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!
Hey Chicago! I have a book event coming up at Seminary Co-Op bookstore on December 6th! I am thrilled to be joined by legal scholar Aziz Huq. Come say hello!
"The Price of Democracy"
Seminary Co-op
5751 S. Woodlawn Ave
Saturday, December 6th at 3pm
www.semcoop.com/event/vaness...
"The Price of Democracy"
Seminary Co-op
5751 S. Woodlawn Ave
Saturday, December 6th at 3pm
www.semcoop.com/event/vaness...
November 24, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Hey Chicago! I have a book event coming up at Seminary Co-Op bookstore on December 6th! I am thrilled to be joined by legal scholar Aziz Huq. Come say hello!
"The Price of Democracy"
Seminary Co-op
5751 S. Woodlawn Ave
Saturday, December 6th at 3pm
www.semcoop.com/event/vaness...
"The Price of Democracy"
Seminary Co-op
5751 S. Woodlawn Ave
Saturday, December 6th at 3pm
www.semcoop.com/event/vaness...
Reposted by Vanessa Williamson
"There’s never been a serious campaign for a tax system that would have made rich people not rich. But the idea that you are beholden, that you are merely a citizen among other citizens, is something that at certain levels of wealth many people find unacceptable." - @vanessawilliamson.bsky.social
Book Review: The Price of Democracy
A conversation between Vanessa Williamson and Abraham Kenmore
contrarian.substack.com
November 22, 2025 at 12:54 AM
"There’s never been a serious campaign for a tax system that would have made rich people not rich. But the idea that you are beholden, that you are merely a citizen among other citizens, is something that at certain levels of wealth many people find unacceptable." - @vanessawilliamson.bsky.social
🚨 BIG WIN in Center for Taxpayer Rights v. IRS!! 🚨 Court just issued a stay on IRS data sharing cooperation with ICE.
November 21, 2025 at 9:21 PM
🚨 BIG WIN in Center for Taxpayer Rights v. IRS!! 🚨 Court just issued a stay on IRS data sharing cooperation with ICE.
Reposted by Vanessa Williamson
Live now: @vanessawilliamson.bsky.social on the Revolutionary Power of Taxation in American History with former IRS commissioner Danny Werfel
The price of democracy: The revolutionary power of taxation in American history
YouTube video by Brookings Institution
www.youtube.com
November 20, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Live now: @vanessawilliamson.bsky.social on the Revolutionary Power of Taxation in American History with former IRS commissioner Danny Werfel
THURSDAY, 10AM: I am absolutely thrilled to be joined by former IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel for a conversation @brookings.edu about my new book, "The Price of Democracy." If you are in DC, join us --- or you can watch online!
www.brookings.edu/events/the-p...
www.brookings.edu/events/the-p...
The price of democracy: The revolutionary power of taxation in American history | Brookings
Join the Governance Studies Program at Brookings for a discussion on Vanessa Williamson's new book, "The Price of Democracy: The Revolutionary Power of Taxation in American History."
www.brookings.edu
November 18, 2025 at 5:27 PM
THURSDAY, 10AM: I am absolutely thrilled to be joined by former IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel for a conversation @brookings.edu about my new book, "The Price of Democracy." If you are in DC, join us --- or you can watch online!
www.brookings.edu/events/the-p...
www.brookings.edu/events/the-p...
Reposted by Vanessa Williamson
The paper didn’t keep this part of my quote, but I see this as further evidence that Trump’s @treasurydept.bsky.social expects inflation to keep going up all the way through 2026
www.independent.co.uk/us/money/irs...
www.independent.co.uk/us/money/irs...
The IRS federal income tax brackets are changing. What does this mean for you?
These changes will impact taxpayers when they file in 2027
www.independent.co.uk
November 17, 2025 at 10:34 PM
The paper didn’t keep this part of my quote, but I see this as further evidence that Trump’s @treasurydept.bsky.social expects inflation to keep going up all the way through 2026
www.independent.co.uk/us/money/irs...
www.independent.co.uk/us/money/irs...
Reposted by Vanessa Williamson
In September, IRS began a $14.2 million contract with Palantir to build a unified API, but little is known about the process by which this contract was awarded or what protections are in place for taxpayer data. - @vanessawilliamson.bsky.social at @donmoyn.bsky.social
Five Questions for IRS CEO Frank Bisignano
The IRS has a new leader – maybe he can tell us whats happening
donmoynihan.substack.com
November 17, 2025 at 7:22 PM
In September, IRS began a $14.2 million contract with Palantir to build a unified API, but little is known about the process by which this contract was awarded or what protections are in place for taxpayer data. - @vanessawilliamson.bsky.social at @donmoyn.bsky.social
Had a great conversation with Ben Tumin at Skipped History! (this screenshot captures accurately how happy I am when thinking about taxes)
The Founders Wanted to Tax the Rich
Dr. Vanessa S. Williamson on the real history of taxation.
skippedhistory.substack.com
November 17, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Had a great conversation with Ben Tumin at Skipped History! (this screenshot captures accurately how happy I am when thinking about taxes)
Reposted by Vanessa Williamson
Drawing on Thomas Paine’s proposal for a 100% wealth tax and the backdrop of today’s economy—where billionaires line up behind the president and wield immense influence over policy—they argue that limiting vast fortunes is essential to protecting democracy. www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnb...
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 17, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Drawing on Thomas Paine’s proposal for a 100% wealth tax and the backdrop of today’s economy—where billionaires line up behind the president and wield immense influence over policy—they argue that limiting vast fortunes is essential to protecting democracy. www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnb...
📣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.