The assertion that a FTT would encourage investors from investing is patently ridiculous. What else are they going to do with it? Spend it, and increase economic activity and GDP? Oh, the horror! The problem is that the wealthy, who own the lion's share of investable wealth and the 1% collecting 60% of our national income are holding onto their money in investments, while the average person and business sees economic hardship. What it WOULD discourage is high-volume, programmed trading, which benefits NO ONE except those who would rig the markets in the first place! And I am perfectly comfortable with risky complex derivative products not being funded by investors. Derivatives do not benefit economic activity one bit.