Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
Editorial
July 6, 1953
Trainman News
Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana
What is this article about?
The editorial criticizes double standards in Wisconsin laws that keep income tax returns secret for the wealthy while requiring public disclosure of relief recipients' names, shaming the poor and aged. It calls for more humane treatment of vulnerable citizens and highlights immorality in such policies.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
Shameful Double Standards
There is nothing more immoral than double standards for
the rich. It is shocking to note that there are
laws that expose a poor man's poverty and laws
that make it illegal to reveal a rich man's
wealth.
Wisconsin recently enacted a law requiring
secrecy of income tax returns. In dealing with
unfortunates and old people, however, Wisconsin
goes in the opposite direction. It has a law requir-
ing that names on public relief rolls be open to
public inspection.
We have heard of cases where local chambers
of commerce have circulated names of those on
relief or those receiving government pensions.
Such measures are calculated ruthlessly to shame
such people, without regard to the merits of the
individual cases. One may have been a good
citizen and taxpayer for many years, but, on
becoming old and without income, misfortune
and adversity may descend upon him.
Nothing is more cruel than to cause one to
feel that he is living only by the grace and
charity of other mortals.
Also to torture old people and handicapped peo-
ple by yielding to those who hate taxes and love
money more than they love humanity, to those
who feel that such people may be driven to pride-
ful starvation by public inspection of relief rolls,
is an immorality in government that should not
be tolerated.
The cruelty of such was well stated by a dele-
gate to the recent national Townsend Plan con-
vention in Cleveland. Looking hopefully to the
time when prosperous America may treat its
elder citizens more humanely and generously, he
said:
"Can you imagine a country without poor-
houses, without relief or community funds,
without case workers prying into your personal
affairs or shame lists to humiliate you?"
A nation lacking in respect and regard for its
mothers and fathers, for its aged citizens, is a
nation lacking in moral responsibility. We recall
that much was said in the 1952 national elec-
tions about morality. Let those who prate of
morality in government consider the immorality
and shame of a policy that hides income tax re-
turns, aiding those with huge incomes to cut
corners in their tax returns and avoid detection,
while requiring publicity for the misfortune of
poverty among the handicapped and the aged.
There is nothing more immoral than double standards for
the rich. It is shocking to note that there are
laws that expose a poor man's poverty and laws
that make it illegal to reveal a rich man's
wealth.
Wisconsin recently enacted a law requiring
secrecy of income tax returns. In dealing with
unfortunates and old people, however, Wisconsin
goes in the opposite direction. It has a law requir-
ing that names on public relief rolls be open to
public inspection.
We have heard of cases where local chambers
of commerce have circulated names of those on
relief or those receiving government pensions.
Such measures are calculated ruthlessly to shame
such people, without regard to the merits of the
individual cases. One may have been a good
citizen and taxpayer for many years, but, on
becoming old and without income, misfortune
and adversity may descend upon him.
Nothing is more cruel than to cause one to
feel that he is living only by the grace and
charity of other mortals.
Also to torture old people and handicapped peo-
ple by yielding to those who hate taxes and love
money more than they love humanity, to those
who feel that such people may be driven to pride-
ful starvation by public inspection of relief rolls,
is an immorality in government that should not
be tolerated.
The cruelty of such was well stated by a dele-
gate to the recent national Townsend Plan con-
vention in Cleveland. Looking hopefully to the
time when prosperous America may treat its
elder citizens more humanely and generously, he
said:
"Can you imagine a country without poor-
houses, without relief or community funds,
without case workers prying into your personal
affairs or shame lists to humiliate you?"
A nation lacking in respect and regard for its
mothers and fathers, for its aged citizens, is a
nation lacking in moral responsibility. We recall
that much was said in the 1952 national elec-
tions about morality. Let those who prate of
morality in government consider the immorality
and shame of a policy that hides income tax re-
turns, aiding those with huge incomes to cut
corners in their tax returns and avoid detection,
while requiring publicity for the misfortune of
poverty among the handicapped and the aged.
What sub-type of article is it?
Social Reform
Moral Or Religious
Taxation
What keywords are associated?
Double Standards
Income Tax Secrecy
Public Relief Rolls
Shaming The Poor
Treatment Of Aged
Morality In Government
Tax Policy
What entities or persons were involved?
Wisconsin
Local Chambers Of Commerce
Townsend Plan Convention
Cleveland
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Double Standards In Privacy Laws For Wealth And Poverty
Stance / Tone
Strongly Critical Of Immoral Policies Shaming The Poor While Protecting The Rich
Key Figures
Wisconsin
Local Chambers Of Commerce
Townsend Plan Convention
Cleveland
Key Arguments
Double Standards In Laws Expose Poor's Poverty But Hide Rich's Wealth
Wisconsin's Income Tax Secrecy Vs. Public Relief Rolls
Chambers Of Commerce Circulate Names To Shame Relief Recipients
Shaming Aged And Handicapped Is Cruel And Inhumane
Policy Aids Tax Evasion By Wealthy While Publicizing Misfortune Of Vulnerable
Nation Must Respect And Treat Elderly Humanely