>Hurt: Those who have saved in the past in non-tax deferred accounts. They paid income tax on the money before saved and will have to pay again when spending it.<
This is more than off set by the absence of taxes on IRA and 401K savings which dwarf deposits in Roth Ira's.The 23% sales Tax is balanced by the lack of taxes when money is withdrawn and the ability to withdraw on your on schedule.I am 53 I would love to have access to my 401K money right now with no tax penalty
And you know.... if you study up on it a little.... there are creative ways for you to have access to IRA monies right now without paying the penalty.
Our current tax codes have tons of loop holes. They are there for a reason.