Honesty at the Tax Office

[SamIam]

I put this together and thought a few of you might enjoy watching:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=i5iwmANWxYo

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/v/i5iwmANWxYo[/youtube]

The more comments and raitings the more people that see it, and if you really enjoyed it, share it with others or dig it here:
http://digg.com/videos/educational/Honesty_at_the_Tax_Office

[Russell Kanning]

you are starting to get to the heart of the matter ... it is interesting to hear their answers

[KBCraig]

Dugg and commented!

Excellent job of using the "kinder, gentler" approach.

What state was that?

[David]

wow   Very, very good

[dalebert]

5 stars- Added to favorites. I only have 3 favorites.

That was awesome. I just love the casual tone of your voice when she says you can't do something and you say "But I'm going to." You continue to be an inspiration Sam!

[Ogre]

I'm surprised she didn't manage to slip in the classic, "I'm just doing my job."

Nicely done.

[dan_sayers]

Excellent way to make a point

[bill rose]

ONE MORE EXAMPLE OF THE SYSTEM WORKING WELL
"ITS NOT MY DEPARTMENT"

[John]

You may hear from many how imperfect your interaction was.  I, on the other hand, tell you that I COULD NOT HAVE DONE BETTER.

[Sheep Fuzzy Wool]

"I owe, I owe, its off to work I go!"

Great recording.

Those lines are familiar in every tax collector's office!

[wolf]

You load 16 tons and what do you get??
another day older and deeper in debt!!
St Peter don't call me cause I can't go
I owe my soul to the company store!!
-- Tennessee Earnie Ford

http://www.ernieford.com/

21st century America's theme song

[SamIam]

Thank you all! Your comments brought a smile to my face and warmed my heart. It made the 6 hours of video editing until 3am totally worth it! (I'm still learning and getting faster, sorry about the spelling!)

This was in Texas. I also have video footage from the same day, in between trips to the tax office, of a police traffic stop. The officer started out the conversation by demanding that I tell him what I was doing. When I politely answered, "walking on the public right of way" My public servant kindly told me, "Don't be stupid . . . " I'll edit that one, and get it out next week. 

Yesterday I interviewed a friend who lived in Iran until 5, then Germany, then the US, back to Iran for 5 years, and now currently in the US for the last few years. We talked about the Iran/Iraq war, revolution, schools, social life, etc. I found it absolutely fascinating, and  I'm going to turn that into a podcast. I'll get the details out once it's complete.

Believe it or not, I was like most of you a year ago. I would get upset, angry, and frustrated when dealing with conflict. (and I sill do from time to time) However, through practice, I'm now able to do things like this with ease, and remain totally unattached to the "Right/Wrong" aspect, while keeping my focus on factually what's happening and the best way to get the bureaucrat thinking about their actions through questions.

If what I do seems out of reach, start small with something just out side of comfortable for you. The first time I flew without ID it was scary and my hands were physically shaking. Now I can face off with 2 DHS police officers and decline to show ID or provide information with a smile. Feel free to abandon your effort and comply at any time. The important thing for me has always been learning how they work, think, and interact. The more I understand this, the better I have become in dealing with them.

I believe the challenge before us is one of education. Thanks again everyone, and I look forward to getting up to NH next year!

[Kat Kanning]

OMG that was funny!  (Just now watched this...) 

[Russell Kanning]

I laughed again while Kat watched.

It is the small steps forward that are powerful ... the important thing is that they are steps forward ... they can even be shaky and timid, but they are still steps in the right direction.

[EJinCT]

Very cool, keep up the good works.