Not to mention one A. Lincoln changing the rules to accommodate a war. The first constitution didn't leave much ability to raise taxes, since a loathing of tax

Not to mention one A. Lincoln changing the rules to accommodate a war. The first constitution didn't leave much ability to raise taxes, since a loathing of taxes help start the revolution. The result was so destructive, a new constitution became inevitable, and Washington spearheaded The Return of George Washington: Uniting the States, 1783-1789, by Edward Larson is a good source on these events. Some learned from this that low taxes aren't such a great thing; others, obviously, have yet to learn (or admit) that.