As tax day approaches, the article explores the American public's contentious relationship with taxes, particularly amid rising anti-tax sentiments among MAGA Republicans. It discusses historical perspectives, noting that paying taxes was once seen as a patriotic duty, especially during World War II, when the wealthiest Americans supported higher taxation to fund the war effort. The piece contrasts this past with current trends of tax evasion among the wealthy and radical proposals to eliminate or drastically reduce income taxes, revealing both changes in attitudes and implications for social cohesion.
"Paying taxes was regarded as a patriotic duty. Paying taxes to beat the Axis! became a rallying cry during World War II, uniting Americans through their financial contributions."
"The 1950s era, often idealized by MAGA supporters, was characterized by fiscal patriotism, where even the wealthiest willingly paid higher taxes for the public good."
Collection
[
|
...
]