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)
Great Letter!! Hope he listens!!
Wow. Excellent letter WhiteKat.
This is especially relevant to me today. My mother passed away this afternoon at the age of ninety. She lived and simple and quiet life, but one filled with love, laughter and friendship. Her life touched so many.
I will not be available for the next few days, but I know everyone else will keep up the good fight to be sure we all leave behind something that will make a difference.
My condolences Lynne.
Your mother left behind a truly amazing daughter.
Lynne, I am so sorry to hear about your mother. My deepest condolences.
Peace be with you during this time of loss.
Thinking of you Blaze. Sorry to hear of your loss.
It is times like this that I find we look backwards at our own lives as well as remembering the life of the person who has passed on. We also might wonder what lies ahead for us and whether we have accomplished what we set out to do, and hope that our regrets are minimal.
You have done such a lot of good here – benefiting countless and nameless others. That should be added to your list of good things accomplished. I am sure your mother would have been proud of your advocacy work.
Take good care.
Lynne,
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I’m glad your mother is now out of the pain she had at the end of her life. I only wish she could have known how much the daughter she raised has done for so many others. She instilled in you some mighty goodness and fight. Take special care, our friend.
@ Lynne
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your mother.My thoughts are with you.
@Lynne, My sincere condolences. Your mother would be proud of the daughter she raised. If she was anything like you, she was a fighter – with high moral standards – and a gift for being able to cut right through what seems to be obscure and complicated to expose the meaningful core. Take time to be with your family, and we’ll keep the home fires lit to welcome you back home.
@WhiteKat – beautiful letter! I love that you had the guts and conviction to tell Minister Flaherty to grow some big ones!
WhiteKat,
Although I am unhappy with Minister Flaherty’s participation in any IGA “negotiation” with the U.S, I have always felt that he is a serious-minded politician. Such people do care how they are remembered and I hope that Mr. Flaherty reads your good letter.
Lynne, I am sure that your involvement with Sandbox and your fighting spirit made your mother proud. All the best to you and your family.
@ Blaze
My condolences to you, Blaze. I’m sure your mother was very proud of you.
Thank you everyone for your condolences. I am leaving soon to go to Pennsylvania for my mother’s funeral.
Her obituary said “Helen inherited her feisty, stubborn and independent genes from her mother and passed them on directly to her two daughters.”
Take care; safe journeys; peace to you and your family as you celebrate the life of your special mom. The person who wrote your mom’s obituary knew your mom and knows her daughters well.