Friday, November 11, 2011

Role of government in regulation

I read this interesting story about the problems faced by the regulators on regulating neutrality on the Internet http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2011/11/11/what-next-for-net-neutrality/?section=money_topstories&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fmoney_topstories+%28Top+Stories%29

It is clear that there is a need for a neutral party, i.e. the regulator, to set the rules to ensure a level playing field for all the parties, and for consumers to have access to unbiased information. But the big businesses are challenging the role of the regulators, using their lobbyists and lawyers and will bring the matter up to the Federal Courts.

America has clearly gone too far down the road in letting the businesses have their way. Their economy is collapsing, and is now being propped up by massive debts. It is likely to lead to dire consequences.

The US government has failed to govern. I am worried that Singapore may be in a similar situation.

Danger to the world economy when growth stalls

Quote from Mohd El-Erian of Pimco, manager of the world's largest bond fund.


"The concept of stall speed is not something that's familiar to the markets," he said. "That's what I find is terrifying. We can talk about the probability of recession when unemployment is already too high, when the financial deficit is 9 percent of (gross domestic product), when interest rates are already at zero percent and when a quarter of the homeowners are already underwater on their mortgages. That is a terrifying concept. That is why everything must be done to avoid a slowdown in growth."


http://www.cnbc.com//id/45253864