SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 3, CANMORE DEMONSTRATION CANCELLED — I just got word from OutragedCanadian:
I highly recommend that you don’t try driving to Canmore tomorrow morning. Roads were not good this evening, and it’s still snowing like crazy on the highway. Very slick and not good vision.
IRSCompliantForever said Any possibility of a few “no to FATCA” signs outside the Oct 31- Nov 2 Conservative Convention in Calgary?
Also, does anyone know of any delegate who might be willing to ask an anti-FATCA question or try to obtain support at the convention for an anti-FATCA policy? There will be sessions on taxation, constitution, and policies. Going to Calgary for the Tory Convention — Know Anyone Who Is?
The Conservative Convention takes place at the BMO Centre on the Stampede Grounds, private property, so we cannot get up close and personal with delegates.
(I will have FATCA Facts and Q-121 hand-outs — and more will be in my car which will be parked as close to where we’ll be. And now, in fact, I have tons left — I had printed too many!)
FRIDAY EVENING UPDATE:
Friday, November 1: 10:00 a.m. See summary of the day below, Comment re Friday Two-Women FATCA Protest, Calgary, AB. A worthwhile day for two, at the end, frozen-through gals with a message.
Saturday, November 2: As there is no one who able to help out tomorrow, I am not going out — there is a heavy snowfall warning for Calgary. If road conditions are reasonable on Sunday morning, I’ll drive to Canmore to stand with Outraged — the Conservatives visiting Canmore will say — “There they are again — those two FATCA ladies. We’re being stalked.”
calgary411 says
October 23, 2013 at 4:34 pm
I’m game if I am not alone. Who is in or near Calgary?
Proviso: I am a 70-year old Canadian “grandma” who objects. I have a physical constraint so need company of others from Calgary who will stand up to the US. If there are those who will join me, I will look into permit required, details: how far away we need to be from BMO Centre on Calgary Stampede grounds, print hand-outs.
October 23, 2013 at 8:24 pm
WhiteKat says:
@Calgary,
Another protest, this time in Calgary, is a great idea. We need to show the government that we are everywhere, not just in Ottawa, and that we are not going to stop putting the pressure on. Perhaps you could create a separate post inviting people to join, otherwise your suggestion will get lost in the comments.
I agree, two is enough to make a difference!
Thank you Calgary411 and Outraged Canadian for all your efforts at the Calgary FATCA protest! “You done good!” I have no doubt you both left a lasting impression.
And, thank you EM, for your one person protest with your MP! Very cool move!
And, here they are…
photos from OutragedCanadian as evidence of our day on a street corner in Calgary (with help from Anonymous who wanted his picture taken with a FATCA sign and Jeff from Edmonton who travelled to Calgary for witnessing protest in conjunction with the Conservative Convention. Jeff is a concerned individual starting his own ‘Canadian public issues’ venture with accompanying blog (Outraged will hear from him):
Well, I have to say that, at first, I was disappointed that no one was able to join us. But, after a while, I realized that actually might have been part of our success. Two older women hangin’ out with weird signs.
Totally nonthreatening, right? I thought we had a very successful day, and really, truly, got the message across to a number of people. I was quite impressed by the number of convervatives who actually stopped and engaged us in conversation, asked questions, and took away with them the fact sheets.
@Calgary411 – thank you for today. It was joy standing around with you for most of the day. In a strange way, I actually enjoyed myself and feel quite jubilant about what we accomplished.
@Em – yes, thank you.
If enough of us, 1 at a time, 2 at a time, 5 at a time, get out there – make people take notice, it really will add up enough to make a difference.
@Outraged Canadian, You and Calgary411 made a huge impact today, no doubt! You both deserve to feel very proud!
@Calgary411
https://twitter.com/FATCA_Fallout/status/396472413698789377
@Outraged Canadian
It’s true that it’s not really the numbers. Look at what one person can do with a hunger strike. I’m glad you found it fulfilling and purposeful.
@Em, Thank you for engaging your MP’s office.
@Calgary411 and OutragedCanadian:
Thank you for your efforts. All day long outside, that is some stamina.
And something that will not be forgotten.
Take good care all three of you.
Job well done!
Looks like having fewer was actually an advantage—that a large number may scare off contacts whereas a small number makes it easy for a direct one on one contact, which is invaluable.
Also, that reps don’t even know what FATCA is, that they might pass by a sign and not know what one is protesting against. Neither would any media. Requires some thought for other sign-bites to be used to get immediate focus upon first glance.
Canadians for Tax Fairness are planning a big rally for the Conservative Party Convention. See:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1422924084590445/?ref=22
Some time back, I took out a membership in CTF, in part to bide my time and raise the FATCA message when appropriate. I have done so in this instance with a comment on their Facebook page. Incidentally, I would not have taken out a membership in the organisation did not share the basic objectives of CTF.
@Andrew Hubbertz
I read your comments on Fb. Thank you for making us aware of the Public Service Alliance of Canada rally today. A FATCA protester or two among the congregation would have been fantastic in getting the word out. Please keep us informed of any future events like this so that we might be able to take advantage another opportunity to increase awareness of FATCA.
I see that Canadians for Tax Fairness still hasn’t addressed FATCA on their website. Do you know why that is?
Thanks for spreading the word yesterday, Calgary and Outraged at the Convention, and Em, at your MPs office! It was really interesting to read about your experiences and it sounds like your efforts were really worthwhile, raising consciousness and networking!
@Andrew Hubbertz
It is always amazing how “basic objectives” or ‘good intentions’ become radically different in unintended consequences and collateral damage outcomes.
But, we have seen it time and time and time again, and are surprised.
I do think that there is a formula for legislation that says, the amount of collateral damage is directly proportional to the pages of legislation or resulting regulation.
The more the pages, the worse the unintended consequences.
The idea that you can build a “tax fairness” dam to stop humans acting in their own self interest has been proven time and time again to be impossible, and yet nothing stops us from trying until we cross the ultimate authoritarian line, and then that doesn’t hold either.
That is why, for the U.S. anyway, maybe the idea of The Fair Tax as a replacement for the income tax is an idea whose time has come! ? I am open to the consideration.
Certainly the U.S tax code has now become so corrupted it is impossible to reform. We keep layering on more and more complexity, social engineering initiatives, draconian penalties, and special interest loopholes that resulting labyrinth created is one that no one can navigate or understand its consequences.
And it never stops. It has become a funding mechanism for Congressman reelections more than to raise revenues. Look at how many changes there are to the tax code every year by politicians paying off some special interest. Who can keep up with them, except those highly paid FCC types.
Time to kill the 16th Amendment and start over with some other government funding mechanism. Then again, I guess we have found it already. Borrowing!
@Bubblebustin
I have no insight as to why Canadians for Tax Fairness has not come out one way or the other concerning FATCA. I seem to recall that the Tax Justice Network, an international parent organisation, was pro-FATCA, though Canadians for Tax Fairness is not accountable to them, I am sure. Maybe there is debate within the organisation.
I see that I carelessly used my real name in these last posts. To heck with it! When this story first broke, I was scared. Now I am just angry. I will probably continue to use my old moniker, for the sake of continuity, but I am fed up with anonymity. Fear is one of the principal tools of the US government in this fiasco, and I am fed up with being fearful.
@ Andrew and bubblebustin
I will be sending an e-mail to the executive director of Canadians for Tax Fairness (Dennis Howlett — office@taxfairness.ca) regarding the lack of a FATCA mention on their website. I’ll let you know if there’s any reply.
I can change it if you want, NS.
I agree:
@Calgary411 and Outraged Canadian , you were terrific . It is so good to know you are both so dedicated and willing to put in so much effort in the protests.
@Em. That took a lot of courage to go to your MPs office…You did so good and for writing to the CFTF executive director. .
@Andrew , welcome . Your input is so valuable.. Thanks so much
@All…please send suggestions and volunteers to the Toronto protest post. I will be going.
@Andrew
I don’t know for sure what your moniker is (but I have my suspicions, confirmed by Calgary’s post), but you were half out anyway by posting your real name on Facebook although there was no way of connecting it with Brock. I’m half out too, but don’t want to make it too easy for the bastards. I just want to get through OVDI first – which at this rate means NEVER! I’m sick of being scared too.
@Em
Thank you for taking the initiative. They more than likely don’t know that the official opposition is officially opposed to FATCA.
@Calgary411 and Outraged Canadian.
I am behind in answering posts. Yesterday I took a few hours off to do some normal things, like shop for groceries. LOL.
You girls were outstanding. I hope that the Toronto Protesters (me included) will do as well.
I hope you have a good day in Canmore tomorrow. Keep warm and spread the word.
I’m so proud of Calgary411 and Outraged for putting themselves out there. It is much easier when you have a few more people with you for support, but you were awesome by yourselves. I hope the weather will be mild for you so you will be warm as you gather support. Come on media; get behind this story!!!
wigafo, my wonderful sister,
Thank you very much!!!!!!
There is not a critical mass for anti FATCA. I attended this demonstration in Ottawa last summer. Here is the picture http://genetics.forestry.ubc.ca/ritland/stop%20harper.jpg You need at least a hundred people to have any kind of media impact. It was about the Harper government being anti-science. I am totally sympathetic to IBS and renounced last Sept thanks to the support I get, but there is no momentum against FATCA.
The conclusion then, kermitzii, is disheartening. I still feel good about our small effort yesterday and each one we’ve had in the east. Just think the force we would be if we all wanted so badly for FATCA to fail that we got out there to say —
@All,
Do not be disheartened by Kermitzii’s dire predictions. He’s wrong!
Who would you rather believe? Me or him?
We are definitely headed on target towards ‘critical mass’! Rock On BROCKERS!
@Whitekat… Hang in there, but I think you may be misinterpreting Kermitzii’s comment..
His was not a prediction, but more in the way of an observation. At this stage of the game, from an outsider observer standpoint, you have to consider he maybe right.
As one negative blogger told me.. “Your behavior …. has unfortunately zero consequences or impact within a macro picture.”
and I have to consider that he might be right too, but ‘soldier on’ is my response….
There is a lot of uphill pushing over a long period of time to build up to a critical mass and get some momentum. It is NOT easy, as we all know. This is a long war, not just a quick skirmish… So, keep plugging away.
There’s only one thing to keep in mind — NO EFFORT will absolutely produce NO POSITIVE RESULT. Rock on Brockers!