| Comment Number: | 522418-10616 |
| Received: | 7/16/2006 7:06:58 PM |
| Organization: | Barrett, International |
| Commenter: | Shawn Barrett |
| State: | WA |
| Subject: | Business Opportunity Rule |
| Title: | Notice of Proposed Rulemaking |
| CFR Citation: | 16 CFR Part 437 |
| No Attachments |
Comments:
Shawn Barrett I have been an owner of a business powered by Quixtar for over three years, and do plan on being for the rest of my natural life. My business has allowed something no job I've ever held has, hope for a better life. When My brother introduced me to some of the people he was working with, I was impressed by their character and candor. He, nor anyone else I met prior to registering my business ever asked me to join anything. In the process, I had to take many steps to prove I understood that my compensation was the solely the product of my own work. Today that fact is even more apparent, especially in the organization I work with. In addition to the required disclosures Quixtar insists upon, our team recognizes that people with get-rich-quick attitudes are 1) Disruptive to a productive business and 2) Harmful to the overall perception of our industry, our partners, and ourselves. We would rather not work with people like that. We tell them in no uncertain terms that people who do nothing get nothing. I have several problems with the proposed rule, and it's not just that I don't wish to be bound to the proposed rules. Yes, it would be added financial and personal burden to add the required disclosures and references. The litigation list specifically would be hard to keep current, and the list of spurious and baseless legal actions would be indistinguishable from those with actual merit. The biggest problem with these proposed rules is the enforcement. Less responsible parties, even entire organizations will disregard these rules entirely, and keep spreading untruths about the nature of their businesses. Does the FTC plan to surveil all the companies because they might break the law? No; just like now, they cannot, because of the fourth amendment of the Constitution. Other problems abound, such as protection for people's privacy. As I prosper, and become a good example of what it takes to be successful, there are those who would target me for personal and property crimes. As such I will and do take steps to protect my personal privacy. I cannot allow people to give out my contact information freely, and neither can any law governed by the constitution. A real problem however is that the government is trying to protect people from all risk. Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus, but there are also wolves. The natural world is not safe, but it is good. When there is a world with no risk, there is no reward, and that was the spirit upon which this nation was formed. Individual efforts rewarded individually. When the government legislates behavior, we are sliding down the slippery slope into the wall of Socialism, and that will be the death knell for our imperfect, but superior republic. What my mentors have taught be is that honesty is the best policy. I will disclose what I make and have made to a potential business partner--IF they feel comfortable enough to tell me what they make at work. There are no laws that govern this information, other than those of human courtesy, and those are as constant as the laws of the physical world. If you cheat people you cannot be rewarded forever. It will catch up to you. In our example, you won't have a Quixtar powered business very long. I hope you can see how these proposed rules impose unfair and unlawful burdens on small business owners, the future of the American economy. Shawn Barrett