U.S. Corporate Tax Rate Is 2nd Highest in Industrialized World

Re:U.S. Corporate Tax Rate Is 2nd Highest in Industrialized ... by skorgu on Monday August 10, 2009 @12:55PM (#753403)

I'm not sure that rent seeking requires gov't intervention, I suspect there are instances of monopoly- or oligarchy-driven rent-seeking behavior but I don't have the desire right now to do a comprehensive search.

Fundamentally I don't disagree, and I think my comment is pretty clear. I'm not making a specific argument on where the balance of regulation ought to exist. I take issue only with the framing of the debate in terms that make it impossible to hold a conversation. No offense is meant towards anyone, I'd just prefer to keep the discussion at a bit more civil tone. We already have a reddit.

Edit: nuked two paras that didn't come out right.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:U.S. Corporate Tax Rate Is 2nd Highest in Industrialized ... by CWuestefeld on Monday August 10, 2009 @01:36PM (#753499)

I concede the finer point. It's probably true that rent seeking can be accomplished with the intervention of government as such.

I maintain that, because government is so accessible and because they carry such a big stick, the vast, vast portion of rent seeking is accomplished by subverting government regulation.

That said, I'm up-voting your reply because it is a relevant argument. I just watched a TED video with Paul Romer where he talked about the effect of societal rules on development: not just governmental laws, but broader societal norms that might prevent progress.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:U.S. Corporate Tax Rate Is 2nd Highest in Industrialized ... by skorgu on Monday August 10, 2009 @03:36PM (#753838)

I concur entirely, it's a risky bargain especially considering the temptation to fight rent-seeking with more regulation with the attendant second- and third-order effects.

Well said.

[ Parent | on HN ]