I have spent very little time in Europe, so I have little feel for the relative economic encroachments of its member nations. Its interesting to hear how much worse France is than England--and we know England has its problems.
Interestingly, my brother-in-law spends a lot of time in Italy and likes it. Maybe its because he's vacationing, not working. But, he's an economist, and his perspectives are interesting. He says the Italians have as much regulation as everyone else--on paper. But, he says, they don't take it seriously, and the underground economy is an acceptable way around the bureaucracy, not a heinous economic crime.
I worry that although the US has both free market and socialistic tendencies, socialism may still strengthen. The trends are towards fewer, more heavily taxed workers supporting both native and non-native non-workers. I'm reminded of Ann Coulter's line about Al Gore's campaign, where she said he uses the term "working families" as a euphemism for families in which no one works. The US is still a great place, but its not what it once was. Just try--in the NorthEast anyway--to put in a septic system, or dig a hole within 100 feet of any damp woodland area, aka wetlands. And, your comments on the difficulty of business in France are well taken. I have one, and as soon as you say "in business" a huge number of outstretched governmental hands appear, even here in the good ole' USA. You have to support a lot of people to run a business.