And the fact that "lawyers can lose their licenses to practice if they dare to defend PMAs" shows that licensing is another type of regulation that is not operating for its stated intended purpose. Licensed lawyers are not necessarily more qualified nor more ethical than anyone else. And the licensing bodies do not ensure anything other than that the average Joe is very unlikely to win against huge corporations or government entities like the health department.
100%. This is one of the most important messages to get across: Licensing DOES NOT PROTECT US! It protects entrenched interests, and it is detrimental to the interests of everyone else. Deadly, even. That's it. End of story.
"the state has withdrawn the suit in its entirety"
Unfortunately this is not a win but a postponement. The 'micromanager caste' never surrenders, they simply engage in strategic retreat. The suit was withdrawn because they thought they would lose, which would have set a precedent against them. They will now wait for the right time (and / or the right judge) to try again.
No, they are not the same thing, although a CSA could in principle also be a PMA.
A PMA is just a legal structure that puts a "business" entity into the private domain. It only serves members, not the general public, and as such is not under the jurisdiction of licensing law and other regulations that apply to public accommodations.
This is indeed very good news!
And the fact that "lawyers can lose their licenses to practice if they dare to defend PMAs" shows that licensing is another type of regulation that is not operating for its stated intended purpose. Licensed lawyers are not necessarily more qualified nor more ethical than anyone else. And the licensing bodies do not ensure anything other than that the average Joe is very unlikely to win against huge corporations or government entities like the health department.
100%. This is one of the most important messages to get across: Licensing DOES NOT PROTECT US! It protects entrenched interests, and it is detrimental to the interests of everyone else. Deadly, even. That's it. End of story.
"the state has withdrawn the suit in its entirety"
Unfortunately this is not a win but a postponement. The 'micromanager caste' never surrenders, they simply engage in strategic retreat. The suit was withdrawn because they thought they would lose, which would have set a precedent against them. They will now wait for the right time (and / or the right judge) to try again.
"Eternal vigilance."
Yes, correct. But the good news is that they recognized they didn't have a case.
...hopefully this will be a signal to other govt agencies who are tempted to go after PMAs.
Playing dirty is what they do.
Joel wrote: "Certainly one of the most important elements of freedom is the freedom to operate outside the governmental space."
This is indeed practically the definition of 'freedom': being free of government interference, free of the whims of unaccountable bureaucrats.
Is a PMA the same thing as a CSA?
P.S. I taught high school civics and economics, and I included multiple perspectives on what the regulatory state does.
Good for you!
No, they are not the same thing, although a CSA could in principle also be a PMA.
A PMA is just a legal structure that puts a "business" entity into the private domain. It only serves members, not the general public, and as such is not under the jurisdiction of licensing law and other regulations that apply to public accommodations.
Thanks for explaining that!