The economic platform of Sen. Rand Paul (R-Kentucky) is chock full of his libertarian convictions, with top billing for tax cuts, a deep reduction in federal spending, and a balanced budget.

But the staunch proponent of small government has had to curtail some of his rhetoric as he tries to reach a more mainstream audience in his bid for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination.

Here's a look of Paul's stances on taxes, federal spending cuts, social security, regulation of the federal reserve, energy, and economic freedom zones.

TAXES

Like many GOP contenders in the 2016 race, Paul wants a flat tax, which he has advocated for in federal budget proposals in 2012, 2013, and 2014.

When Paul first launched his presidential campaign last month, his website featured a detailed proposal, "The Fair and Flat Tax," also known as the "EZ Tax." This detailed plan was taken down on April 8, the day after Paul's campaign kickoff, and replaced with a version of the plan that lacked specifics days later, according to the Washington Post.

The initial proposal, that was stored in Google's cache and closely mirrors what the senator has previously discussed, shows Paul's vision for a single flat-tax rate of 17%. He has claimed this would yield a $700 billion loss in tax revenue each year.

Paul advocates taxation on an individual for wages, salaries, and pension payments. However, investment income including capital gains, dividends, and interest would be tax-free for an individual. Those taxes would be levied on the business level.

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Paul's plan would allow low- and middle-income workers to receive an exemption from the Social Security payroll tax.

His plan would also eliminate the estate tax and the alternative minimum tax, which both target high-income earners.

FEDERAL SPENDING

Paul's proposal for multibillion-dollar tax cuts is coupled with drastic decreases in federal spending.

In past budget proposals that he presented to the Senate, Paul called for cutting the president's cabinet by a quarter through the elimination of the Departments of Education, Commerce, Housing and Urban Development, and Energy.

He did provide contingency plans for key programs overseen by these departments — Paul would transfer nuclear energy programs to the Defense Departments and maintain the Pell Grant program, currently under the auspices of the Department of Education.

This May, Paul took aim at the Department of Energy in his "Waste in U.S. Government" report and noted the department spent $13,000 for treadmills in February.

"Why does the Department of Energy need the Cadillac of treadmills?" Paul asked.

Those treadmills were ostensibly used to qualify federal nuclear materials couriers who have a running requirement.

Paul has taken similar pot shots at the Department of Commerce.

"I don't think anybody'd notice it. I think no one would notice it was gone," Paul said of the agency in remarks this March at Bowie State University.

Paul also advocates for cuts in entitlement programs like welfare, food stamps, Medicaid, and child nutrition.

However, when it comes to defense spending, Paul has changed his tune. He previously proposed cuts in military spending. But this March, in the lead up to his 2016 announcement, Paul proposed a $190 billion influx (a 16% increase) to the Pentagon's budget over the next two years.

SOCIAL SECURITY

Paul has called for the partial privatization of Social Security, a program he previously referred to as "a Ponzi scheme."