When will government stop interfering in business?

Yet another story of government interference for personal benefit. Surprised? Of course not.

From Techdirt:
"Time For Google To Leave Italy? Italy Announces That YouTube Responsible For All Content"
http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20110102/13373312486/time-google-to-leave-italy-italy-announces-that-youtube-responsible-all-content.shtml

"The Italian government has long had trouble comprehending how YouTube is simply a platform for users. Of course, some might say this is willful ignorance. Italy's Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi owns Italy's largest private broadcaster, Mediaset, and doesn't much like the competition."

"The latest in the Italian government's war against YouTube is that it's declared that YouTube qualifies as a TV station and is subject to television regulations."

"I imagine Google will fight this in the courts, but at some point, it makes you wonder if Google wouldn't just be better off leaving Italy altogether, and seeing how folks there feel about its government's decisions."

Government interference affects business decisions--to the detriment of its citizens.

Holding YouTube responsible for the actions of users is like holding gun manufacturers responsible for the actions of gun users, like holding cigarette makers responsible for the decisions of smokers, like holding fast food providers responsible for the decisions of individual consumers, like holding earth moving equipment manufacturers responsible for people who remain in the path of the work being done (unknown to the operator of the equipment). Oh wait, government already does all this stuff. No wonder we're so screwed up.