Why No One Can Start A Business In Europe

Why is it so difficult to start a business in Europe?
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[@ozymandias3097]

It’s actually pretty easy to start and manage a business in Romania… provided you have friends and/or family in the local government.

[@shanekeenaNYC]

The exchange rate between Euro and Dollar prevents US investment into Europe sans big corporations.

[@etho7351]

"As long as you embrace corruption it's super easy"

[@saveliyfilistovich]

@@shanekeenaNYChow does the exchange rate prevent it?

[@shanekeenaNYC]

@@saveliyfilistovich If the euro is worth 10% more than the dollar, then it requires the US to commit more currency to invest in the European economy while European investors can more or less easily ingratiate themselves in the American economy.

[@gorilladisco9108]

Those don't come for free. And if the government is replaced by any other parties, you will have to start over again or lose it to the ones who knew somebody in the next ruling government. At least that's what happened in my country, made us one of the most corrupt country in the world.

[@antonbakker2475]

I was born in the Netherlands, got a PhD in EE almost for free, moved to the US and started my own business here. Why? Exactly what Nick just said: No incentives, no chance to hire somebody. Nobody wants to change jobs to jump into something uncertain. And it is illegal to offer stock options......

[@sander...444]

It is not illegal to offer stock options here in the Netherlands. It's actually quite common in the IT-sector. However most small businesses here fall in the category of sole proprietorship (eenmanszaak) for tax reasons or are family owned businesses. Which means just one liable indivual or family and no (outside) shareholders.

[@MovieRiotHD]

Hey Anton, fellow Dutchie here. Question: what should our current government do to create a "start up" environment?

[@donelmukiza2357]

​@@MovieRiotHDThat is a hard question to answer and I wouldn't know where to begin

[@MovieRiotHD]

@@donelmukiza2357 Well I guess a cultural shift would be good, that starting a business is a cool thing. Let teenagers know that! Then get rid of regulation, but that last one is the hardest part I guess? What regulations and which ones for what sector?

[@THall-vi8cp]

I know an elderly Italian man with his own olive oil business here in CA. He was telling me how difficult it is to get a business license in Italy. He said that basically, you have to know someone who works at the local government bureau managing business licensing, then basically bribe them -- pay them personally to process your request, in addition to paying the government fees. Even then, it is a very long wait for the license. Contrasted to here, where you fill out the application, pay a small fee, then there's an inspection (if needed for the type of business). After a couple weeks, the license arrives in the mail and it's done.

[@TheBooban]

Unless you’re selling food, i don’t understand why yo need a license. In Sweden anyone can start a personal business applying online. I don’t remember it costing anything, why should it cost something?

[@THall-vi8cp]

Administrative fee. Basically paying for the time used to process the application. It's not expensive. One reason businesses are licensed is so the state can track them. Another is that some professions require a certain level of certification to operate, such as handling fire extinguishers -- _very_ important. Here in California, one needs a certificate from the State Fire Marshal, as well as a business license. Sometimes industries lobby legislatures to require licenses in an effort to reduce competition in the industry. In one state (Kentucky, I believe) a special license is needed to be able to do medical transport -- not run an ambulance, but just drive someone to a hospital as a non-emergency service. It's ridiculous. Lastly, states require business licenses so they know who to tax and how much. For example, depending on how someone's business is set up he may draw personal income directly from his business, or make himself an "employee" of the business and draw a standard paycheck. Taxes are handled differently depending on how it's set up. Now this last one has more to do with tax filing than business licensing, but it has an effect on how the business reports and pays taxes to the state. Also, for someone one to use the various business tax filings, one has to be a licensed business.

[@istoppedcaring6209]

not the case in northwestern europe though

[@JS-jh4cy]

​@TheBooban it's not free in other countries

[@TheBooban]

@@JS-jh4cy sure it is. For small businesses especially. Hair dressers and plumbers.

[@CaptCorpMURICA]

It’s hard enough to start a sustainable business in the US; I can’t imagine trying to do it in Europe.

[@Sniperkitten971]

French here, unless you have an idea that's not only very good but also very profitable right away, have a huge network, and know every ins and outs around finance and law (and I mean more than a regular accountant), you can't. Maybe you can make a decent living in the trades if you stay little/agile, but you'll never get big enough for it to really be worth it. I'm in such a case, working with my parents and my brother. We work between 60 and 80 hours a week, sometimes more, and we live decently but it's hard. Every single one of my American friends told me we'd be millionaires doing the same thing in the US, so I'm trying to relocate but damn are your immigration laws STUPID AS F... So hard to get there legally.

[@stevenscott2136]

​@@Sniperkitten971 You need to get a dark tan, fly to Guatemala, and walk north. Don't worry about the language -- the average American can't tell the difference between French and Spanish.

[@Sniperkitten971]

​@@stevenscott2136 Si señor ! 🫡😂

[@gorilladisco9108]

Internet lore said, there is 8% chance for businesses to survive in the US.

[@gorilladisco9108]

@@Sniperkitten971 You should disguise as Mexican and pay the coyotes 😅

[@ronlecain6715]

I am curious how this varies between different countries in Europe. For example, I believe the Cato institute rates Denmark as substantially more favorable to starting a business than the US. Regardless, your point is spot on. High taxes and regulations stifle growth.

[@Orthologist]

As an aspiring European entrepreneur this hits hard.

[@TheBooban]

Don’t listen to him, he is full of it. For small business almost no rules or costs, at least here in Sweden. They even give you your unemployment benefit to start your business.

[@manuelhauler1083]

I wouldn't recommend to start a business in austria if you have no other income. The problem is that you have to pay a lot from the beginning: you become a forced member of the austrian commerce chamber(WKÖ) for which you have to pay membership fees, than you have to pay the socialinsurance yourself which is 180€ per month, than you have to pay a kind of tourism tax (Tourismus Interessen Abgabe) if the municipality is located in a tourist area and than you have pay taxes which depends on your income. This are just the basic costs. Another point is the slow bureaucracy sometimes and some law changes that make matters more difficult sometimes. The government doesn't want people to become financial independend they want depend people which are easy to control... Thats a big reason for the welfare state people are dependend on the government to survive...

[@etho7351]

Come to the US

[@yeetman4953]

@@manuelhauler1083 sources needed

[@cutebear1817]

​@@TheBoobanmost other places are harder...

[@coffee_qi_and_me]

I'm an expat living in Europe and I've noticed that all the people in the trades (plumber, electrician, handyman, etc.), as well as many shop owners, all prefer to be paid in cash and don't provide invoices. At the supermarkets, there are always long lines for the automatic checkout stands that take cash, which allows people to make purchases anonymously so the government can't find discrepancies between declared incomes and actual spending. The entrepreneurial spirit is still there, it's just been pushed into the shadows and is fueled by tax evasion.

[@gorilladisco9108]

Europeans become innovative in illegal ways. 😅

[@kristijanbanovic7838]

Well it really depends in witch country in Europe you want start a business

[@C_H_Toons]

Which ones are which then?

[@kristijanbanovic7838]

@@C_H_ToonsWell for example Estonia is very good for open a business,they digitalized very good part of goverment and they have flat tax system.

[@C_H_Toons]

@@kristijanbanovic7838 yeah Estonia is nice for businesses I hear, tho I’m scared what would happen if they had prolonged power outages. Are personal generators commonplace there?

[@kristijanbanovic7838]

@@C_H_Toons I dont know.

[@C_H_Toons]

@@kristijanbanovic7838 that’s understandable

[@Devonflood8232]

This also sounds alot like Australia, try starting a business here, my god the red tape and taxes!

[@MM-Official]

Excellent topic, thank you very much

[@maxxon99]

I'm from Europe and I approve of this message.

[@Snakebloke]

Englishman here: The regulations, and the high taxes, just make it prohibitive. It's that simple. I love that they are regulating certain things, like use of pesticides and the quality of the water - it's frankly just _better_ here, for that. When it comes to stuff like "plastic bottles must have the lid attached, to ensure it's easier to get recycled..." my answer is - maybe just ban plastic bottles? The pthalates in them destroy your hormone reception capability, and are extremely damaging to children not yet born.

[@gorilladisco9108]

Why the attached lid make it easier to recycle? Bottle lids usually have different type of plastics than the bottle bodies. Won't that make it more difficult to recycle?

[@pinkysgarage4517]

Nick, I've been a subscriber for a while. Enjoy your short and VERY informative videos. Keep up the great work!

[@OKItsSent]

The approach to regulation (you comply if you follow the method vice you comply if you meet an outcome) also embeds a culture which stands against innovation. The precautionary principle is related but also hinders innovation.

[@udp1073]

I am an Italian consultant, and my job is to help Italian entrepreneurs open up in the US. The complexity and costs related to the opening in the average US are nothing short of a nightmare. Just to understand the paystub require a consultant, or contracting somebody? you need a lawyer for that. Many many years ago I also did the other way around, helping North American companies establish a foothold in Europe... I once had the CEO of a billion+ dollar company fly to Italy, come with me to the bank sign to open the bank account, we stopped in a local restaurant then he flew (private jet) back stateside... just the cost of opening that bank account would have rendered meaningless the endeavor... the EU and the States government knows that if they make our life easier, they will become redundant... so they make our life impossible... oh, btw, another aspect no one in the US understand: the government, in all of its forms, level, organization, is ALWAYS the biggest employer in most European state... hence the absurd taxation (on average twice as much as in the US). Even worse. there is a stigma regarding the US... every moron here believes that, if you don't have insurance, they will let you die on the streets... and the very same morons think Europe is better because of "free healthcare"... turns out it is not free in any way, shape or form... just they tax you BEFORE you receive your money... because they don't trust you to pay after you got the money in the first place... so it happens that, when you learn how to read paystubs, then you see that, on average, not only you pay for your own healthcare even in Europe (what a surprise, right?) but also it is more expensive than the US (not in absolute terms, in percentage points). Europe is, DE FACTO, a socialist conglomerate... call it UESR aka Union of European Socialist Repubblics... and please, never forget that while the US has Benny Franklin among their funding fathers, Europe has Water Hellstein, a NAZI officer... a NAZI was the Nationalist Socialist party of the worker... keyword SOCIALIST... same goes for Benito Mussolini, that was expelled by the Italian socialist party because he was pro-intervention in WWI (Italy was neutral at the beginning)... Europe started to become socialist after 1789, after the french revolution... we never revcovered

[@hanh3000]

This is quite informative. I wish I can pick your brain for all the details regarding US vs EU in terms of regulations and taxation.

[@JamaicaZ160R1793010A]

In a quick word, it sounds like Europe as a whole has to OBLITERATE their status quo and build it back up. I don't fetishize Europe and this confirms it for me. I thought the taxes had something to do with it. Some want to utterly vilify the American way, but it had something that worked before. We just need to bring it back.

[@iamcomcy]

I have a friend in Germany that runs a small business. For YEARS he has been wanting to sell one simple item that I make. For YEARS he has made ZERO progress. Why? It's not JUST the regulations but that it takes YEARS to get anyone there to DECIDE ANYTHING. Once a decision is made in your favor, then you have a business. I asked him how he was able to start his business...I got no answer. 😮😮

[@gorilladisco9108]

Are you sure he's still alive? 😅

[@ianPittman-rx5rx]

In the UK it is very easy to start a business whether its a sole trader or limited company. even when we were in the EU.

[@mustang607]

So need is rewarded and ability is punished. Reminds me of a book where this is also put into practice. Oh well, who is John Galt?

[@jim-es8qk]

America' foundations are based on freedom. It's a place where you can pursue free thought.

[@LyricsQuest]

With numerous exceptions.

[@abdiaszuniga5460]

Being cuddled from the cradle to the grave is the complete opposite of "survival of the fittest" which is what drove humanity to become the dominant species of the planet.

[@FlanPoirot]

there's still incentives to get as rich as you can, as successful as you can. most people aren't satisfied with living off of social programs living to get the bare minimum, especially not the younger generations. just because you're not gonna be left to rot under a bridge, it does not mean you'll be living a nice comfy life without having to work

[@TurntableTV]

Yes, maybe that's why there are so many homeless people in the US. 650k to be more precise. Also, I do wonder what happens when you have a serious illness and fail to pay your medical insurance in the US? I would rather live a modest life in the EU than trying to survive in US.

[@stevenscott2136]

​@@TurntableTV Ironically, Americans LOVE to give away money as long as they're choosing the recipient, or think they are. Or think Jesus is. There are all manner of privately-funded charities -- they just don't advertise. I knew a girl about 25 years ago who got her BRAIN SURGERY entirely for free, through charities. The lawyer who arranged it even donated his services.

[@johneary8874]

@@TurntableTV Then you get free healthcare. In the US, you must fail in order to get help and you must keep failing or aid is withdrawn.

[@RK-ve4xp]

Survival of the fittest did not make humans become dominant species. It is invention of farming, trade and cooperation among individuals and many more that made humans become dominant. Survival of the fittest exists in all animals. Then why didn't other animals become dominant? We can not make simplistic assumptions about life.

[@nunyabidness3075]

I think it would be interesting to compare starting a company with 12 employees in New York or some other over governed state vs the most business friendly EU country.

[@tdhharris]

EU - Make a successful product, be forced to give your technology to your competitors while we also fine and sue you into oblivion.

[@paolomartinelli345]

Considering movin to the US if Donald wins

[@stevenscott2136]

Remember that he'll almost certainly be followed in four years by someone like Canada's Trudeau.

[@etho7351]

​@@stevenscott2136doubt

[@gorilladisco9108]

@@stevenscott2136 JD Vance? 🤨

[@tlow5766]

The argument with high taxes: most states in EU have lower taxes for entrepreneurs than for employees. and while taxes for employees make work more expensive, the safety net led to wages being lower than USA. So I see no disadvantage to the US. The bigger problem is getting something done despite regulation.

[@gorilladisco9108]

"I asked business people, which one is hurting them more, taxes or regulation? And unanimously they said, regulations." - Donald Trump, Joe Rogan podcast.

[@marcusmoonstein242]

And if, in spite of all the obstacles, you succeed in a country like Norway there's a wealth tax that kicks in once your business is worth over $160 000.

[@Expat47]

When was Europe ever not bogged down in regulations??? Before the EU was just individual nanny-states and before that was a batch of kings and queens. And, as far as 75% of income being taxed, you're off the mark on 2 counts. The real number is closer to 90% (one year we actually paid over 100%) and you need to look at NY in the US if you want to see only 75%.

[@gorilladisco9108]

If you think about it, the monarchs did not put too many regulations. They would kept one eye closed as long as they could get their money (taxes). It's when parliament got stronger that Europe started to regulate everything, because in the politician's mind, they were doing nothing if no laws were made with their names attached.

[@mrzeus9411]

Yep, Europe has always been shit since the Romans murdered the free spirited peoples of Europe, we didn't had centralized government before it, but peaceful celtic societies living by natural law. Then talk shit about the Germans as barbarians, still to this day, when actually, the barbarians were the heroes defending their land, families and way of live vs those murderous savages from the Empire. And mindless npcs still cheer for the Empire today, it's sickening. The US was founded by the last free spirited peoples of Europe when they had the opportunity to flee with boat to the "new world". I think eventually we will get this one world dystopia, which is fueled by mass immigration. Those people are not fleeing for freedom, but for having a convenient life, like most natives nowadays. Freedom will not even exist in the future, not even freedom of thought. And people want this, look at Cuba. Their misleader forbid freedom of though. Look at that shithole today, which fits the definition of socialism perfectly, even acknowledged by socialists themselves. Only critique they can give is being boycotted by the US, so they need daddy USSR to sustain their lives. This is the future that's awaiting for almost everyone on this planet. Working for the state until you die, just so you can eat while waiting 2 hours in a breadline. What a fking utopia we're going to get. Fun fact: Look up how the word utopia came in to being and by who. Oh oh, utopia is communism. Now that you know this, you will never look favorable against this word ever again.

[@LyricsQuest]

@@gorilladisco9108 Prior to 1900, there were plenty of regulations. You had to get the noble's permission to buy or sell real estate, for example. The only country that had any kind of freedom prior to 1900 may have been post-napoleonic france, as the removal of the aristocracy and the implementation of Liberté opened up the markets, and france's economy grew substantially in the later decades. The french legacy lives on in the USA in the area stretching from new orleans to houston, with a very low regulatory laissez-faire kind of culture.

[@GregoryTheGr8ster]

Believe it or not, Denmark has very low regulations. It's easier to start a business in Denmark that in the USA, and they have fewer trade restrictions than us yanks, too. But the Danes love their high taxes and massive government. They will never consider cutting taxes and shrinking their government.

[@LyricsQuest]

The danes speak english. Almost easy to believe.

[@Mister_Underhill]

Here in Norway we are not even a part of the EU but have made the genius move to tax active capital. So it does not matter if your business is in the negative if you have assets you get taxed and have to take out loans to pay the taxes. But wait, it gets better: Foreigners do not have to pay this tax. And what does that incentivise, my dear friends? I guess all you smart people out there know by now. And what does the Norwegian state do about this problem, you think? Remove the tax, perhaps? No, no, no. They seriously consider setting up an exit tax for people leaving the country. That is next level dumb, that is. I throw my hands in the air by now. I'm an employee so I have no skin in the game and my voice is not covered by any political parties here, even though we have many. It is tempting though, getting into the race somehow. We'll see.

[@AndrésÁlamos-e7i]

Although of poor origin, for centuries the best and driven persons of Europe sailed to the Americas. And did very well here.

[@SydneyCarton2085]

I would agree except when it comes to food quality. We should NEVER allow capitalist incentives to compromise the quality of our food sources.

[@nickfoster848]

Exactly, it’s no secret that the huge food companies in the US are the biggest contributor to how unhealthy the nation is.

[@SydneyCarton2085]

⁠​⁠@@nickfoster848yup, and we spend money funding “innovations” for solutions to health problems that result from a lack of proper food regulations. There are microplastics in my dogs left testicle but it’s one because some genius is spending all his mental energy on creating a way to sift them out of everyone. Wall - E + Idiocracy.

[@duanecarter5930]

Uhhh... No. The market should determine that. You don't have to buy those products. The companies sell what people want. The consumer will dictate what they want.

[@SydneyCarton2085]

@@duanecarter5930 caveat emptor only applies when they are being honest about a products ingredients and the side effects. This is not as necessary when selling a product that is minimally processed. To advertise Cocoa Puffs as part of a healthy and complete breakfast to children is bullshit and you know it. If someone wants to eat turds they are free to do so but let’s not pretend it’s healthy. If I decide to buy and smoke cigarettes that is my right but I know they are not healthy thanks to regulations. Funny because after the tobacco companies were forced by regulatory agencies to be honest about advertising they have become majority stakeholders in the mutant food industry.

[@johnvahl762]

​@nickfoster848 It is not capitalist companies, but the government in collusion with industry that has made us unhealthy. Remember the Food Pyramid? What a disaster. Being taught what to eat by the sugar and grain industry.

[@paulristow3454]

Gee, this reminds me of Canada too. Except here, we have money-printing and foreign money-laundering to prop up what now passes for an economy.

[@MovieRiotHD]

The vast majority of successful enterprises founded in the last 20 years came from Northern-Europe (NL, Sweden, UK) the rest is way worse. Don't even think about starting a company in France!

[@marcelgrabowski5939]

I assume that by Europe you mean western europe, because central europe countries have quite the healthy economic growth, if regulations can be a problem, I know of it mostly in matter of gastronomical buesinesses; food is incredibly over-regulated, and I mean, to utterly redundant level (aka, it is pretty much impeccable at one level but they still add another one, that is actually detrimental to quality of product) then there are hilariously specific things like requiring triple sinks from whatever reason, granted this one is made up entirely by country government, not by EU.

[@Munce72]

Great work Nick! Scooby snacks for you. Praying for the USA and the entire World. My allegiance is to Liberty, and the Repubic.

[@sander...444]

It is true, European economies are far less dynamic than the US. However, the number of self employed people in places like the Netherlands has sky rocketed. Loads of entrepeneurs, but these small businesses don't scale to the size of a google or apple. The question is, should they? Because antitrust has become a major issue in the US

[@TurntableTV]

They shouldn't. The american hypercapitalism couldn't and souldn't be applied in Europe. Small businesses should be incentivised and protected from monopolistic practices. Americans are proud of their economy and policies but in what kind of world would it be normal for a middle class family to bid against a corporation for housing? That is sickening and should not be taken as an example. I am also a capitalist but I I'm not that indoctrinated into taking it to the extreme.

[@etho7351]

​@@TurntableTVironically most people who are pro capitalism think monopolies like we have are bad. The guy in the video is simply advocating for less regulation and taxes. No removing all regulation.

[@gorilladisco9108]

Big businesses have more stamina to roll over small businesses. Maybe EU countries can prevent that by issuing protective measures, but then that will simply turn their countries into another (pre-Milei) Argentina.

[@joseph40ninjas88]

When will the EU exit the EU?

[@alfonsoc.950]

In simple terms: socialism is very prevalent in Europe. We let that ideology run our institutions and minds. Liberalism needs to be brought back

[@hanh3000]

It will never happen. US is heading that way. We’re all doomed. The irony maybe that China and Russia will come and save us all. 😂

[@Unusual6223]

I am from Poland and I disagree. EU is made from many different countries with different systems. Personally I think that the greatest problem is green energy. Our belowed leaders in all EU more care about environmental friendly sources of Energy than industry. Many companies from Germany moved to Poland because in their home its even worst but now they (EU) want more strict regulations across entire EU. Another problem is policy according which no one can be dominant. It's good in EU borders but terrible outside because the rest if the World doesn't care. In Poland our politicians more care about foreign companies than polish companies. For example polish InPost(logistic company) pay higher taxes than others like DHL combine. Special economic zones are dominated by nonpolish companies. Most of hypermarkets like Lidl don't even pay taxes. That's in my opinion one of the most important reasons why EU looks today like that, but your arguments are also correct. By the way , 2:22 I don't see economy of Poland in this statistic.

[@LyricsQuest]

The "Green agenda" is highly misguided, as carbon is our friend as it feeds the plants, which in turn feed us. I feel for those countries who harm their economies in its pursuit, but EU seems to have special considerations for oil/gas, since it's mostly imported and creates great dependence on other countries.

[@papaspeleo]

To much socialism in the EUSSR. I know, i live there and have a business

[@gorilladisco9108]

*there

[@mikecanton9147]

So what you are saying is they became California or vice versa? Thanks for the video Nic!!!

[@sparklessconnectionselectrical]

Europe, where the curvature of bananas is regulated

[@BenzinioB]

As EU citizens, I can only say - we need to get rid of Brussels fascism! That's it! Back in the days EU was economical union - now is political and the political correctness is far more important then efficient economy.

[@nunterz]

Almost as if the US was founded to not be like Europe :) Oh and by the way, we Europeans should start getting rid of our politicians. We don't need them.

[@LyricsQuest]

Pretty sure the Americans rejected the Brits because they were decidedly "Not Europe". The religiously persecuted and enterprising entrepreneurs comprised the original immigrants.

[@prometheanevent]

Be innovative and industrious and socialism will shut you down.

[@thomas_jay]

You forgot on thing: We also have to deal with all the ideological nonsense coming from the US west coast.

[@lucasworktv]

Europe is slowly moving towards socialism, which kills off any ambitions. High taxes, unnecessary regulations and business unfriendly laws make it impossible to start a business in Europe.

[@Amlan-m9q]

What principles made Europe rich in the first place? Principles like colonialism and imperialism

[@Ric0chetAus]

So what you’re saying is the country that doesn’t pay a liveable minimum wage, relies on tipping culture, doesn’t provide universal healthcare and is in 3 Trillion dollars of debt but has companies richer than the government is the better place to start a business??? No. Way.

[@italia689]

When the minimum wage became $15.00 an hour, I was suddenly working for minimum wage. Before, when I was being paid $15.00 an hour, I was working for twice the minimum wage. Many European countires do not have a minimum wage, but they do have stronger unions. When they raised the minimum wage to $15.00 an hour, that same $15.00 I was already making was suddenly worth less. Prices eventually went up. Eventually, I did get a raise and was making more than minimum wage again, albeit two dollars more, not two times more. Simply increasing the minimum wage all the time will NOT work.

[@roughiness]

The US definitely isn't perfect, just like the EU, but it does have its benefits for business owners. If you want to work minimum wage then it's likely better to stay in the EU. I am self employed with my own small music business in Germany and the regulations are palpable, but it's getting increasingly frustrating and just feels like the EU is actively trying to fuck you up as hard as they can. That's just my experience though.

[@TurntableTV]

I don't think this is well documented. I started a business in 2 days in the EU. Wellfare has nothing to do with starting a business in the European Union lol. Also your argument about consumer centric legislation being one of the obstacles for businesses is hilarious. It just goes to show how different is the american way of thinking compared to ours.

[@nickfoster848]

What is your buisness?

[@TurntableTV]

​@@nickfoster848 data science applied in the music industry.

[@FartSquirel]

Starting in two days and how much in taxes did you have to pay in advance to start it, in what country, how many workers has your business, how many workers pay Social Security and IRS taxes? based on what wage? How much your company pays in IRC and Social Security for every worker? Yes, it's a consumer centric legislation you just don't know it cause you're to dumb to know that every product in EU is regulated, even a simple bulb of a kilo of apples. It has nothing to do with American way of thinking, Companies move within the EU where the taxation is more favorable. Don't be a retard, some of us do actually live in an European country and we know what's happening.

[@roughiness]

I have been a business owner myself in Germany for the past 2 years and am self employed (I design and produce my own music products), and I fully agree with what he said about the consumer centric regulation. I make physical products and there are a ton of things that could get you in trouble. We've got the new GPSR regulation coming into effect at the end of this year just as an example, which doesn't provide much value to anyone really and just makes everything a lot more difficult. Perhaps you could read through it and see all the stuff that I, as well as many other people will have to follow. I don't mind having safety regulations in place, but the EU simply has way too much, and just keeps adding more and more. At least from my point of view it feels like I'm actively being punished for existing and that sucks. I've also seen a lot of other people that work in the same field as me, saying that they spend most of their time on legal stuff instead of actually growing their business.

[@Badkharma21]

Canada is heading that way

[@gorilladisco9108]

"The question is, will EU ever let that happen again?" If they do, I'll invest in water heater in hell.

[@answerman9933]

Nanny state mentality.

[@mrzeus9411]

Europe is a fast dying continent, the EU is a failed socialist project. It's too hard to start here in NL, with too many regulations and too high taxes. There are so many small-medium businesses going bankrupt or in the process of being so, cannot compete vs the big corps and cost of living has exploded. Whilst big corps got bailouts during the plandemic with tax money, small-medium businesses loaned it and cannot afford to pay it back, compounding the biggest issue NL has since at least hundred years with highest amount of businesses going bankrupt. When one does succeed, (s)he will be greeted by jealous peers. Too many leftists in this country, also the most atheist country in the entire world. Full of materialists. For young people with ambitions, Europe is an extremely bad place to stay. The EU wanna impose taxes on top of "sovereign" natation states and has 2x the debt in just few years. GTFO Europe. They're doubling down with socialist-communist policies until you end up in Schwab's feudal system where you don't own anything, not even your own body and no free will and no freedom of expression and though. You've been forewarned. They always double down with this Fourth Reich like Hitler did, until they suicide and take everyone with them. You'll see.

[@EthanDornton]

Why didn’t the US annex Mexico?

[@stevenscott2136]

We thought we did... turned out it was just Texas.

[@EthanDornton]

@@stevenscott2136 I’m not so sure about that.

[@gorilladisco9108]

The same problem with Puerto Rico, it would tilt the balance in Congress, especially in 1848 the political climate started to heat up ahead of civil war in 1860.

[@EthanDornton]

@@gorilladisco9108 now that’s understandable, you’d think though they could split Mexico into separate states and that would add to more seats in congress thus at least balancing congressional seats.

[@gorilladisco9108]

@@EthanDornton Iirc, most of Mexico territory was south of the Mason-Dixon line negotiated in US Congress to determine whether a territory should be for slavery or for antislavery. The antislavery pushed to insert a passage into peace treaty that would prevented Mexico from becoming slavery states. However the effort failed. Hence they rejected the annexation of all Mexico. Btw, Mexico themselves already abolished slavery in 1820, although they still had encomienda system, something similar to serfdom in Europe.

[@cprendon3]

Sounds like California.

[@ctreid87]

Beard day!

[@roobs4245]

Where I live I can fill out some online forms, schedule an in-person meeting to sign the papers, and have a business live in less than two weeks. This clip is rather cherry picked and not at all representative, like taking California's rules and laws and using them to explain all of the US. Quite deceptive.

[@illuminate4]

left leaning american: *gasps in anti-capitalism*

[@A.yusuf-ho6gx]

Africa to invest is bétter

[@vovochen]

Its not hard starting a business here. And the government should ABSOLUTELY provide health care and education !!!!!!!!

[@ShermanistDruid]

And who would pay for it?

[@vovochen]

@@ShermanistDruid Everyone ??? Everyone can have accidents, so for everyone to be safe everyone needs to pay. And surprise surprise ! In the end, Europeans pay one fifth of the Americans for Health Care.

[@stevenscott2136]

The government is NOT providing it. You are, through taxes, and the international bankers are, through pretending there's more money than there actually is. All the government is doing is managing it... I don't know what your country is like, but the US government is doing its typical utterly-incompetent and deeply-corrupt job of managing education. It's working on healthcare now -- so if you need any procedures, get them soon before they're taken away.

[@THETRIVIALTHINGS]

Nah..EU is doing better than US. Western EU is.

[@C_H_Toons]

How so?

[@jimmysegal9515]

So, you object to the government looking after its citizens as a top priority? Ever heard of any business doing that? This is the problem with letting businesses not being taxed enough and not told to look after the citizens as a whole. The businesses save their moneys and speed up innovation to keep ahead of the competition. With all this sped up innovation, fewer and fewer people remain qualified to do the job these companies want them to do. The hell with the people who we idle! Pay up fellows. Your actions are idling more and more people. A life time of education is required to run the new systems. And you want to pay them a pittance or worse, hire them as temps, use them and throw them away like Kleenex that is full of snot. Good luck with that as you migrate to super high tech and idle all the good and smart people. What do you think is more important, preserving your reckless innovation or people living peacefully without the precariousness that your businesses induce into our lives?

[@THall-vi8cp]

Look, everyone! A Luddite! There's an actual Luddite in the comments section!

[@roobs4245]

@@THall-vi8cp But is he incorrect though?

[@THall-vi8cp]

That's not actually a yes/no question. Some industries can automate and workers might be forced to find other jobs. Other industries innovate and it's a matter of continuing education for the workers as the technologies and best practices evolve. But this ridiculous notion that we shouldn't foster innovation because people will lose jobs is preposterous and, if enforced, would only lead to stagnation and shortages.

[@ShermanistDruid]

​@@roobs4245It's not the gov' or any company's job to take care of you, you do not have any right to anyone elses work.

[@josersleal]

yeah but US has prisons full and the rest goes into homelessness. I ok sharing a bit so all can have a good enought life.

[@nancywhitehead219]

That's what happens when an economy isn't capitalism but socialist.

[@leekah9981]

Well how about the illegals that you so loved that is infesting the social structure of eu? You refuse you bigot? I calling your nearest government of how you are racist towards the refugee that demands your money 😂

[@bertblue9683]

And the US isn't very business friendly.

[@franciscocunha3232]

The EU is a bureaucratic nightmare.