SUBWAY Founder Slams Regulations: 'If I Started Today, SUBWAY Would Not Exist

[green73]

[video]

SIMON HOBBS, CNBC: You know, it's 13 years since you wrote the book Start Small, Finish Big, which was about grassroots entrepreneurship. Do you think the environment for those chasing the American dream by setting up their own business has gotten worse or better in those 13 years?

FRED DELUCA, SUBWAY FOUNDER: It's continuously gotten worse because there's more and more regulations and it's tougher for people to get into business, especially a small business. I tell you, if I started Subway today, Subway would not exist, because I had an easy time of it in the '60s when I started and I just see a continuous increase in regulation.


http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2013/02/27/subway_founder_if_i_started_subway_today_subway_wo uld_not_exist.html

[lx43]

I've heard many business owner's including me and some in my family members say the same thing about having not started the businesses we have because of the huge taxation and regulations we face at the federal/state/local level.

[Michigan11]

Yeah most small businesses can't even be replicated today. That's why there's basically just retail nonsense opening and closing the next day inside strip malls. It's too damn expensive hiring employees any longer as well, yet some businesses need an employee or a few to even operate, but almost every business owner will say they wished they didn't even need employees, or wish they could find a business that doesn't require an employee. The regulations are a whole other thing, that basically increase year over year, and owners become employees of the government filling out all of the bullshit involved and following their rules. It's beyond time this country hits the reset button. There is absolutely no way this country will ever see boom times again til you get the government off the peoples backs.

[green73]

I've heard many business owner's including me and some in my family members say the same thing about having not started the businesses we have because of the huge taxation and regulations we face at the federal/state/local level.

Rothbard teaches that this is the sole reason regulations were brought about.

[Working Poor]

Regulations damn them to hell

[acptulsa]

This may be our single most important message and selling point. The economy is the way it is because of Washington, D.C. If it weren't for that problem, American Enterprise would be what it always was.

[heavenlyboy34]

IIRC, Subway started during a FED and war-fueled boom. Not a fair comparison, IMO.

[green73]

IIRC, Subway started during a FED and war-fueled boom. Not a fair comparison, IMO.

oh would you shut up?

[acptulsa]

IIRC, Subway started during a FED and war-fueled boom. Not a fair comparison, IMO.

Eating establishments were founded during the Great Depression. Working people still have to eat lunch, regardless of the state of the economy.

It isn't the economy. It's the regulations. And the regulations are responsible for the state of the economy.

[heavenlyboy34]

oh would you shut up? http://cdn.memegenerator.net/instances/400x/29853605.jpg

Sometimes it feels like junior high in here.:rolleyes:

[green73]

Sometimes i feel like there's a real big assburger everywhere.

[Origanalist]

How many people do not have jobs because of the government? I can tell you from experience, it's one hell of a lot.

That's ok, EBT cards for everyone!

[heavenlyboy34]

Sometimes i feel like there's a real big assburger everywhere.
lolz :D

[HOLLYWOOD]

WTF is wrong with Americans? Doesn't the CEO of Subway realize Washington DC is the Muppets of Fascism in harmony with Big Trusts; Banksters, Media, Corporations...

The whole idea is to ensure no up-and-comer takes a slice of THEIR pie. The Pie that buys all those spineless traitors inside the DC Beltway.

Look at the amount of money spent on the political prostitutes through the money laundering frontmen called lobyist... It's Billions: http://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/top.php?indexType=l

[emazur]

Home Depot co-founder said the same thing a couple years ago:


Marcus: The U.S. government. Having built a small business into a big one, I can tell you that today the impediments that the government imposes are impossible to deal with. Home Depot would never have succeeded if we'd tried to start it today. Every day you see rules and regulations from a group of Washington bureaucrats who know nothing about running a business. And I mean every day. It's become stifling.

Read More At IBD: Home Depot Co-Founder: Obama Is Choking Recovery - Investors.com http://news.investors.com/072011-578920-marcus-home-truths-on-jobs.aspx#ixzz2MAehMhrn
Follow us: @IBDinvestors on Twitter | InvestorsBusinessDaily on Facebook

[Brian4Liberty]

How many people do not have jobs because of the government? I can tell you from experience, it's one hell of a lot.

That's ok, EBT cards for everyone!

Nearly everyone I know now works for the government, after being forced out of the private sector.

[Rothbardian Girl]

Well, of course not. But you can't tell me these people aren't happy about regulations shutting down their competition.

[Lucille]

We own a small business (since '88) and neither would ours. DH said yesterday that he feels like he's living Atlas Shrugged. The hours in one day that he has to deal with (unbelievably rude) bureaucrats who produce nothing and do nothing but jam him up all day long, slowing down production.


Eating establishments were founded during the Great Depression. Working people still have to eat lunch, regardless of the state of the economy.

It isn't the economy. It's the regulations. And the regulations are responsible for the state of the economy.

Yup.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQscE3Xed64

http://sayanythingblog.com/files/2013/02/021313jobs-600x373.jpg

http://sayanythingblog.com/entry/american-entrepreneurship-is-dying/

"That's what governments are for... get in a man's way."
--Mal

[shane77m]

If there is a financial collapse does anyone think there will be an increase in small businesses?
I mean people saying screw the taxes and regulations, I need to feed my family.

In my mind if there is a collapse and the government can't function then there would not be anyone to enforce those taxes and regulations. I don't have the best grasp on the whole situation. Just some things I think about.

[jbauer]

If there is a financial collapse does anyone think there will be an increase in small businesses?
I mean people saying screw the taxes and regulations, I need to feed my family.

In my mind if there is a collapse and the government can't function then there would not be anyone to enforce those taxes and regulations. I don't have the best grasp on the whole situation. Just some things I think about.

Um...thats happening all around you. There are a TON of people who have started to employ themselves (maybe not others) since 2008

[enjerth]

By our many cooperations, we find ourselves overcome by prosperity....

...oh, wait a sec... you can't do that! We are a nation of LAWS! RESPECT OR DIE!

[enjerth]

"Christian" nations are so funny.

[shane77m]

Um...thats happening all around you. There are a TON of people who have started to employ themselves (maybe not others) since 2008

I thought there was a pole that said around 90% of Americans don't believe in cheating on their taxes? :p

[UWDude]

I am in the process of starting my own business. It's fun, and I am meeting tons of people who have done the same.
All that regulation crap... ..who cares?

I saw a guy on Youtube recently talk about the new mantra of Americans regarding the government:

"I ignore you"
I think it is a powerful movement, and I think it is swelling. Fuck their licenses, taxes, etc. Nobody cares what the government has to say. They are all a bunch of inept buffoons anyway. They are too busy trolling facebook to actually do any enforcing of these codes and regulations. Want to start a business? Craigs list, Ebay, local fairs, farmers markets... ...just find the local people and work with them. They care about conforming to taxes and regulations about as much as you do.

Also note that there was a backlash against the industrial revolution, the cottage industry. People started to just do things themselves again, and handmade items made a comeback.

Fact is, there is no need to purchase anything anymore, really. Utilitarian objects are starting to lose their luster, and handcrafted, locally produced goods and services are making a comeback, because locally produced goods and services are making a comeback. See how that works? People all over the place are going into business for themselves, and because they are doing so, they are only spending their income on other local businesses. Doing this also encourages barter, which leaves very little, if any paper trail.

You need friends, not FRN's, to get your breaks fixed, or a tattoo, or help constructing your shop, or painting done.

[BAllen]

I am in the process of starting my own business. It's fun, and I am meeting tons of people who have done the same.
All that regulation crap... ..who cares?

I saw a guy on Youtube recently talk about the new mantra of Americans regarding the government:

"I ignore you"
I think it is a powerful movement, and I think it is swelling. Fuck their licenses, taxes, etc. Nobody cares what the government has to say. They are all a bunch of inept buffoons anyway. They are too busy trolling facebook to actually do any enforcing of these codes and regulations. Want to start a business? Craigs list, Ebay, local fairs, farmers markets... ...just find the local people and work with them. They care about conforming to taxes and regulations about as much as you do.

Also note that there was a backlash against the industrial revolution, the cottage industry. People started to just do things themselves again, and handmade items made a comeback.

Fact is, there is no need to purchase anything anymore, really. Utilitarian objects are starting to lose their luster, and handcrafted, locally produced goods and services are making a comeback, because locally produced goods and services are making a comeback. See how that works? People all over the place are going into business for themselves, and because they are doing so, they are only spending their income on other local businesses. Doing this also encourages barter, which leaves very little, if any paper trail.

You need friends, not FRN's, to get your breaks fixed, or a tattoo, or help constructing your shop, or painting done.

Good points!

[shane77m]

I am in the process of starting my own business. It's fun, and I am meeting tons of people who have done the same.
All that regulation crap... ..who cares?

I saw a guy on Youtube recently talk about the new mantra of Americans regarding the government:

"I ignore you"
I think it is a powerful movement, and I think it is swelling. Fuck their licenses, taxes, etc. Nobody cares what the government has to say.

Now that is what I am talking about. People starting their own business and ignoring the government.

[awake]

Which begs the question: how much of the future has been stolen away thanks to government? What things would you have seen and been able to do if slave-rment had not existed.

[LibForestPaul]

I am in the process of starting my own business. It's fun, and I am meeting tons of people who have done the same.
All that regulation crap... ..who cares?

I saw a guy on Youtube recently talk about the new mantra of Americans regarding the government:

"I ignore you"
I think it is a powerful movement, and I think it is swelling. Fuck their licenses, taxes, etc. Nobody cares what the government has to say. They are all a bunch of inept buffoons anyway. They are too busy trolling facebook to actually do any enforcing of these codes and regulations. Want to start a business? Craigs list, Ebay, local fairs, farmers markets... ...just find the local people and work with them. They care about conforming to taxes and regulations about as much as you do.

Also note that there was a backlash against the industrial revolution, the cottage industry. People started to just do things themselves again, and handmade items made a comeback.

Fact is, there is no need to purchase anything anymore, really. Utilitarian objects are starting to lose their luster, and handcrafted, locally produced goods and services are making a comeback, because locally produced goods and services are making a comeback. See how that works? People all over the place are going into business for themselves, and because they are doing so, they are only spending their income on other local businesses. Doing this also encourages barter, which leaves very little, if any paper trail.

You need friends, not FRN's, to get your breaks fixed, or a tattoo, or help constructing your shop, or painting done.

When you get noticed, and get a boot up your @ss let me know hot it is ignoring the thugs with badges.

[UWDude]

When you get noticed, and get a boot up your @ss let me know hot it is ignoring the thugs with badges.

I won't get noticed. I doubt I'll ever make enough to get noticed. I'm not in it to get rich, I'm in it to not get rich enough to ever pay taxes again.

I'd rather be a pauper than pay taxes.

I'd rather be a pauper than work for the man.

[pauljmccain]

I am in the process of starting my own business. It's fun, and I am meeting tons of people who have done the same.
All that regulation crap... ..who cares?

I saw a guy on Youtube recently talk about the new mantra of Americans regarding the government:

"I ignore you"


I own a business that currently employs 11 people, and does well over a million revenue. I completely agree with this. Just do it first, apologize later, and hope you're lucky. I try to follow the law as best I can but it is just stupid how restrictive it is.

Case in point: Missouri sales/use tax license. Basic license every single business needs. It is form 2643:
http://dor.mo.gov/forms/2643.pdf

You are supposed to estimate how much monthly taxable revenue you will have, and multiply it by the average tax rate, which comes to your estimated sales tax liability for three months, which is the amount you have to pay as a bond. It also says:

*If you calculate the amount of bond to be less than $500, you are only required to submit a $25 bond ($500 minimum bond for liquor
sales). If you calculate your bond to be $500 or greater, you should submit the amount of bond figured. The Director of Revenue may
require you to adjust the bond amount to a level satisfactory to cover your tax liabilities or if returns are not filed timely and the taxes fully
paid.

So I walk on in to the tax office (BIG mistake, should have done it online) with my filled-out form and a $25 money order. Since our business is primarily online and B2B, our taxable income was very low. Heck, I had been operating for 5 years with no license.

The lady at the desk is of course a minimum-wage peon, and simply states that my bond has to be $500, because it is a "retail location." I inform her of the nature of the business, and tell her that it is a warehouse in a business park. And even so, the form says nothing about arbitrary changes to the required bond, just adjusting it later if you stop paying. But nope... she says that I have to pay $500.

This luckily wasn't a problem for me since I wasn't just starting the business, but I saw another lady right in front of me (when I came back with the new $500 check) who was trying to do crafts out of her house and got the same thing. Missouri effectively has a $500 tax to start your business.

Ever since then, I just file everything online, ignore most requests for information, and go about my own business. It is really a mess.

[satchelmcqueen]

ive lost 3 in 10 years because of the government interfering.
How many people do not have jobs because of the government? I can tell you from experience, it's one hell of a lot.

That's ok, EBT cards for everyone!

[acptulsa]

ive lost 3 in 10 years because of the government interfering.

The powers that be carry on about us declaring class warfare, but this is all a deliberate transfer of wealth from the poor to the rich, and we did not start it. War was declared, we didn't declare it, and we had better start fighting back or we're going to get licked.

I don't see how we have a choice but to try to fit in between the cracks in their system. And when they start trying to seal up those cracks, well, then the war will escalate and we won't have started the escalation either...

[Origanalist]

ive lost 3 in 10 years because of the government interfering.

I've let go more than that, and that doesn't include the ones I never hired. Why can't people understand this?

[Origanalist]

The powers that be carry on about us declaring class warfare, but this is all a deliberate transfer of wealth from the poor to the rich, and we did not start it. War was declared, we didn't declare it, and we had better start fighting back or we're going to get licked.

I don't see how we have a choice but to try to fit in between the cracks in their system. And when they start trying to seal up those cracks, well, then the war will escalate and we won't have started the escalation either...

It's coming.

[acptulsa]

It's coming.

The more obvious they get, the more of us get sense enough to be pissed...

[lx43]

I am in the process of starting my own business. It's fun, and I am meeting tons of people who have done the same.
All that regulation crap... ..who cares?

I saw a guy on Youtube recently talk about the new mantra of Americans regarding the government:

"I ignore you"
I think it is a powerful movement, and I think it is swelling. Fuck their licenses, taxes, etc. Nobody cares what the government has to say. They are all a bunch of inept buffoons anyway. They are too busy trolling facebook to actually do any enforcing of these codes and regulations. Want to start a business? Craigs list, Ebay, local fairs, farmers markets... ...just find the local people and work with them. They care about conforming to taxes and regulations about as much as you do.

Also note that there was a backlash against the industrial revolution, the cottage industry. People started to just do things themselves again, and handmade items made a comeback.

Fact is, there is no need to purchase anything anymore, really. Utilitarian objects are starting to lose their luster, and handcrafted, locally produced goods and services are making a comeback, because locally produced goods and services are making a comeback. See how that works? People all over the place are going into business for themselves, and because they are doing so, they are only spending their income on other local businesses. Doing this also encourages barter, which leaves very little, if any paper trail.

You need friends, not FRN's, to get your breaks fixed, or a tattoo, or help constructing your shop, or painting done.

I wish it was that simple as you describe above by just ignoring the business destroying Nazi's that make us pay our slave fees and enforce their idiotic regulation with an iron boot. You will be caught eventually by either they finding out on their own or a customer or friend ratting you out. By the way, I'm not suggesting you go against your plan of just ignoring the govt, I'm simply stating there are consequences if you get caught that can be severe financially with possible prison time.

[acptulsa]

I wish it was that simple as you describe above by just ignoring the business destroying Nazi's that make us pay our slave fees and enforce their idiotic regulation with an iron boot. You will be caught eventually by either they finding out on their own or a customer or friend ratting you out. By the way, I'm not suggesting you go against your plan of just ignoring the govt, I'm simply stating there are consequences if you get caught that can be severe financially with possible prison time.

Any of these consequences worse than homelessness and starvation? Any worse than hopelessness, dependency and the death of self-respect?

[lx43]

Which begs the question: how much of the future has been stolen away thanks to government? What things would you have seen and been able to do if slave-rment had not existed.

I've been dealing with the local govt on some rental property I have this week. I have lost a total of 4 days I could have been doing something else to make myself money but instead I'm having to run back and forth between DHEC, county planning, assessor, and god knows what other fucking agencies. This is just step 1 I'm still stuck on of a 7 step process. Its already cost me roughly $2,000.00 in govt fees plus another $4,000.00 to just comply with their damn rules. When you deal with these govt goons you aren't dealing with bright people, you are dealing with some of the dumbest people on Earth. Even my dog is smarter than some of these bureaucratic sociopaths. By the time this is done I'll probably end up spending 25 grand just in complying with their rules and paying their fees---this doesn't even count what I have lost from missed opportunities.

[lx43]

Any of these consequences worse than homelessness and starvation? Any worse than hopelessness, dependency and the death of self-respect?

I wish there was a more peaceful way to get us back to being a free nation. It will probably take a 100 years to get govt to start shrinking by supporting liberty candidates but I'm starting to think that won't even work. To be brutally blunt, I'm ready to take up arms and fight for my freedom. I really am.

[UWDude]

Any of these consequences worse than homelessness and starvation? Any worse than hopelessness, dependency and the death of self-respect?

I'm kind of at all of those already. In fact, I've never felt better in my life, because those are getting more and more distant in my rear view mirror.
And the entire ignore the government thing, I can tell, as I talk to more people just "doing it themselves", is widespread enough to be a real, organic, leaderless tax revolt.
I believe they can't jail us all, because I now see how many of us there are. They can't fine us either, because money is becoming obsolete anyway. Fine me $10,000 FRN's. If I am making 0 FRN's, why the fuck would I care? They'll just have to send it to a collection agency, and to the collection agencies I say, come at me, bro.

[satchelmcqueen]

let me expand on this just to get some detail here.

this all occurred from 2002-2011.
i was laid off from levis due to NAFTA giving the american company incentives to move over seas. i was at this job for 8 years!

in 2009 i was laid off from land surveying. at this point i had been doing that since 2004 and was making the best money ive ever made and loved the job. then i got my job back 6 months later only to be laid off again in 2010 due to slow work. got down to 4 hrs a weeks sometimes IF we even had work that week. so 2 layoffs from that job with the last one being permanent.

so now on to the job i have now. i dont expect ill be let go anytime soon only because someone must do my job. however i am very afraid due to cuts at the local level that my job could easily be outsourced for cheap to a local company. that would eliminate not only my position, but also eliminate the burden off of the school by going outside of itself. ive been there since june of last year.

so i felt secure in my job for the first time in 10 years , only to now be afraid again just 9 months later. sucks so bad not to feel secure for so long now, all due 100% because of government interference and market place manipulation. there will be a point in time im afraid that ill have nothing else to lose. thats dangerous!


ive lost 3 in 10 years because of the government interfering.

[BAllen]

let me expand on this just to get some detail here.

this all occurred from 2002-2011.
i was laid off from levis due to NAFTA giving the american company incentives to move over seas. i was at this job for 8 years!

in 2009 i was laid off from land surveying. at this point i had been doing that since 2004 and was making the best money ive ever made and loved the job. then i got my job back 6 months later only to be laid off again in 2010 due to slow work. got down to 4 hrs a weeks sometimes IF we even had work that week. so 2 layoffs from that job with the last one being permanent.

so now on to the job i have now. i dont expect ill be let go anytime soon only because someone must do my job. however i am very afraid due to cuts at the local level that my job could easily be outsourced for cheap to a local company. that would eliminate not only my position, but also eliminate the burden off of the school by going outside of itself. ive been there since june of last year.

so i felt secure in my job for the first time in 10 years , only to now be afraid again just 9 months later. sucks so bad not to feel secure for so long now, all due 100% because of government interference and market place manipulation. there will be a point in time im afraid that ill have nothing else to lose. thats dangerous!

That's why I believe Pat Buchanan had the right idea with a more nationalist approach. Reduce the labor pool by expelling immigrants, and raise tariffs to protect American Mfrs.
There just doesn't seem to be a way to get the powers that be to allow the market to adjust to lower wages with affordable housing, lower taxes & regulations, smaller government, etc.

[heavenlyboy34]

That's why I believe Pat Buchanan had the right idea with a more nationalist approach. Reduce the labor pool by expelling immigrants, and raise tariffs to protect American Mfrs.
There just doesn't seem to be a way to get the powers that be to allow the market to adjust to lower wages with affordable housing, lower taxes & regulations, smaller government, etc.
Buchanan's idea WRT to this is not really favorable to liberty. There are a lot of things that could be done to encourage employers to hire domestically. Employees are a tremendous liability now thanks to federal and state regulations. If it were as practical to hire domestically, employers would do it (as a general rule...things like tech support would probably still be farmed out-but maybe not. Can't be sure till the market is free.).

[BAllen]

Buchanan's idea WRT to this is not really favorable to liberty. There are a lot of things that could be done to encourage employers to hire domestically. Employees are a tremendous liability now thanks to federal and state regulations. If it were as practical to hire domestically, employers would do it (as a general rule...things like tech support would probably still be farmed out-but maybe not. Can't be sure till the market is free.).

That's the whole point. It never will be free. How many people do you know that are willing to let go of taxes and housing regulations to lower housing costs to compensate for lower wages? I'd venture to say 0. They want a huge labor pool to draw from. They'll talk about a global marketplace, but stop short there. They won't continue with a free market for the most expensive items. Houses, cars, healthcare, etc. They won't consider cutting education spending, or shrinking government to compensate for lost revenue due to lower wages. See what I mean? They want to hang onto all that. As long as no one is willing to let go of those things, we can never have a free market. So, the only thing to do is ignore the regulations and stay low key with cash jobs.

[DamianTV]

Buchanan's idea WRT to this is not really favorable to liberty. There are a lot of things that could be done to encourage employers to hire domestically. Employees are a tremendous liability now thanks to federal and state regulations. If it were as practical to hire domestically, employers would do it (as a general rule...things like tech support would probably still be farmed out-but maybe not. Can't be sure till the market is free.).

At some point, this all has to involve an Honest Money System.

Without an Honest Money System, we will simply inflate our money supply and force other countries to buy OPEC oil with worthless US dollars. Long story short, because the value of our money is so low, it appears that our employees get paid a lot more. For example, the whole debate on raising minimum wage results because we overprint the money. Quantitiy of money goes up, value of money goes down, so minimum wage also goes down every time more money is printed. As a result, labor overseas becomes cheaper because of our money manipulation tactics. We can pass all the tariffs in the world, and if possible to kick out every illegal immigrant, it still would not have the long term world wide stabilizing effect that an Honest Money System would.

[bunklocoempire]

I'm almost through the process of disolving my small business -more b.s. (I've given it over to my father for the time being -guess how much THAT costs -a son giving something to his father.:rolleyes::mad::mad::mad:)

Screw the Federal Reserve and government's game -I'll do what I have to do legally for myself to pay off those pricks and not go to the rape cage but I'm done collecting sales tax from others while being forced to "do business" with the Fed's worthless money.

"Doing business" is business between two parties. "Doing business" and paying off a third party who is holding a gun on both of you isn't doing business.

10 years and never ONCE did any state or federal employee come by to do even an hours work for my customers. 10 years and the stinking FRNs that everyone of us are 'encouraged'/forced to use have lost more and more "value". Businesses don't see government's inflation rate, businesses see the REAL inflation rate compounded several times.

On topic, I never looked too hard to find regulations concerning my business, but hey, if I would've opened my mouth to some bureaucrat they would've gotten their pimps to make some contradicting laws about it and charged me for a license.

Tax collected for the bastards from "my business" was a drop in the bucket in their scheme yet they STILL need me certainly more than I need them. Frickem.

/end rant

*takes antacid goes back to packing for the trip to Galt's Gulch*:)

[HigherVision]

That's why I believe Pat Buchanan had the right idea with a more nationalist approach. Reduce the labor pool by expelling immigrants, and raise tariffs to protect American Mfrs.
There just doesn't seem to be a way to get the powers that be to allow the market to adjust to lower wages with affordable housing, lower taxes & regulations, smaller government, etc.

How is raising the cost of living for the average person by making resources artificially scarce the right idea? You want to force me to pay more for stuff through coercive force then you're my enemy, period.

[BAllen]

How is raising the cost of living for the average person by making resources artificially scarce the right idea? You want to force me to pay more for stuff through coercive force then you're my enemy, period.

You miss my point. The fact remains that those in government will NEVER let other factors in the marketplace, or a smaller government compensate for the lower wages. Until that is taken care of, wages must rise. That is why politicos are pushing for a min. wage increase. They are not willing to shrink the government or reduce the most expensive consumer expenses via the free market. So, wage increase is the only option. Don't get mad at me, the messenger. I'm just speaking the truth here. Small ticket items, the market is working. Shop at dollar stores and thrift shops. Don't buy name brands, and you can still come out on top, regardless of the deflated dollar. And, I get the satisfaction of giving the corporate shills the finger every time I do so. I'm refusing to buy their name brands that sent our jobs overseas. It's the big ticket items that is not coming down from a free market, because it isn't there. Housing, cars, fuel, etc. More drilling and more refineries would lower energy costs. Deregulate housing and lower property taxes, and watch those prices fall. But, those things are not happening, are they?