Deca Wealth

Life for those with money -- and I mean REAL money -- differs from the paltry gruel eaten by normal people. A customary dividing line between rich and poor has moved recently: it now resides at $10 Million Dollars. Own that much and you're a deca-millionaire ("Deca") Own less and you're merely "comfortable" at best: i.e., a member of the hoi polloi. 

One current attribute of wealth is its invisibility. Hiding wealth's many advantages is strategic. One yacht-broker says if ordinary people learn how immensely better-off Decas are compared to the rest of humanity "pitchforks will come out." 

Let me offer you one example. There are five Caribbean islands that now offer full citizenship -- with accompanying perks -- if you buy property on their islands (Grenada, St. Lucia, Dominica, Antigua & Barbuda, St. Kitts & Nevis). There are no residency requirements, just pay money for real estate. And you can keep your existing U.S. citizenship.

Passports from these countries entitle you to reciprocal, visa-free entry into all nations in the European Union and the United Kingdom. That means you flash your Grenada passport at hidden (and sublimely luxurious) lounges for private jet passengers in America airports and, without a care or wait, board your flight to anywhere in Europe. You don't even need to leave from your ostensible new "home". Secret airport lounges, pampering Decas and publicly-shy celebrities, don't have signs or doors open to the general public. "Hey! There's Madonna!"

Oh, did I mention your new citizenship entitles you to avoid paying taxes? There are no capital gains taxes on the islands so millions in U.S. taxes can be sidestepped quite easily and legally if you plan carefully. Plainly, there are two sets of rules in the world and Decas live by other ones.

One can inveigh against the unfairness of this situation but it exists and isn't going to change until a revolution occurs.