Time to Again Feed the Insatiable Beast

America's annual rituals and observances include days we usually celebrate together (July Fourth, Memorial Day, Veterans Day), or as members of special groups (Passover, Easter and Christmas).

The one annual ritual it can be safely said most Americans despise is April 15, when the half of us who pay federal income taxes must "render unto Caesar" portions of our hard-earned money to a government that wastes much of it and dislikes exposure and accountability. It's why Elon Musk and his band of DOGE warriors are despised by the Left and the misspenders.

Two constitutional amendments have been especially hated by the public. One was the 16th Amendment that was ratified on Feb. 3, 1913. It granted Congress the authority to impose and collect taxes on income. Before then the government raised money through tariffs (sound familiar?) and excise taxes.