Trade tariffs take many forms.
One again free enterprise takes a kick in the groin from the so-called well meaning as Michigan joins four other states banning direct sales of the growing-in-popularity electric car Tesla.
Republican Governor Rick Snyder, bogged down in a tight re-election raced, signed "legislation banning Tesla Motors Inc. (NASDAQ: TSLA) from selling directly to Michigan consumers. As interpreted by Tesla, the legislation even prohibits the company from opening a gallery where it can show off the car and talk to customers about it in person."
Joining New Jersey, Texas, Maryland and Arizona, Michigan's action was expected.
Auto dealers in the five states succeeded in persuading legislators that the property and sales taxes the dealers pay combined with the number of workers they employ are far more important than letting customers chose to buy what they want.
The new law requires all new vehicles sold in Michigan to be sold by a network of franchised dealers.
So much for free consumer choice and meritocracy. Though not mentioned by name in the new law, Tesla is the only electric car maker banned. The bipartisan vote tells you want we've been saying for a long time, there is no such thing as a pro-business political party in America, just two pro-my interests versus yours and our choices are always better for you than yours.
And we all know who's going to win that one as long as we continue to accept it.
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