http://blog.pacificlegal.org/2012/rescuing-the-right-to-earn-a-living-in-missouri/

This is a problem that exists in many, many places. Requiring florists to have a license, limiting the number of interior designers through licensing, etc. is blatantly anti-freedom, anti-capitalist, and in my opinion is unAmerican. Shit like this really chaps my ass.

1/20/2012 12:18:16 PM

google: barriers to entry

why do you think big companies push for such regulations? because it doesn't hurt them, but it sure as hell hurts the little guy trying to get started.

1/20/2012 12:40:15 PM

In before: we need the right regulation.

1/20/2012 1:44:34 PM

^^No need. I'm already a huge opponent of this kind of shit. Regulation almost always hurts the smaller firm much more than the larger established firm. Shit, look what happened with toy safety testing after the lead paint from china thing a couple years back. Mattell pretty much wrote legislation that required types of testing that could only be performed in a facility they had. It wasn't a huge leap for Hasbro and other big names to reach compliance. In their eyes it was a few million well spent to kill off a couple of competitors.

A lot of times local and state licensing is just low level crony capitalism.

1/20/2012 1:51:44 PM

I'm fine with regulation, but I want the ability to subvert it.

A big fight right now:

https://www.23andme.com/stories/1/

background: Lots of those people want to make it illegal to use genetic sequencing and diagnostic services online without a physician. That is, someone with an M.D.

I want to punch someone in the face over that. If I want to sequence my own genome and put it on The Pirate Bay then that's my god-given right! My GATCs. Not yours.

--

I mean look, I'm fine if they require a user to understand that they're forgoing medical advice. If the website tells me that I'm less likely to get herpes (b/c of my genes) and then I go out and get herpes, that's my dumb butt.

But honestly, when I did a genetic sequencing service, I had to sign like a dozen fregin wavers. It drove me nuts.

I should also have the right to get stitches at a tattoo parlor. If I do, do I understand that Bubba isn't a real doctor? Yes.

1/20/2012 2:27:33 PM