Why Government Licensing Prices Poor People Out of Business

[Ptarmigan]

Why Government Licensing Prices Poor People Out of Business
http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2011/06/08/government-licensing-prices-poor-people-out-business/

America is becoming more and more regulated. Government is not the solution, it is the problem. Some people in the comments section are too dumb to get it.

FormerMarineSgt 56 minutes ago

 Shame on you.

Cherry picking cases where regulations and licenses are problems and then extrapolating that into blaming the whole system and the entire licensing process for being some horrible and anti-poor scheme...

In doing so you are blatantly ignoring the fact that there are many beneficial aspects and effects of requiring licensing and regulation.  Requiring minumum knowledge levels and minimum performance levels of people performing skills that affect public safety or public health is one.

What you're doing is the same as if I were to say that because a former San Fran baseball superstar and record holder used steroids, that ALL sports records and achievements were only possible because of cheating and steroids. Obviously that conclusion is garbage - and so is the one you are making.

Yes - some regulations are wrong, but to throw such a demonization across all is an entirely false conclusion.

And it seems to be that the right wing does all too often.

nasibal 3 hours ago

 So what is your point Stossel? No regulations at all? You don't think that will cause chaos and frustration? If you argue that we need some, then who is to determine what needs to be regulated and who will make the call and who will monitor that? It all looks pretty simple does it not, the devil is always in the details. Finish one of your topics by producing a way from beginning to the end how to accomplish a working method. Don't just point out an issue and run to the next topic, you have not accomplished one thing other than cause trouble and frustration by pointing out an issue and then walk away from it. It is more an MO of an instigator trying to cause problems.

[CG6468]

It ain't just the Feds, either. The states pile their shit on top of the Federal rules.

[SSG Snuggle Bunny]

They have a point...to a point.

A good argument could be made that those practicing medicine or law or whatnot should demonstrate certain skill levels because the harm they might inflict through bad practices could be irreparable.

But OTOH when you have to be licensed to give guided tours in Washington DC--where there is no conceivable scenario of serious harm through malpractice--then things have gone too far.

It ain't just the Feds, either. The states pile their shit on top of the Federal rules.

Alas, that is their perogative if the 10th A is to mean anything. It is their economy to kill.

[thundley4]

Often times the licensing or training is the responsibility of established business operators and owners.

[SSG Snuggle Bunny]

Often times the licensing or training is the responsibility of established business operators and owners.

Indeed but there may be gov't imposed requirements that become absurd and burdensome. Not that you don't already know/agree; just sayin'.

This is one of those issues that can really be argued from both sides. In some cases irreparable harm can be done and the responsible party may not be able to compensate, as if money compensates for a dead relative or crippled child.

But then again the power to license easily becomes overly-zealous even if benignly intended as well as a tool by established businesses to stunt new competitors.