From Europe, whilst many elements of our culture are less conducive to entrepreneurs than the US, these examples are not among them (except I don't know about the legal docs thing - I agree with earlier replies that critical information providers need to have rigorously maintained qualifications). My mate set up an internet wine company here without any problems, it's easy to pay directors of a company in equity [but non-directors get minimum wage protection], and the real estate industry is 'self-regulated' here in the UK. Oh, and we have free universal healthcare. All that said, I still believe the next game-changing startups will come mostly from the US - which is still the destination of choice. And I agree with your central argument that 'big government' generally stifles innovation.