Regulations are in essence laws. The
Constitution established the legislative branch of government to enact laws. Congress
fails in its responsibility when it delegates that authority to another agency, especially
when that agency is not part of the legislative branch of government.Most regulation
plays into the hands of the larger players, such as large corporations, dominant political
parties, etc. Virtually all regulations need to be reduced, simplified, or eliminated.
There is need to ensure that a belligerent party does not harm another party. An
obvious example is dumping hazardous chemicals into a stream thereby destroying the
environment for those downstream. However, for small businesses, mom and pop operations,
the regulation load and reporting requirements can be prohibitive.
The larger players in any particular field enhance their competitive advantage by
endorsing complicated regulations and reporting requirements. It is simple for them to add
the staff to deal with the regulations.
For a smaller player, with a small number of employees, the amount of resources spent
on dealing with OSHA, IRS, EPA, and the rest of the alphabet soup of federal agencies is
staggering. Additionally, the agencies that formulate and administer regulations tend to
grow into monarchies. It becomes difficult or impossible for a small player to understand
or negotiate with these agencies.
We need to abolish many of the regulatory agencies. Why do we have a Bureau of Alcohol,
Tobacco, and Firearms when all three products are legal? Should a benevolent employer be
shackled with OSHA requirements, perhaps forcing it to move overseas? Belligerent
employers simply need to be libel for their actions.
I would vote to return the legislative process to the legislature. If Congress itself
had to enact each regulation, the number of regulations in existence would be drastically
reduced.
