Recent changes in American law require a Passport now in order to visit our neighbors (Mexico and Canada, not to mention the nearby island nations). What is your opinion with respect to your personal travel or vacation plans to these places?

Personally, I much prefer the old way...just show them an ID.

It was so much better, so much less invasive, and so much more neighborly!

:):)

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by The Chief on April 29th, 2010

Yeah I guess it did have that neighborly feeling. I didn't think of that. Have a nice Friday!

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by LadyAguja on May 6th, 2010

You, too!

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by The Chief on May 6th, 2010

Yeah, I hear you. This is irritating to the extreme for me, as well.

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by The Chief on September 9th, 2008

I agree that the rest of the world requires passports for entry. I'm fairly well traveled myself, having spent 20 years in the Navy and covered a fair share of the nations on this planet.
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However, historically Canada, Mexico, and the island nations off our Eastern coast did not require passports for entry, nor did American citizens require passports to re-enter the States (coming up soon...exceptions for trips to and from U.S. Territories not withstanding). The changes for our neighbors are only very recent and driven by the Dept. of Homeland Security.

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by The Chief on August 30th, 2008

Now there is something I hadn't given much thought to, though it makes sense in a way.
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People are always looking for ways to invest and better themselves. I had just not given much thought to people doing so in Mexico. It's a low cost country, comparitively speaking, and people who shovel investment money into Mexico are bound to make money.

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by The Chief on August 30th, 2008

There's a fine line between investment and exploitation, though.

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by Halskiisaklink on August 31st, 2008

I agree. There has to be profit on both sides, commensurate with their respective economies. I'd have to do specific research for that to be able to say anything more about the subject either way.

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by The Chief on August 31st, 2008

Same here, I guess.

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by Halskiisaklink on August 31st, 2008

In a way it makes sense to me as well. However, it gripes me that it is no longer as easy to visit our friendly neighbors North and South of us. Passport requirements overseas are well known. It's only very recently that we've ever had to consider such here.

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by The Chief on August 30th, 2008

I know what you mean. I think that any country around the world shoulf be permitting to ask for a passport when you enter so that they can control terrorism, etc.

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by roadpup2 on August 30th, 2008

I understand the idea of passports to control entry into a country, though their effectiveness in prevention of terrorist movements are dubious in my eyes.
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I haven't renewed my passport since it expired a couple years ago. I'm eventually going to get a new one, if for no other reason than I plan on taking my wife on a cruise in the near future.

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by The Chief on August 30th, 2008

You're right about the terrorism. It's too bad you let your passport expire. REapplying is a lot more expensive and involved.

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by roadpup2 on August 31st, 2008

Ah, well. It's not like I use it all the time...and the new passport will last me another 10 years.

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by The Chief on August 31st, 2008

Yes, you're right.

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by roadpup2 on August 31st, 2008

What makes it logical to you?

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by The Chief on August 30th, 2008