Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner argued in a recent interview that policies aimed at taxing the wealthy have not been genuinely attempted. Appearing on the "More Perfect Union" podcast, Platner claimed billionaires wield excessive power, effectively running the country instead of elected leaders. He suggested that past tax policies have disproportionately affected the middle class because lawmakers are not seriously targeting the ultra-rich. Platner cited his former college roommate, an IRS agent, who allegedly said budget cuts force the agency to prioritize auditing small businesses over billionaires due to limited resources.
Platner also accused politicians of avoiding tough measures on the wealthy to protect major donors. He estimated hundreds of billions in uncollected corporate taxes, emphasizing the need for stronger enforcement. Meanwhile, Republican Sen. Susan Collins suggested Platner’s positions may be too far left for Maine voters.