My daughter and SIL gave me an elementary school book from the 30’s. It is titled, “American Government” so I am assuming that it was for a civics class.
It teaches hard core progressivism, but is at least honest about it. One discussion about “taxes” points out that, “the art of taxation is to get the most feathers from the most ducks with the least squawks.” It also points out that “hidden taxes are the best, because although you may tax businesses and then the businesses put it in the price, that the normal person will not see it and will not know that they are being taxed.”
Then it talks about how good the government can look by taking $1 in tax from a million poeple, who won’t notice so no one cares, but then give that $1 million dollars to one person and they notice greatly and are very appreciative....
Naturally it endorses all of these policies, but it does include some honesty regarding their intentions...
OK, gotta run to a meeting.