Imagine wanting to open a restaurant in Long Beach and the city council dictates the name you must give your establishment, the hours you’re open for lunch, your menu, what you charge for a meal or the vendors you must deal with? Not going to happen, you say? How is that any different than telling you how much you must pay your employees?

Long Beach’s nine city councilmembers were not elected to determine what the minimum – or maximum – wage a business operating in this city must offer its employees, just like they were not elected to tell us where we go to church, who we date or marry or how we spend our money.

Some workers don’t seem to understand that if you don’t like what you’re being paid or how you’re treated, get another job. If you want to earn more, get an education or learn a trade. Councilmembers should be leaders who encourage residents to better themselves through the many opportunities available to them right here, right now.

The entrepreneurial spirit in Long Beach is exciting. We see it everywhere. People of all ages and ethnicities are enthusiastic about their city and are willing to take a chance by starting a business or taking their idea to the next level. Elected officials should be encouraging them. The potential is limitless.  Councilmembers: Why screw it up?