Let a thousand floral arrangements bloom.
Louisiana has just abolished the “demonstration” section of the state’s licensing exam for florists. The new law came in response to a lawsuit by florists working with the Institute for Justice. IJ argued that the four-hour demonstration requirement was “arbitrary, subjective and antiquated,” and allowed state-licensed florists to determine the fate of their future competitors.
The outcome represents yet another victory for the “merry band of libertarian litigators” who regularly do battle “in the courts of law and in the court of public opinion on behalf of individuals whose most basic rights are denied by the government. . . .”
Founded in 1991, the Institute for Justice has successfully fought to lift caps on the number of licensed taxis in Minneapolis; eliminate laws around the country that prevent competition in every kind of occupation, from animal husbandry and interior design to hair braiding and pest control; restore freedom of speech undermined by vague and arbitrary campaign finance regulation in Florida and enemies of property rights in Tennessee; protect businessmen and home owners from eminent domain abuse in Arizona and Ohio.
IJ’s many successful efforts to defend the rights of individuals are having a major impact. Looking back over the many installments of Common Sense, I find that I mention this group’s work again and again.
With good reason. They keep fighting the good fight, and winning.
This is Common Sense. I’m Paul Jacob.
3 replies on “Hooray for IJ”
[…] I join Paul Jacob in celebrating and applauding the great word done by the Institute for Justice. […]
[…] Common Sense with Paul Jacob – Brought to You by Citizens in Charge Foundation » Archive » Hooray … thisiscommonsense.com/?p=5916 – view page – cached Louisiana has just abolished the “demonstration” section of the state’s licensing exam for florists. The new law came in response to a lawsuit by florists working with the Institute for Justice. IJ argued that the four-hour demonstration requirement was “arbitrary, subjective and antiquated,” and allowed state-licensed florists to determine the fate of their future competitors. Tweets about this link […]
The good thing about this group and libertarians in particular, is that they are for freedom, which is the opposite of statism. Freedom is a very popular idea, except for those who a) want to control others and b) those who want to use government to live off of others.