Should more Americans be encouraged to own passports?

I've been out of the country a far amount, but what does it mean to "encourage Americans to go abroad"?

62% of Americans have less than $1,000 in their savings accounts. If your numbers are right, 54% of Americans don't have a passport. Seems fairly consistent.

A passport costs $110. 11 hours pay at $10/hour.

The US is a big country. People living along the US-Canada or US-Mexico border can drive, but everyone else has to fly to leave the US. What's the cheapest you can get a flight to europe for? $700? That's almost 2 weeks pay at $10/hour. Canada? $400. A week. Are we going to offer subsidized travel? Americans begrudge giving food stamps and health care to low-wage workers. They're certainly not going to subsidize travel.

I agree with your point entirely.

I was just thinking perhaps through more education programmes perhaps encouraging study abroad or the possibility of US companies based in other countries maybe offering the chance for some workers to go abroad for even 2-3 months.

To me, it's sad that passports are almost out of reach for low paid people but subsidies just aren't an option.

You are living in the greatest country on earth. Why would you want to spend even a minute outside of it?

So that you know how much worse the rest of the world is? You don't have to travel to know that.

Gee I was thinking about taking a vacay to North Korea. Would I need a passport for that or just an up to date will? Maybe a trip to South America would be a little nicer?

well...... wrote:

I've been out of the country a far amount, but what does it mean to "encourage Americans to go abroad"?

62% of Americans have less than $1,000 in their savings accounts. If your numbers are right, 54% of Americans don't have a passport. Seems fairly consistent.

A passport costs $110. 11 hours pay at $10/hour.

The US is a big country. People living along the US-Canada or US-Mexico border can drive, but everyone else has to fly to leave the US. What's the cheapest you can get a flight to europe for? $700? That's almost 2 weeks pay at $10/hour. Canada? $400. A week. Are we going to offer subsidized travel? Americans begrudge giving food stamps and health care to low-wage workers. They're certainly not going to subsidize travel.

Great post.

Except none of those things prevent far more Canadians and Australians from travelling.

Americans do travel, more than many countries.

Now obviously if you live in some tiny country with 10 million people you're more likely to travel "internationally."

Come to think of it, everytime I am away, I never seem to meet a lot of Americans.

Lots of Brits, Germans, Japanese, Chinese, Irish, Scandies but not many Americans.

However, they're very easy to spot when you do see them.

ironic post, yours wrote:

well...... wrote:

I've been out of the country a far amount, but what does it mean to "encourage Americans to go abroad"?

62% of Americans have less than $1,000 in their savings accounts. If your numbers are right, 54% of Americans don't have a passport. Seems fairly consistent.

A passport costs $110. 11 hours pay at $10/hour.

The US is a big country. People living along the US-Canada or US-Mexico border can drive, but everyone else has to fly to leave the US. What's the cheapest you can get a flight to europe for? $700? That's almost 2 weeks pay at $10/hour. Canada? $400. A week. Are we going to offer subsidized travel? Americans begrudge giving food stamps and health care to low-wage workers. They're certainly not going to subsidize travel.

Great post.

Except none of those things prevent far more Canadians and Australians from travelling.

Canada and Australia don't have many great tourist attractions. The United States has more of them than the rest of the world combined.

When you travel abroad, you are enriching the tourist industry abroad. A true patriot spends money on hotels and restaurants in the United States.

Cant speak french..... wrote:

Gee I was thinking about taking a vacay to North Korea. Would I need a passport for that or just an up to date will? Maybe a trip to South America would be a little nicer?

I went to South America for the weekend once. It was a little muggy. I hear it's nice in August. Check out the Blue Man Group at the casino.