By Mark Denman ?letters to the editor
I am writing in regards to the Jan. 28 guest commentary by Jim Hall, “Local business needs help from local governments.” While I agree with much of what Mr. Hall has to say on the matter of stimulating business growth locally, there are some parts of his proposal that I disagree with.
While it is certainly true that an important function of government in the United States is to encourage economic growth and general prosperity, it is also true that government is charged with protecting the public from health hazards posed by shoddy business or faulty products. Some regulations may be born of pure bureaucratic over-reaching, such as Mr. Hall”s example of only allowing stainless steel in food preparation areas even though there are cheaper, equally food-safe products available, but other regulations exist because of a genuine need. The standards were not “put into place … to hinder competition” as Mr. Hall contends. They were put into place to deal with a problem, such as food safety. Yes, some of these regulations should be reviewed to determine if they are too restrictive, but they should not be completely eliminated.
Mr. Hall also proposes “(a) multi-level fee base for county permits.” He makes this proposal in the hopes of “level(ing) the playing field.” I would like to submit that such a system in fact does exactly the opposite. The playing field can only be level when the rules and fees are applied equally to all businesses, regardless of whether they are independently owned or franchises. A wise entrepreneur does market research and should factor in such things in their decision to open a business. What makes the owner of Bob”s Burgers any more deserving of a break from the government than the owner of the local Jack in the Box? In the end, they are still local investors who are opening businesses and will hire employees and help the economy grow.
Perhaps, rather than seeing such proposed inequalities as assisting new non-franchised businesses, it would help to see it as penalizing franchised businesses. The playing field is level. What is being proposed is leveling the players. Anyone who feels that is a good idea would do well to read Kurt Vonnegut Jr.”s cautionary tale, “Harrison Bergeron.” The only way to make everyone truly level to each other is to cripple us all equally.
Mark Denman
Clearlake Oaks
