Exploring the (Il)logic
28 May 2007
Editor, Washington Times
To the Editor:
So the DC government now prohibits persons and businesses located outside of the District from registering taxicabs in the District ("D.C. cab law would rule out 80% of taxis," May 28). The goal, I presume, is to "create" jobs for DC citizens by "protecting" them from having to compete with non-DC citizens.
Inspired! But why stop with cabs? Imagine the jobs and prosperity that Mayor Fenty and the DC Council would create if they prohibit non-DC residents also from selling in the District the likes of vegetables, coffee, wine, books, clothing, furniture, artworks, computers, medical care, legal advice - the list is long. Doesn't consistency require that the DC government apply to all goods and services the economic principle that it now applies to taxi service?
Sincerely,
Donald J. Boudreaux
Chairman, Department of Economics
George Mason University
Editor, Washington Times
To the Editor:
So the DC government now prohibits persons and businesses located outside of the District from registering taxicabs in the District ("D.C. cab law would rule out 80% of taxis," May 28). The goal, I presume, is to "create" jobs for DC citizens by "protecting" them from having to compete with non-DC citizens.
Inspired! But why stop with cabs? Imagine the jobs and prosperity that Mayor Fenty and the DC Council would create if they prohibit non-DC residents also from selling in the District the likes of vegetables, coffee, wine, books, clothing, furniture, artworks, computers, medical care, legal advice - the list is long. Doesn't consistency require that the DC government apply to all goods and services the economic principle that it now applies to taxi service?
Sincerely,
Donald J. Boudreaux
Chairman, Department of Economics
George Mason University
Posted by Don Boudreaux on
Tuesday January 15, 2008 at 10:10am