Ramblings' Journal: Why go nuts regulating cornrows?
Hair dye is hardly a serious safety threat, but even if it were, Cornrows & Co. didn't dye or perm hair. They only braided it. That didn't matter, said the Cosmetology Board -- they still had to get a license. In order to get one, Uqdah would have to pay about $5,000 to take more than 1,000 hours of courses at a beauty school.
I hate the whole concept of ‘licensing’ for businesses. Licenses are nothing more than a barrier to entry for entrepreneurs. I can understand having to get a plain business license and the fees involved with that. I pay my $25 bucks a year to be able to do business in the state of Florida and I’m sure it takes a little time for the state to document my business and ensure I’m working within the law.
But to have laws that require licensing for any profession is ludicrous. My business is photography, and luckily there aren’t any licensing requirements to do so at this time in the area where I live. But as the business gets bigger and the stakes get higher, you can bet your sweet bippers that someone is going to feel threatened by new photographers and insist that the public needs to be ‘protected’ from bad snapshots.
Hell, in Louisiana, it’s illegal to arrange flowers without a license. Of course, it’s in the public’s best interest. Do you know how many children are killed each year from poor floral arrangements?
Now, before you think I’m starting to make sense, I’m going to throw in one of those “this is why libertarians will never be elected” statements.
I don’t think you should need a state license to practice medicine in the public sector.
You heard me. If Billy Joe Bob wants to quit his day job at the Quickie-Lube and open up a medical practice, so be it. You do not have to give him your business!!! Now hospitals and the such should have requirements since they service the public, but private businesses are under no such constraint.
I can hear you now. “It’s too dangerous to allow people to ‘pretend’ to be doctors. Licensing ensures only real doctors practice medicine.” Oh, really? Honestly, have you ever looked at your current physician’s license? Where is it located in his or her office? Most people assume anyone with Dr. in front of their name is legit. By removing the false safety net of licensing, you would force individuals to check out their physicians more thoroughly to ensure they’re getting quality care.
If there’s a voluntary licensing, one that says “Group X certifies that Doctor Smith is a true blue Proctologist” then more power to them. But requiring government sanctioned licenses for anyone from any profession, be it roofers or pediatricians, does nothing to help the public and at least in my opinion, harms the public by preventing many people from even entering into business this depriving the public of better services.
I am not libertarian enough to believe the free market is the perfect system. Unfortunately, you can get away with a lot of stuff and remain in business. However, I believe the best way to even the playing field is instead of imposing regulations, simply require any business to remain transparent as possible. Not that you’re going to spend a lot of time researching who is the best mechanic to change your carburetor and if Billy Joe Bob has any shady practices that would make you want to tow your Honda 15 miles down the road, but requiring a mechanics license doesn’t protect you either.