Why do the Majority of Americans not own a passport?

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Lisa H

because you do not need to have one unless you travel outside the country. and I bet compared to a lot of other countries, most americans barely venture out of their own state, let alone going to a foreign country.

zaphod73@att.net

Unlike travel between European countries, travelling from state to state does not require a passport...its only necessary when travelling from one country to another and America is pretty self-contained when it comes to a diversity of activities. Unlike America, Europeans usually need to go to other Countries to do things like skiing (you go to Switzerland.. we go to Colorado or Utah), swimming (you may like the French Riviera or Spain...we have very nice beaches in California, Florida, Texas, Hawaii), etc. etc.

Leezer

The U.S. is quite a bit different from many other countries.

1. It's a big country with a variety of different types of environments. You can see desert, ocean, mountains, flatlands, swamps, etc. So, many Americans travel within the U.S.

2. There aren't a lot of countries nearby. For example, in Europe it only takes minutes or hours to get to the next country. Not true in the U.S.

3. For a long time, we didn't need them many places. It's only in the last 1 1/2 years that the US federal government started really *requiring* them for citizens to reenter. Many foreign countries didn't require them.

4. And of course, many Americans are ethnocentric or homebodies. They think the U.S. is the best ever and won't venture outside the borders.

Lucy

I'll get one when I plan on going somewhere out of the US. What is the point of having one just for the heck of it?

kadel

The US is 3000 miles across, there is a huge amount of space you can travel without a passport. There is a large variety of kinds of places you can travel within the US. Until recently, you could travel to and from the Caribbean and Canada without a passport. Now more people are applying for them.

Tiffany C

I just got a passport this year. Our country is large, and most travel we do does not require a passport. For example, going to Mexico or Canada (I believe) you do not have to have one, and a trip out of those realms is very costly and not done often as opposed to a smaller european country where it is only a few hours drive time to visit another country.

Sweet_Di

i do not travel out side of the U S so why do i need to get one???

chelle

they don't need to leave the country
and y get one if your not leaving the country they are expensive

walleyeslayer1

Why leave? I tore mine up after 9/11.

Nessl

1. some aren't even americans.
2. they dont even know they dont have a passport
or if their passport expired
3. They have no intention on leaving.

somerandomdude

I can't speak for everyone but I plan to travel to Europe, hopefully within the next 8 years, for a three-four week vacation. Since the passport only lasts a certain time, and I know I'm not going anywhere soon, why buy one now?

Ashes

I know people in NY who's never left NY...pretty weird to me. But since you don't need one to travel between states. I guess its not really necessary unless you have to.

mypnkpanda

because we're perfectly happy here :)

but i have a passport

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