[Toddsterpatriot]

When you get older and start withdrawing from each of those, you'll have a little better perspective.

When I'm older, I won't mind paying a new, 30% sales tax when I spend that money?

And when you get old enough that the government MAKES you sell some of that so that they can collect taxes from you, you'll have an even different perspective.

I already paid taxes on my income. I already pay taxes on my interest, dividends and capital gains. Why do I want to pay 30% more when I spend my savings?

If I were 22 years old with no savings and just starting a career, a sales tax might sound great. Maybe it is your perspective that is wrong?

[kjam22]

So why have you got everything in a taxable account? And you haven't paid taxes on the re-invested dividends, or on mutual funds, or on individual stocks appreciation in a taxable account, unless you're re-trading the whole thing every year. Why didn't you tax defer it through a 401 or something? Roth's haven't been around long enough for you to have a gazillion dollars in it. And you haven't paid tax on the equity in your house yet. But you will when you sell it.

At least Huckabee's 23% plan lets you sell your house, re-invest the money so that it makes you money to live on in your old age.... and not pay taxes on the sale of the house.

You've got no options except sit on it and don't take anything out, until the government makes you. Oh I guess if you have it in a passbook savings you can spend it :)