Does the U.S overregulate the economy?
400589
Yes.\n\nThe US Government regulates every business to some extent. Minimum wage, Social Security, Unemployment tax, are all government regulations that dampen the economy.  In addition to this, look at the way they abuse the oil companies.  You think Gas prices are high?  Don't blame the oil companies, look at the US Government.  For the process that crude oil goes through to be gasoline, gas is relatively cheap.  Now, when you start adding environmental regulations that are based on paranoia and not fact, all of a sudden, there are a thousand different additives to the fuel depending on where you are in the country.  This drives the cost up.  The US Government constantly falls victim to the environmentalist wackos, and forbids oil companies from drilling in the Gulf of Mexico or Alaska, as well as forbidding them from building more refineries.  Add all of that together, and gasoline should be a lot more expensive than it is.  Take all of that away, and gas is fifty cents per gallon. \n\nThe oil companies are the best example of Government regulation gone wrong.  Look at it this way, whenever the government steps in and tells a business that they must do something or face penalty of law, that is over-regulation.  Another recent example in Maryland, I think, the government has passed a law that says that any company with over X employees MUST provide benefits for it's employees.  The law was directed at Wal-Mart, because Wal-mart happened to be the only business around that fell into that catagory.  Under the law, if they failed to provide benefits to it's employees, they must pay the difference to the government.  More politicians sticking their faces into places they shouldn't be, just to satisfy some voters.\n\nIf you need more, feel free to ask.
845821
Once the military might of the USA is reduced, its dominance in the international trade and the Rule of Dollar as an international currency may also get affected. The current conflict only reflects the inter-connectivity between the military might and the international economic scenario. Coming days are very dicey and  decisive for the whole world.
845975
The U.S. is one of the strongest and largest economy in the world.\n\nThe U.S. is all about Capitalism.\n\nThe U.S. colonizes nothing, just occupies.\n\nWithout the U.S., other economies of the world would suffer.\n\nSometimes the U.S. leads, and sometimes other major economies lead.\n\nBig money controls the world, and don't let anyone tell you differently.\n\nGuns and butter my friend.
1020177
Oh heck no! Our economy is doing better than it ever did under Clinton, Bush1, or Reagan. Unemployment is low, housing is up...darlin, the economy is cruising right on along. Gas prices are up and it causes some consumer goods to rise, that's all.
779344
This is indeed a "booming economy".  I have heard the people of Haliburton say it a number of times.  Seriously, I am tired of people trying force feed us that the economy is doing so great.  It is not.  There are a number of problems with it.  Here are just a few.\n\n\n a one trillion dollar war\nout of control spending in government\nrecord numbers of foreclosures\ncollege tuition and health care costs doubling\n20% of Americans owning 80% of the stock\nrecord deficits in spending\nnational debt doubling\ntrade deficit every year for the past 30 years\nmillions more in poverty every year\nhalf a trillion dollars a year spent on interest this year on \nnational debt. yes, that was just the interest.\n"real income" down each of the last five years\npersonal savings at an all time low\n\n This doesn't sound like America.  Unfortunately it is.
150072
No, because the European economy is basically socialist in structure. Take a look at the countries there. Most are in double-digit unemployment. Inflation is spiraling out of control.\n\nHere is an example of what is happening: The government of Germany raises taxes to raise revenue. Helmut, the owner of a bicycle shop, lays off Gerhard to be able to afford to pay those taxes. Gerhard goes on the government roles and gets a decent welfare check because Germany offers cradle to grave care. Now the government has to pay out more money to pay for Gerhard and raises taxes again to do it. Now, Helmut (the owner of the bicycle shop - remember) has to lay off Dieter to pay for those new taxes. Dieter goes on the government roles and gets a decent welfare check ... and so on, and so on, and so on ...\n\nThe greatness America achieved at such a rapid pace can only be achieved through democracy and capitalism.
323132
You've tapped a very complicated subject my friend - I think all of macro economics is vague and all of the smartest economists don't agree on what is going on... So I don't think it is intentionally vague - any more than the rest of the economic field....  Also China owning US debt began when they became part of the WTO (I believe this may have happened on Bush's watch, but was started by Clinton - i.e. not a republican/democrat thing.) I don't know how easy it will be to find - but seems like to answer your specific question you would want to understand the ownership of US treasury securities.  If you are just curious and want to know about this stuff - China does hold a large portion of our debt and that is because we spend more money than we have and they save more money than they make.  We have trade deficit with China because we want to buy their goods, because they are cheap.  In the past they have been more than happy to lend us the money to do so.  But if we don't watch it, our creditors are going to start saying no.  The opinion of congress right now is that this is China's fault and that they are a currency manipulator who should let their currency appreciate.
677007
I am a 3rd year law student and the answer is pretty much "yes". After a long line of cases after the Burger Court, the Court has been very deferential to allowing Congress to regulate activities "affecting, involved in or substantially affecting" interstate commerce. There are certain situations where it would be blantatly out of Congress's power to regulate (like something purely intrastate) but for the most part, Congress can regulate about any activity that has a substantial affect on interstate commerce.
90610
It's pretty simple. Lowering interest rates encourages spending, which rejuvenates the economy. Alan Greenspan has done a fabulous job here in the USA and I wish he hadn't retired.
311624
No, they aren't...but their economy continues to grow at an alarming rate.  They are attaining wealth and power rather too quickly for the likings of the United States.
1056374
America is currently the largest consumer in the world economy and therefore exerts a lot of influence but no it does not control the world economy.
329274
I believe that it would cause a huge disruption to the economy. Saudi deposits total almost 8% of the GDP of the US. I believe that you may have heard that statement from the documentary by Michael Moore.
460684
None for me, it goes to the American government, who takes way more than they need, if Bush hadn't grown the national debt AND FAILED to make the proper tax reform! between that and the tax CUTS for the RICH!! ... it's just bs, I won't go off on it here.\n-Duo
1164039
The United States of America do doubt about it.
659053
America can't do it now. What do you think is driving up the forced inflation rate. America is over printing money to cover the debt, ant driving the dollar down with it. The Republicans always do this when they are in power. There is no trickle down theory, since they wont share the wealth. America is looking at 30 years at this point to just break even, and balance the budget again like Clinton did.
653785
no, it actually does the opposite by accentuating our high standard of living, but it is having an adverse affect on our own economy.  When there is high demand for a product (LCD TV let's say) in the US It drives the prices up, and up, and up, because of the minimum wage laws in the US.  This makes it more profitable for companies to outsource jobs to other countries, and then transport the goods back to the US.  Also, when prices go up people start to shop around for the best deal, and Chinese goods are much less costly, therefore China gets more business from Americans than America does.  If tariffs were to be placed on Chinese goods, then China would be less impactfull on the US economy, but our standard of living would decline because we could not afford to have the shiny new technology, and that would probably piss the Chinese off, which at this point in time we do not want (we have enough people pissed off at us).  Either way we will not be the top country for much longer...Unless we can get those crazy Arabs to give up religions; the biggest antagonistic factor in their hatred of America.
1013972
Two strong super powers with equally strong economic power.  Competition is good for the world's markets....economically speaking.  I think the U.S. has done a very good job maintaining it's military and economic power.  Imagine what other countries would do with this power.  They would not be so giving, so sparing, nor friendly.