This is cross-posted from http://maplesandbox.ca/2014/what-we-leave-behind/ and was originally posted there on Jan 9, 2014. It is the text of a letter that was sent to the Honourable James Flaherty.
The Honourable James Flaherty, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Finance
House of Commons,
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6
Re: Minister Flaherty, how do you want to be remembered?
Dear Minister Flaherty:
There comes a time in many (not all that’s for sure) people’s lives when they wonder what they have accomplished, and what they will leave behind after their time on this planet is up. I’m at that point. And I feel like I’ve not accomplished much; at least nothing on a global scale. Sure, I’ve been a ‘good person’, always an exemplary employee, pretty good mom, polite to a fault, paid all my taxes (at least the ones I knew about it, and to the government of the country I’ve lived in all my working life), but I will leave nothing behind that the world will remember me by. Not that that’s a bad thing as it is the reality for 99.99% of all of us.
What about you? Will the world remember you? Will Canada?
Will your name go down in the history books? And if it does, what would you want to be remembered for?
Do you want to be remembered, as the Canadian Finance Minister who caved and signed on to FATCA and solidified US domination of the world forever more, or as the person who changed the direction of the world because he had the balls to say ‘NO’ to the USA bully? Because that would take huge balls! And that would surely get you remembered not just as a very ‘good person’, but as someone instrumental in positive global change.
A lot is at stake here. Not just for ‘US persons’ in Canada (or elsewhere), but for people of every citizenship living everywhere in the world, and for their children, though most don’t know it yet, and many never will. But the history books will tell the story.
You have a chance – I don’t – to write history. Don’t blow it. People like me are counting on you. Feel free to pass this letter on to your boss, if you think it will help change the course of history.
Sincerely,
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx (real name not hidden from Flaherty)
Canadian citizen since birth in 19xx (unfortunately also born with red/white/blue tattoo)
Although not the same stature on the world stage, some of the same warnings still apply. Glenn Greenwald on the passing of Margaret Thatcher:
“Demanding that no criticisms be voiced to counter that hagiography is to enable false history and a propagandistic whitewashing of bad acts, distortions that become quickly ossified and then endure by virtue of no opposition and the powerful emotions created by death. When a political leader dies, it is irresponsible in the extreme to demand that only praise be permitted but not criticisms.”
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/apr/08/margaret-thatcher-death-etiquette
I remember the good, including Mr. Flaherty’s role in the creation and implementation of the RDSP especially and personally — and other contributions to those with disabilities. I think he was a man of real empathy and I’m sure he really considered all of my concerns on the RDSP for US Persons before his correspondence to me. It must have torn him that “US Persons” with disabilities would NOT get the same benefit of an RDSP as any other Canadian. He certainly communicated with us on what Canada WOULD NOT do to collect penalties and tax for the US and I think was stronger re FATCA extra-territoriality than any other government representative the world-wide, though not enough .
I am disappointed and wonder just where Mr. Flaherty stood in agreeing to the inclusion of the FATCA IGA, income splitting*
and other issues into an omnibus budget implementation bill and if anything other than health issues had effect on his sudden resignation.
*see http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2014/02/12/jim_flaherty_backtracks_on_incomesplitting_tax_break_promise.html:
Did his strength and resolve give way to his health? (I, too, was taking prednisone off and on for many years and know personally the damage to the body and the mind, as higher and more frequent doses are needed to get the same results in slowing a progressive, chronic disease.) I have no way so I’ll never know if it was just too difficult for one person to give and continue to stand by opposing views to the Party Plan for inclusion of unrelated-to-the-budget issues into another omnibus bill vs separate bills and thorough debate for each. I am left with questions, the answers to which I can now just guess.
I only know what I felt and conveyed to many:
******************
Indeed, Mr. Flaherty is a man who was liked and respected by many, if some didn’t agree with his politics. Mine is just speculation. I’ll never know.
Why is it that conservative politicians only become sensitive to issues of disability when it strikes them personally? Think Flaherty with disability, Wilson with mental illness? In contrast those on the left concern themselves with the vulnerable even if they have not experienced it personally. Tell you much about their ability to empathize with others.
Judas Iscariot an Apostle of Christ, but how is he remembered in his final act?
Joe Smith,
It may not be only but it is human nature. Positive when a member of any political stripe is sensitive and understanding of issues of mental or other disability or medical issue because it affects a loved one in some way is then more receptive to political ways to improve that issue. There is surely that better incentive involved. For so many, such issues are peripheral to our experience and don’t get our full attention even when we understand there is a need.
Because of my limited disposable retirement income and my time, I concentrate on giving time and money to those things that personally affect my family or friends, supplementing when a huge emergency like a natural disaster that impacts so many needs immediate help. Most of us cannot afford to give to every worthwhile cause or support every issue so we have to pick and choose.
I’m sure this same dynamic will apply when we searching for the big bucks to help with the actual Charter Challenge (pray it goes ahead). That’s why we have to engage Canadian donors to want to give for other than just the ‘US Person’ problem. We need them to know that is happening to persons defined “US Persons” but this could next happen to any other Canadian and Canada is handing its sovereignty over to our neighbour to the south if the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms is not to protect ALL Canadians.