ANCAPS support the pro-free trade holiday: August 20th is Lemonade Freedom Day

When life gives you lemons…start a new holiday.

This Saturday is Lemonade Freedom Day – a day that will, alas, probably not be remembered in the history books. Robert Fernandes is the man behind the new “citrusy liberty celebration” as Katherine Mangu-Ward styles it. He offers this advice on his website for young beverage entrepreneurs facing the long arm of the regulator:

Always be respectful of any officials, follow their instructions even if they are wrong, and do not antagonize them.
Ask what is the statute or regulation that gives them the authority to shut down the stand, and what are the grounds for doing so.
Ask if the law or regulation specifically empowers them to shut down the stand or merely issue tickets for violations, especially a first violation.
Ask the officer if there are any exceptions in the rule for businesses owned and operated by minors, or businesses that earn below a certain amount (which may be referred to in the law or regulations as “de minimus”).
Ask to see the law or regulation.
Get the officer’s name and badge number, or if not a police officer, the official’s name, agency or department, and job title.
If possible, record the entire interaction on video (even if just a cell phone). *Please be aware of your state’s laws in regards to recording public officials. In some states it may be illegal.*
Do not offer the officials anything (including free lemonade) to overlook the violation.
Again, always be respectful of any officials, follow their instructions even if they are wrong, and do not antagonize them.

This seems like sound enough advice. You should also report any incident to local media and to bloggers. Light is the best disinfectant and all (though lemons are a natural disinfectant as well, come to think of it…)

Read more about the War on Lemonade Stands going on across the country: http://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2011/08/03/the-inexplicable-war-on-lemonade-stands/

http://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2011/08/17/august-20th-is-lemonade-freedom-day/

ANCAPS support the pro-free trade holiday: August 20th is Lemonade Freedom Day

ANCAPS support the pro-free trade holiday: August 20th is Lemonade Freedom Day

Anarcho-Capitalist Categorical Imperatives

AnCaps' Laissez-faire Free Trade Zone