Licensing

Interest Groups

Interest Groups

While the FSP is looking for activists who support liberty for all, we can find libertarians in many different communities of ignterest, each with its own priorities and reasons for valuing freedom. It makes sense for some members of these communities to interface with their own, since they are more likely to empathize and speak the same language, figuratively speaking. This has been going on informally since the FSP's inception, but we are formalizing it a little.

Below is a list of interest groups and people assigned as liaisons. The list is not exhaustive, and the people are not exclusive. We ask that the liaisons make efforts to reach out to their communities, and we ask that anyone else doing so keep the liaisons informed, so as to coordinate activities.

Feel free to suggest additional interest groups, especially if you are willing to volunteer as a liaison yourself, if you believe that connecting with them will help further the FSP mission. Please send any feedback to the Coordinator: Wade Bartlett.

Also, you can visit the Interest Group Liaisons discussion board in the FSP Forum.

Mike Fisher

News on Mike Fisher

On May 9, 2005, Mike Fisher, an FSP participant, violated NH's licensing laws at the State Board of Barbering, Cosmetology, and Esthetics in Concord.

The purpose of the event was "to call attention to the State's intrusive and unnecessary licensing restrictions on entry-level workers and entrepreneurs in many industries," according to Fisher, the activist heading up the effort through the NH Underground. "In a free country, people do not need permission to start a business. We are no longer free to make a living without government approval."

It is a misdemeanor in New Hampshire to sell services such as manicures, haircuts, or massages without a license. These licensing laws were expanded in January to include all tanning businesses.

This event has received much media attention. Here are several references to media and other coverage:

• Cartoon from the 5/19/05 Monadnock Shopper.

• Threads on the FSP Forum here and here.

• Cartoon from the Union Leader.

• TV news coverage from WMUR. Also available in Real Media (3Mb) and AVI (6Mb) formats.

• A video interview with Mike Fisher. (Coming soon).

• Google links to many media articles.

• Coverage at the New Hampshire Underground.

• Overregulation is a slippery slope - Letter to the Editor by J Kelly Halldorson. (6/5/05)

• Manicure laws are unconstitutional - Letter to the Editory by Dave Ridley. (6/15/05)

• Nailing Free Enterprise (8/16/05)

• Institute for Justice (9/10/05)