Taxes Are Inevitable, as Is the Debate Over Who Pays

From colonial times to the present day, debate over tax policy — and how to reform it — has been a fixture in American politics. The tax system has changed radically since the founding of the republic, paralleling the development of the American economy and the ever-growing role of the federal government. Taxation has evolved from a system dominated by tariffs and excise taxes in the 19th century to today’s income-tax-based system.

Now, in the first decade of the 21st century, many people are suggesting that the tax system needs more changes. However, previous attempts at reform have succeeded only rarely, often because of strong opposition from entrenched interests and powerful constituencies.

Universal Coverage: It's Always Critical

From Otto von Bismarck to "Harry and Louise," the idea of universal health care has fueled public debate for more than a century. Ever since major European nations adopted compulsory coverage plans, the quest for national health insurance has vexed U.S. policymakers. Congress has tackled the issue nearly every decade, and the debate has featured a noteworthy cast of characters.

Congressional leaders, Republicans, Democrats and socialists have all advocated some type of national health insurance program. But when the debate gets to Congress, attempts to enact comprehensive packages have largely failed after being hijacked by special interests. Alternative — and less comprehensive — measures carry the day.

For a snapshot of legislative events related to global warming, see the slideshow.

Former Vice President Al Gore may have “invented” the Internet — wink, wink — but he did not, contrary to popular opinion, invent the issue of global warming. The concept of climate change has been in the public eye since at least the 1970s.

But it took years for Congress, presidents and the public to embrace the issue of global warming. While international agreements, conferences and reports have advanced many of the developments on global warming, Congress has never passed any comprehensive measure to address the issue.

Congressional interest in global warming began in the late 1970s, and the issue gathered steam with hearings in 1988. After the Senate opted not to consider the Kyoto Protocol in 1997, lawmakers have introduced bills addressing the issue in successive Congresses. The Senate failed to consider the most recent measure in June 2008.

The House Energy and Commerce Committee and the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee are likely to consider new bills again this year, and with larger Democratic majorities in Congress, they stand a much better chance of passing — and of being signed into law by President Barack Obama. But political and scientific skepticism of man-made climate change theories continues, particularly in the United States. A successor treaty to Kyoto will be considered in Copenhagen in November.

Click here for a photo slideshow of the legislative history of global warming.