Author: W

Wissam, Wesley, or simply W, is an educator, writer, entrepreneur, engineer, activist, ex-Imam, humanist, liberal thinker with interest and mediocre attempt at many takes of life. A modern confused Renaissance man, who uses doubt as a path for emancipation and science as a road towards enlightenment.

Article 5: Sexual Freedom

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Article 5: Sexual Freedom – Everyone has the right of freedom of choice and expression in their sexual orientation, and the only limitation of law should be related to securing the consent of adults within the sexual relationship and preventing rationally considerable harm related to it to citizens and to society.

Article 5 is simple: the state should be a referee, not a roommate. Adults who give informed, voluntary consent—and who aren’t harming anyone—should be left alone by the law. That’s not culture-war fireworks; that’s limited government with a backbone. If we defend freedom of worship, speech, and association from state micromanagement, we should be consistent and defend private, adult relationships that clear the same bar.

Consent here isn’t a shrug; it’s architecture. Adults only. Informed, voluntary, and capable—no coercion, no grooming, no fraud, no power-play that makes “yes” meaningless. The other guardrail is preventing real, demonstrable harm: assault, exploitation, trafficking, blackmail, non-consensual images. Draw those lines bright, enforce them hard, and we protect what matters: the vulnerable, the integrity of commitments, and the peace of our homes.

This approach strengthens families and preserves religious freedom. Churches, synagogues, and mosques remain free to teach and bless—or not—according to conscience. The civil law stays humble: punish force and fraud, respect private adult choices. That’s moral federalism, not moral relativism—one civil standard for everyone, and many voluntary moral codes within our communities.

Scientific research has played a role in challenging earlier views that considered non-heteronormative orientations as pathological. Advances in psychology and understanding of sexual orientation have contributed to recognizing it as a natural and diverse aspect of human identity.  Professional organizations such as the American Psychological Association and the World Health Organization have depathologized homosexuality and emphasized the importance of respecting sexual orientation as a fundamental aspect of an individual’s identity. 

Treating homosexuality like a contagion misunderstands both science and kids. Decades of research in psychology and pediatrics show that sexual orientation isn’t learned by exposure any more than left-handedness is picked up by sitting next to a southpaw; it’s a stable trait shaped by a mix of biology and development, not by classroom mentions or a neighbor’s marriage. What children do absorb from adults is whether the world is safe, honest, and fair. A conservative society that prizes family strength and personal virtue should focus on shielding kids from real harms—coercion, exploitation, bullying—not from the existence of people who are simply different. Teaching respect doesn’t “turn” anyone; it teaches our sons and daughters how to be decent. 

If we can agree that adults must be free, children must be safe, and predators must be stopped, then we already agree on the heart of Article 5. The rest belongs to families, faiths, and the quiet dignity of conscience—a Michigan kind of common sense that guards liberty without losing sight of responsibility.

Preparing your move: visa, wealth management, money transfer, real estate

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This video, “Preparing your move: visa, wealth management, money transfer, real estate,” offers a comprehensive overview of the essential steps and considerations for Americans planning a move to France. The key takeaways across the four topics are summarized below.

The full discussion on these topics begins with the visa process around [05:28].

1. France Visa and Relocation

Alison Grunt Lunes, a visas and relocation expert, emphasizes that securing the right visa is the critical first step:

  • Long-Term Strategy: Your visa choice must align with your long-term goals (e.g., eligibility for a 10-year residence card or naturalization) [07:08].
  • No Digital Nomad Visa: France has no dedicated digital nomad visa. You cannot legally work remotely for a foreign employer without a visa that enables you to work and requires a proper setup for paying French taxes and social charges [07:48]. Renewals are subject to increased scrutiny by the Prefecture to ensure your income aligns with your visa type [07:43].
  • Tax Residence: Residing in France full-time means you must establish tax residence there, as opposed to attempting to be a tax resident elsewhere [08:45].
  • Key Visa Types:
    • Visitor Visas: For those who do not intend to work. A renewable visitor visa establishes tax residence from the day you arrive [11:02]. A temporary visa (up to 12 months) is not renewable or extendable in France [11:08].
    • Self-Employment/Business Visas: Options exist for those who want to be self-employed (e.g., Micro-Entrepreneur), but they often have income caps and require demonstrating potential clients in France [13:00].
  • Health Coverage: For a visitor visa, you must show proof of a private health insurance policy for the first year [01:12:26]. If you are working, registering your business or employment immediately begins the process of getting you into the French healthcare system [01:13:56].

2. Wealth Management and Tax Planning

Alex Ingrim, a financial and cross-border planning expert, covers the complexities of being a dual US and French taxpayer:

  • Dual Residency: As a US citizen, you are liable for US taxes on worldwide income (citizenship-based). In France, you will become a tax resident (residency-based) [02:24].
  • Favorable Tax Treaty: The US-France double taxation agreement is highly advantageous for US citizens [02:40]:
    • Retirement: Income from US retirement accounts (401k, IRA, Social Security, US defined benefit pensions) is taxed only by the US, and you receive a corresponding French tax credit to avoid double taxation [02:49].
    • Investments: US-domiciled investments (like US ETFs, mutual funds, and stocks) can also benefit from the treaty, often resulting in capital gains being taxed at lower US rates [02:53].
  • Critical Complications:
    • Estate Taxes: French estate taxes are significantly higher and apply at much lower exemption thresholds than in the US [02:54]. You must consult a specialized French estate planning lawyer.
    • Trusts: Trusts are generally recognized as transparent in France and require extensive reporting, making trust-based planning difficult [02:58].
    • Financial Products: Local French tax-mitigation strategies (like the Assurance Vie) are often not US tax-efficient [02:54]. You must ensure any advice works for both US and French tax systems.

3. International Money Transfer

Ellen Fond, a money transfer expert, discusses how to handle the financial logistics:

  • Exchange Rate Risk: Fluctuations between the US Dollar and the Euro can significantly impact large purchases like property (e.g., a currency shift could result in an 18% difference in purchasing power) [03:40].
  • Securing Rates: You can use a money transfer service to lock in an exchange rate for future transfers using forward contracts, which is useful when you have a closing date set for a property purchase [04:11].
  • Bank Services: These services can save you 3-4% compared to using standard American banks for overseas transfers [03:50]. They can also help US citizens secure an appointment to open a local French bank account, a process that can be difficult otherwise [04:16].

4. Real Estate and Property

Tom Isdown, an architecture and planning consultant, explains the process of buying and developing property:

  • Purchase Timeline: The standard process (search, offer, signing contracts) takes at least three months, but the reality is often between three and six months [05:58].
  • The Compromis de Vente: This initial contract is a crucial document. You have a 10-day cooling-off period after signing to withdraw without penalty [05:32]. You can (and should) insert conditional clauses (e.g., contingent upon securing financing or receiving planning approval for renovation) to protect your deposit if the property doesn’t meet your needs [05:08].
  • Notaire’s Role: The Notaire is a state official who ensures the sale is legal, but they are neutral [05:27]. They do not act as your individual advocate or attorney to advise on due diligence, property condition, or the insertion of protective clauses [05:12].
  • Due Diligence is the Buyer’s Responsibility: Unlike in the US, property inspections or structural surveys are not standard [05:51]. You should hire professionals (architects, surveyors) to check for structural integrity, hidden costs, and urban planning hurdles (e.g., confirming a barn can legally be converted) before signing the final deed [05:57].
  • Costs: Expect to pay agency fees (typically 6-8%) and Notaire fees (which cover stamp duty tax and the Notaire‘s services), totaling about 7-8% of the purchase price [05:43].

Contact Information

For more information, you can find the experts’ resources using the following links and details:

  • Alison Grunt Lunes / Your Transformation: Author of Foolproof French Visas and offers consultations and free Q&A sessions.
  • Alex Ingrim / Liberty Atlantic: Provides cross-border financial and tax planning advice.
  • Ellen Fond / Currency Direct: Offers consultations for money transfer planning.
  • Tom Isdown / French Plans: Offers architecture and planning consultancy for property projects.

You can watch the full video here: Preparing your move: visa, wealth management, money transfer, real estate

Preparing your move: visa, wealth management, money transfer, real estate

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