Red tape, and expensive unnecessary regulations

[Bricktop]

Indeed it is.

[Gaon]

Indeed it is.

Hong Kong still can't elect it's Chief Executive and their economy is very free too. Before Netanyahu's liberalizing reforms, Israel was a socialist basket case.

[Bricktop]

Singapore is an amazing if not miraculous example of capitalism and authoritarianism combined.



It is no coincidence that when Deng Xioaping rose to power in China, and sought to re-create the economy, the first head of state to visit him was Lee Kuan Yew. China's rise is modeled on Lee's Singapore. And that is a frightening prospect from an economical perspective.



However, when talking to friends in Singapore you raise the issue of Singapore's government and you experience an embarrassed hush, you understand that there is always a price to be paid.

[Anonymous]

Singapore is an amazing if not miraculous example of capitalism and authoritarianism combined.



It is no coincidence that when Deng Xioaping rose to power in China, and sought to re-create the economy, the first head of state to visit him was Lee Kuan Yew. China's rise is modeled on Lee's Singapore. And that is a frightening prospect from an economical perspective.



However, when talking to friends in Singapore you raise the issue of Singapore's government and you experience an embarrassed hush, you understand that there is always a price to be paid.

Anybody that talks to me about Canada's government will experience an embarrassed hush too.

[Anonymous]

Just to do renos in your own home requires permits, so the city can raise your taxes.

[Bricktop]

It's the culmination of centuries of "democracy" that separated the political class from the population it was supposed to benefit.



In that respect, it has no distinction from other forms of government we abhor as dictatorships.



ALL modern forms of government are dictatorships.

[Anonymous]

It's the culmination of centuries of "democracy" that separated the political class from the population it was supposed to benefit.



In that respect, it has no distinction from other forms of government we abhor as dictatorships.



ALL modern forms of government are dictatorships.

I wish we used referenda the way some US states do.

[Bricktop]

But that would diminish the power of the political class. What THEY think will become less important.



We can't have that.



The world as we know it would cease to exist.

[Anonymous]

It's the culmination of centuries of "democracy" that separated the political class from the population it was supposed to benefit.



In that respect, it has no distinction from other forms of government we abhor as dictatorships.



ALL modern forms of government are dictatorships.

I wish we used referenda the way some US states do.

Even if we had ballot initiatives, it would be dominated by prog money. And if the political class did not get the result they wanted, they would ignore the will of the people like Britain did with Brexit.

[Gaon]

It's the culmination of centuries of "democracy" that separated the political class from the population it was supposed to benefit.



In that respect, it has no distinction from other forms of government we abhor as dictatorships.



ALL modern forms of government are dictatorships.

I wish we used referenda the way some US states do.

Even if we had ballot initiatives, it would be dominated by prog money. And if the political class did not get the result they wanted, they would ignore the will of the people like Britain did with Brexit.

It's been almost three years since the Brexit vote was held and the British government still hasn't acted on the results of the vote. That is shameful.

[Bricktop]

Worse, some British politicians are calling for a new referendum!!!



If you don't get the result you want, just keep holding plebiscites until you do.

[Anonymous]

Worse, some British politicians are calling for a new referendum!!!



If you don't get the result you want, just keep holding plebiscites until you do.

I heard the no side wants another referendum......they might get one.

[Bricktop]

If that happens, British democracy will never recover.



The other side will scream for centuries. Overturning a referendum purely because the political class could not act in the best interest of the nation and in accordance with the will of the people.



It will utterly destroy the validity of referendums forever.

[Anonymous]

If the political class in Britain never acts on the results of the referendum other than to get a new result, Britain is no better than some corrupt tin pot turd world hole.

[Bricktop]

It isn't.