Great article in the WSJ by Jennifer Levitz titled “Coffins Made With Brotherly Love Have Undertakers Throwing Dirt” about a state funeral regulatory board, dominated by industry members, and a Louisiana law that makes it a crime for anyone but a licensed parlor to sell “funeral merchandise,” including handmade coffins by monks at a monastery.

Excerpts:

• “They’re cutting into our profit,” says Leonard Dunn, the owner of Serenity Funeral Home

• “The morticians are serious. Violators such as the monks can land in jail for up to 180 days.”

It’s a perfect example of an industry using government regulation to protect itself at the expense of consumers and prospective competitors.

I challenge any or all members of the Louisiana state funeral regulatory board to publicly debate me on in this in person, I’d be happy to fly down any time with a month’s notice.  Be warned: you will get your ass handed to you!

Economic stimulus without taxpayer expense while shrinking government: cut the red tape and eliminate anti-competitive laws that serve no purpose beyond preserving profits for a select group of cronies.

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