Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson brought his message of economic conservatism and social liberalism to Wisconsin, hosting a campaign event Thursday in Milwaukee.
“I would eliminate the income tax. I would eliminate the corporate tax,” Johnson said.
He’d replace those levies with a federal consumption tax that would set a tax burden depending on how much a person spends, he said.
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Johnson said the new system would shrink the size of government and create jobs — except for in the nation’s capital.
“Eighty percent of Washington lobbyists would get pink slips because that’s why they’re there, to garner tax favor,” he said.
Johnson also backs a free market approach to health care.
On social issues, the former Republican governor of New Mexico takes a more liberal stance, supporting immigration, the legalization of marijuana and abortion rights.
“Abortion, how can there be a more difficult issue facing anyone?” Johnson said Thursday. “And when I say facing anyone, I am talking about the woman involved. But who should be making the choice regarding abortion other than the woman involved?”
He also favors marriage equality.
Johnson contends he can win the presidency this fall, but is first trying to boost his national poll numbers to 15 percent and qualify for the presidential debates. Johnson is at 11 percent support in Wisconsin, according to a poll this week from Marquette University.
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