And they meant it! Originally, voting was not tied to individual taxation, nor vice-versa; the only federal taxes constitutionally provided for at the time were tariffs, excise taxes (both basically taxes based on economic activity that participants opted-in to) and direct taxes levied on the states as a whole but apportioned based on population; this was meant to provide for things like common defense. (I think I got this all right…maybe not quite?). All states had representation in congress, as well as the ability to manage their own affairs, including revenue-wise, within their respective state borders.
Which wasn’t right, but did reflect the mores and embedded social structures and behaviors of the time (as you know). And has subsequently over time been addressed, as designed, as the country incrementally strives toward being a more perfect union! (Happy 19th Amendment Anniversary , BTW!)
It happens more than you’d think…fully 1/3 of Americans are in this sorry state of affairs (we call them babies and children and teenagers).
Wait…that sounds like you are for people deciding what’s in their own best interests and making choices for themselves and their families based on that, and being allowed to live their own lives how they think is best…i.e. how very libertarian of you. Welcome to the club
edit:
+1 for use of word “schlub”! :–)