Quote from seasideheights:
This article demonstrates the inadvertent consequences of speaking out against the tax in places other than existing press articles or directly to those in Washington DC.
TradeKing puts out a Press Release for everyone, including the non-trading general public, to read which discusses the transaction tax idea.
Next, we have an entire article about the tax on Seeking Alpha due to the fact that the author saw the Trade King PR that discussed the tax which he sourced in the very first sentence of his article.
Helping the volume of this tax increase DOES NOT help our cause. This tax is serious. It could destroy many, many livelihoods. The more talk there is about the tax in this anti Wall Street environment, the harder our job will be in defending our livelihoods.
We need to ensure that the volume is turned down to zero.
Focussing on the members of the committees that have the defazio bill, the co-sponsors of the defazio bill, and the senators related to the upcoming Harkin bill is where we should be placing our focus.
Many brokers are involved in direct, quiet communication with Washington DC. I know. I've talked to them. You'd be surprised how many are lurking in this thread. They ARE working on your behalf. Direct communication is essential.
Let's work at getting this tax OUT of the public consciousness. Taking actions that inadvertently help spread the word assists the pro-tax crowd, not us.
Astute advice.
On IMF proposal, consider the divide and conquer theory. G-20 members have electoral responsibility to maintain their national autonomy. Remind IMF and others - representatives must not be bullied into legally binding controls over domestic internal economic rights. Raise wisdom of non-surrendering present and future national taxation regimes to any outside agency (UN).
Politicians already under pressure for over-taxing. Public outrage for unauthorised legal commitment to deliver local tax money to powerful, global collection center --- (theres already widespread international public disquiet on 'globalisation' ). Adverse public perception of IMF/UN/G-20 interventionist measures. High potential for inter-national division. Theres two sides --- revenue projection doubts, and political cost. I've read several pro-tax opinions suggesting off-shore flight is easily counteracted through sophisticated computer tracking measures.
The Copenhagen exercise showed difficulties in achieving inter-national cooperation:
BUT on this subject, current harmonious G-20 leaderships could be less divided - its (yet to be proven) revenue raising potential way too attractive. Clear potential for subsequent ruined (angry) relationships, infighting, longterm restraints on internal fiscal (and party-political policies) could be a persuasive element in the logic behind the IMF "NO" case.