Over the years I saw more and more licenses "required" in order to keep the business open. I saw more and more things (and animals) criminalized. I saw more and more effective pet medications taken off the market due to governmental fears that they might be "abused". I saw more and more ridiculous hoops and rituals that were "required" in order to not be in violation of some "law" added every year.
There were "laws" regulating signs, fire extinguishers, parking, advertising, etc. That was above and beyond the "pet shop specific" stuff saying how you were required to house certain animals, what you could sell in the state and what you couldn't, and all that sort of thing. There were probably "laws" regarding keeping the animals fed and their quarters clean, but I never ran into any of that stuff. Although "health department" goons did come snooping a few times, but they never said anything.
And I knowingly and willingly violated many of those "laws" each and every day. I had to. To follow them all "to the letter" would have resulted in paralysis. Every working minute would have been wasted on some bureaucratic nonsense that had nothing to do with the welfare of the animals in my care or the customers who also depended upon me.
I lied on forms. I told customers that if they lied on the forms that were "required" when they bought certain animals (like those dangerous parakeets and iguanas!) that there would be no way for any enforcers to know. I even stared down bureaucrats who showed up to make sure I was following all their edicts and examine all the paperwork.
It got bad enough that I don't want to work in a pet store ever again. Not until The State dies.
Anytime I look into any other business venture I might enjoy, I run into more of the same. And that's the problem. There is nothing I can do to make money "legally" anymore that is worth the trouble. At least nothing I am comfortable/competent doing. I'm too tired to work to avoid the traps. I don't feel like being subjected to molestation in order to get a job. I don't feel like giving out some governmentally-mandated number (either my own or Elvis' orphaned number) in order to be hired. My family would not support my decision to do things "extra-legally" (even though I would not do anything dishonest or aggressive to get money).
The things I have done that I thought might make money have not worked out that well. Most ended up costing more than they brought in. I know that means I should keep trying and experimenting, but I am having a dry spell for ideas and a lack of any money to pursue anything anyway. I am also not getting any emotional support here at home, but instead am being drained of any positivity and ambition. The past performance of my attempts is used against me.
I hate to admit it, but right now I feel like giving up. I know you don't come here to read that. That's why posting has been sparse here and basically non-existent on Dispatches from Libertopia. I hope this passes soon.
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Kent,
ReplyDeleteIf I were you (not knowing much)...what with you being a bit more prickly than me...I'd work on skilling up on a manual, normally cash-based business. I'd advertise on craigslist, and do the work.
Recently, I noted that the courier service business seems awesome in smaller towns/states.
Depending the state, handyman-ing of some sort is great. Computer repair too (Best Buy charges $50 to install shrink-wrap software on your computer)
I'm personally an independent programming trainer.
I am sad to hear this Kent.
ReplyDeleteIt's just stupid emotion. I hate the fact I am subject to emotions, and that they can overwhelm me at times. Actually, if you were around me every day you'd probably have no idea how low I am feeling right now.
ReplyDeleteI've been worse off before. I've been "homeless" and eaten whatever I found growing wild. I survived. On an intellectual level I know I don't need money to survive. And I know I have no one to blame but myself for allowing myself to feel like this.
The system is working as intended.
ReplyDeleteI lied on forms. I told customers that if they lied on the forms that were "required" when they bought certain animals (like those dangerous parakeets and iguanas!) that there would be no way for any enforcers to know. I even stared down bureaucrats who showed up to make sure I was following all their edicts and examine all the paperwork.
It's set up precisely to weed out those who don't figure out you're supposed to lie. Secondly, the enforcers know just as well as you do they can be gamed, but only try to defeat the games if you show signs of being Republican.
Anytime I look into any other business venture I might enjoy, I run into more of the same. And that's the problem.
One of the main reasons I haven't tried to start a business. I'd want a business so I could have more freedom about how I earn income than at a job. But I cannot countenance sucking up to the government, so it's a net wash.
@ Alrenous
ReplyDeleteI own a paint store. Man do I get taxed and regulated by the city. But I do what I gotta do. You can't feed your kids with ideological bromides. If I was still a single man with no dependents that would be a different story. I'm not judging anyone I just saying that's how I see it.
Yes, I avoid acquiring dependants for that exact reason.
ReplyDeleteSo, Alrenous, you are allowing the State to determine whether you procreate, and how you make a living, and are then telling us how you don't suck up to government?
ReplyDeleteYou don't think you suck up to government at a "job"?
Interesting. Also, I wonder how you know about what business owners face if you've never tried to start one? Not trying to be overly-critical, just observing some glaring inconstancy in thought.
By the way, in many ways a family is the antithesis of the coercive state.
Kent you'll get through this-hang in there.
The job provides some insulation.
ReplyDeleteThe State in fact has the power to determine whether it is worthwhile for me to procreate and which ways it is overall profitable for me to make a living. If I deny they have that power, I'll only hurt myself.
"Also, I wonder how you know about what business owners face if you've never tried to start one?"
People keep asking me this. How do you know research doesn't work when you've never tried it?
I used to take this seriously. It turns out my researching methods are ludicrously reliable.
"Not trying to be overly-critical, just observing some glaring inconstancy in thought."
I appreciate it. I certainly don't want to think inconsistently. I may not notice if nobody forces me to defend myself.
"By the way, in many ways a family is the antithesis of the coercive state."
In practice, my research indicates the exact opposite. Families COULD be that antithesis, but it's a long and respectable British tradition to make them mini-States. Antithesis only in that they're competitors to the sovereign State.