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Operating a Business -- Right or Privilege?

Operating a Business -- Right or Privilege?

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ronpaulvoter

ronpaulvoter

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I am sure that you have seen the word 'privilege' written on many business licenses?

My question:

Does government really have a right to demand a license and charge a fee for people to employ themselves?

In other words, do you think, in a free country like America, that employing oneself and operating a business is a right or a privilege?
 
ronpaulvoter said:
I am sure that you have seen the word 'privilege' written on many business licenses?

My question:

Does government really have a right to demand a license and charge a fee for people to employ themselves?

In other words, do you think, in a free country like America, that employing oneself and operating a business is a right or a privilege?
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I see a person having a right to open a business, but the government does have a legitimate interest in making sure any applicable regulations are followed and that the business is properly registered for interactions with various agencies and taxation, as well as promoting business creation itself.

So in the end, the jargon isn't really that important as all of those things I detailed have to happen and that is sufficient reason for a business license.
 
I would love to say it's a right. I'd love to consider many other things as rights. But alas, they're all privileges of living in the USA.
 
A privilege. There is no reason the gov't can't suspend your business if under the right circumstances.
 
Juiposa said:
A privilege. There is no reason the gov't can't suspend your business if under the right circumstances.
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Just because it is a right doesn't mean that it can't be suspended. Take a look at guns. They are a basic right to own and yet a felon is not allowed to own one.

If I wish to open up a lemonade stand I see no reason that the Government has any reason to require a license. The only interest that they should have is in taxation and it being environmentally safe and safe for human use/consumption. I'm pretty sure that a lemonade stand would be environmentally safe and safe for human use/consumption. Only other interest would be in taxation.
 
The question is does the government have a right to regulate business?
 
Kal'Stang said:
If I wish to open up a lemonade stand I see no reason that the Government has any reason to require a license.
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If you're the sole proprietor and the sole employee, and the type of business you're in doesn't have any special restrictions, I don't think you do need a license. At least, not according to federal law. Your state laws may vary.

If you have employees and/or partners, you need a business license for legal reasons.
 
It's basically a privelege in the contex we are discussing. In order to open your own business, you must comply with legal, legislative, health and safety restrictions, zoning ordinances and local business license requirements. Nobody has the "right" to own a business simply because they are citizens.
 
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