A better example is probably the minimum wage, which also imposes government-mandated conditions on employment, applies to adults, and is countered by very simi

A better example is probably the minimum wage, which also imposes government-mandated conditions on employment, applies to adults, and is countered by very similar arguments: it harms economic activity, and interferes with the ability of adult citizens to enter into whatever employment agreement they desire. Whether the minimum wage actually harms economic activity does not have a clear answer; you can find studies all over the place in terms of conclusions. And the supporting argument--that businesses should be regulated because they have asymmetrical power when hiring--is also used to justify other policies that HN folks tend to like, such as the California prohibition on non-compete agreements.