The dream vs. the reality
So, you made it, you've arrived, and you have a dream. You had heard that there is land here, there is space here, there is opportunity here. You heard that the possibilities are basically endless if you just try hard enough.
Well, that's not quite true any more. The streets are not paved with gold-I had heard this as a child as well. Opportunity does exist, but it will cost you. We're no longer talking just the sacrafice of your time, effort and sweat-it costs money to be successful now. You basically have to bribe the government to let you do business by agreeing to give them up to half of your business' earnings, and that's if you're lucky enough to wade thru the sea of paperwork required before you can open the front door.
You actually don't have ultimate control over as much as you'd think-your business must accomodate government's rules first, then the 'rights' of your employees and customers. You can still pick the paint on the walls, but be careful naming the place, because if the name is already being used by another business, you may be getting sued.
You will need a tax payer identification number for your business. That's like a social security number for your company. You will need business permits from the city, county or even the state, depending on your business and which actual state you're in. You'd better read up on the rules and regulations-what temperature should hot food idle at according the fed? Why can't I open a gas station on this block? Do I have the right to keep anyone I want out of my store? Want to sell beer or wine? Need a special permit. Want to sell sake and whiskey? Need a different type of permit. Want to hire only buxom blonds? You'd better prepare for a lawsuit from the burnette with the A-cups. The list of rules and regulations is mindboggling, and all permits and licences can be obtained only for a fee. Freedom my foot.
Religious and cultural freedom are more accessable than financial profit. In our politically correct world, purple hair and noserings and tattoes and exposed bodies and burkas and even swastikas no longer solicit any response from most people. Some are too busy to notice, but I think most people who do notice actually don't care. After all, it's your right to look any way you want, to think and believe as you wish, and to show the rest of us how 'different' you are. In our society, different is good, and currently we are at the height of celebrating our differences. I can hardly wait until this trend is over, though. I much preferred the seventies, when we were celebrating our sameness, our commonality.
So welcome, and feel free to 'let it all hang out'. Just don't expect to make a lot of money without going into debt first and then having to climb out of it. And remember, you can't just 'do as you dreamed of' without a license, a permit, and a note from your mo--oops, government.