Author Vanessa Williamson on why taxes are democratic, how the Boston Tea Party was a lot like Occupy, and how voters can learn to love paying their share once again
Really enjoyed this interview. I feel so ashamed of the education I received as a 85-year-old woman. I was not taught the true history of our country. I was educated in a parochial school and that is why we really need a Department of education that teaches the true history and not propaganda.
Can't wait to read the book! I guess the old adage is true. History is written by the "victors" so we never really get the full story. We have to seek it out.
This conversation (and its close cousin with different issues discussed on Heather Cox Richardson's substack) has been very transformative for me. Now I'm wondering about another slogan, inspired by The Ink & the unparalleled exploration of the files that have been released:
Wonderful discussion! I just got Vanessa's book, finding it referenced reading Ruth Braunstein's "My Tax Dollars."
My first move with "The Price of Democracy" was to search if MMT was discussed.
Saddly, MMT is only found in a footnote, "beyond the scope of this book"..!
(There should be an entry level of MMM, Modern Monetary Mechanics, to MMT. Then the power of its "Theories" becomes evident.)
With respectful forbearance, the Fiat Dollar, "the accidental miracle of 1971," IS the power energy of democracy!
In a chat with AOC, before her first primary win, I asked "how will you ever pay for The Green New Deal?" In minutes she sent a syllabus, now a 6 year read, re-read. AOC fully understands democracy's fiat dollar.
At first, it did not make sense to me, being biased to the cultural norm of "taxes fund government."
It was J. D. Alt's graphics that made me see the reverse is the truth, the FEDERAL government can now fully fund democracy.
And yes, I would certainly read Vanessa's MMT footnote reference to Stephanie Kelton's "The Deficit Myth."
John Alt's Substack, also today, offered a replay of "The Accidental Miracle of 1971!"
Really enjoyed this interview. I feel so ashamed of the education I received as a 85-year-old woman. I was not taught the true history of our country. I was educated in a parochial school and that is why we really need a Department of education that teaches the true history and not propaganda.
Thank you for this conversation. Very interesting and I learned a lot!
This is so great! I love the perspective and hope we can bring it to everyone. What about: “Taxation creates representation”?
Excellent guest! Thanks for sharing this interview!
Important and relevant history we need to talk about more!
Can't wait to read the book! I guess the old adage is true. History is written by the "victors" so we never really get the full story. We have to seek it out.
This conversation (and its close cousin with different issues discussed on Heather Cox Richardson's substack) has been very transformative for me. Now I'm wondering about another slogan, inspired by The Ink & the unparalleled exploration of the files that have been released:
Tax the Epstein Class
Let Democracy thrive
You know, bumpersticker style.
This is a great interview. I listened last year and have thought about it ever since.
Wonderful discussion! I just got Vanessa's book, finding it referenced reading Ruth Braunstein's "My Tax Dollars."
My first move with "The Price of Democracy" was to search if MMT was discussed.
Saddly, MMT is only found in a footnote, "beyond the scope of this book"..!
(There should be an entry level of MMM, Modern Monetary Mechanics, to MMT. Then the power of its "Theories" becomes evident.)
With respectful forbearance, the Fiat Dollar, "the accidental miracle of 1971," IS the power energy of democracy!
In a chat with AOC, before her first primary win, I asked "how will you ever pay for The Green New Deal?" In minutes she sent a syllabus, now a 6 year read, re-read. AOC fully understands democracy's fiat dollar.
At first, it did not make sense to me, being biased to the cultural norm of "taxes fund government."
It was J. D. Alt's graphics that made me see the reverse is the truth, the FEDERAL government can now fully fund democracy.
And yes, I would certainly read Vanessa's MMT footnote reference to Stephanie Kelton's "The Deficit Myth."
John Alt's Substack, also today, offered a replay of "The Accidental Miracle of 1971!"
https://johnalt.substack.com/p/mmt-quick-start-primer
Need the book in audio format?