Lemonade Freedom was started in 2011 in response to all of the kids’ lemonade stands that were being shut down by government bureaucrats and law enforcers. Today, Glenn Beck announced that he is tired of all of these crack downs on kids lemonade stands as well as other entrepreneurial endeavors initiated by kids.  I think it is great that he is encouraging kids to go out and sell lemonade or baked goods. This is what I have been calling for, so obviously I support this idea. However, Glenn Beck has it all wrong.

Beck says proceeds will go to his very own charity organization, Mercury One. At first glance I thought it was a good idea. Beck wants to use the lemonade advertising proceeds to help others. Last year, on Lemonade Freedom Day 2011, we set up a stand in Elizabeth, NJ and donated the money we made to St Joesph’s Social Service Center. This is a center that helps poor and needy people, many of whom are homeless. We had a great time doing it, and we did what we could to help people who truly need it. And this is what Glenn Beck is trying to do, or is he?

After looking into the Mission Statements on his website, I am left with a different opinion. It starts off looking really good, covering issues such as Preparedness, Fighting Illness, Goodness, Youth Outreach, Education, etc. These are all very important issues, and there is definitely a need for charity in these areas. The site doesn’t go into any details as to what he is going to do in regards to those issues, or how the donations will be spent, but they are important issues to say the least.  Some of the issues that his charity covers are  “Faith”, “Israel”, and “Law Enforcement”.

Faith: Beck tries to paint a very broad picture of faith by mentioning “faith in a spouse, faith that the bridge we drive over will not collapse, faith that the food we eat will not poison us. Even atheism requires faith that there is no transcendent reality.” I disagree with this generalization all together.  He is obviously trying to be inclusive here to everyone, but faith is a personal thing. Glenn Beck is a TV/Radio personality. Why would people turn to him for faith?

Israel: This is what Beck says about Israel:

An island of freedom and religious tolerance in a sea of oppression and constant threats of persecution, it is critical that Israel be supported not just by Christians and Jews, but anyone who holds dear the ideals of liberty, peace and courage.

The connection between the land and its people is thousands of years old and steeped with history, tradition, and holiness. With the hope of lasting peace and coexistence, Mercury One will defend Israel and the Israeli people against its numerous and determined enemies.

Here is something that is very important to point out. There is a big difference between individuals and government. By supporting Israel, you are supporting the government of Israel, not the people. This logic applies to all governments, not just Israel. Total U.S. aid to Israel is approximately one-third of the American foreign-aid budget, even though Israel comprises just .001 percent of the world’s population and already has one of the world’s higher per capita incomes. Need I remind you that this money was first taken from hard working US taxpayers, and yes,  taxation is theft.  Yet, Glen Beck seems to think that Israel needs more of your money.

Beck claims that “anyone who holds dear the ideals of liberty, peace and courage” should support Israel. This cannot be further from the truth. Supporting any government is in direct contradiction to the idea liberty. Don’t believe me? Have you seen the growing police state lately here in the US? Have you been watching our liberties being eroded away by the very government that is supposed to protect them? The NDAA, TSA, The PATRIOT Act. etc? And of course we can’t forget about the kids lemonade stands. Wasn’t this supposed to be the point of Glenn Beck’s lemonade event? Does Beck think that kids here in the US should be selling lemonade so that they can support the government of Israel?

Law Enforcement:  Glenn Beck claims to be infuriated with the “Nanny State and its continuing expansion across nearly every aspect of American life”. He wants kids to stand up and fight this nanny state. He wants people to donate to his charity, which he claims is a good cause in this fight. One of the mission statements of his charity is this:

Are we sufficiently supporting those who protect us, our families and the freedoms we hold so dear? The military, law enforcement and civil servants sacrifice much for the betterment of our lives and communities.

It is vital that those who have given their time, talents, energy and, in some cases, bodies get the help and moral backing necessary to do their jobs. Families of military and law enforcement individuals also bear a heavy burden – the fear that their loved ones may not come home, the loneliness while deployed and monetary forfeitures.

Mercury One will financially and spiritually support these critical citizens, especially when they and their families are in times of great need when the ultimate sacrifice has been made.

Are we sufficiently supporting those who protect us, our families and the freedoms we hold so dear? The military, law enforcement and civil servants sacrifice much for the betterment of our lives and communities.

Glenn Beck’s charity supports the very people who enforce ridiculous laws such as shutting down kids’ lemonade stands and raiding farms for selling raw milk. Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, I know the argument. I have heard it many times before. “But they are just following orders“. Well they shouldn’t. They should do what is morally right.  Every person is an individual. Each individual needs to do what is morally right. If that means that they have to disobey immoral orders, then that is what they need to do. Disobey bad laws. The Nazi soldiers were “just following orders”. Could you imagine how different history would have been if those individuals disobeyed immoral orders?

Glenn Beck is sick and tired of the nanny state. He is mad because kids’ lemonade stands are being shut down by government officials and law enforcers. He wants kids to go out and set up lemonade stands. He wants the proceeds to go to his charity, which will then go to the very law enforcers who are shutting down kids lemonade stands. Glenn Beck’s answer to the nanny state and the government meddling in our every day lives is to start a charity that supports…  the nanny state and big government.

So, while Glenn Beck is calling for kids to go out and sell lemonade and baked goods in order to support foreign government, law enforcement and military, (pretty much what taxes are for now anyway), I have a better idea…

August 18th is Lemonade Freedom Day. Whether you are a kid or an adult, get out there and open up a lemonade stand in support of FREEDOM. Don’t ask for permission. Don’t get a permit or a license. Don’t pay taxes. Stop giving your money to the very people who violate your rights. Stop supporting them. Then, I ask you to do whatever you want with the proceeds. If you want to donate the proceeds to a charity, or a special cause, then do it. If you want to donate the proceeds to useful organization, the Freedom Center of Missouri would be a good bet. They are actually fighting against the nanny state.  They are currently fighting on behalf of two girls in Missouri who had their Girl Scout cookie stand shut down.  If you want to buy a new toy or save for something in the future then do it. Lemonade Freedom is not just about kids or lemonade. It is about freedom. It is about self-ownership. You own yourself. You own the fruits of your labor. Go out and do what you want to do with your earnings, and have fun sticking it to the state!

Last year, when city officials shut down a couple of Girl Scouts’ cookie stand in their driveway, the Freedom Center of Missouri stood up for their right to sell cookies. Now, they have launched a new effort called Lemonade for Liberty.

Here is what they say about the event on their site:

We are calling on all freedom-loving parents and kids to set aside Saturday, June 2, to make a (lemonade) stand for property rights!  Not only will participants have fun by practicing entrepreneurship, they will help spread the word about the Freedom Center’s fight to ensure that lemonade stands remain legal in Missouri – and throughout the entire country.

They are asking that the proceeds be donated to The Freedom Center of Missouri, so that they can cover their ongoing battle. Remember, it costs money to fight against these bureaucracies. The government has unlimited resources because they use taxpayer money. Organizations such as The Freedom Center of Missouri have limited funds. In order for them to be able to fight for the rights of others, they need funding.
For more information, please go to their website:
http://www.mofreedom.org/2012/04/lemonade-for-liberty/

They have also created a petition.

If you believe that freedom means that little kids should be allowed to take part in this great American tradition, sign this petition to tell Hazelwood that Lemonade Stands Should Be Legal!

I encourage you to sign the petition here:

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/lemonade-stands-should-be-legal/

We need more groups like this who are willing to stand up for our freedoms. And if you don’t think that you will ever need this type of help, then I must warn you that almost everything is becoming illegal these days. One day, you may find yourself on the receiving end of a ridiculous law. Please watch “Illegal Everything” by John Stossel.

We had a great day despite the rain. It was pouring outside. Between 4000 and 5000 people showed up to hear Ron Paul speak in Philly. It is absolutely amazing that so many people would come out in the rain, shivering, freezing, soaking wet, to hear the message of freedom! We were there with our Lemonade Freedom stand selling lemonade without a permit. Lemonade Freedom is much more than just fighting for kids’ lemonade stands. If you believe that kids should have the right to sell lemonade to people who are willing to buy lemonade from them, then if your logic is consistent, you should come to the logical conclusion that every individual has the right to participate in voluntary exchange. Many people are starting to wake up and realize that our freedoms are being taken from us by a tyrannical government.

But very few people question the simple things, like… If we are free individuals, then why do we need to ask for permission to participate in voluntary exchange with one another? Why do we need to have a license to sell a service or product to someone who wants or needs that service or product? The answer is that we don’t. We don’t need to ask for permission. Every law, every regulation, every license or permit, is a roadblock standing in front of an entrepreneur. Government does not protect individuals. It does not help businesses. It only harms businesses. If more people understood this, then we wouldn’t be in the position we are in today. We need to get to the point where we don’t have the government telling us who we can or can’t do business with.

Ron Paul understands this. His goal is a society without coercion. He understands that every individual is a free person who can voluntarily choose to do business with anyone he sees fit. He understands that government gets in the way of a productive society, and he wants to get that government out of the way. If you value free markets and voluntary exchange, then Ron Paul is the only candidate who you should cast your vote for.  If you value freedom and liberty and you are thinking about voting, then Ron Paul is the only candidate to consider. A vote for any other candidates is a vote for government control over our lives.

Well, it looks like we have a lot more work to do. This didn’t get much media attention, but it looks like we have the first lemonade stand shut-down of the year.  We have to stand strong together and put an end to this nonsense!

While the Boston Marathon start line puts Hopkinton in the limelight and is a source of pride for the town, residents also have to put up with a few inconveniences and annoyances each year as hosts.

So Jeanne Westbury of Hayden Rowe Street in Hopkinton was nonplussed when local health agents shut down a lemonade and baked goods stand run by her daughter and friends at the end of the driveway. The agents told the group they lacked a permit to sell cookies, brownies, banana bread and other items.

“We had done this every year,” daughter Eliza Westbury, a sixth-grader, said, citing no previous problems and plans this year to donate to the Relay for Life cancer fundraiser.

Down the street, meanwhile, a High School Relay for Life bake sale encountered no problems despite also lacking a permit. Hopkinton Town Hall was closed yesterday for Patriots Day, and the Board of Health could not be reached.

Read More: http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/multimedia/x668519991/Boston-Marathon-Notebook

We will be setting up a lemonade stand at the Philly Rally for Phreedom 2012  on Sunday April 22, 2012. We hope to see you there.

http://www.phreedom2012.com/

   Featuring Dr. Ron Paul!!!

Join us Sunday April 22, 2012 as we gather on the lawn at Independence Hall at the Philadelphia Rally for Phreedom 2012!

Starting at 1:00, we will feature live music, guest speakers, and an overall day of fun! Prior to the event, we are hosting a VIP brunch, and an after party at the end of the day.

Please watch this great short film that was written and directed by Bill Doherty Jr.

A little girl and her lemonade stand gets shut down by the board of health, see her story.

7 year old entrepreneur Chrystal ventures off into the business world with her very first self-owned and operated lemonade stand. When an over zealous board of health official, I.R.S. agent, and their military backup show up ready to shut down any and all lemonade stands that don’t play by the rules.

Here is what Bill has to say about the movie:

“Lemonade Stand began as a passing joke between me and my father. We were driving down the road and saw multiple Lemonade Stands competing for business and my father said “I wonder if they have a permit for that”. I thought to myself “That is hilarious! What a great concept for a short film!” So, I created these characters and wrote the story based on that. The character dynamic was perfect: The innocent little girl against the overzealous board of health official. Not realizing these characters actually existed until my cinematographer brought to my attention that YES these situations were actually happening across the united states. At the time it was Portland Oregon. The Georgia event hadn’t happened yet. I heard this and a part of me was enraged! How in god’s name could anyone really shut down one of the most iconic introductions to business and fun in this country. That’s ridiculous!! So, I combed over the script I had. Amplified the absurdity of the situation and “Lemonade Stand” was born.”

~Bill Doherty Jr.~

Please be sure to visit his website.

http://www.billdohertyjr.com/

Enjoy!

John Stossel on how selling lemonade and everything else is becoming illegal.

March 29, 2012

Lemonade stand economics

Legislative Review

State Representative House District 5 Doug Cox

Lemonade stand economics

My neighbor’s kids had a lemonade stand set up at the end of their driveway.  As it turns out they were selling iced tea and you had your choice of either sweetened or unsweetened. We pulled up and rolled down the window and asked, “How much?” For 50 cents I had one of the best, and one of the coldest, glasses of iced tea I’ve ever had! It was even served in a red Solo cup, just like the one made famous in the Toby Keith song.

As we drove off and headed to town, my wife Drenda commented, “Now that is genuine American free enterprise!” We talked about how lucky we are to live in a country where anyone can start up a business and with a little luck, and a lot of hard work, make a living.

Then we commented that in the adult world, that little lemonade stand would have to pass a Health Department inspection, where an inspector, whose salary depends on his finding violations, would come out and probably mandate running water be piped to the stand. Well, the owner might have to raise the price of the tea to 65 cents to cover that expense. Hopefully that will be enough to also cover the food-handler permit.

Soon here comes the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to make them put a label on their tea describing the ingredients, calories, and nutritional value. They could probably cover that expense by raising the price to 75 cents.

Even though it is a drive-through lemonade stand, here come the feds to make sure they build in a handicapped parking space with appropriate signage. The price might be up to 92 cents for a glass of tea now.

Of course before they built their stand they had to comply with the government regulation to get a study to make sure no endangered species or archeological artifacts were disturbed in construction. Boy, those engineers that do those studies are pretty expensive, so the price of the product might have to go up to $1.05.

Of course a large chunk of change has to go to pay workers compensation insurance in case one of the girls gets hurt while working the stand. Yet another check goes to the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission, that agency that makes it hard for a small businessman to fire a bad employee. And don’t forget the Environmental Protection Agency inspections that make sure we are disposing of our unsold product in a safe manner.

Wow, our 50-cent product is now up to $2.00! Perhaps it would be cheaper to just buy the tea from China, where it can be made cheaply without excessive government interference. Too bad the jobs will be filled by the Chinese, rather than Americans.

You know, come to think of it, Lemonade Stand Economics is what reminds me why I support less government interference, and more free enterprise.

Thank you for allowing me to serve as your State Representative. I can be reached at dougcox@okhouse.gov or (405) 557-7415.

http://pryordailytimes.com/editorials/x1437242701/Lemonade-stand-economics

I tried to open a lemonade stand

By John Stossel

http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/02/24/tried-to-open-lemonade-stand/