As a Gen-Xer who grew up with lemonade stands in the neighborhood, one can't help but feel a mix of nostalgia, sympathy and disappointment over the Oregon girl's lemonade stand being shut down by a government health inspector.
I throw in my 2 cents worth about the matter at my Light of Liberty blog. Feel free to comment in this forum or my blog.
By the way, the only time I became severely ill injesting a water-based substance was during the Milwaukee cryptosporidium outbreak in the 1990's. Government public works at its finest.
In any case, 5 gold stars to the girl for showing her entrepreneurial spirit. Now, we hope to have a buddy libertarian joining the ranks .
Here's the link to the news article:
http://www.nydailynews.com/money/2010/08/06/2010-08-06_health_inspector_shuts_down_7yearolds_summer_lemonade_stand.html
This could lead to some interesting backlash. Some people are already organizing some creative action: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=139145992784766&ref=ts
I'm going to be there if I can.
Yeah, a peaceful demonstration on her behalf in the name of liberty is exactly the type of action this injustice deserves. I know the sentiment is strong but the MSM looks the other way. I suppose this has the potential for generating the kind of positive press that libertarians deserve.
If I was there with that government drone, I would have a video camera recording me asking them "So what are you going to do if she refuses to shut down?" I'd expect to get a blank stare, then follow up with "Are you going to call the police and have her arrested?" Then I'd hand the girl a $10 bill and explain to her "This is all I have. I know it's not real money but in this environment you can get some stuff with it. If I had something of real value (such as a gold coin), I'd give it to you if only to encourage you and other entrepreneurs to continue with your service to this community." At that point, I look into the camera and declare "The free market wins!" then turn toward the government drone and say "down with big brother...in my world, two plus two still equals four" and laugh.
If anyone wants to take this strategy and run with it, be my guess. I'd love to see this youtubed. LOL!
I thought this was satire when I first saw it. Unbelievable.
No kidding. Welcome to the Orwell's dystopia! LOL
I never thought I'd say this but "LEGALIZE LEMONADE NOW!"
Seriously, she should now bottle up her 15 minutes of fame and create "Liberty Lemonade". I think lemonade should be another symbol in the liberty movement. When we gather, we should all drink to her and all those who pursue happiness.
Actually, this event could be something of a teaching moment to children. It serves of an example of government's true nature: to suppress the individual and destroy the very essence of a free society. To explain the high cost of entry into the market is one mark of interventionism. To explain how socialism / interventionism expropriates from private property to perpetuate the State. To show how poor people stay poor simply by the artificially high entry costs to start a business. To explain how "free markets" really work and why government regulation necessarily creates inefficiency and discourages the free flow of exchange.
Anarchists to the rescue: http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2010/08/07/lemonade-stand-defended-by-anarchists-in-portland-oregon/