Free Enterprise (We Haven't Got It)


© Bert Markgraf

No, Virginia. Despite what people tell you, there is no free enterprise in the United States (or Canada). We have considerable freedom as individuals but, start a business and you're not free to do as you want. For the principles of true free enterprise, as well as a critique, look here. The smaller your business, the more you can rely on your freedom as an individual but once you're successful and start growing, watch out.

As an unincorporated one-person operation, you are almost unregulated. So you do your marketing, you've got a great product, the orders start pouring in and you can't handle the work. You need help.

If at all possible, it will be to your advantage to postpone becoming an employer and start by hiring contract workers. Your savings on the cost of unemployment insurance, pensions, medical benefits and worker's compensation will probably go towards higher hourly rates but, more important, you won't have to worry about administering this mess. To see how such dastardly exploitation of the workers is playing out in the high tech industry, look here.

So you decide to go the contract workers route and hire some. In a free enterprise system you could find a suitable candidate and negotiate a contract to say that he would come in to your office, work under your supervision and be paid so much per week. But, in most jurisdictions in North America, such a worker would automatically be classified as an employee. For an example of such regulations, look here. This document will allow you to tailor your contracts so that you will not suddenly become an employer with unexpected liabilities.

Of course, as far as free enterprise is concerned, as soon as you leave your individual freedom niche of unincorporated one-person operation, you can forget it.

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Here's the follow-up discussion on this article: View all related messages

20.   Feb 18, 1998 7:57 PM
No, I cant stand that Liberal bunch over there on their "Higher than me" pedestals! It brings my blood pressure up.

-- posted by Karin


19.   Feb 16, 1998 5:55 PM
I thought this thread had died and been buried (deservedly) but here some new-comers have dug it up again. Karin, I think you'd have fun over in

-- posted by Bert


18.   Feb 14, 1998 8:07 PM
Free Enterprise- You hire persons hourly, they bring their own equipment or tools. Are they independent Contractors ? Yes. You dont pay S.S. or Health-insurance. ...

-- posted by Karin


17.   Feb 14, 1998 7:36 PM
Buddy Tillery
Wow! I just joined up, and subquently read the
fore going debate! What fun! Where did everyone
go? More, I say! Les' start some GUD stuff and
get the ole' corpustles moving!
Did ...

-- posted by BuddyT


16.   Feb 13, 1998 8:16 PM
Is this "SMALL BUSINESS" thread all about politics? I have lived under communistic rule in East Germany and hope never to have to experience this lifestyle again.We escaped from the Russian occupation ...

-- posted by Karin





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