As a P.T. (often referred to as perpetual traveler, permanent tourist or prior taxpayer), I have traveled to nearly 100 countries. During those travels there has always been one defining moment, upon entry into a country, which shows that the country is what is generally thought of as a "third world country".

It is the moment when, upon arrival, you are charged a fee to enter the country. The reason generally being that the government of the country has so destroyed the economy and/or they have so little understanding of what creates wealth that they think that the way to make their country prosperous is to charge a fee upon entry rather than allowing people to enter freely and transact, trade and spend their money in the economy. Either that or the government is so desperate for money that it uses this as a significant source of revenue.

They have this in Cambodia, Indonesia, Bolivia and numerous other similar countries. And now, they have it in the US.

The US has long-used "visa application fees" to bilk money from people in countries like Thailand as a way to raise money but now the US has announced that they are going to charge a $5.50 fee to Canadians upon entering the US.

The fee is ludicrous and counterproductive for many reasons. Not least of which is making it five dollars and fifty cents, ensuring that payment of the transaction will take twice as long as normal to make the extra change. Canadians who are one of the only large groups of people still bringing some economic activity into the US will both be turned off by having to pay to enter the US but also by the extra long lines to enter as they make change for this fee.

Not to mention the hilarity of calling it an "inspection fee". Does this mean that if we would not like to be inspected then we don't have to pay?

Checkpoints Popping Up Everywhere In The Us

Checkpoints have recently gone up in Flint, Michigan and TSA VIPR (Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response) teams have spread our across Tennessee to stop drivers and "check their documents".

As well, at the recent Libertopia conference I attended in San Diego I met three young freedom-lovers who told me that on their drive from Phoenix to San Diego they encountered three different checkpoints.

Hard To Get In - Even Harder To Get Out

I have just returned from the US and, as usual, I had to make it through a plethora of government people to get out.

Luckily, I didn't try to leave via one of the airports, like Boston Logan where the TSA has begun to conduct "chat-downs" where TSA goons will slime their way through crowds in the airport and chat with you! Should you refuse to chat with them you will be taken away for extra-screening!

However, I did go for my standard TSA patdown and, as is becoming more and more common, when you walk down the gangplank to the airplane there are a number of other government people hiding around the corner who stop you and ask if you are taking more than $10,000 with you. I snapped a photo of them on my way down.

As I walked down the runway, one of the men with guns told me, "go to the third man down, he can take care of you there." Oh, is that what they are doing, taking care of us? It doesn't feel that way.

Chronic Nervous System Disorder Injections Also Now Available

Things in the US just get more and more bizarre.

As though all the government harassing isn't enough, as I was about to leave the San Diego airport I spotted this "H1N1 vaccination station".

H1N1 (remember the Swine Flu hoax?) has been shown to be nearly harmless yet still to this day, in the USA, there are places offering to give you H1N1 vaccinations. Those vaccinations, by the way, have been proven to cause chronic nervous system disorders. I, tragically, had this hit very close to home last year when my mother, unbeknownst to me, got talked into taking a Swine Flu vaccine shot. A few days later and she couldn't walk anymore. She still, to this day, cannot walk.

The Police State Continues

The photos coming out of the US continue to look like something you'd see in a country like North Korea or in the old Soviet Bloc.

This photo, from a small gathering of Occupy Wall Street protesters in Phoenix, shows that not only the police outnumbered the protesters but showed the level of intimidation and force used against just a few people sitting in a park. Their crime? They were there after "curfew". I've been searching my copy of the US Constitution for any reference to curfew but have yet to find anything.

My Days Visiting The Us Are Numbered

I have already stated that I will never bring my family to the US until I see major changes and the TSA stop their radiation baths and groping. However, it is now getting very close to the point where I will stop going altogether.

For anyone who has their eyes open and are paying attention, the writing is on the wall as to what is going to happen in the US. All it will take is another 9/11 event or for the US Government to default on its debts or for the dollar to enter hyperinflation and the US will be locked down like a prison.

In many ways, it already is.

For those who live in the US, it is imperative to begin making moves now to protect yourself. Action items like attaining a foreign passport, moving your assets outside of the country and owning precious metals are just some of the things that all rational people in the US should be doing now.

The Dollar Vigilante offers services to get a second, foreign passport easily and cheaply. As well, in the November issue of The Dollar Vigilante, coming out in less than a week, we will be interviewing Mark Nestmann a specialist in asset protection and privacy strategies. He will be offering a special deal to TDV subscribers to receive a free consultation at that time. Subscribe to The Dollar Vigilante today.