hfly - you're probably right. luckily i have never had to rely on the US diplomatic corps for any services, and i hope that doesn't have to change. anyway, my point was that i could see the argument for some sort of nominal payments for those residual rights/services US citizens abroad enjoy (because, after all, if you keep the right of citizenship, I can see why people would say you really ought to kick in some sort of responsibility).

byrdluvs - to be fair, as i understand it, the actual amount paid by US expats usually works out to be pretty small. (other people here will know better than me). OTOH, if you're not actively using any of the services, why should you pay for any of them, and what gdmf business is it of theirs if it all happens outside US territory? it's not as if you're going to get any deduction from the foreign govt because you don't plan on taking an Elbonian pension in the future...

(Yes, I do realise the two halves of my post slightly contradict each other!)