Your country doesn't care about you.

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A quick note → I’ve decided to (at least temporarily) change the format of the newsletter.

Instead of covering global news, expect more in-depth insight and advice designed to help you get out of the system, and become more sovereign. I hope you enjoy the change. Expect emails now on Wednesday and Sunday.

👓 ESTIMATED READ TIME: 6 min

When Rome lost its way.

During the twilight of the Roman Empire in the 5th century AD, a palpable sense of decay spread among its citizens.

The bustling streets of Rome, once vibrant with the hum of trade and the chatter of a prosperous populace, began to echo instead with the complaints of weary inhabitants.

The empire, now struggling under the weight of its vastness, demanded crushing taxes from its people.

Farmers and merchants, burdened by relentless financial levies, watched helplessly as their hard-earned money vanished into the coffers of a distant and inefficient bureaucracy.

Economic hardship became the new norm. The promise of prosperity that once united Rome’s citizens became a distant memory.

Amidst this economic turmoil, political instability further eroded the trust between the state and its people. The Roman government, rife with corruption, saw frequent leadership changes, with each new emperor promising stability but delivering only chaos.

The sense of unity and shared purpose that once bound the empire began to fray, replaced by a growing cynicism towards those in power.

This breakdown in the social contract between the Roman state and its citizens led to a noticeable decline in patriotism. The lofty ideals of Roman citizenship, once a source of immense pride, now seemed hollow.

Many Romans felt their loyalty was unreciprocated. They questioned the validity of paying taxes or supporting their nation at all.

Eventually, bonds of patriotism weakened as people looked for ways to protect their own interests, often at the expense of the collective good.

A very familiar story.

Replace “Rome” with the “United States,” “Canada,” “Australia,” or “UK” in the above story, and it would read almost the same.

Being born in the West, we’ve been led to believe we live in some of the greatest countries on Earth.

But is that true anymore?

Unfortunately, the answer is no.

Compared to what our parents and grandparents experienced, quality of life in the “developed world” is becoming significantly worse for most of us.

For example:

• In the United States, real salaries have stagnated for almost half a century, even though productivity has increased by 76%.

• The cost of owning a home has drastically increased. Since the 1980s, the average house price (compared to average income) has more than doubled. In Australia, it’s tripled in many cities.

• Divisions between racial and political groups are getting worse.

• The threat of war is looming for the first time in nearly 35 years.

• Lifespan is declining nearly everywhere in the West. Chronic illness is increasing.

• And trust in government? In the UK, only 35% of the population trust those in power. In the US it’s even lower at around 20%.

We all know there’s a lot wrong at home, and it seems to be getting worse.

So why are so many of us still so patriotic?

I mentioned the subject of patriotism briefly at the end of last Friday’s email, and suggested (as I usually do) that people should find a way to work remotely, and leave the West while it’s still relatively easy. As expected, I got loads of the usual kinds of responses I get when I talk about this:

“But if everyone leaves, things won’t get better.”

“If I don’t try to help improve it, who will?”

“I don’t want to see my home country die.”

I understand. I do.

But when should we admit nations are foundering, and escape them to fairer shores?

The worst part? We’re still paying some of the highest prices in the world for the ‘privilege’ of living on our sinking ships.

If you live anywhere in Europe, or Australia, or Canada, chances are you’re paying 50% or more in tax each year. In my personal case in Iceland, I pay almost 70% of my income in personal tax when VAT, road tax, and everything else in society is taken into consideration.

In other words, many of us work from January to the end of June (or even beyond) to pay our government.

And where does that tax money go?

To pay for un-winnable wars overseas. To fill the pockets of illegal migrants who sometimes get free food and accommodation while our own people starve and go without shelter. Or to swell the bank accounts of corrupt politicians who own shares in consulting companies that do business with our governments.

Again, all the while life becomes demonstrably worse for us at home with each passing year.

The point I’m trying to get across is this:

Loyalty and patriotism should be earned. And clearly, our nations aren’t deserving of that loyalty right now.

I understand loving your home country.

I understand wanting to fight to make it better.

But look at it this way: if you were sick and wanted to get healthy, you wouldn’t sleep every night in a toxic environment breathing germ-filled air.

Well, that’s exactly what it’s like trying to get ahead in a society that’s actively working against you.

If you want things to get better at home, you first need to be the best version of yourself to make the greatest possible impact.

That means not paying 50% or more of your income in taxes to a failing state…

Or struggling to find a high-paying job…

Or spending 60% of your take-home pay in rent…

Or not being able to afford a home…

Or barely being able to buy decent food…

Or not having time to take care of your health and fitness because you’re working two jobs to survive…

I think you get the picture.

In short, you need to take care of yourself first. Then you’ll have more power to fight for what you care about.

If that means leaving your home country behind for now, and deciding to return later once you’ve built a life, a business, and have created a financial cushion to support yourself later on, that’s perfectly fine.

Just stop pretending our nations in the West are still the greatest places in the world for lifestyle, cost of living, fairness, or opportunity.

They aren’t.

So, how do you begin to free yourself from the system of your home nation?

This is the simple formula I’ve used for over 15 years:

1. Figure out what skill or knowledge you possess that puts you ahead of 99% of the population.

2. Monetise that knowledge or skill as quickly as possible so you can work remotely—ideally, by selling digital products or advice online.

3. Live nomadic and keep moving around the world, or get a residency permit somewhere with a higher quality of life and lower cost of living than at home.

4. Structure your life to pay minimal (or no) tax.

I’m not saying it will be easy to achieve—but everything in this life worth having always takes a little effort.

Want to learn more?

Written by Leon Hill.
Founder, Anticitizen.

Escape the system. Join the Bunker: the private membership by Anticitizen is launching soon. Learn how to live remotely as a nomad, get a second passport, and (legally) lower your tax: possibly to zero.

This newsletter is for educational purposes, and is not financial advice. Please do your own research, and consider risks involved with investing or purchasing any asset.