The removal of a regulation is quite different from co-opting the government to do the industry's bidding. Certainly, there are plenty examples of business having undue influence in government. But likewise, there are examples of government having undue influence in business[1].

The one thing I've heard anyone in OWS suggest that I can get behind is a separation of business and state.

Too often, the regulatory machine helps business (see Regulatory Capture[2]) -- and this cuts in many directions, like the governmental support of labor unions, as in the recent Boeing case. But it would still be a mistake to go to the other extreme and have the behemoth of government driving business.

It seems to me that the Economist is right, and getting the government to just get the heck out is the best solution. They shouldn't do anything to help or hinder[3] business.

[1] How often have we heard various content industries (movies, music, video games, comic books) promise to "self-regulate" lest government pass some threatened laws.

[2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regulatory_capture

[3] short of ensuring that business is conducted fairly, e.g., protecting us from fraud, helping ensure disclosure, etc.