One of my favorite quotes is from V for Vendetta. The premise of the movie is a corrupted government. But the quote, stated by one of the main characters investigating a mystery, says this:
"One thing that is true of all governments – their best records are tax records."
Did you know that Abraham Lincoln was the president that started the IRS, then called the Bureau of Internal Revenue. The BIR came about because of the debt accumulated from the civil war. And here I thought only mass produced tinned food and clothing, aka consumerism, where the only things to come out of that abysmal war. The problems the USA has have been made by the USA.
“...truth be told, if you're looking for the guilty, you need only look into a mirror...” — V
But moving past that the IRS has also done some other interesting things.
“In addition to the income tax, Congress specifically charged the BIR with enforcing another Progressive-era reform: Prohibition. The BIR was also highly involved in enforcing tax laws relating to narcotics crimes and in convicting "Public Enemy Number One," gangster Al Capone”— How Stuff Works, website.
I knew about Capone, but prohibition?
Fascinating.
"One thing that is true of all governments – their best records are tax records."
Did you know that Abraham Lincoln was the president that started the IRS, then called the Bureau of Internal Revenue. The BIR came about because of the debt accumulated from the civil war. And here I thought only mass produced tinned food and clothing, aka consumerism, where the only things to come out of that abysmal war. The problems the USA has have been made by the USA.
“...truth be told, if you're looking for the guilty, you need only look into a mirror...” — V
But moving past that the IRS has also done some other interesting things.
“In addition to the income tax, Congress specifically charged the BIR with enforcing another Progressive-era reform: Prohibition. The BIR was also highly involved in enforcing tax laws relating to narcotics crimes and in convicting "Public Enemy Number One," gangster Al Capone”— How Stuff Works, website.
I knew about Capone, but prohibition?
Fascinating.