[nathanbedford]

The Louisiana Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors has the casket business sown up and they don't want any competition.

Maybe they just want an even playing field.

What kind of taxes, property, sales and income do the St. Joseph monks pay?

What does it cost to provide training which the secular embalmers are required to bear while the monks gain a competitive advantage by not paying for the training and perhaps by not paying taxes?

Are we looking at too many government regulations which are unnecessary, hence the monks do not need training? Are we looking at too many government regulations which are designed to protect existing businesses, in this case the secular embalmers from competition? Are these unnecessary barriers to entry?

We just don't know what the facts are here.

[Procyon]

Actually we do know the facts. The monks seek the right to manufacture and sell caskets and nothing more. They aren’t in the funeral business.

[IncPen]

What kind of taxes, property, sales and income do the St. Joseph monks pay?

Why should the taxes that someone pays be an indication of legitimacy? That's an Obama argument.

What does it cost to provide training which the secular embalmers are required to bear while the monks gain a competitive advantage by not paying for the training and perhaps by not paying taxes?

Taxes again? Simply remove this impediment altogether. And while we're at it, what's the purpose of embalming? Everything I've read leads me to believe that simple refrigeration and a timely burial is more desirable for reasons ranging from cost to environmental damage.

Are we looking at too many government regulations which are unnecessary, hence the monks do not need training?

Yes.

Are we looking at too many government regulations which are designed to protect existing businesses, in this case the secular embalmers from competition? Are these unnecessary barriers to entry?

Yes.

We just don't know what the facts are here.

I'll take common sense and less government (read: taxes) over your need for 'facts' any day.