Our friends over at the Institute for Justice have filed a new case in federal court that argues that the City of Boston is denying Erroll Tyler his right to earn a living. Tyler wants to operate a tour via Boston’s waterways, yet, per a ban on the granting of new permits when the Big Dig was under construction he’s been denied permission for seven years (yes, seven!). Even now, years after the Big Dig was completed (which itself is a clear example of government ineptitude).

Even the Boston Globe condemned the actions by the Boston government officials, concluding that the moratorium “should be reviewed, and then lifted [which] is little more than a means to tread on the economic liberties of entrepreneurs.”

This case comes down to voluntary interactions. Tyler is not asking for a handout or any special preference — just the ability to engage in a business. Like all entrepreneurs, Tyler recognizes there are risks involved — most notably that he may not have enough customers, which would mean he couldn’t continue to operate. And that’s the key point — that unlike the government, Tyler must offer a good or service that people willingly patron. That’s why competition it good — it incentives the creation of higher quality goods and services at less-expensive prices. Tyler believes he can do this in Boston, and now, thanks to his perseverance and the attention his case has brought, he undoubtedly now has many would-be customers, if, and only if, government would just get out of the way.

Check out the video below to hear Tyler’s story.

Read more about this case on IJ’s site. And if you like what you see, why not give them a few bucks so they can continue to fight the good fight?

For more on this subject check out the Libertarians in Business group and Enjoy Capitalism and Freedom: My Anti Gov overviews on Bureaucrash Social. And if you’re so inclined, why not show the world your support of voluntary transactions via some killer Contraband?