In Connecticut, reported Wednesday’s New Haven Register, “Some Democratic state lawmakers are proposing to raise the 1 percent tax on such products to match the state’s 6.35 percent sales tax, making Connecticut one of nearly two dozen states to extend sales taxes to downloaded products.” When I read this on the train earlier, I couldn’t help but whistle the tune from the 1952 revival of the Kaufman/Ryskind/Gershwins musical Of Thee I Sing, the “Senatorial Roll Call,” where lawmakers merrily break out singing:

The people think they’ve got taxation.
Ha! Ha! Ha!
Just wait for further legislation.
Ha! Ha! Ha!
Today is really full of laughter.
Ho! Ho! Ho!
Compared to what will follow after!
Ho! Ho! Ho!
With fury though you may be seething.
Ha! Ha! Ha!
Just wait until we tax your breathing.
Ha! Ha! Ha!
On taxes,
None relaxes
When this happy group convenes!
Be it payroll, be it income-
We are gathered here to sink ‘em.
Till there’s no one with a nickel in his jeans.
If you think you’ve got taxation,
Wait for further legislation,
And you’ll find out what taxation really means!
Ha! Ha! Ha!
Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!
Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!

By the way, Morrie Ryskind wrote many pieces for National Review, including two in the 1955 premier issue.