[StrictTime]

whose ability to mobilize commoners with empty, anti-government rhetoric equating taxation with slavery is posited as a virtue.

This is rich. If this theme of a hero fighting over-taxation and burdensome government has been around in lore and literature since the 13th century, doesn't this writer think there might be some truth there? And that there is virtue in fighting it?

[roses of sharon]

Well, you know what they say about libs...if tolerance is your only virtue, then you have no others.