ehh,
First - to your answer to d08 - "let them eat cake" - it's a false statement, Marie Antoinette didn't say that. But how would you know ? All lefties love that statement... And if you are a fan of French revolution - then, we really have nothing to talk about.
About bla bla - yes, there is no point to discuss with socialists. It is just wasted time.
But especially for you I make an exception (for a moment). So about arguments (or precisely lack of them):
1. What has global GDP to the topic ? Nothing. The topic was about a person wanted to make business in some country, here and NOW. So talk about the topic. About how easily is to make business, what are the taxes, what is the level of life etc...
2. Singapore and chewing gum - and why not talk about the level of living there ? taxes ? health care ? Nooo, it's better to try to spot light on chewing gum ;] Because if we turn out to other aspects it would contradict your statement and beliefs
3. UAE - same as above. Btw: I see you like to absorb media propaganda. Go, see and then discuss.
4. Georgia, Romania etc. - you are (like each socialist) messing up cause and effect. The countries that are very rich now were free from socialist cancer, and that's why those are rich now. And a lot of them started to redistribute the wealth, which cause them many troubles. And countries mentioned are on their very good way to become rich (as rich as possible in their situation, both geographical and thinking about resources). And it is because they go the way of low taxes and low regulation and almost no socialism.
5. Yes, I were in many countries, as I also have friends in many places. And I prefer countries like those above more than very developed countries like Germany, Netherlands, Scandinavia etc. You know why ? Because I'm a free man, who want to live as free man and took responsibility for his own life. I don't need the government or some clerks or anyone to "take care" of me and I want their hands off of my money, because I know best how to spend it. Same with giving it to other people. I help who I want to help, and I give to whom I want to, not to anyone. People need to THINK and take responsibility for their lives. In other case you want to make them a herd of cattle.
6. About Romania and taxes - same problem in discussion, you picked up VAT, ok - let's pick up income tax for small businesses. Revenue up to 1 m EUR, 3% tax, 1% if you are hiring someone. So, bad for developing a business ? Ok, dividend - 5 %. I understand it's high taxation ? Capital gains tax - not existing. But I understand it's high ?
7. Talking about Somalia and picking it up by you would be like me picking up CCCP for your side of discussion. But I'm not that dump, so you don't be either.
8. "I can't imagine a more asinine argument than the idea that we should go back to the way things were 200 years ago because growth was higher then." - another typical leftie try. It's weird you can't imagine that kind of argument, as it's your argument, not mine. So don't try to make impression that it was my argument.
9. About the chart - yes, it's all thanks to taxes and social programs ! Except no, it's not... You know any studies about the impact of technological jump on GDP growth and average people wealth ? Naaah, it's thanks to taxes ! ...
10. "my little company has blown away Google and Apple in year over year growth for the past 5 years, but that was a whole lot easier for me to accomplish than them and certainly doesn't mean I have a better way of doing things than they do.". And maybe you have ? Those companies, are incredibly ineffective, and their position is not due to "fair free market". it's because of their capital position (which is pumping a lot by empty dollars), impact on regulators and politicians. It's another long topic.
I talked a lot with lefties and socialists, and there is only one conclusion - there is no point to discuss. No matter what data I will show you, or how easily and logically I can deconstruct all your arguments and pseudo-arguments (like here), you won't get it. I'm sure you will even contradict historical facts (yes, that is also standard in discussion like that). So I don't care if you call me embarrassing or anything other. I won't waste more of my time on that discussion, so that's my last post in this exchange. As I have much better things to do