Bachmann: Tax code is a weapon of mass destruction

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) compared the nation's tax code to a weapon of mass destruction during her speech at the Conservative Principles Conference in Des Moines on Saturday. She said the best way forward would be to blow it up and start from scratch.

"We make the tax code simpler by first abolishing it," Bachmann said, citing the code's complexity and her credentials as a tax lawyer. "Abolish what we have and from there we're gonna fly, I have no doubt."

The controversial founder of the Tea Party Caucus appeared with other GOP presidential hopefuls including Newt Gingrich at the event hosted by Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa), and she appeared to receive a warm ovation from the crowd.

Bachmann told the audience the underlying problem with the current administration in Washington was their belief "that all power and money should be irrigated to them so that they can run and control your lives."

She pointed to the individual mandate included in the administration's healthcare package, as well as recent regulations that encourage the use of certain types of ligh bulbs over others.

"I introduce the Lightbulb Freedom of Choice Act," Bachmann said. "I think Iowans are to be trusted on the choice of their lightbulbs, they're really smart people."

Bachmann joined earlier speakers is rejecting calls for conservatives to place social issues on the backburner during the run-up to the 2012 presidential election.

"We've been told that we need a truce on social issues and I would highly disagree with that because the truth is social conservatism is fiscal conservatism," Bachmann said.

For example, she said the nation's tax policy should clearly favor family formation to ensure children are raised by both their mother and father. Bachmann said she supported the policy despite her own parents divorce and said she is aware of the challenges facing single parents.

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