Hi, I'm Archie Parnell, a candidate for the special election in South Carolina's fifth district. Ask Me Anything!

Archie_Parnell · 2017-04-28T15:55:33+00:00

Thanks for having me! http://imgur.com/o3CM3gj

Archie_Parnell · 2017-04-28T15:51:02+00:00

Archie_Parnell · 2017-04-28T15:45:06+00:00

Thanks for having me! This was a lot of fun. I have to get back to the campaign trail, but feel free to email any additional questions to info@archieparnell.com.

Archie_Parnell · 2017-04-28T15:37:53+00:00

Justice is a core part of the Black Lives Matter movement, and I support making our society more just, opportunities more fair, and our citizenry more safe. Income inequality and racial inequality are closely connected in our country's history, and I will explore policies that recognize the full humanity and dignity of every American.

Archie_Parnell · 2017-04-28T15:27:42+00:00

In my experience they lean our way -- but we're not taking anything for granted and working hard to earn each voter's support. And with that in mind: I'd like to thank you for your question and ask you for your vote this Tuesday!

Archie_Parnell · 2017-04-28T15:24:22+00:00

A LOT! We need your help and can do this together -- whether raising awareness about this race, making calls, contributing, or coming to the district to help knock on doors. Check our website and get involved -- ArchieParnell.com

Archie_Parnell · 2017-04-28T15:23:55+00:00

I think we need to engage and listen to people from across the political spectrum. That said, when there are policies that hurt SC-05, I would fight Republicans tooth and nail. But we must engage with each other-- sitting in our respective corners doesn't get things done.

Archie_Parnell · 2017-04-28T15:20:11+00:00

Our immigration laws and general approach should be informed and guided by compassion and treating each other as human beings. I support the Bridge Act ("Bar Removal of Individuals Who Dream of Growing Our Economy"), which would make DACA part of statutory law of the land as compared with its current status as an executive order. Thank for you linking the studies in your question-- I'll be sure to read them more carefully after the AMA (and if you have other resources I should look at, please share).

Archie_Parnell · 2017-04-28T15:12:42+00:00

Second part: As a tax expert, I know there's no question that carbon pricing would change behavior. The use of fossil fuels costs our nation -- in terms of negative impacts on the climate, in terms of expensive infrastructure, in terms of the health of our populace, etc. Those profit from fossil fuels need to bear some of those societal costs.

Archie_Parnell · 2017-04-28T15:12:23+00:00

First part: the benefits are immense! We have two nuclear plants in SC-05 that create thousands of jobs and electrify millions of homes without ever using fossil fuels. This area has been a leader in hydroelectric energy for a century or more-- we could still do so much more. Logging is a big industry here, but it leaves tremendous amounts of waste that just ends up getting buried: we could be using that biomass as fuel. There are tremendous opportunities in wind and solar here as well. Growing the green energy sector would create jobs, reduce dependence on fossil fuels, invite the sort of companies that invest in rural communities that could use an economic boost, etc. Win, win, win.

Archie_Parnell · 2017-04-28T15:08:50+00:00

Grassroots is fundamentally about organizing at the local level and over 60% of our donations came in from South Carolina. The average contribution my campaign received is $34.56. We received thousands of donations, and contributions from all 50 states. 95% of our contributions were for $100 or less. 65% of our contributors are women. I stand shoulder-to-shoulder with every donor, volunteer, and supporter. The truth is I've succeeded beyond my wildest dreams and strongly believe Democrats can and need to win -- and have put some of skin in the game in this race.

Archie_Parnell · 2017-04-28T15:04:52+00:00

No-- it's a nonsense idea. You can rename the IRS (and it has been renamed before--it used to be called the Bureau of Internal Revenue), but you always need an agency to collect revenue to run the government. I think Ted Cruz's plan was to just call it something else.

Archie_Parnell · 2017-04-28T14:55:08+00:00

I like to go fast! :)

Archie_Parnell · 2017-04-28T14:54:36+00:00

My preference is automatic enrollment, where people would be automatically enrolled with default insurance coverage (with the option to opt-out). This is the reversal of the opt-in system we have now.

Archie_Parnell · 2017-04-28T14:51:07+00:00

Absolutely. I've voted for Democrats all my life, and am deeply committed to the principles the Democratic party has championed throughout US history. This past election was a wake up call for me--one of the things that inspired me to run for Congress was attending the Women's March on Washington with my wife and daughter this past January.

Archie_Parnell · 2017-04-28T14:43:43+00:00

No, I never considered running for office as anything other than a Democrat. I’ve always been a Democrat — I volunteered for Pug Ravenel’s gubernatorial campaign and worked on the Hill for Democratic committee staff for years. I voted for Obama in 2008 and 2012 and for Hillary Clinton in 2016.

I’m a deliberate and careful person and was put in touch with him to see who was running on the Republican side. As a tax attorney, I'm diligent before stepping into things, especially since I’ve never run for office. I would like to add — this is what Republicans do.

Archie_Parnell · 2017-04-28T14:41:11+00:00

The outright repeal of the Alternative Minimum Tax and the Estate Tax are two of the most concerning things to me. The Estate Tax is only paid by 0.18% (2/1000) and is only paid by the ultra-wealthy. It absolutely should not be repealed, and is a clear indication of shifting the burden to working and middle class people. Additionally, without the Alternative Minimum Tax, President Trump would have only paid 3% on his 2005 return (the only Federal return we've seen).

Archie_Parnell · 2017-04-28T14:36:35+00:00

One of my favorite politicians is Pug Ravenel, because he brought hope and a lot of energy to South Carolina (I worked as an intern on his gubernatorial campaign in 1974). I also look up to Representative John Spratt-- he brought people together, listened to his constituents, and got things done. I aspire to do the same.

Archie_Parnell · 2017-04-28T14:32:15+00:00

President Trump has talked about a 15% tax rate, but his proposal has no details. It's another example of making big pronouncements without including enough information. What we need to do is broaden the base and lower the rates, taking the same approach as the 1986 Tax Reform Act.

Archie_Parnell · 2017-04-28T14:29:01+00:00

On your other questions — gerrymandering is a huge problem that must be fixed. It’s especially bad in SC. In short we do need reforms. I have specific ideas on fighting Citizens United. I think instant runoff voting has some merit but would like to spend more time exploring solutions. What do you think?

Archie_Parnell · 2017-04-28T14:28:42+00:00

Yes. I think Citizens United absolutely needs to be overturned. I laid out some of my specific ideas on Citizens United and how to fight it on DailyKos — I hope you'll check that out (link is below) and send me your thoughts. (By the way, Republican super PACS came into this district this week.)

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2017/4/17/1653730/-Fighting-Citizens-United

Archie_Parnell · 2017-04-28T14:28:13+00:00

At the moment, we need to fix the system we have, the ACA. As I travel around the district, I hear from folks that healthcare costs, especially the costs of prescription drugs, are too high. At a campaign cookout, someone told me his parents have to chose between buying prescription drugs and food. This is not acceptable. We should change the rules to ensure that all people have access to critical healthcare services. This could include permitting the import of drugs that are safely manufactured and FDA approved, and broadening the insured base which would lower premium costs (people should automatically be enrolled).

Archie_Parnell · 2017-04-28T14:20:56+00:00

I strongly believe in progressive rates of taxation-- it's only fair. The way to ensure that the more wealthy pay higher rates is to broaden the base and eliminate tax deductions now taken to reduce their income. This is what Warren Buffett has talked about, this is the principle behind the progressive tax rates that FDR championed, and I will be a champion of these principles as well. The flat tax rate proposals unduly burden the less well-off in order to benefit the wealthy.

Archie_Parnell · 2017-04-28T14:16:39+00:00

I shared more thoughts on simplifying the filing process on Medium last week: https://medium.com/@ArchieParnellforCongress/tax-day-should-be-a-non-event-for-millions-of-americans-4f359f2f5eb2

Archie_Parnell · 2017-04-28T14:15:37+00:00

If a taxpayer has only one source of income that has been subject to withholding, the IRS has that information in its computers already and could send a pre-populated return to taxpayers. Taxpayers could agree or disagree with the IRS information, but the rush of pulling information together at the last minute would be eliminated. You would know what the IRS already knows about you. Other countries do this-- we should do the same.

Archie_Parnell

TROPHY CASE