How fair would it be if the government told you that you could not open a business unless all the current business owners in your industry approved your application?  That is the way it is in the State of Oregon as of June 2008. I read the following article - "Regulation of Oregon Moving Industry Challenged" and then confirmed it with an employee from the state.

Here are my CliffsNotes --

* Portland State College Student started a moving business - 2Brothers Moving & Delivery.

* Operated without the required license -- ooops.

* (In cities over 10,000) the state license application process notifies all existing moving companies of the new application.

* If any one of the existing moving companies protest the application, then the applicant must prove the current companies are not meeting the needs of the public. I am told that is a very difficult argument to win. (Humm, talk about the fox guarding the hen house.)

* Pacific Legal Foundation has filed a lawsuit against the State of Oregon claiming the state is restricting market entry for potential moving service providers.

Nobel Prize winner Milton Friedman has to be rolling in his grave on this one. So much for the "Free To Choose" open marketplace that he espoused in the 80s.

I understand the state's concern to protect the public interest, but I am amazed that in 2008 there are such restrictions in the moving industry.