Small-biz owners fuming over ‘plethora’ of rules

Boston Herald ^ | 7 May 2006 | O’Ryan Johnson

[Radix]

Peabody businessman Bruce Lerner is joining the fast-growing list of entrepreneurs “frustrated out of business” by strict state and local regulations that small-business advocates say are choking the lifeblood of America’s economy.
    “It’s the sheer plethora of regulations,” said Carolyn Logue, a state director with the National Federation of Independent Businesses. “It seems many were just drafted to give someone, somewhere a job to do. Nobody looks at the goals and whether they’re actually accomplishing anything.”
    Three weeks ago, the North Shore Tobacco Control Program sent a 17-year-old decoy into Lerner’s Main Street Smoke Shop in Peabody. She made it 14 feet from the store entrance to the register before a clerk told her to leave because she lacked ID.
    Moments later the antipuffing G-men pounced, slapping Lerner with a $200 fine, not because he sold cigarettes to an underage person - which he hadn’t - but because an underage person had simply walked into his store.
    “I just feel as a business owner for 19 years, what does it benefit me to run a business?” Lerner said. “If the state wants to run my business, they can get up at 4 a.m.”
    Lerner is entertaining offers to sell the shop rather than endure the aggressive policing of the Tobacco Control Program. Logue said that puts him in league with businessmen across the country who, rather than wade through piles of paperwork in a ceaseless battle with bureaucracy, are simply closing shop.
    “That’s the frustration of small business owners who are saying,my employees are safe, I’m doing the right thing,” Logue said. “But someday someone will walk through my door, I don’t know who that person is, but when they show up I’m going to have to pay thousands of dollars as a result.”
    Lerner said he appealed the fine to the Peabody Board of Health, which agreed to waive it as long as there were no further violations. But he said the Tobacco Control Program wants him to lock away all his tobacco, which he refuses to do because it would eliminate his “roll your own cigar” display.
    Asked if he’s being pushed out of business by bureaucracy, Lerner said he hopes not. “Everyone you talk to who’s in a position of power says no,” he said. “But it certainly doesn’t help.”  

[Supernatural]

“It’s the sheer plethora of regulations,”

Its to shear the sheep.

[patton]

That is exactly true, but I did not think it would be polite to point it out. I said, the Puritan influence was strong - it is. They believed in government controll of EVERYTHING. Mass. still does. Only w/out God.

It is darn frightening.

[patton]

thanks. ;)

[winker]

One additional note that should be received as positive. If your business involves Handeling-Prepareing-or serving Food your employees should be mandated to wearing plastic gloves to protect your source of business ... The Public Patrons who buy your products. If you have never had Salmonella or Shigella count yourself fortunate! Remember that they also require a Health Card on their person as well!

[cgbg]

When I am asked for identification that can prove I am over twenty one I smile and point to the top of my head.

It works every time. :-)

(Part of my philosophy of life--take every liability and turn it into an asset. :-) )

[Larry Lucido]

Moments later the antipuffing G-men pounced, slapping Lerner with a $200 fine, not because he sold cigarettes to an underage person - which he hadn’t - but because an underage person had simply walked into his store.

And I thought it was bad in Michigan. Sheesh!

[freepatriot32]

smoke nazi nany state ping

[Gabz]

I thought for sure I had you on my nanny state list........sorry about that.

You're on it now.

[Bernard]

I think it was every third year that the legislature in "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress" could only repeal laws, if more than 1/3 voted to repeal.

And every law that passed had to have a 2/3 approval to start with.

[Bernard]

Which Heinlein book was that in? I've read a few but that quote does not come to mind.

See post 89.

[Radix]

Got it. Thanks.

Added to my Summer reading list. Amazon review page is linked below.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0312863551/002-9534849-8696850?v=glance&n=283155

[mugs99]

That's it - that's my whole platform.

You've got my vote!
.

[mugs99]

[eddie2]

tire tax
auto license
auto battery tax
drivers license
boat license
cat license
internet tax
cellular phone tax
toll taxes

I hate taxes.

[The Foolkiller]

You've got my vote.

[george76]

Liberals sometimes tell me that I am lucky to be able to pay taxes.

This attitude is amazing !

By working hard and working smart, by getting up early and working two jobs, by saving some of what I earn for my family's future...luck has nothing to do with it.

These lazy liberals who sleep while we work have no right to call us lucky !

That is just a clever comment on how they justify getting their hands on my wallet.

[The Foolkiller]

But my favorite one is the sexual harassment policy poster. It says in great big red letters across the top:

SEXUAL HARRASSMENT IS A VIOLATION OF FEDERAL LAW!!

Yes, it actually does have two exclamation points at the end. It goes on to define all the possible ways that sexual harassment can take place, and the serious consequences to the individual who engages in it, but mostly how much it's going to cost the company which employed him.

---

Only applies to those whose last name is not Clinton.

[longtermmemmory]

micro regulation is born.

micro regulation is only about preserving local political power (by regulating competition out of business for established political cronies) and generating income to small cities that nowadays have little reason to exist.

One example is new developers vs old developers. Old project developers who have inside tracks to projects and permits due to years of political contributions and cultivated social relations.

This tobacco show was a target of revenue oriented micro regulation.

[patton]

Yeah, I am so lucky, I own three businesses, and have been on travel for a month.

[383rr]

Thanks for the ping! The government regulation on business is ridiculous. Wonder what kind of nut-case reasoning the antis will use to defend this garabage?