5 Reasons Why I Left America.

There comes a time in our lives when we reflect and think about what we have done. Where we want to go in the limited time we have left. Why we are doing what we do. All questions that we each have to endure.

When I look back to 2010 my life was going nowhere at a breakneck speed. I was stuck in a job I disliked and I saw no way to accomplish my desires. It seemed nothing I did since leaving the US Navy in 1999 brought me joy or fulfillment. This all culminated in my decision to leave America. Here are my 5 reasons why it made sense to leave.

1. The Rat Race-

I tried relentless to go down the path family and friends thought was best for me. I worked 5 years in mental health, where my reward was stress and a breaking down body. I tried sales, where I excelled, but the tax man was always waiting for his share. I had a beautiful home that my parents helped me purchase and rehab for cash. My home and a stack of silver bullion were my only assets after 18 years of work.

Whenever a person would tell me, "Randy this is what you should do", I would cringe get a sick feeling in my stomach and not sleep for a few days. I would look at other peoples lives and I knew deep down that is not what I wanted. It seemed to me that everyone was on a hamster wheel of debt, work, responsibilities and unhappiness. The question in my mind that kept surfacing was, "should I leave America?"

2. The Tax Man-

Then every April, hard working people like me have to pay the gov a large portion of our earnings. I had Federal Income Tax, NY State Income Tax, Monroe County Property Tax and on top of all that in NY we have an 8% sales tax, cell phone bill tax, gasoline tax, gas and electric tax and a myriad of other hidden taxes. All together my total tax bill approached 30% of what I brought home. I was pissed and depressed!

3. The Entrepreneurial Fire Was Lit-

I had this overwhelming urge to be an entrepreneur. It was a fire in my belly that could not be quenched. In 1999 I was given the book, "Rich Dad Poor Dad", by Robert Kiyosaki. The book took me down a path of thought that went against everything my family, teachers, US Navy and public opinion told me I should do with my life.

I was so into the thought of entrepreneurship that I could barely concentrate on anything else. There was nothing that was going to stop me. I wanted to find a way to feel fulfilled, help others, travel and have no master. The fire in my belly caused me a ton of problems since I was still under the control of the system put in place long before I received my corporate tax id number. My mind was screaming, "let me out!"

4. The Patriot was Dead-

I come from a family of Patriotic Americans. My Moms family can trace its routes back to the Mayflower while my Fathers family started arriving in the US shortly have the Civil War. My family is the epitome of US Patriotism. They stand up and take off their hats when the US National Anthem is played. They support the troops without question. So I did my duty as an American patriot and enlisted in the US Navy directly out of high school. I turned 18 two days before.

Unlike my younger Brother I had relative luck during my years in the US Navy from 1992-1999. There were, "Police Actions", during this period but very few with boots on the ground. Looking back it seems surreal that the main reason so many of us joined was because the military would pay for our college. Since I was an adventurous soul I felt the Navy was the best fit plus the Ladies loved sailors. ; )

That is me foolishly reenlisting in Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico 1996. My friend Sammy Robinson is the good looking fella on the left. Do not enlist in the military boys and girls!

Even during a period of relative quiet around the world, I found myself questioning everything I was involved in. Why were we in places like Somalia, Kosovo, Iraq and supporting so many bases around the world? This made no sense to me. Whenever I asked a question about why we were doing something the answer was always, "We are following orders" or "We don't question, we just follow orders". I knew the military life was not for me, so I abandoned ship literally.

We all know what happened after 09/11. Like many I thought about going back in the military. Thankfully the logical side of my brain succeeded. I watched as young men and women were sent to fight a war based on lies and deceit. It was enough for me to burn the last vestiges of Patriotism in my heart. Whenever I see Building 7 come down anger wells up inside.

5. The Travel Bug-

I spent 7 years of my life in the US Navy. I had the amazing opportunity to travel to many parts of the world. I had the privilege to live abroad for 4 out of 7 years. I also traveled a bunch after leaving the Navy. This gave me a view of the world outside of American borders. Traveling does something to a person. It literally breaks down the prejudice that has formed in our subconscious since childhood.

My Life Made Me Who I Am Today.

If it was not for all of the trials I went through in life I know I would not be where I am today. I am thankful for all the people who made my life what it is today. Even the people who made me miserable because without you guys I might not have found a way to exit the rat race.

People I Would Like to Thank.

• Politicians for being ass holes.
• My family and friends for being naive.
• The IRS for Obvious Reasons
• The US Navy for Helping me Find My Conscience.
• Panama for Being So Accepting to a Jaded American.