Comment on DOS-2010-0223-DRAFT-0007

I have two issues with the proposed rule change. 1) It doesn't seem logical to charge $82 for adding passport pages (currently free) if a passport renewal is only going to cost $70. People would just end up always renewing the passport to save $12. This fee would primarily punish Americans for frequent international travel. Most such Americans are expatriates living abroad who are required to file and pay federal taxes but get very little in terms of benefits other than a US passport. 2) Since expatriate Americans file and pay US federal taxes (unlike any citizen of other industrial countries, who are exempt from taxation at home when residing abroad), they should at least get consular services without exorbitant fees. If the government can't recoup losses on those fees, then tough.