Scott Brown Hits China Comparison By Elizabeth Warren, Despite Having Made His Own

Brown Slams Warren For China Comparison That He's Made

Republican Scott Brown slammed his Democratic rival for U.S. Senate on Friday, accusing Elizabeth Warren of "comparing us to China." Warren, in a campaign ad and on the trail, noted that China spends 9 percent of its GDP on infrastructure investment, while the United States spends less than 2.5 percent.

"China is making the investments in roads and bridges and communications that will give a real competitive advantage to China's businesses. America's businesses deserve the same," she said.

"She's comparing us to China, and actually wants us to do another stimulus bill," Brown said in comments picked up by the Boston Globe and other local media. "The first one didn't work and led to higher unemployment. And where are we going to find the money?"

While Brown might not look fondly on comparisons to China's spending habits, he's quite a fan of its light touch when it comes to regulation.

Last spring, Brown told a Salem audience that regulations for zoning, conservation and permitting hold back the economy, and that the U.S. should emulate China's approach. "When you looking at other countries, you look at China and these other countries that can build a 900,000-square-foot building in eight months, nine months. They work 24/7, they bang it out. How do you compete when it's tough to get things through the city and municipal zoning boards and appeals, conservation commissions? It takes years," he said to the Salem Chamber of Commerce in April, according to transcripts of event provided by the Massachusetts Democratic Party.

Brown repeated the same point a week later in Westminster, in Newburyport and last fall to the New Bedford Chamber of Commerce.

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