Concrete Galoshes for the Competition

When I build my time machine, I'll make a stop at the Constitutional Convention in 1787 in Philadelphia and whisper the following sentence into a few ears:

Except for the powers explicitly granted herein, Congress shall make no law interfering with free trade among the People.

Boy, would this have saved a lot of trouble. We could have stopped the meddlers, tinkerers and do-gooders in one swoop. Nipped all their mischief in the bud.

But, alas, this text is not to be found in the Constitution. Instead, after years of meddling, we have sufficient precedent for government (federal or state) to do anything that a lobbyist can dream up. All we need is an elected official in need of a few votes (or money) and a little confused about the original ideals of our nation and anything goes. Happens every day.

Why do car manufacturers not sell their product directly to the consumer? Why do health insurance companies not offer the same products in all 50 states? Why are private companies not allowed to compete with US Postal Service in letter delivery? Why is there a substantial tariff on imported agricultural products like sugar and beef? Why do microbreweries have production quotas in some states? Why are certain professions allowed to limit the number of people in that profession (doctors, lawyers, realtors, plumbers, electricians, hair dressers, taxi drivers ...) through licensing?

As a computer guy, I think the geeks should form a union and hire a lobbyist to get our fair share of the pie. Today, people install software and hook up printers on their own without the guidance of an IT professional. Imagine the benefits and efficiencies if they had an expert perform this work for them ... think how much better off people would be with properly maintained computers.

Yes, let's make it illegal to repair or upgrade your PC on your own.

Maybe our spokesperson (time to sweeten the pot for the liberals) could be from a minority group, someone with a diverse background who worked their way up through an unfair society to become an IT success story. Maybe our lobbyist could even be transgendered or come from a broken home. Works tirelessly to bring computers to poor children in the inner city. Gives great speeches. Inspiring.

Then things will change!

We'll limit the number of people who can be licensed to repair computers and we'll finally get the compensation we deserve. And society will benefit from having better computer technology. Or at least the ones that can afford it.

Which will lead us to the next phase ... because we have raised the cost of computer services, many people will not be able to afford computer care so we'll experience a backlash. IT service is a right! The Digital Divide must be bridged! But, instead of removing the government restrictions there will be a call for government takeover of IT services. The free market has had its chance and it has failed. In this day and age, computer technology is too important to be left to the capitalists!

This is what is commonly known as progress.