Farmers Markets. Friend or Foe.

Posted by richrobinson 11 years, 11 months ago to The Gulch: General
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I have had some interesting conversations with customers recently about our local Farmers Market. I support the concept and believe it is how business was meant to be done. Producers sell their items directly to consumers. I am in the unfortunate position of having to compete with our local Farmers Market which is within walking distance of my retail store. In todays government controlled world it is clear that Farmers Markets are basically Black Markets. They operate on Saturday and Sunday when most government inspectors are off. Our local market is held on church property so they don't pay property tax. It is unlikely that they are complying with many of the costly mandates that I am. I still support the concept and I am surprised when speaking to customers about this that they usually say that they should "have to pay" their fair share. I always say that neither one of us should have to pay most of these fees. Curious if you all had any thoughts about this.

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  • Posted by richrobinson 11 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I would hope. I have asked as to how it operates but no one seems to know for sure. I know the mayor and I need to talk to him and get a better understanding of things. Property taxes in our area are really high so being on a tax exempt property is a tremendous advantage.
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  • Posted by khalling 11 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I think your community is unique in not requiring licenses for vendors. In Colorado Springs we had to purchace a license, pay a space fee and show proof of liability insurance in order to be part of the farmers market. They also gave you a form to fill out showing your receipts for taxing purposes. But the markets were held in city owned parks not a private business parking lot. Still I would think it's on the city's radar.
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  • Posted by richrobinson 11 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    True. I hear all the time how good they feel about supporting their local farmers. That's nice but they are taking sales away from local businesses. They seem to be okay with that.
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  • Posted by Zenphamy 11 years, 11 months ago
    I like all forms of the free market - farmer's markets, swap meets, garage sales, bartering, personal ad sales, anything that doesn't involve government or regulation. Wonder what happens if someone is refused service for any of dozens of reasons?
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  • Posted by richrobinson 11 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Good point Robbie. Nixon had a R next to his name but he was a progressive. Bush 41 and 43 were progressives also. Hardly seems to matter anymore who gets in.
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  • Posted by LetsShrug 11 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Hey speaking of hanging freely, I'm watching Manor House on Amazon Prime (quite interesting, it's people who have signed up to be a member of the household, either servants or the family, and they all have to live and dress and do everything as if it's 1905...these young people do not appreciate having a job and are starting to turn all socialist..anyway..it's worth watching) anyway... I just learned that women's clothes back then were all crotchless and airy. I always wonder how the managed going to the bathroom with that material flowing all over the place. And might I add... YUCK!
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  • Posted by $ jbrenner 11 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Both Khalling and Robbie are right on this one. Your choice to accept the offer comes with a huge string attached - lordship. If you are willing to accept that as value for value, then you can be non-contradictory and still be Christian. However, being Objectivist and Christian would be very difficult; taking the oath would be an issue.
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  • Posted by Robbie53024 11 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Well, he is an imbecile (readily apparent from his choice of Bachelor conferring institute), but he wasn't all that far left. It was Nixon that implemented price controls, finally killed the gold standard, and started the EPA. Carter's worst item was creating the Dept of Ed.
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  • Posted by Robbie53024 11 years, 11 months ago
    Generally, I'm in favor. A much closer form of true capitalism.
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  • Posted by Robbie53024 11 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I think that you had some poor conveyors of theocracy along the way. I don't want to hijack the thread, but that cross/crucifix does not merely represent sacrifice - it represents an offer. You can think of it as a gate or a bridge. You have free will to choose to open/cross on your own volition. There should not be manipulation - for then you are not using your free will.
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  • Posted by richrobinson 11 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    It's a great organization. I just find it ironic that Carter would be involved. They don't take or want Federal funding and they expect people to pay for what they receive.
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  • Posted by Robbie53024 11 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Perhaps. Depends on the organization. I've known some that permit use to sponsored orgs (Boy/Girl Scouts for example) and members. I know that when I did such things for the BS's, we provided our own liability ins.

    But I'm sure that many do require a fee.
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  • Posted by Robbie53024 11 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    1) What WM "produces" is convenience and availability. That is a valuable commodity. Most communities prior to WM didn't have the breadth of goods available, and certainly not available in one location.

    2) Why the hostility to HfH? Besides the fact that Carter makes that a cause celeb? Those who take ownership of the home put their own sweat equity into it, and they have an excellent track record of paying off the remaining loan. HfH is one of the best organizations as it is not merely a gift to the receiver.
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