Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Karl Jack Bray - June 12, 1943 - May 7, 1978


Karl J. Bray was a political activist and co-founder of the National Libertarian Party. 

A charismatic libertarian leader and outspoken tax rebel, he served as an early member of the Libertarian National Committee, then in 1974 was the Libertarian candidate for U.S. Senate in his home state of Utah, running against opponent Jake Garn. 

It was Karl's sincere conviction that the federal income tax was unconstitutional. 

He had done considerable research, published pamphlets and given speeches centered around this topic. After losing the election he was arrested and convicted by the IRS over tax issues. He took the case all the way to the Supreme Court

He died soon after contracting an aggressive form of cancer in federal prison. Karl Bray's headstone in the Provo City Cemetery is inscribed "THE LIBERTARIAN TAX REBEL". The Karl J. Bray Memorial Award for Activism is presented in his honor by the Libertarian Party of California to outstanding activists in their state.

Article published in Reason Magazine in 1976, now republished. 
 

Taxes are Revolting

Karl J. Bray from the April 1976 issue

 Karl Jack Bray, the Libertarian Tax Rebel