My Virtual Reading Room

The Final Tax
by
Ellis Parker Butler




Said Statesman A to Statesman Z:
“What can we tax that is not paying?
We’re taxing every blessed thing—
Here’s what our people are defraying:

“Tariff tax, income tax,
Tax on retail sales,
Club tax, school tax,
Tax on beers and ales,

“City tax, county tax,
Tax on obligations,
War tax, wine tax,
Tax on corporations,( Brewer tax, sewer tax, / Tax on motor cars... )