Why Can't Chuck Get His Business Off the Ground?

The solution to America's jobs problem lies not with budget-busting federally mandated "stimulus" programs.

Instead, what is needed are specific reforms that wouldn't cost taxpayers, would create a broader tax base for cash-strapped cities and states, and would provide opportunity for millions of Americans who worry where their next paycheck is coming from.

As demonstrated by a series of eight new reports issued in October 2010 by the Virginia-based Institute for Justice, one of the principal obstacles to creating new jobs and entrepreneurial activity in cities across the country is the complex maze of regulations cities and states impose on small businesses. IJ's "city study" reports are filled with real-world examples of specific restrictions that often make it impossible for entrepreneurs to create jobs for themselves, let alone for others.

Chip Mellor, the president and general counsel of the Institute for Justice, said, "If the nation is looking to the federal government to create jobs in America, it is looking in the wrong place. If we want to grow our economy, we must remove government-imposed barriers to honest enterprise at the city and state levels. Remove those barriers, and you will see a return to the optimism and opportunity that are hallmarks of the American Dream."

IJ's eight reports document how irrational and anti-competitive regulations block entrepreneurship. More often than not, these government-imposed restrictions on economic liberty are put in place at the behest of existing businesses that are not shy about using government force to keep out competition. The Institute for Justice's city studies examine regulations imposed on a wide range of occupations in Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Milwaukee, Newark, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.

[goldwinger]

I used to have a small business that I ran out of my home. Not much more than a hobby that made me a few hundred bucks a year. I had the appropriate sales tax license and I did such a low volume that I only had to file once a year. I had a business license from my country based on my inventory, $20 a year.

Then I moved. The town where I now live has a "business privilege tax." It doesn't matter how small your business is, the tax is a flat $300. So I'd be spending $300 a year, be subject to inspections, and still only make a couple hundred bucks a year. I shut down.

If I was a published author and wrote in my home, I'd have to pay $300 a year. If I did computer consulting, $300 a year. Anything that makes money costs $300 a year. The town wonders why new businesses don't want to locate here.

[DeweyDecimal]

Regulations and uncertainty stagnant the economy.

[falcondrvr]

Thank god we have government here to protect

This is how the greatest economic engine in the history of the world fails. Bureaucracy.

[studentofsmith]

The best consumer protection is a competitive marketplace.

[MrColtacp]

I am a small business owner of 19 years. This is so acurate for the BS encountered at all levels, and it seems to increase each and every year.

[SlaterRadio]

Brilliant beyond words. Thank you IJ! MORE please!

[justinferguson]

The corruption is out of control in this country.

[Chazyacom]

sadness that we the people just let it go on and on.

[captnhuffy]

Makes me want to "Up Chuck" 

[VincentGonzalezVeg]

Calling this country the greatest one shuts down open conversation about how we can improve

[tanman]

Isn't it crazy how people who see stuff like this can still vote Democrat?!?

[atlant]

Idk, criminal law? There don't need to be a million regulations and permits and shit against businesses, there just need to be anti-fraud laws and such. And those large corporations, ironically, are nearly immune to that law considering how much lobbying power they have to change laws and legal power to fight cases. they can violate as many codes as they want, and only very rarely do they get tried and even rarer get found guilty.

[princez]

Thank you government for making our lives much easier. Oh and thanks for that new Obamacare too.

[rickdees]

(27 August 1811); published in Lettres et Opuscules.  "In a democracy people get the leaders they deserve."

[yasawsem]

"Entrepreneurs arent the only ones with ideas! Bureaucrats have them too!" LOL

[PianoKeyzOfficial]

New rule:  You cannot like this video and then still vote republocrat and complain when you get the status quo.

[michaelpaliden]

summary of Gubermint 1, create a problem 2, promise to fix it 3, Make things worse

[Iris_Collins]

Makes you wonder why unemployment is so high, doesn't it? :P

[Aliothemage]

This makes me want to cry :(

Poor Chuck.

[adamlhumphreys]

I watched this little over a year ago. Why doesn't this have millions of views by now? :(