4 ms·

In some world views, going around legislation ("smuggling") for financial profit makes you a criminal, not an entrepreneurial, person.

• hultner 11y ago
  Who says that you can't be an entrepreneurial criminal? I wouldn't see them as contradicting terms.
  • unwind 11y ago
    Nobody, it's just that especially around here "entrepreneurial" carries positive connotations as far as I know, and I just wanted to point out that all kinds of profit-making perhaps aren't equally awesome.
    • meric 11y ago
      If people are to associate entrepreneurial qualities as positive no matter the underlying activity then that is their prerogative. I don't think the author of that comment should change his choice of words. I suppose the word 'enterprising' might suit your tastes better while still conveying the intelligence of the perpetrators.
    • trhway 11y ago
      what is wrong with smuggling? Especially with the kind of smuggling mentioned here? In that situation it was a very victimless crime and one can see how it was even beneficial to the public.
      • lmz 11y ago
        Smugglers don't pay import tariffs. From the article: > Shortages persisted as a result of high import tariffs on butter to protect the domestic dairy industry against foreign competition
        • bmmayer1 11y ago
          Import tariffs are the crime, then, not the smuggling.
          • deleted 11y ago
            [deleted]
    • zyx321 11y ago
      On the other hand, especially around here "regulation" carries negative connotations as far as I know, and pointing out the obvious isn't going to make people suddenly endorse protectionism.
• SiVal 11y ago
  And in others, passing such legislation for your cronies' financial profit makes you a criminal.
  • learnstats2 11y ago
    Is that what is happening here? Maybe. But, there's also a duty for governments to support national and local industries that are important for the country's long-term security.
    • icebraining 11y ago
      Is the production of butter important for Norway's long-term security?
      • zyx321 11y ago
        Possibly. At the very least, this story proves that the people do value a stable supply of butter. Norway is not in the EU, so why would they make themselves economically dependent on Sweden for everyday commodities?
        • icebraining 11y ago
          this story proves that the people do value a stable supply of butter Yes. It also proves that the import restrictions threaten that stability. why would they make themselves economically dependent on Sweden for everyday commodities? To keep the stable supply that they are unable to maintain on their own, as this story shows. And why would they be dependent on Sweden? Would other countries refuse to export to Norway?
        • teekert 11y ago
          When Goods Don't Cross Borders, Armies Will ;)
    • derriz 11y ago
      That's one way of looking at it. Another way is that it constitutes a regressive tax on a life essential - food - for the sole benefit of a politically powerful minority lobby - food processors. In the country of my birth, until about 50 years ago, the shoe-making industry was considered important - and the producers managed to convince the government that a tarrif on shoes would protect a vital national industry and all the associated jobs. And indeed it did; but the result is plain in photos from the era; most people wore old worn out shoes particularly the poor. Personally I think to deprive the relatively poor of access to cheap foreign food/clothes/etc. to ensure a tiny segment of the population is "protected" is immoral. But the political power of industrialists in concert with labour unions is formiddable.
• deleted 11y ago
  [deleted]
• raverbashing 11y ago
  Of course Let's just hope you stick to that when the difference between following legislation and not is risk to your household, hunger or bodily harm.
• Maarten88 11y ago
  > In some world views, going around legislation ("smuggling") for financial profit makes you a criminal, not an entrepreneurial, person. I read somewhere that the psychological profile of CEO's and criminals are remarkably similar... Growth hacking is also a variation of criminal behavior, and many successful startups use it to their advantage.
• teekert 11y ago
  There's no way to rule innocent men. The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren't enough criminals, one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws. -Ayn Rand