I agree with your last paragraph about being saddled with that huge debt brought on by Barney and Chris, however,

WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, as I have stated recently to another poster on this board, YOU HAVE ROCKS IN YOUR HEAD if you think you will have to earn $250,000 in order to have your taxes increased.

The "advocate of change" has stated Cap gains will be increased, doubled in some statements, only up 5% in others, and you can bet all your college football games and all your bottles of wine that it won't just be 5%...

If you do not hold stock in any vehicle like a SEP/IRA if you cash in it will be at the cap gains rate "the advocate of change" dictates and will not have any connection as to the ordinary income rate.