Rand Paul launches massive libertarian ‘War on Poverty’

Rand Paul wants to re-launch the War on Poverty — with a libertarian twist.

On Monday, the Kentucky senator announced his “economic freedom zones” amendment to an energy bill that would target high-poverty areas of the country for entrepreneurship and reduced taxes, according to a press release.

“Economic Freedom Zones would be the largest anti-poverty initiative since the War on Poverty,” Paul said. “The Economic Freedom Zones Act will allow impoverished areas to remove the shackles of big government by reducing taxes, regulations, and burdensome work requirements.”

For any zip code where unemployment exceeds one and a half times the national average, the legislation would lower individual and corporate income taxes, as well as payroll taxes. Other taxes and regulations would be suspended, and school choice and tax credits would be expanded.

“This legislation will provide over $100 billion to communities that have been devastated by chronic poverty,” Paul said. He pointed to eastern Kentucky; Flint, Michigan; Ferguson, Missouri; and the south side of Chicago as areas that would benefit from his legislation.