George Will invoked Reagan and Jefferson. But what did Jefferson ever tell us about global finance, offshoring, or tax havens that might be practical advice today…?

The other point that bears mention in a blog comment was the question from the evangelical minister, who raised the topic of economic inequality — which is partly a function of tax policy.

Surprisingly, the evangelical minister synched with Robert Reich’s points — not with the points made on behalf of the GOP. (Ryan’s plea to ‘get out of this class division rhetoric’ was droll. Was he suggesting that evangelical ministers should never raise the specter of income inequality…?)

Prior to watching the video, I’d landed on two blogs today that each linked to a Bureau of Investigative Journalism’s report about an estimated 600 million euros that UK banks have cheated EU governments out of — via tax havens and financial ‘services’ based in the City of London and affiliated tax secrecy jurisdictions.

It’s worth noting that the Church of England is raising questions about the income inequality in the UK, so I don’t think it’s just the US evangelicals who are starting to ask tougher questions about economic, finance, and tax structures.

In other words, ‘taxation’ and finance appear to be percolating closer to the center of public conversation, and the evangelical minister’s questions alluded to both of those topics.

At this historical moment, against the background of the economic, social, and financial news we are seeing, Reich’s (and the evangelical minister’s) questions appear to be more resonant with each passing news story — including the one about how Ryan’s House GOP group has once again done a turnabout at the 58th minute of the 11th hour.

My takeaway: that evangelical minister gave me hope.
People do care.
We are paying attention. And starting to ask a lot more questions.
There’s the upside.

Think there is a Barney & Friends Show coming to the local Faux Newscorp outlet?