I’ve read a few disturbing articles lately; Kansas moves to limit broadband network development, New Jersey banned auto manufacturers from selling directly to consumers and Georgia is drafting legislation to limit ride-sharing.  Of course these examples are not limited to the afore mentioned states, regulations are being enacted across our country for the benefit of entrenched business models and to the detriment of consumers.  Lawmakers and lobbyists are only slowing down the inevitable, the new business models that these regulations are meant to obstruct are not going away. 

In the short-term consumers are ultimately the ones who will pay the price for obstructive legislation.  Philosophically these are troubling trends that portend inhibiting innovation and support inefficient business models.  Legislation isn’t always bad.

Reducing competitive barriers, such as greatly reducing the cost of a taxi medallion, will aid incumbent businesses more than hindering innovation business models and consumers will benefit.  The 1982 breakup of AT&T along with the subsequent telecommunications act of 1996 and 2003 ushered in a tidal wave of innovation; long distance rates dropped precipitously, carrier interoperability, competitive local exchange carriers, high-speed internet and the list goes on.  Who wants to go back monopolized telecommunications world?  Nobody wants to go back to the AT&T monopoly and nobody wants to sit on a filthy vinyl seat in the back of a cab.

New business models that take advantage of technology enabled efficiencies and provides consumers with a superior service are here to stay.  I was promised the George Jetson lifestyle - common New Jersey, let me buy a flying car direct from the manufacturer.