Vanessa Williamson
@vanessawilliamson.bsky.social
Author of "The Price of Democracy: The Revolutionary Power of Taxation in American History." Senior Fellow, Brookings Institution & Tax Policy Center.
Pinned
Today is my birthday and look what came in the mail... my first-ever copies of my new book!
Thank you to @hcrichardson.bsky.social Theda Skocpol @jacobhacker.bsky.social @gabrielzucman.bsky.social and Robin Einhorn for their kind words!
Thank you to @hcrichardson.bsky.social Theda Skocpol @jacobhacker.bsky.social @gabrielzucman.bsky.social and Robin Einhorn for their kind words!
📣IN DC this MONDAY!📣Come here me speak about my new book, "The Price of Democracy" with the brilliant @dorianwarren.bsky.social !!
Politics and Prose
@politicsprose.bsky.social
5015 Connecticut Ave NW
Monday, November 17th
7pm
Politics and Prose
@politicsprose.bsky.social
5015 Connecticut Ave NW
Monday, November 17th
7pm
November 15, 2025 at 3:16 PM
📣IN DC this MONDAY!📣Come here me speak about my new book, "The Price of Democracy" with the brilliant @dorianwarren.bsky.social !!
Politics and Prose
@politicsprose.bsky.social
5015 Connecticut Ave NW
Monday, November 17th
7pm
Politics and Prose
@politicsprose.bsky.social
5015 Connecticut Ave NW
Monday, November 17th
7pm
Reposted by Vanessa Williamson
Wow, @vanessawilliamson.bsky.social has a new book out about how taxes uphold democracy. Can't wait to read it! Y'all know I want to make April 15 a public health holiday so we can celebrate the fact that taxes allow us to do together what not one of us can do alone. the.ink/p/watch-read...
WATCH: Read my lips -- taxation is representation
Author Vanessa Williamson on why taxes are democratic, how the Boston Tea Party was a lot like Occupy, and how voters can learn to love paying their share once again
the.ink
November 15, 2025 at 12:23 AM
Wow, @vanessawilliamson.bsky.social has a new book out about how taxes uphold democracy. Can't wait to read it! Y'all know I want to make April 15 a public health holiday so we can celebrate the fact that taxes allow us to do together what not one of us can do alone. the.ink/p/watch-read...
Reposted by Vanessa Williamson
Featured on the latest @sirenspod.bsky.social: the new book the Price of Democracy by @vanessawilliamson.bsky.social. What does Direct File have to do with democracy? We discuss that and attempt a lot more when it comes to taxes, but you should read Vanessa's book!!
In the newest episode, Sirens explores life's certainties: taxes, trade taxes, acquisition reform, and nuclear annihilation. Wait, WHAT?
What's the end of direct file have to do with democracy, what's portfolio acquisition, and are we starting nuclear testing?
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b...
What's the end of direct file have to do with democracy, what's portfolio acquisition, and are we starting nuclear testing?
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b...
Trade Taxes, Acquisition Reform, and Nuclear Testing
Podcast Episode · Sirens: A Bombshell production · 11/14/2025 · 1h 8m
podcasts.apple.com
November 14, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Featured on the latest @sirenspod.bsky.social: the new book the Price of Democracy by @vanessawilliamson.bsky.social. What does Direct File have to do with democracy? We discuss that and attempt a lot more when it comes to taxes, but you should read Vanessa's book!!
Reposted by Vanessa Williamson
NEW: The first two years of Massachusetts' millionaire tax has raised $3 billion more than expected.
And rather than driving the rich away, IPS researchers found that the number of millionaires has *increased.*
Tax the rich. Greg Ryan in @bloomberg.com:
And rather than driving the rich away, IPS researchers found that the number of millionaires has *increased.*
Tax the rich. Greg Ryan in @bloomberg.com:
Millionaire Tax That Inspired Mamdani Fuels $5.7 Billion Haul in Massachusetts
A millionaire levy in Massachusetts that New York City mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani holds up as a model for taxing the rich has generated $3 billion more in revenue than expected without forcing...
www.bloomberg.com
November 12, 2025 at 4:01 PM
NEW: The first two years of Massachusetts' millionaire tax has raised $3 billion more than expected.
And rather than driving the rich away, IPS researchers found that the number of millionaires has *increased.*
Tax the rich. Greg Ryan in @bloomberg.com:
And rather than driving the rich away, IPS researchers found that the number of millionaires has *increased.*
Tax the rich. Greg Ryan in @bloomberg.com:
Tired of thinking about contemporary terrible people? Why not take a break and think about this dead terrible person instead??
seriously I had so much fun on this podcast! @ceaubin.com is hilarious and understands the value of cathartic rage, listen to this show
seriously I had so much fun on this podcast! @ceaubin.com is hilarious and understands the value of cathartic rage, listen to this show
TODAY ON TGS: we’re joined by the incredible Vanessa Williamson @vanessawilliamson.bsky.social to talk about death, taxes, and Martin Witherspoon Gary - a Confederate general who was willing to cause a lot of the former to avoid the latter. It’s a wild ride.
November 13, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Tired of thinking about contemporary terrible people? Why not take a break and think about this dead terrible person instead??
seriously I had so much fun on this podcast! @ceaubin.com is hilarious and understands the value of cathartic rage, listen to this show
seriously I had so much fun on this podcast! @ceaubin.com is hilarious and understands the value of cathartic rage, listen to this show
Reposted by Vanessa Williamson
TODAY ON TGS: we’re joined by the incredible Vanessa Williamson @vanessawilliamson.bsky.social to talk about death, taxes, and Martin Witherspoon Gary - a Confederate general who was willing to cause a lot of the former to avoid the latter. It’s a wild ride.
November 13, 2025 at 12:59 PM
TODAY ON TGS: we’re joined by the incredible Vanessa Williamson @vanessawilliamson.bsky.social to talk about death, taxes, and Martin Witherspoon Gary - a Confederate general who was willing to cause a lot of the former to avoid the latter. It’s a wild ride.
Big Andrew Mellon energy
The I.R.S. Tried to Stop This Tax Dodge. Scott Bessent Used It Anyway.
www.nytimes.com
November 12, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Big Andrew Mellon energy
Reposted by Vanessa Williamson
"[O]pponents of democracy in the [US] ... have adopted a dual strategy of electoral and fiscal subversion – ... trying to keep their political opponents from voting, and on the other, ensuring that the government is too starved of revenue to invest in egalitarian policies or restrain private power.
NEW from me & Ellis Chen on IRS oversight. What do we know and what we need to know about:
> IRS criminal investigations partnering with ICE
> what the 25% staffing cut means for tax refunds
> what has happened to IRS high-wealth audits
> Palantir's new contracts & your data privacy
> IRS criminal investigations partnering with ICE
> what the 25% staffing cut means for tax refunds
> what has happened to IRS high-wealth audits
> Palantir's new contracts & your data privacy
Five Questions for IRS CEO Frank Bisignano
The IRS has a new leader – maybe he can tell us whats happening
donmoynihan.substack.com
November 12, 2025 at 8:33 PM
"[O]pponents of democracy in the [US] ... have adopted a dual strategy of electoral and fiscal subversion – ... trying to keep their political opponents from voting, and on the other, ensuring that the government is too starved of revenue to invest in egalitarian policies or restrain private power.
Apropos of... everything:
Thomas Paine, the guy whose "Common Sense" convinced Americans not to have a king, also called for a wealth tax to prevent "corruption at elections".
His proposed top marginal rate? 100%!
www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnb...
Thomas Paine, the guy whose "Common Sense" convinced Americans not to have a king, also called for a wealth tax to prevent "corruption at elections".
His proposed top marginal rate? 100%!
www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnb...
Opinion | The case for taxing billionaires is older than you think
A wealth tax, with a top rate of 100%, is common sense.
www.msnbc.com
November 12, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Apropos of... everything:
Thomas Paine, the guy whose "Common Sense" convinced Americans not to have a king, also called for a wealth tax to prevent "corruption at elections".
His proposed top marginal rate? 100%!
www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnb...
Thomas Paine, the guy whose "Common Sense" convinced Americans not to have a king, also called for a wealth tax to prevent "corruption at elections".
His proposed top marginal rate? 100%!
www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnb...
NEW from me & Ellis Chen on IRS oversight. What do we know and what we need to know about:
> IRS criminal investigations partnering with ICE
> what the 25% staffing cut means for tax refunds
> what has happened to IRS high-wealth audits
> Palantir's new contracts & your data privacy
> IRS criminal investigations partnering with ICE
> what the 25% staffing cut means for tax refunds
> what has happened to IRS high-wealth audits
> Palantir's new contracts & your data privacy
Five Questions for IRS CEO Frank Bisignano
The IRS has a new leader – maybe he can tell us whats happening
donmoynihan.substack.com
November 12, 2025 at 6:15 PM
NEW from me & Ellis Chen on IRS oversight. What do we know and what we need to know about:
> IRS criminal investigations partnering with ICE
> what the 25% staffing cut means for tax refunds
> what has happened to IRS high-wealth audits
> Palantir's new contracts & your data privacy
> IRS criminal investigations partnering with ICE
> what the 25% staffing cut means for tax refunds
> what has happened to IRS high-wealth audits
> Palantir's new contracts & your data privacy
Reposted by Vanessa Williamson
New at Can We Still Govern: The IRS is a key agency and its decline is emblematic of Trump-era mismanagement.
@vanessawilliamson.bsky.social & Eliis Chen lay out the questions that Democrats should be asking its new leader.
Incredibly informative piece.
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/five-quest...
@vanessawilliamson.bsky.social & Eliis Chen lay out the questions that Democrats should be asking its new leader.
Incredibly informative piece.
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/five-quest...
Five Questions for IRS CEO Frank Bisignano
The IRS has a new leader – maybe he can tell us whats happening
donmoynihan.substack.com
November 12, 2025 at 12:17 PM
New at Can We Still Govern: The IRS is a key agency and its decline is emblematic of Trump-era mismanagement.
@vanessawilliamson.bsky.social & Eliis Chen lay out the questions that Democrats should be asking its new leader.
Incredibly informative piece.
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/five-quest...
@vanessawilliamson.bsky.social & Eliis Chen lay out the questions that Democrats should be asking its new leader.
Incredibly informative piece.
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/five-quest...
Ok but GUYS MY BOOK IS ACTUALLY OUT TODAY
YOU CAN GO AND GET A COPY AND READ IT AND EVERYTHING
www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/vanes...
YOU CAN GO AND GET A COPY AND READ IT AND EVERYTHING
www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/vanes...
November 11, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Ok but GUYS MY BOOK IS ACTUALLY OUT TODAY
YOU CAN GO AND GET A COPY AND READ IT AND EVERYTHING
www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/vanes...
YOU CAN GO AND GET A COPY AND READ IT AND EVERYTHING
www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/vanes...
Reposted by Vanessa Williamson
We are so excited to announce that "THE PRICE OF DEMOCRACY: The Revolutionary Power of Taxation in American History," by @vanessawilliamson.bsky.social, is now available!
Learn why battles over taxation have always been battles over democracy itself: bit.ly/4nK7J3N
Learn why battles over taxation have always been battles over democracy itself: bit.ly/4nK7J3N
November 11, 2025 at 3:30 PM
We are so excited to announce that "THE PRICE OF DEMOCRACY: The Revolutionary Power of Taxation in American History," by @vanessawilliamson.bsky.social, is now available!
Learn why battles over taxation have always been battles over democracy itself: bit.ly/4nK7J3N
Learn why battles over taxation have always been battles over democracy itself: bit.ly/4nK7J3N
Ok this book looks really great
November 11, 2025 at 1:04 AM
Ok this book looks really great
Reposted by Vanessa Williamson
Such an impt read! Besides enriching his own coffers & those of his cronies, Trump is fundamentally undermining the tax system which “strikes at the very capacity of a democratically elected government to act.”
“Together, taxation & representation make a powerful govt accountable to the public.”
“Together, taxation & representation make a powerful govt accountable to the public.”
November 10, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Such an impt read! Besides enriching his own coffers & those of his cronies, Trump is fundamentally undermining the tax system which “strikes at the very capacity of a democratically elected government to act.”
“Together, taxation & representation make a powerful govt accountable to the public.”
“Together, taxation & representation make a powerful govt accountable to the public.”
My book comes out tomorrow so let’s play “What does the news remind me of?”
Up first: The editorial in Bezos’s Post describing Mamdani’s win as "new era of class warfare." It reminds me of a memo commissioned by a different rich guy more than a century ago.
Up first: The editorial in Bezos’s Post describing Mamdani’s win as "new era of class warfare." It reminds me of a memo commissioned by a different rich guy more than a century ago.
November 10, 2025 at 8:03 PM
My book comes out tomorrow so let’s play “What does the news remind me of?”
Up first: The editorial in Bezos’s Post describing Mamdani’s win as "new era of class warfare." It reminds me of a memo commissioned by a different rich guy more than a century ago.
Up first: The editorial in Bezos’s Post describing Mamdani’s win as "new era of class warfare." It reminds me of a memo commissioned by a different rich guy more than a century ago.
Trump's tariffs are always described as chaotic. They aren't chaotic. They are part of a concerted attack on the rule of law.
If you want to read about that at more length and with more penguins:
If you want to read about that at more length and with more penguins:
Today, @vanessawilliamson.bsky.social explains how Trump's capricious tariffs and attacks on the IRS are the latest iteration of a long anti-tax, anti-democratic tradition.
The Long Anti-Tax Tradition of American Oligarchy
Throughout U.S. history, oligarchs have fettered the tax power of the state to ensure that the government would be too feeble to rein in their power. The Trump Administration'
lpeproject.org
November 10, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Trump's tariffs are always described as chaotic. They aren't chaotic. They are part of a concerted attack on the rule of law.
If you want to read about that at more length and with more penguins:
If you want to read about that at more length and with more penguins:
New from me today! An article at @lpeblog.bsky.social, about Trump's tariffs, Magna Carta, and why opponents of democracy always try to undermine the tax system.
lpeproject.org/blog/the-lon...
Also, I got to write this one sentence:
lpeproject.org/blog/the-lon...
Also, I got to write this one sentence:
November 10, 2025 at 3:53 PM
New from me today! An article at @lpeblog.bsky.social, about Trump's tariffs, Magna Carta, and why opponents of democracy always try to undermine the tax system.
lpeproject.org/blog/the-lon...
Also, I got to write this one sentence:
lpeproject.org/blog/the-lon...
Also, I got to write this one sentence:
Reposted by Vanessa Williamson
THURSDAY ON TGS! I’m joined by Vanessa Williamson @vanessawilliamson.bsky.social to talk about this former Confederate general, who had three big passions in life: taxes, murder, and racism. Not necessarily in that order.
Let the great tax-pilling begin.
Let the great tax-pilling begin.
November 10, 2025 at 12:53 PM
THURSDAY ON TGS! I’m joined by Vanessa Williamson @vanessawilliamson.bsky.social to talk about this former Confederate general, who had three big passions in life: taxes, murder, and racism. Not necessarily in that order.
Let the great tax-pilling begin.
Let the great tax-pilling begin.
If I am ever asked about my dream in life, I now know my answer, this is it: for everyone everywhere to be so incredibly tax-pilled
Reading @vanessawilliamson.bsky.social’s new book (linked below) has me so incredibly tax-pilled. I was watching the election results with some friends last night and I kept saying “oh my god it’s all taxes. everything is taxes. how did i not notice this.”
www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/vanes...
www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/vanes...
The Price of Democracy
An eye-opening history of taxation showing that battles over taxes have always really been battles over democracy itself “A convincing case that we must ta...
www.hachettebookgroup.com
November 6, 2025 at 10:21 PM
If I am ever asked about my dream in life, I now know my answer, this is it: for everyone everywhere to be so incredibly tax-pilled
Reposted by Vanessa Williamson
sound smart about tariffs: buy this book
Here's the relevant backstory (from my new book, out Monday!).
Buy a copy and you, too, can make extremely niche tax jokes!
www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/vanes...
Buy a copy and you, too, can make extremely niche tax jokes!
www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/vanes...
November 6, 2025 at 9:11 PM
sound smart about tariffs: buy this book
OMG are we actually talking about whether tariffs are for revenue or a trade regulation??!! What is this, 1764?? PAGING JAMES OTIS AMIRITE
November 5, 2025 at 10:47 PM
OMG are we actually talking about whether tariffs are for revenue or a trade regulation??!! What is this, 1764?? PAGING JAMES OTIS AMIRITE
Reposted by Vanessa Williamson
Me: “The fixation on causal estimates is not the appropriate direction social science…What descriptive analysis provides us with are facts. Facts are nouns. Causal analysis gives us contextual estimates. They are adjectives. In the grammar of social science, we should prefer nouns to adjectives.”
November 3, 2025 at 12:12 AM
Me: “The fixation on causal estimates is not the appropriate direction social science…What descriptive analysis provides us with are facts. Facts are nouns. Causal analysis gives us contextual estimates. They are adjectives. In the grammar of social science, we should prefer nouns to adjectives.”
This is the way.
and all I will say is that when @vanessawilliamson.bsky.social's book comes out, you all had better frickin' get it
October 31, 2025 at 11:22 AM
This is the way.
Reposted by Vanessa Williamson
Per the D.C. CFO, D.C. stands to lose $657.8 million in revenue from the federal tax code changes through 2029 if the city does nothing to decouple its taxes from federal ones.
October 29, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Per the D.C. CFO, D.C. stands to lose $657.8 million in revenue from the federal tax code changes through 2029 if the city does nothing to decouple its taxes from federal ones.