Whether speeding is criminal depends on where you are, and the speed you are travelling. One might make a similar argument that an 'honor box' is a 'suggested donation', and that one is simply choosing not to donate. You could probably even argue that it _must_ be considered a voluntary donation as evidenced by the failure to collect the required sales tax.
I think 'funkah' has a point. There are lots of things happening in this article, and it's fair to look at the situation from a different perspective than the primary. As a California business owner, I didn't notice the speeding, but did wonder about whether or not DC required him to have health and vending permits for each of his locations, and whether the legality of his business should affect our conclusions: is it more or less ethically acceptable to 'steal' a donut from an 'illegal' business?
But if you consider the honor box a suggested donation box, is that a business, still?
The sales tax is likely included in the dollar amount. Like when you are quoted 3.99/gallon of fuel. That price includes a number of taxes built in.
We (well, specifically, I) don't know if DC requires permits for re-selling food-stuff. We do not know if he is on the level, were they to require such. It probably depends on how much revenue is produced by each location. Just as sidewalk Lemonade stands don't require permits, in most locales. Anyhow, all that is speculative, unless you have facts.
Ethics. I think you are getting into relative ethics. If someone else goes against ethics, does it grant me a waiver to act unethically?
if you consider the honor box a suggested donation box, is that a business
A fine question, and an ongoing local issue near me: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123422026431565295.html
A local Thai temple has a mandatory voluntary donation scheme that they use to skirt a lot of laws. I love their food, but am against their sham.
The sales tax is likely included in the dollar amount.
Could be, but I'd bet that he's technically non-compliant. The rules are mighty complex. Our next-door neighbor restaurant was recently fined heavily for considering their sandwich purchases "take out" while providing unofficial side-walk seating.
We (well, specifically, I) don't know if DC requires permits for re-selling food-stuff.
It probably depends on how much revenue is produced by each location.
I deal with many such laws in California, and have not found many such exclusions. Rather, like speeding, the behaviour is technically illegal but regulated with only selective enforcement. I don't like selective enforcement.
Just as sidewalk Lemonade stands don't require permits, in most locales.
Anyhow, all that is speculative, unless you have facts.
True. I can really only speak only to my experience running a food business in California, where my opinion is that it is impossible to run a business without breaking numerous laws. Heck, I just learned last month that all of my employees are working illegally: http://sanfrancisco.grubstreet.com/2011/06/so_has_anyone_in_...
If someone else goes against ethics, does it grant me a waiver to act unethically?
This is indeed the real question. It certainly doesn't grant an unconditional waiver, but I think there can be mitigating factors. Would it matter that the Bagel Guy has the permission of the business (he does)? What if he was representing it as a charity: http://bulkvending.blogspot.com/2008/04/making-money-from-ch...
I think the question is ethics. While the article was entertaining, it didn't delve deeply enough into the situation to be informative on ethics. I post to HN hoping that discussion might be able to happen here...
