Libertarians pledge to eliminate federal income tax, reduce spending to 1998 level

OPINION:

“If elected, I will sponsor legislation to eliminate the federal income tax, cut federal spending to the 1998 level ($1.65 trillion) and get the IRS off the backs of taxpayers.”

And so say the 40 official Libertarian Party candidates running for office around the nation in a public pledge. The group reasons that the strategy will immediately balance the federal budget without raising taxes and give back, on average, $11,525 to each American family - every year - that they can invest, save, spend or give away as they see fit.

“Libertarian candidates far outshine their old-party rivals, who want to keep government big and grow it bigger,” says Nicholas Sarwark, chairman of the Libertarian National Committee. “They’re rattling the cages of big government and offering voters bold policy changes that will create jobs, foster peace and improve the standard of living of all Americans.”

The candidates also want to “abolish the NSA” and cut military spending by 60 percent - perhaps too much for wary voters to consider as the threat of the Islamic State looms, and polls reveal a much more hawkish public.