Government versus Mafia
I was thinking this morning about the latest Abbott order closing bars in the State of Texas. I was struck by the similarities between government and organized crime. Take a trip of fancy with me.
If you are in a town with no law and you wish to open a bar, you build or buy and building and purchase some inventory. You come up with a name. You hire some people to work for you. Maybe you put up a big sign announcing GRAND OPENING! You take out an ad in the local newspaper, maybe buy some time on a local radio or TV station announcing your business and its opening date and time! Man, you are excited!
The next day an old man smoking a fat cigar stops by accompanied by a shoulder striker, and introduces himself as the local don. He explains you will need to pay some protection money (license fee) to do business in this town. In addition, there will be a cut of the proceeds (taxes) that will be paid to his organization (government) in order to continue in business.
Now, that is not right, is it? Wow. We need some law and order around here.
We will make the intellectual jump from the world of lawlessness and into the world of civilization and law and order.
POOF!!!
We are in the civilized world of law and order. Easy and quick transition!
Now, you are interested in starting a bar in the law abiding town. Before building, buying or renting a building, you must check the zoning regulations to make certain you are allowed to open a bar where you wish.
Ok, that is out of the way. Now, you must apply for tax numbers at both the state and federal governments (in some places the town as well). Got that done. Now, you have to apply for a license (protection) in order to do business. The mafia don does not come to collect the fee and application, it is on you to find the proper office, find out which paperwork is necessary and to get it filled out properly and to return it with the fee (protection money). Now, you wait to be "approved". Your background will be checked and a stylish period of time will be wasted while you wait and incur cost with no revenue. If and when you are approved, the state will send you your licence proclaiming to the world you have paid your protection money and have fulfilled the requirements of the state. Now, and only now, you can open your doors. Make CERTAIN that all of your liquor bottles have a tax stamp and that you deface them when the bottles are empty!!!
Now you are doing business. You must calculate, save and remit your taxes as mandated and defined by the state. Do not miss a tax payment or the taxman (mafia don) will close you down. Make certain you remit the taxes on time or you will be fined. If you are too tardy, the man will order you to close your business. If you refuse, you will be raided and you will be arrested. You will be tried in a court owned and run by the same folks that have accused you of breaking THEIR rules.
Now to add to your headaches, you are responsible for the adults that come into your establishment and consume adult beverages. You cannot tie them up, arrest them or confine them in any way. But, if they leave and get in an accident, you are somehow responsible.
Wow, what a fun way to do business!!
Ooopsssss..... Here comes coronavirus! The head of the state government, the governor (mafia don) decides you are closed. Even though you have paid your protection money and taxes (mafia cut). You are closed. No income. Costs continue. Income stops. For how long? Who knows? What are you supposed to do to make a living?
The reality is, in this case. the various governments are worse than the mafia. The mafia wants you to stay open so they can continue to steal your money. Government steals your money and is not smart enough to leave you open so you can pay it.
Join me at open the states to fight this criminal activity.
If you are in a town with no law and you wish to open a bar, you build or buy and building and purchase some inventory. You come up with a name. You hire some people to work for you. Maybe you put up a big sign announcing GRAND OPENING! You take out an ad in the local newspaper, maybe buy some time on a local radio or TV station announcing your business and its opening date and time! Man, you are excited!
The next day an old man smoking a fat cigar stops by accompanied by a shoulder striker, and introduces himself as the local don. He explains you will need to pay some protection money (license fee) to do business in this town. In addition, there will be a cut of the proceeds (taxes) that will be paid to his organization (government) in order to continue in business.
Now, that is not right, is it? Wow. We need some law and order around here.
We will make the intellectual jump from the world of lawlessness and into the world of civilization and law and order.
POOF!!!
We are in the civilized world of law and order. Easy and quick transition!
Now, you are interested in starting a bar in the law abiding town. Before building, buying or renting a building, you must check the zoning regulations to make certain you are allowed to open a bar where you wish.
Ok, that is out of the way. Now, you must apply for tax numbers at both the state and federal governments (in some places the town as well). Got that done. Now, you have to apply for a license (protection) in order to do business. The mafia don does not come to collect the fee and application, it is on you to find the proper office, find out which paperwork is necessary and to get it filled out properly and to return it with the fee (protection money). Now, you wait to be "approved". Your background will be checked and a stylish period of time will be wasted while you wait and incur cost with no revenue. If and when you are approved, the state will send you your licence proclaiming to the world you have paid your protection money and have fulfilled the requirements of the state. Now, and only now, you can open your doors. Make CERTAIN that all of your liquor bottles have a tax stamp and that you deface them when the bottles are empty!!!
Now you are doing business. You must calculate, save and remit your taxes as mandated and defined by the state. Do not miss a tax payment or the taxman (mafia don) will close you down. Make certain you remit the taxes on time or you will be fined. If you are too tardy, the man will order you to close your business. If you refuse, you will be raided and you will be arrested. You will be tried in a court owned and run by the same folks that have accused you of breaking THEIR rules.
Now to add to your headaches, you are responsible for the adults that come into your establishment and consume adult beverages. You cannot tie them up, arrest them or confine them in any way. But, if they leave and get in an accident, you are somehow responsible.
Wow, what a fun way to do business!!
Ooopsssss..... Here comes coronavirus! The head of the state government, the governor (mafia don) decides you are closed. Even though you have paid your protection money and taxes (mafia cut). You are closed. No income. Costs continue. Income stops. For how long? Who knows? What are you supposed to do to make a living?
The reality is, in this case. the various governments are worse than the mafia. The mafia wants you to stay open so they can continue to steal your money. Government steals your money and is not smart enough to leave you open so you can pay it.
Join me at open the states to fight this criminal activity.
posted by nappy at 9:45 AM
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