Stephen L. Doll  1990 Published in:  The Northwest Technocrat, 3rd quarter 1990, No. 320 

If the Internal Revenue Service has its way, the American Price System will go on, even in the event of a nuclear attack. And the less devastated areas will be hardest hit when the income tax man comes calling, according to columnist Jack Smith.

Quoting from an article in the San Jose, Calif. MERCURY NEWS, Smith points out that the boundless magnanimity of the I.R.S. has found expression in a new section of the Internal Revenue Manual, mandated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. To quote the manual: “In the event of a national emergency (especially a nuclear attack) the primary function of the service is to support the Secretary of the Treasury.” On the subject of those too hard hit to generate any revenue, there is an inspiring note on delinquent accounts. It reads: “On the premise that the collection of delinquent accounts would be most adversely affected, and in many cases would be impossible in a disaster area, the service will concentrate on the collection of current taxes.”

Which says, in so many words, if you’re one of the lucky ones who doesn’t have their skin flayed from their bodies by the searing heat of a thermonuclear explosion, the I.R.S. is ready and willing to perform the service for you.

Which goes to demonstrate that, in a Price System operation, the two surest things are indeed death and taxes — but not necessarily in that order.