Live in the Philippines

Live in the Philippines helps expats with visas, moving and other services regarding the Philippines.

Yes, We Trust Our Government

Expats / by

In the 17th century, the term “commonwealth” referred to an organized political community, or what today is called a “state.” Four states in our Union—Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Virginia—are still officially called commonwealths. When they joined the United States, they chose to keep the old form instead of using “state” as their title.

This is how it all started on Facebook the other day, a young man named “Paul Thompson” not to be confused with this Paul Thompson, sent me a msg that I might have a claim against the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for unclaimed money they might have, belonging to me. In the form of an unclaimed bank account, when I left the commonwealth  in 1964 to join the Navy the amount they might hold could not amount to very much even with accumulated interest.

So I pointed out to the younger (Non-related) Paul Thompson that if we all claimed the money and drained the fund who would hire all the laid off Mass Treasury employees working for Treasurer of the State of Massachusetts Deborah B. Goldberg!

Albeit with the 2016 legalization of marijuana in Massachusetts AKA: Girl Scout Cookies, Ganja, Alice B Toklas, Wacky Tobaccy, Square Grouper (When found floating), Giggle Smoke, Mary Jane, Cannabis.

There was a huge blizzard hit last week in Boston, oh my, what will they do when the power goes out, maybe those reassigned Treasury folks can drive around the commonwealth collecting taxes on the legal pot.

Then I investigated more and found this on the commonwealths official website;

UNCLAIMED PROPERTY SCAM ALERT

Worth the trip
Worth the trip

Illegitimate letters from a Massachusetts address (I did wonder if people were receiving letters from the other 49 states are being sent to the state’s citizens claiming “unclaimed property winnings.” I recommend we all ignore them These letters are not being sent by the Massachusetts Office of the State Treasurer (Not the commonwealth Treasure?), or, could the real scam be that they are looking for me the guy who never paid a penny into the commonwealths taxes in the last 53 years, a tricky person like Deborah B. Goldberg, who might be running a scam to get those back taxes.

I’ll work to keep my name off any paper work that will connect my name and the place named after an Algonquian tribe, “Massachusetts”, which translates to something along the lines of “people of the great hill!. We tricked the Algonquian Tribe by inviting them to dine with pilgrims and then stole their land and left Plymouth Rock as payment. After they gave us Turkeys and a breed of Chickens called Plymouth Rock Chickens, which all the puritans did was name the dumb birds?

The Gold Rush 1849
The Gold Rush 1849

When I worked in California I had to invoke a law passed by Harry S. Truman called the Soldiers‘ and Sailors‘ Civil Relief Act (SSCRA of 1947) which smited the greedy California lawmakers for years as they have tried to tax non-residents of their state since WW-II. Even as a merchant seaman, who was living in the Philippines My name was on nothing in California so again I was exempt from their taxes but OH did they try. After I retired they tried once more, I told them to extradite me from the Philippines, and sue me, because I’m not coming there on, my dime.  Maybe we should all claim. Alaska they have no state tax and they give you money every year! California being just like Massachusetts stole their land from another group of indigenous people and never even gave them a niftily copy of a Plymouth Rock. So trust your government and know they mean well whenever they offer you a good deal.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. I joined this to learn about the Philippines, do you plan to change the name to? This post doesn’t interest anyone!

      • Bob;
        When Steve “Joined” LiP and was disappointed did you refund his membership money? When Steve makes a fake news statement such as: “This post doesn’t interest anyone!’ Did he post the names of the others he referenced who were also not interested? Just one name is all we’ll need.

  2. Steve;
    What did we learn about the Philippines this week? You cannot be extradited to California over back taxes. I.ve lived in the Philippines as a resident since 1993; I visited here the first time in the mid 1960’s. I’ve been on Bob’s site for years and have never taken the time to thank you for the valuable wisdom you have imparted to the rest of us on all your knowledge you gleaned while living here. Before you chide me go back and read the 385 weekly articles I’ve submitted to LiP and I challenge you to point out one time where I did not include some snippet of what it is like to live here. I’m still waiting for your next helpful article you have on life here. Don’t abandon LiP because of me, note my name, when it appears on this site, skip over whatever I write, and move on. I promise you it will not affect me a whit, nor will I care. If you ever do collect all that info you need please pick one of the 7,700 other islands that I don’t live on, no one needs your negative input, Save that joy for the poor person you are living next too. Note the fact that are 7,700 islands taking into account the tides, you may add that to your info file!

    Bob, Steve is picking on me!!! (LOL)

    • Who would have a problem with Paul? Not I cried the……… Can’t imagine anyone not learning from Paul.

        • Yes, the elite are always in control. But Trump was the first in a long time to buck especially the media elite and win. They all usually cower to the big guns.

          Trump has made sure he’s not going against the military complex. Remember what Ike said about the military complex.

          • I’m watching the republicans squander their advantage on this Obamacare and know the lead they have will be gone next November.

            • The Republicans tend to shoot themselves in the foot. They are splintered. Need to be progressive.

              Some are Holler than thou. Too many are back in the stone age. They believe time can be reversed. Cruz always has been totally for himself.

              • HGB
                Last summer it dawned on me that I served the country for 24 years, if the new group doesn’t care why do I? I live in the Philippines..

              • Jay;
                The republicans, who lied to get in office on Trump’s coattails said, give us the WH, The Senate and congress and we will fix the problem. They got what they wanted and now they are back to fighting among themselves. Not backing the elected president. Then you have the Democrats who are doing exactly what they promised, tearing the country apart. with a smile on their face. You decide who is right, you are living there, I’m living in the Philippines and have served our country for over 24 years, and I’ll let the next generation handle it! I’m done with it all I hope it all works out for you back there.

              • Hi Paul,

                I hope it all works out for you in the Philippines, too. That is all I am going to say about either country’s politics for now. I think I misunderstood your previous comment, but it really doesn’t matter.

                Peace

                Jay

              • Jay;
                Misunderstandings over politics is easy to do, Mr. Trump and HRC were not involved with Massachusetts and unclaimed money, or with California wanting a part of my retirement from the Navy and Merchant Marine, so I didn’t understand your reference to HRC and Trump. That is why last summer I announced I would not broach that subject again. All is very well in the Philippines since their politics don’t affect me as I am but a guest residing legally within the Philippines. I have no problem with your desire to talk politics, I would prefer not to..

              • Hi Paul,

                My first mistake was I perceived your earlier comment to another poster to mean you were no longer supportive of President Trump which is not the case.

                My second mistake was interjecting myself in something I was not involved in to start with.

                I am now committing my third mistake my responding again. That makes three strikes against me and I am out!

                Peace Paul, I am glad you are doing well!

                Jay

              • Posters, you lost me, what I actually said was I stopped caring about politics as there is too much life to live without it as I live here contented in the Philippines and was wasting my time with it. If the subject still means something to you as you are forced to live with the fighting and lies 24-7 on your media then I respect you for your views. I have blocked the news channels on my TV system. Because I really just don’t care. It sounds like any strikes you are calling on yourself are your decision as I have still not commented on politics. Nor do I plan on it. Stay well!

  3. Hi Bob;
    As long as they pick on me they are leaving someone else alone. Pity the person who attacks a stranger because he disagrees with someone else point of view. I pray that for some reason that they never gather the facts they need to make the decision to move here, and if that is my fault than I am pleased. The need for another person ‘that hates the Philippines and want to change it into a mini-California reminds me too much of the United States and the pure hate they spread. But don’t spread it here.

  4. Wow Steve is offended and not learning anything on the site. I’m with you Paul, Steve should maybe move to Belize or Vietnam