Children selling lemonade apparently poses a bigger threat to communities than liberal activists protesters.
Local officials are finally cracking down on Occupy encampments across the nation after allowing protesters to set up make-shift campgrounds for almost two months, disrupting traffic and commerce, and creating a sanitation and health crisis. By permitting protesters to "occupy" city parks with little interference, the encampments have become ground zero for crime and violence including shootings, rapes, assault, battery and drug use.
While authorities have been slow to respond to Occupy protesters, they quickly snuffed out rogue lemonade stands that popped up during the summer for violating local regulations and ordinances. For decades children have gained their first business experience running lemonade stands in their neighborhoods. A portable table, a simple sign, paper cups and a pitcher of lemonade is all that was needed for kids to earn extra money on a sultry summer day.
Local officials are finally cracking down on Occupy encampments across the nation after allowing protesters to set up make-shift campgrounds for almost two months, disrupting traffic and commerce, and creating a sanitation and health crisis. By permitting protesters to "occupy" city parks with little interference, the encampments have become ground zero for crime and violence including shootings, rapes, assault, battery and drug use.
While authorities have been slow to respond to Occupy protesters, they quickly snuffed out rogue lemonade stands that popped up during the summer for violating local regulations and ordinances. For decades children have gained their first business experience running lemonade stands in their neighborhoods. A portable table, a simple sign, paper cups and a pitcher of lemonade is all that was needed for kids to earn extra money on a sultry summer day.
But there is a growing trend of local officials cracking down on this innocent childhood past time for failing to obtain business, health and vending permits. In virtually every case, the cost of permits would greatly exceed any revenue brought in. For a map showing examples of the war on lemonade stands, click here.
If lemonade stands warrant being shut down, why have authorities tolerated the Occupy invasions? Do lemonade stands violate more local laws that Occupy encampments? Are economic repercussions greater for businesses located by a lemonade stand or located by an Occupy protests? How do safety and health risks for lemonade stand patrons compare to risks for Occupy protesters? Is selling lemonade less respectable than beating up war veterans and defecating on police cars?
It's ludicrous to enforce regulations to discourage productivity while ignoring regulations that encourage unproductivity. Why penalize kids who want to make money while coddling Occupy protesters who want to take money?
The Occupy Movement has expanded to more than 100 cities across the country despite having a nebulous charter and demands. On Occupywallst.org it says the movement "aims to expose how the richest 1% of people are writing the rules of an unfair global economy that is foreclosing on our future." Basically, Occupy protesters feel entitled to the same standard of living their parents earned through hard work and sacrifice.
Instead of blaming others' success for their plight, perhaps Occupy protesters should adopt the entrepreneurial spirit of kids who sell lemonade and use capitalism to create their own American dream. Just don't forget to obtain the proper permits.
The Occupy Movement has expanded to more than 100 cities across the country despite having a nebulous charter and demands. On Occupywallst.org it says the movement "aims to expose how the richest 1% of people are writing the rules of an unfair global economy that is foreclosing on our future." Basically, Occupy protesters feel entitled to the same standard of living their parents earned through hard work and sacrifice.
Instead of blaming others' success for their plight, perhaps Occupy protesters should adopt the entrepreneurial spirit of kids who sell lemonade and use capitalism to create their own American dream. Just don't forget to obtain the proper permits.
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