Socialist in Trump country gives Karl Marx vision thumbs-up before ducking key tax question
Florida socialist congressional candidate Oliver Larkin repeatedly declined to say how much he would raise taxes on high earners while defending his call to tax billionaires "out of existence" during a contentious interview with Fox News' Sean Hannity.
Larkin, who volunteered for then-Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., in 2008 and led a New Hampshire presidential campaign field office for Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., in 2016, sparred with Hannity over his Democratic Socialists of America-aligned platform as Florida voters prepare to vote Tuesday.
When asked about the idea of an economy based on the promise of "to each American based on their needs from each American based on their ability," Larkin replied, "I think that’s a fine concept."
The axiom was popularized in 1875 by German political theorist Karl Marx in his "Critique of the Gotha Programme."
Larkin, who is challenging moderate Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla., in a district considered a prime Republican target in November’s general election, said he was less concerned with ideological labels than with meeting his potential new constituents every day.
"I'm coming at the race from a pragmatic point of view of what the American people and the people of South Florida need, and that is Medicare-for-all, that is universal child care, that is the policy proposals that you just articulated on your show," Larkin told Hannity.
Before introducing Larkin, Hannity listed a series of policies he said the millennial left-winger supported, including abolishing the Electoral College, automatic same-day voter registration, shunning fossil fuels, abolishing ICE and prosecuting its agents, free public college, an end to sanctions on Iran and Cuba and a "passionate hatred of Israel," in the conservative host’s words.
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Hannity challenged Larkin to go beyond the proposals and explain how he would achieve each of his policy objectives, starting with higher federal taxes
"Out of every dollar these so-called ‘evil rich people’ make, how much should they be able to keep…?" he asked.
Instead of offering a figure, Larkin praised former Presidents Franklin Roosevelt, Harry Truman and Dwight Eisenhower for presiding over extremely high top marginal tax rates.
"Give me a number," Hannity demanded.
PROGRESSIVES WANT TO TAX BILLIONAIRES FIRST, AND YOU'RE NEXT ON THE LIST
"What percentage of every dollar should every American be able to keep after they pay the government, local, state, federal [taxes]?"
Larkin replied that the figure depends on income, but did not specify any income ranges except to say that "billionaires should be taxed out of existence."
Hannity countered that most billionaires are among the "most brilliant" people and argued that it is wrong to take money from the most creative Americans through higher taxes.
Larkin replied that X CEO Elon Musk — the world’s richest person — has received billions in government subsidies that helped build his wealth, arguing that billionaires should therefore face higher taxes and calling the South African immigrant a "vulture" for buying Tesla and presiding over its largesse himself.
Hannity returned to pressing the candidate for specifics about his plans, including what tax rates Americans at different income levels should pay under a socialist system:
"How much are you willing to let the government take? How much? Give us a number," he said, asking for an example with an American making $100,000 per annum.
"I want to see a return on our taxpayer investment," Larkin replied without offering a specific figure.
"I'm not interested in changing the tax rate on middle-class Americans on people making a hundred grand," he later added, prompting Hannity to ask what tax rate should apply to people making $500,000.
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"Give me a number," he insisted. "The DSA people talk a lot about fairness. What is fair for a guy that makes a half a million dollars a year out of every dollar -- how much should the government get? Answer the question."
"It’s not that simple," Larkin argued. After crosstalk, the candidate said the cap on income subject to Social Security taxes should be raised, but did not specify an amount.
Moskowitz’ and Larkin’s district — which has changed numbers several times — has been represented by Democrats for most of the modern era.
Over the past two decades, including when it was numbered the 22nd District, Col. Allen West has been the only Republican to represent the district. West served one term.
From its inception in 1993 through the early years of George W. Bush’s presidency, the district was represented by Republican Rep. Eugene Clay Shaw Jr.
After socialist candidates lost in Wisconsin but won in Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York and Minnesota, Florida Democrats will decide Tuesday whether to follow the same trend.
Fox News Digital reached out to Larkin for comment.