[shortsunblack]

And United States still has regulations. Chevron doctrine is not a thing in Europe and European institutions do not get captured by NIMBYs when industry wants to build a railroad, a house or an apartment complex. There are no hundreds of governmental organizations demanding you impact assessments and environmental studies.

For crying out loud, as an American you cannot work on your own house, since a lot of labour is licensed (electrical work, etc) and taped in red.

The regulation Americans talk of in disparaging way is always the regulation that shifts and allows consumer/user surplus.

[mgerdts]

In the US you can work on your own house, including electrical and plumbing (including natural gas and propane lines, I think). For minor repairs like replacing a switch or receptacle, I don’t think a permit is required. For more substantial changes a permit is generally required and as is an inspection. Supplies for doing all kinds of residential construction work are readily available at retail establishments that normal people visit regularly.