Thread: Why do people think that some economic regulation is bad?

Apparently most people think that having just a LITTLE regulation in the economy automatically counts for Socialism or Communism. First of all many nations in the world have slightly regulated economies and still count as Capitalist Society's. Countries like Sweden have more economic and Political Freedom then the United States and they have a universal health care system. They have welfare but almost nobody in unemployed. They are what we call a Social Democracy. For those of you who don't know what that is here are some guidelines. * A mixed economy consisting of both private enterprise and government-owned or subsidized programs of education, health care, child care and related social services for all citizens. * An extensive system of social security (although usually not to the extent advocated by socialists), with the stated goal of counteracting the effects of poverty and insuring the citizens against loss of income following illness, unemployment or retirement. * Government bodies that regulate private enterprise in the interests of workers and consumers by ensuring labor rights (i.e. supporting worker access to trade unions), consumer protections, and fair market competition. * Environmentalism and environmental protection laws; for example, funding for alternative energy resources and laws designed to combat global warming. * A value-added/progressive taxation system to fund government expenditures. * A secular and progressive social policy, although this varies markedly in degree. * Immigration and multiculturalism. * Fair trade over free trade. * A foreign policy supporting the promotion of democracy, the protection of human rights and where possible, effective multilateralism. * Advocacy of social justice, human rights, social rights, civil rights and civil liberties.So tell me why doing things like what we're doing here in the United States not counts for Socialism? btw Socialism is more extreme and Communism is the most extreme. But consider how I mentioned Sweden. Having that little Regulation and having more eco-political freedom then we do.

Because some people think there should be none just as some people believe that the government should run everything, these would be the extremes. There is currently too much regulation and that over-regulation led directly to the economic problems we are having today..

Almost all government regulation is bad.The job of the government is to create boundaries and very general guidelines. The more the government micromanages, the more the economy is slowed under the burden of rules and requirements.Freedom is what generates jobs and innovation.

some people like hiding millions in the corporate loopholes put in place buy the republicans so they can get away with millions

Because Rush said soand Rush is an expert in economic.... he taught at the best Universities in the world

Denmark is also a Social Democracy.They have no illiteracy, very low unemployment, very low crime rate and their infant mortality is almost nil.But don't try to confuse some people with facts. They'll think exactly the way Rush or Matt or Sean tells them to think.

They don't understand its role and there is a lot that they take for granted! They don't get it. Some is needed if nothing more than to protect taxpayers!

Both viewpoints are fair. Some believe economic regulations are the way to go, and others think it's dangerous... and both sides have strategies and tactics for convincing others that the opposing side is dead-wrong.The tactic used by those against such regulations happens to be calling it socialism. That word automatically strikes fear in the hearts of a lot of people, so it's a powerful strategy.It's interesting that you mentioned Sweden, and I agree-- they've got a good thing going. I think what the people you're criticizing are worried that works for one society and culture might not work quite the same way in ours.

What is freedom? Freedom is essentially choice. You can CHOOSE to fail and starve yourself to death. (its sad but true) OR you can CHOOSE to succeed. Even if you make a couple dollars and only spend a couple quarters eventually you'll have $20. Simple math. Universal Health care is wrong on a couple levels. First you don't deserve anything just because you are alive and breathing. You EARN your way in society or the society is going backwards. PERIODSecond, You would lose choice of doctor and pretty much everyone would get the same over extended and (if government were running ), under budgeted amount of care where nobody would be served. Being under budgeted the doctors would lose incentive and thereby lose care of the patient.

There are a number of problems that government regulation brings to the economy:First: There is too much temptation to fiddle with things in order to achieve political goals. (The current mortgage crisis can be traced directly to government mandates that a percentage of mortgages be given to minority and disadvantaged groups - thus banks were forced to make loans to people who were poor credit risks.)Second: Special interest groups can manipulate things by giving money to candidates who will enact policies that benefit them (look at the labor union laws and how they distort the labor market).Third: Progressive taxation creates a situation where the majority can vote to have the tax burden shifted onto the few. (70% of the tax burden in the us is borne by 30% of the taxpayers)Fourth: Progressive taxation in effect takes the money that is most likely to be reinvested into the economy. (It is the rich who invest capital to create and grow businesses.)Fifth: "Fair trade" is in the eye of the beholder and is generally s smokescreen for the subsidy of uncompetitive industries.BTW - you cannot 'ensure fair market competition' and have 'fair trade' at the same time. Either one will limit the other.