Americans like licenses. People think they make us safer.

We license drivers.

We license dogs.

But most government licensing is useless. Or harmful.

It limits competition, raises costs, leaves consumers with fewer choices, and blocks opportunity for people who want to work.

Michelle Freenor, a tour guide in Savannah, Georgia, gets good reviews from customers.

But her business almost didn’t get off the ground because local politicians said, “No one can be a tour guide without first getting a government license!”

Bill Durrence, a Savannah alderman at the time, told me why it’s important.

“I hear a lot of tour guides saying things that make me cringe. The licensing and testing I thought was a good idea just to make sure people had the accurate information.”

While they were at it, the politicians added other requirements. Anyone who wanted to give tours had to........

© The Daily Signal