some things never change.

from a friend of mine in the 6th Pennsylvania Regiment 

---

 

Here's a quick little gem. On 27 Sept. 1782, Robert Morris wrote to his close friend Benjamin Franklin in Passy, France complaining about the smallness of the sums raised through taxation.   He observes that in order to remain popular, American leaders continue to support the people's opposition to taxation (despite the pressing need for revenue), noting that "The love of Popularity is our endemical Disease".  Somehow this sounds vaguely familiar and prescient.