A right-wing economic coalition

The Christian Coalition of Alabama (CCA) is no friend of progressive government in Alabama. The group focuses much of its advocacy against fundamentally fixing Alabama's horribly regressive tax code. (A telling example of the code: State income taxes kick in for wage-earners making as little as $4,000 annually.)

Recently, John Giles, head of the CCA, said he agreed with raising the minimum income. He quickly added that he opposes adjusting upper brackets -- a tactic that would quite likely reduce revenue for a state almost always short of funds.

As Alabama Arise points out: The bottom fifth of Alabamians, income-wise, pay 10.6% of their income in taxes. The top 1% pay 3.8% of their income in taxes.

The camel might still have to go through the eye of a needle, but a rich man under Alabama's tax code doesn't have it quite so difficult. Fortunately, a growing movement in Alabama is trying to correct reform the code.

Oddly enough, Giles' response to an Anniston Star editorial on the topic hardly touches on religious values -- a surprise given the name of his coalition.