Quote from OldTrader:
Don't ever kid yourself. This type of proposal could easily be proposed in the current climate, and especially with a Democratic controlled Congress and President. Pelosi has already mentioned it as a possibility. The fact that Nader has mentioned it means that it is a very real possibility amongst liberals.
And don't think that just because YOU many be able to get around the law by registering, etc etc, that this won't affect you. It will because it will kill the market. Volume will dry up, so even if you avoid it yourself, the market as you know it today won't exist.
My advice to everyone reading this thread is to not take this lightly. If it gets proposed, take the trouble to voice your opinions to your Congressman, Senators, and President. If you don't do it, no one else is going to stand up for you.
I've seen things happen that I thought could never happen. The bailout bill for instance. Back in the 70s I saw wage and price controls, gasoline rationing. You could only get gasoline every other day. This killed property values in some of the distant suburbs at the time, because you couldn't get enough gasoline to get to work. No one in government evidently thought that far.
So far it has not be proposed. But if it does, make sure you make your opinion known to the politicians.
i agree that you cant put this past anyone in this current enviroment, actually seems about the right time to do it. but you also states the exact reason why i personally dont think it would pass and that is the markets wouldnt exist.
it is the job of people who run this country to not be so short sighted and not mess with innovation and efficincy. this tax was in place back in the 30s through the 60s because that was a way to free up more capital to fund things back then. we dont need to be retro in order to move forward. what we need are some forward thinkers something this country has lacked for a long time
OldTrader