"Mr. Taxpayer versus Mr. Tax Spender": Taxpayers' Associations, Pocketbook Politics, and the Law during the Great Depression

During the Great Depression, local taxpayers associations emerged to examine government operations and advocate for operational and fiscal reforms. These associations aimed to reduce government costs and increase efficiency. "Mr. Taxpayer versus Mr. Tax Spender" explores the history and tactics of these grassroots organizations, connecting them to the populist tradition in American politics and other historical impulses.

Format: Hardback
Length: 225 pages
Publication date: 12 May 2023
Publisher: Temple University Press,U.S.

The Great Depression witnessed a remarkable surge in the formation of local taxpayers associations, an unprecedented phenomenon in the history of American politics. These concerned citizens, driven by a genuine desire to improve the operations of their governments, diligently examined the workings of state, city, and county administrations. They then relentlessly pressed local officials for operational and fiscal reforms, seeking to reduce the cost of these governments and make them more efficient and cost-effective.

These grassroots taxpayers leagues, which began to emerge in the 1860s, experienced their heyday in the 1930s. Linda Upham-Bornstein, in her book "Mr. Taxpayer versus Mr. Tax Spender," provides a comprehensive account of these leagues, detailing their organization and the various tools they employed to achieve their objectives. These associations employed a range of strategies, including constructive economy, political efforts, tax strikes, and even legal actions such as tax revolt through litigation.

Taxpayer activity during the Great Depression was a direct response to the economic crisis and the expansion of government. It was a manifestation of the growing frustration among individuals with the perceived waste and inefficiency of government spending. The book "Mr. Taxpayer versus Mr. Tax Spender" establishes a connection between collective tax resistance in the 1930s and the populist tradition in American politics. It also sheds light on broader impulses in American political and legal history, such as the desire for greater individual autonomy and the fight against government overreach.

In conclusion, the proliferation of local taxpayers associations during the Great Depression was a testament to the power of ordinary citizens to effect change in their government. These organizations played a crucial role in reducing government costs, improving efficiency, and promoting fiscal responsibility. Through their tireless efforts and innovative strategies, they helped to shape the political landscape of the United States and paved the way for future generations of taxpayers to advocate for their rights and interests.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781439923733