On 13-Sep-2010, bpuharic wrote:

perspective, you should invest, don't work, and pay 15%! Doesn't make
sense, does it? Nope - it's YOUR premise......

and why should investment tax dollars be taxed at a lower rate than
earned income? there's no reason for this policy, especially since
it's obviously ineffective, as we can see today.

and, no, investment does not come from 'after tax' dollars. capital
gains taxes are, by definition, paid AFTER investments are made and
profits are recouped.

Stupid is as stupid does

Investment comes from retained income, from which taxes were paid - you
don't get an income that you can invest and not pay taxes except narrowly
defined "retirement accounts" - if you withdraw from those (such as 401k's
and IRA's) you take it in the ass for taxes, PLUS penalties.

Investment income is taxed at a lower rate to encourage investment, which
used to result in brick-and-mortar companies to produce products where the
masses could be managers, engineers, technicians and factory rats. If it
weren't for capital investment, you'd be growing roots in your collective
garden to survive. Investment is now punished (unless you are merely
shuffling money on bogus pieces of paper and a buddy of "the
administration"), therefore you have a diminishing income. It is actually
that simple.