During many epochs of the U.
S.
economic growth and development, the country has benefitted from the arrival of the educated elite of other lands fleeing their homelands looking for a better life.
Whether they were economic or political refugees, they were welcomed with open arms.
Many of these went on to become upstanding citizens and outstanding producers in the U.
S.
economy.
Some countries like Cuba, beginning in the late 1950s, lost most of their professional members of society to other countries, primarily the United States.
This brain drain had devastating effects on Cuba.
They have not yet recovered.
The United States in the past has been fortunate and blessed in that the country has had not only its own educated elite, but many of those from other countries on which to build.
However, as of 2010 there is the possibility of this process being reversed.
Numerous educated professionals and even entire companies are relocating to other parts of the world, looking for more economic opportunity and less taxation.
The U.
S.
brain drain may have already begun.
As the leaders of the United States government openly talk of redistributing the wealth, the alarm bells are going off.
Individuals, who have spent a lifetime working and earning under the openly capitalistic system, find themselves unable to retain their gains due to an openly hostile government operating with the intentions of taking from those who have and giving to those who have not.
This article is not about the rightness or wrongness of the policy, but recognizes what is happening as a factor in an increasing number of citizens becoming expatriates, and a much larger number than in the past, actually renouncing their U.
S.
citizenship.
Perception is reality.
In this case the perception is that it is becoming harder and harder to retain the fruits of ones labor in the United States under an openly socialistic governmental trend.
Helping the underprivileged and infirm is one thing.
Forcing those who have earned through their own hard work and labor to pay for those who have not or will not work is another thing and creates a perception of futility.
This feeling of futility, and the resulting frustration has led many to consider making a move abroad.
Some have made the decision based on the possibility of better living standards in the new destination for the same amount of income.
Others see it as an opportunity to live a more peaceful and relaxed existence.
Whatever the reason, the most frequently mentioned triggering motive is the feeling that these persons no longer believe in their government's ability to put the interest of its citizens first.
Admittedly, the burdens of U.
S.
citizenship (particularly tax policies) follow these expatriates to their new destinations.
But even then, the perceived and real benefits of living abroad are seen as outweighing the disadvantage of remaining in the territorial limits of the U.
S.
Whether the benefits ultimately will outweigh the disadvantages will only be known as time passes, but meanwhile the expatriate exodus -- and resultant brain drain -- continues in ever increasing numbers each year.
Someone obviously believes it worth the effort to live as an expatriate.