“So draconian corporate taxation, micromanaging regulation and the like are not the biggest factors in cost, which are not in control of the companies but of the government? That was what I was talking about.”
You are throwing red-herrings.
I said labor costs are one of the biggest costs. I did not say gubmint costs were not. Please comprehend.
And businesses should try to cut both down; decrease labor costs and decrease gubmint costs. The quickest and easiest thing to do is cut labor costs. Cutting gubment costs require external dependencies. And questioning business decisions will only empower the gubmint, so your questioning the business practices and a broad-brush labeling as “crony” capitalism will only ensure the gubmint sticks its nose to “save” the “workers”. Good going, comrade.
Well, please acknowledge at least that the greatest cause of increase of labor costs is government regulation, taxation et al, or government costs. The two are interrelated. Those businesses that go along with such governments are enablers of same, usually with the goal of crushing competition and moving towards oligopoly/duopoly/monopoly/even nationalization.