Inhibiting and prohibiting business, is occurring each day with local, state and federal regulations. They are getting more onerous daily. Companies, and in some cases, entire industries are finding ways to do just enough business or less to sustain themselves.

They have found they can do more with automation and the liability of employees does not enter the mix. Many companies put the employees they retain, thru vigorous training to satisfy big government, proving that they have been proactive in preventing fraud or injury.

The medical HIPPA laws were put in place to protect employees from the prying eyes of their employers. It has mostly made it un-comfortable for employees and employers to discuss time off or lend a caring ear to ill employee.

We have hair dryer manufacturers with warning labels telling us not to use the unit in a shower. Makers of a "Superman costume" warning users that the costume does not make you fly, sleeping pill manufactures warning you the pills may make you drowsy. We have swimming pools without diving boards and playgrounds without slides. We may be safe but kids are bored to death.

I would blame the lawyers, but somewhere along the line, someone had to call an attorney and tell him they bought a Superman Costume and their kid tried to fly and crashed. I will use the Pogo analogy, we have met the enemy and he is us.

Write me DanRivers@ClearChannel.com