Steven R. Weisman

Weisman writes that by the 1880’s Reform rabbis had redefined “what it is to be a Jew “, and “what the purpose of a Jew in America should be”. They stated that their role would be to promote a social gospel. 133 years later, this statement still expresses how a vast majority of American Jews think. “To be a Jew is to join the A.C.L.U., to travel to the border and act as a pro bon lawyer for immigrants, to join the in Women’s March. Weisman elucidates how the American Jews embrace a “high-priestly mission” to act as models of ethical behavior.… (more)

I suppose the most important question is, did I find this book as interesting as I might expect a book about our Federal Tax history to be? The answer, yes. This is a “good read” if – as April 15th rolls around yet again – you find yourself in the typical tax malaise and question just what the Hell went wrong. This doesn’t necessarily answer that question but Weisman does a terrific job of covering the trials and travails that encompass the early history (Lincoln through Wilson administrations) of how the income tax was introduced, repealed, and reintroduced – the latter time for sure. As I finished the last chapter I did feel that I may have to check out yet another book covering the subsequent, so-called Welfare State years as this would explain how the original, very controversial, graduated rate starting at 1% and exempting the vast majority of the nation developed into the tragedy we now face paycheck-to-paycheck (that is, the tragedy that our governmental system can’t find solvency off of half our incomes). Yet the author manages to compress the subsequent 80 years (up until 2002) into his 18 page epilogue – Wikipedia style. This was great as I really…really didn’t want to read another tax tome.

More to the point, the author relays the story in about the most engaging way possible without resorting to scurrilous anecdotes about the cast of characters involved (which I secretly desired, of course). Certainly I now have a better understanding about why the income tax was deemed necessary and, indeed, more fair than the previous high tariff system. At this stage of mass consumerism, however, I do wonder if more emphasis on a higher sales tax – at least on non-essentials – might be desirable to reduce what I still view as an absurd income tax burden (“welfare state” or not, I don’t see that many damn safety nets for anyone except AIG and the Big Three). Ideally this would enable pimps, strippers, heroin dealers, and all other such entrepreneurs to also contribute to our shared societal/economical burdens.… (more)