During a recent interview with Sean Hannity, Socialist Congressional candidate Oliver Larkin from Florida defended his bold assertion that billionaires should be taxed “like they don’t exist.” However, he avoided clarifying how much taxes would rise for high earners. Larkin previously volunteered for the Senate and found himself at odds with Hannity, who criticized elements of the Democratic Socialists of America platform as Florida voters gear up to cast their votes.
When Hannity asked about an economy based on individual capabilities and needs, Larkin expressed enthusiasm, calling it a great idea. He’s running against moderate Rep. Jared Moskowitz in a key district, focusing less on ideological labels and more on connecting with voters. “From a pragmatic perspective,” Larkin said, “what the people of South Florida need is Medicare for All, universal child care, all those policy proposals.”
Before introducing Larkin, Hannity highlighted a list of policies supported by progressives, such as eliminating the electoral college, automatic same-day voter registration, and making public college free. He described these positions, among other things, as reflecting a “passionate hatred of Israel.”
Hannity challenged Larkin to provide specifics about his proposals, including how they would affect federal taxes. He asked pointedly, “How much of every dollar earned by the so-called ‘evil rich’ should we keep?” Instead of answering directly, Larkin cited historical high tax rates under past presidents like Roosevelt and Truman, which led Hannity to press further for figures.
“What percentage of every American dollar should every American keep after paying taxes?” Hannity pressed. Larkin suggested that the answer varies based on income but didn’t specify any figures, only indicating that “billionaires should be taxed even if they don’t exist.”
In response, Hannity noted that billionaires are often “among the smartest people” and questioned the fairness of taxing them more heavily. Larkin pushed back, pointing to the considerable government subsidies given to wealthy individuals, highlighting figures like Elon Musk, and labeled him a “vulture.”
As Hannity demanded further clarification on tax rates for different income brackets, Larkin maintained that he wasn’t intending to change tax rates for those making $1 million. He evaded direct answers about $500,000 earners, suggesting that it’s a complex issue. After the exchange, both candidates acknowledged that the income cap for Social Security taxes should be reassessed, though they didn’t specify an amount.
The districts represented by Moskowitz and Larkin have traditionally leaned Democratic. In recent elections, these areas have seen little Republican representation, with only a couple of terms by Col. Allen West in the past 20 years standing out.
As the Florida Democratic Party weighs its options, it’s looking to gauge whether to adopt trends seen in states like Wisconsin and Michigan, where candidates from similar backgrounds have seen varying degrees of success. The political landscape seems to be shifting, and it remains to be seen if Florida will follow suit.
