The wealthiest individuals fund their lifestyles by taking out loans using their appreciated stock as collateral, a strategy known as "Buy, Borrow, Die."

The United States taxed capital gains at the same rate as ordinary income under the 1986 Tax Act signed by President Ronald Reagan.

In 2024, the U.S. federal government had revenues of just under $5 trillion and expenditures of $6.8 trillion, resulting in a deficit of over $1.8 trillion.