Some folks assume taxing the rich divides Democrats--progressives support, moderates oppose.

But this issue only divides *elected* Democrats. The vast majority of Democratic *voters* (and half of Republicans!) want to tax the rich.

Let's do a thread: https://twitter.com/DelegateStewart/status/1329158555459596288?s=20

Nationwide, there are few policy proposals more popular than taxing the rich.

For example, a @politico/ @MorningConsult poll from 2019 found 76% of all American want to tax the rich more, including almost all Democrats and 54% of Republicans. https://www.politico.com/story/2019/02/04/democrats-taxes-economy-policy-2020-1144874

New Jersey recently passed a millionaire's tax. Maryland had one, but it expired a few years ago. The idea will be back on the table for the upcoming legislative session.

Nationwide, nearly 70% supported such a tax in 2016, including 80% of Democrats and half of Republicans.

Here in Maryland, the @GoucherPoll regularly asks residents who they think the tax system is skewed toward.

60% of both Democrats and independents (rightly!) say it favors the wealthy, and less than 10% think it favors either the middle class or poor. https://www.goucher.edu/hughes-center/documents/SEPT18_Goucher_Poll_Part_One.pdf

Of course, these polls are pre-pandemic.

A 2020 @DataProgress poll from NY (which voted far less overwhelmingly for Joe Biden than did MD) found that 65% of residents preferred taxing the rich to close a COVID-induced budget shortfall. Only 16% preferred cutting services.

You'll hear about how we should avoid tax increases during a pandemic. It sounds like common sense!

But refusing to even *think about* raising taxes on the rich isn't just bad policy that will trigger painful cuts. It's also an extreme position wildly out of step with voters.