If I am not mistaken, the 3k loss is per year on the form 1040. If you have a profit in stock market of 30,000 in 2010 and net loss of 35,000 in 2010, this is a net loss of $5000 in 2010. you will be able to write off 3k in 2010 and carry over the $2,000 difference for a write-off in 2011.
Time and the Creator of it are my friends