Consumer protection vs. competition 

In last week's column, I wrote about the so-called "raise the bar" movement for real estate professionals and the call for higher licensing requirements and stricter standards to become a member of the National Association of Realtors.

I offer suggestions here on exactly how high the bar should be set and why a bar should exist, if at all.

Why a bar at all?

The ostensible reason -- given by every industry that cajoles or threatens or in some other way convinces the government to create licensing schemes limiting the number and types of people who can practice that profession -- is consumer protection.

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