provides insight as to why U.S. entertainers will never leave the states.

I would be remiss if I did not mention Al Sharpton. No A-List of celebrities would be complete without him. For those of you who are saddened at the prospect of Al Sharpton expatriating, you can relax. Mr. Sharpton is not going anywhere.  Al Sharpton, considered by some to be a serial tax evader, would be considered a Covered Expatriate based upon his reported net worth of $5 million. Furthermore, Mr. Sharpton’s unpaid federal income and employment taxes are substantial and well chronicled. There is no indication, at least in the foreseeable future that he will pay up.While Obama has been able to provide cover and insulate Sharpton from IRS Collections for the past eight years, the situation has now changed.  “Just Keepen’ It Real.”  Now back to Sharpton as a Covered Expatriate.

Since Certification is an integral part of the expatriation process, “Big Al” or Al “Slim Shady” Sharpton as he is affectionately referred to by radio talk show host, Curtis Sliwa, is currently unable to Certify on Form 8854 that he has complied with all U.S. tax obligations for the preceding five years. Slim Shady has two choices. He can pay his back taxes as well as the Exit Tax and Certify on Form 8854 that he is in compliance, at which point he would be free to leave the U.S. The alternative would be for him to falsely Certify on Form 8854 that he is in compliance and move to a non-extradition country. The latter alternative, however, may be foreclosed if Sharpton’s passport is revoked in accordance with Section 7345 of the Internal Revenue Code.  To date, no response. Cat got your tongue Al?

Finally, I’m a “little bit” disappointed that De Niro has yet to depart for Italy as rumored. Bob’s October 8, 2016 video rant has many in the public concerned. This Goodfella seems to have come unhinged.  Nevertheless, we still do not have an answer. Bob, why are you still here?

The liberal elites would have you think that they are selfless and concerned with championing the causes of those who are less fortunate and converting the masses who voted for Trump. These charlatans would also have you believe that they are concerned with the equitable treatment of all and the redistribution of wealth.  Unfortunately, they are not interested in redistributing their wealth nor are they interested in paying the “vig” in order to leave the States.

While it’s unfortunate that we are stuck with these hypocrites, at least for the foreseeable future, the public can take solace in knowing the real reason why we are unable to rid ourselves of these Hollywood elites. It’s the Exit Tax.

Serious about leaving?  Put up or shut up!

© 2016 Anthony N. Verni, Attorney at Law, Certified Public Accountant

Wednesday, November 16, 2016