Last year, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the youngest woman ever elected to Congress, was working as a waitress at a restaurant near Union Square in New York City. Warren Buffett is the chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway and, according to Forbes, he's worth $87.4 billion.
It may seem like the two would have little in common, but they have a similar take on the subject of taxes.
"Taxes should respect a person's station in life, including working people + parents. It's ludicrous that we tax Warren Buffet[t]'s secretary more than we tax him — and he has said as much," tweeted Ocasio-Cortez. "Sensible + conscientious people of all incomes want a fair society."
The 29-year-old included a link to a CNN article from 2013 that quotes an interview Buffett did with CNBC, in which he says that he is probably "the lowest paying taxpayer in the office" at Berkshire Hathaway. Buffett, who's long been vocal on the subject, explained that even if the marginal tax rate rose for wealthy wage earners, because much of his wealth comes from investment gains he would still pay a lower percentage in taxes than his secretary.
During the 2012 State of the Union address, Buffett's then-secretary Debbie Bosanek was seated next to Michelle Obama when President Barack Obama said, "Right now, Warren Buffett pays a lower tax rate than his secretary."
Prior to the passage of the 2017 GOP tax bill Buffett told CNBC, "I don't think I need a tax cut." He went on to explain how reducing the estate tax, a provision of the bill, makes it easier for the rich to amass greater wealth and pass it along to their family members, leading to a "dynastic system."
"I don't think we should have our Olympic team 20 years from now be the eldest sons of the Olympic team currently," he said. "I think it goes totally against what's built this country, what this country stands for."
A 2017 poll from Reuters and Ipsos found that 53 percent of adults "strongly agree" that the wealthiest Americans should pay higher tax rates. Ocasio-Cortez also expressed her willingness to pay higher taxes as her income rises.
"Unlike robber barons, I have no problem paying taxes & contributing to society. I'm a 1st gen kid that @ 29 w no kids will make more than my parents did," she tweeted. "I SHOULD pay more if it means giving the waitress-me a break. I'm GLAD my taxed income can mean better Bronx public schools."
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