A Love Letter to Congress

A Love Letter to Congress

In the federal government of the United States, the Power of the Purse is vested in and controlled by the Congress, as laid down in the Constitution of the United States, Article I, Section 9, Clause 7 (the Appropriations Clause) and Article I, Section 8, Clause 1 (the Taxing and Spending Clause).

Dear Congress,

You tax our land, you tax our bed, you tax our table, at which we’re fed

You tax our property, you tax us fools, you tell us taxes are the rules

You tax our work, you tax our pay, but we work for peanuts anyway

You tax our vacations, you tax our boats, you tax our pants, you tax our coats

You tax our hats, you tax our shoes, you tax my house, you tax my booze

You tax our food, you tax my mink, you tax us if we try to think

You tax our flights, you tax our beers, if we cry you tax our tears

You tax our cars, you tax our gas, you find every way to tax our ass

You tax all we have then let us know; you won’t be done until we have no dough

You tax our coffin, you tax our grave, you tax the sod in which we’re laid

and when we’re gone it’s no time to relax, you simply apply the inheritance tax


Not one of the taxes listed below existed 100 years ago. We had no national debt and the world’s largest middle class, lest we forget.

Accounts Receivable Tax

Airport Tax

Building Permit Tax

CDL license Tax

Cigarette Tax

Corporate Income Tax

Dog License Tax

Excise Taxes

Federal Income Tax

Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)

Fishing License Tax

Food License Tax

Fuel Permit Tax

Gasoline Tax

Gross Receipts Tax

Hunting License Tax

Inheritance Tax

Inventory Tax

IRS Interest Charges IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax)

Liquor Tax

Luxury Tax

Marriage License Tax

Medicare Tax

Personal Property Tax

Property Tax

Real Estate Tax

Service Charge Tax

Social Security Tax

Road Usage Tax

Recreational Vehicle Tax

Sales Tax

School Tax

State Income Tax

State Unemployment Tax (SUTA)

Phone Federal Excise Tax

Phone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax

Phone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Taxes

Phone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax

Phone Recurring and Nonrecurring Charges Tax

Phone State and Local Tax

Phone Usage Charge Tax

Utility Taxes

Vehicle License Registration Tax

Vehicle Sales Tax

Watercraft Registration Tax

Well Permit Tax

Workers Compensation Tax


Don’t blame the President, don’t blame the lobbyists, don’t blame inflation. You, and only you, can fix this.

Very sincerely,

The American People

Note: Writer of poem unknown