FL-SEN: Alan Grayson does NOT support progressive taxation.

[RandySF]

He's pledged to make income inequality and other progressive priorities a focus of his bid. And Grayson told NBC he'd like to make eliminating the income tax for the poorest Americans a key priority. But he seemed more reluctant to tackle the tax rate for top income-earners like himself.

"One way that you could try to address [income inequality] is through the tax system, but that doesn't necessarily mean that you tax people who make more money more," he said.

"At the top end, it's a complicated situation," he added. "I can tell you, in fact, there are repercussions and second order effects that come from modifying the tax rates at the top."


http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/alan-grayson-dems-would-crawl-over-hot-coals-naked-back-n389436

[n2doc]

1. So who do you support? Murphy?

Murphy was a Romney-supporting Repub until 2012. He ain't raising taxes on the rich either.

Murphy was described in The Huffington Post as a "pro-choice, pro-LGBT rights but 'not ultra-liberal' Democrat who values fiscal responsibility."[5] The top five contributors to Murphy's campaign committee for the 2013-2014 time period were his family's construction company, Deloitte, Suntech Plumbing, Goldman Sachs, and J Street PAC.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Murphy_(Florida_politician)

[yeoman6987]

4. Who values fiscal responsibility?

We need to change that wording.

[LondonReign2]

7. Yes, consider the source

A conservadem dissing an actual progressive. And with false framing no less.

Standard fare from those that want the party to keep moving to the right.

[zipplewrath]

2. Your title doesn't match his statement

Look, I think his run for the Senate is a mistake, but none the less, his statement doesn't match your title. All he said was that modifying the top rate is complicated. He's advocating no income tax for the "poorest", which is a progressive tax system. But he is correct about top rates. Just changing the rate doesn't necessarily accomplish anything if you don't manage the tax code. Folks at the top end already have many ways to avoid income taxes. You can get greater revenues by changing the code, without actually changing the rates.

I'd tend to disagree with him in that one needs to in essence do both, change the code AND change the rates. But that doesn't mean that what he said in anyway suggests he doesn't support a progressive income tax system. It is ALREADY a progressive system and can be made MORE progressive through code changes alone. It can be made even MORE progressive through rate and code changes. Just changing the rates can have the effect of not particularly improving the progressive features, but merely affecting how and where the top rate payers invest and handle their wealth.

[tkmorris]

3. Article does not support thread title

Furthermore, Grayson's opponent is a Repub in sheep's clothing. Obvious hit piece and I would like to know what motivates it.

[djean111]

5. His opponent is literally a DINO - was GOP until 2011, votes with the GOP,

belongs to that New Democrat Coalition. DINOs. I will be voting for Grayson. Even if he is not on the ballot. Unless there is someone besides Murphy.

[DirkGently]

6. A rather radical interpretation of Grayson's record.

Supports increasing tax rates.

Grayson supports the CC Voters Guide question on tax rates

Christian Coalition publishes a number of special voter educational materials including the Christian Coalition Voter Guides, which provide voters with critical information about where candidates stand on important faith and family issues. The Christian Coalition Voters Guide summarizes candidate stances on the following topic: "Increasing federal income tax rates"
Source: Christian Coalition Voter Guide 12-CC-q11a on Oct 31, 2012

Opposes eliminating the inheritance tax.

Grayson opposes the CC Voters Guide question on the inheritance tax

http://www.ontheissues.org/FL/Alan_Grayson_Tax_Reform.htm

As others have pointed out, Grayson's primary opponent says he voted for Mitt Romney, and holds the record for the most votes against his party, and with the Republicans, in the state of Florida, and has made "bipartisan" SS "reform" the centerpiece of his candidacy.

[naoya6161]

8. He should clarify his position at one point

If he does want to run a super progressive campaign, he should explain why he said that it's complicated, since it seems like all the other progressives believe in progressive taxation.
But given his recent responses to questions as of late...

[Betty Karlson]

9. Is he taking campaign advice from Nelson, then? n/t