If person A makes $100MM in salary and person B makes $100MM in dividend/capgains in 2013, their relative tax rate increase compared to 2012 is about the same: 8.4% increase vs 8.8% increase.
Michael's point was that person A (someone with a high ordinary income) will have approximately double the tax bill of person B (someone with capital gains income) on an absolute basis, and that he believes this disparity to be unfair.
I'm not sure how to define "fair" but haven't the investment money been already taxed as corporate profits before they are paid out to investors? I know some investment vehicles allow to avoid that but most regular investments do not, as far as I know.
You guys are all thinking in terms of forming a business and having income from it. Our tax system doesn't encourage that. Our system heavily incentivizes people to seek capital gains through (for example) stock market and real estate speculation.
Michael's point was that person A (someone with a high ordinary income) will have approximately double the tax bill of person B (someone with capital gains income) on an absolute basis, and that he believes this disparity to be unfair.