> all apply to companies in the stock market not a company sale
Nope. First off, companies in the stock markets sell, too. Second off, tax-free vehicles are used for investments in private equity, venture capital, real estate, etc.
> Investment vehicles, such as a 401k, do pay capital gains taxes just not on the sale they pay when the individual pulls the money out of the account.
Nope. It's all treated as regular income at the time of withdrawal, so former and current capital gains rates have no effect.
I agree with your argument on liquidity - I don't argue for it, I'm just saying that net effects from increased capital gains are far more subdued than apocalyptic scenarios people usually attach to them. Excess liquidity also generates bubbles, so there's a fine line you have to walk where even though you can get a no-documents loan to buy up dozen of new real estate properties, you probably shouldn't.