Critics insist that government regulation of business
has made it more difficult for American businesses to
operate profitably and has destroyed their ability to
compete with foreign producers of consumer goods.
This argument is not compelling. Government regulation
of business was never as active in this nation as
it was between the years 1975 and 1985, and in
those years the average net worth of American
families increased more than it had in any previous
decade.
The author's argument would be most seriously
weakened if it were true that

1. Eighty percent of all businesses started during
the decade 1975-1985 lost money in their
first year of operation.

2. More businesses declared bankruptcy during
the period 1975-1985 than in any previous
decade.

3. During the decade 1975-1985, America
imported more consumer goods than it
exported.

4. The increase in net worth of average American
families during the years 1975-1985 was
largely due to an increase in the value of
residential homes.

5. The average interest rate charged on business
and home mortgage loans was higher during
the decade 1975-1985 than it had been in
any previous decade.