Q:"how much of an effect do you think government regulations here, and lack of them in China, effect the growth rate?"
A:There are plenty of government regulations in China, often of the worst kind. The "worst kind" are those in situations where the men who run the government run the business, and who confiscate land and shut down avenues of redress to improve profit. This happens a lot in China, especially in little backwater places where some group of town fathers and the local communist party boss decide they want to get in on this industialization boom. China is rife with stories about construction managers and factories who don't pay their workers for months, and who are shielded by the local police from protest. Air and water in its cities are badly polluted; I would bet half of China's urban residents will hack themselves to death by age 65. It's no paradise, but it beats a rice paddy. China's growth is mainly driven by exports, and by the 50 million people who come out of the villages every year and into the cities, desparate for work. If China doesn't find jobs for them, it has revolution. China has lots of regulations in some areas, none in others. Remember, it's still technically a communist-governed state.
Q:"How much of an effect does intentionally raising costs of energy in the US hinder us?"
A: Is the cost of energy completely priced into the product? For example, the U.S. imports about 10 million barrels per day, or $600 mn, or $1.5 bn at August prices. This puts money into the hands of potential enemies (we import lots from Hugo Chavez, for example) and puts our life on the line if anybody should cut off that supply. So there's a security cost on top of the energy, which means military expenditure, foreign policy tricks, etc. In 2008 we will have sent $400 bn overseas to buy oil, and those loose dollars do not help our economic position. And, pollution is another result; we pay for the lung damage, let alone global warming (which most accredited scientists in the field seem to believe is attributable to human carbon use; 'scuse me if I pay them some heed.) Think we should cut down on oil imports? How? Sweat the fluids out of American oil shale, and use that instead? Shale-to-oil is a pollution-intensive process, probably worse than burning coal, and the product is expensive. Would you require Americans to use American oil products instead of buying cheaper imports? Wouldn't that be like intentionally raising the cost of energy in the U.S.? Maybe you'd prefer a per-gallon tax on gasoline, to keep the price high, and discourage use. Or would you prefer instead cheap gas, but a federal ban on any big or inefficient car? No more F-10s for recreational users? Look, this last year has proved that there is no security for this country in just letting the market set prices and consumption. We need to work together with a plan.
Q:"How much of an effect does corporate taxing and all the anti-"big business" talk here in the US have?"
A: Geez, what anti-big-business talk are you hearing? Must be your hearing aid is stuck on the Summer of Love, 1968. The only complaints I hear about this season concern the bankers and finance houses, the big-league nitwits who put the world economy in jeopardy. Maybe their soft puppy eyes touch your heart... "We didn't meant to pee on the 4 trillion dollar sofa, master!" As for taxing, the U.S. corporate income tax rate is high, but we offer abundant loopholes for escaping it; there are other additional taxes. It's pretty hard to say what the effective tax rate is, and how that compares to the effective tax rate of other countries. What is true about this country is that it is easier to assemble money, attract talent and investors, and start a lawful company than anywhere else, and that's why people do it, and are not discouraged by a tax rate. However, if we are going to cut tax rates on anybody, I would recommend we do it on corporations, not individuals. That's not popular with everybody, I'm sure you know.
