In my previous post I was talking about my plans to get a side job when I move to the Philippines, teaching English as a second language. In the only comment so far,  Juliet of Pinay Key Point mentioned that I would probably need permits to teach in the Philippines. This doesn’t suprise me as I experienced the need for permits when I married my wife in the Philippines. Again as we have built our house and additions we have encountered the need for permits.

But the need for permits isn’t just in the Philippines, it is world wide. In my opinon most permits are for someone to make money whether it be a government agency or an individual. For example, in a building permit you are paying, in essence, a tax to build on your own property. Are you using some kind of government resource to build? Most likely not, so why give your money to this agency.

How about driver’s licenses? We pay for the priviledge of driving on the roads and the Department of Motor Vehicles can keep an eye on who is driving on the roads. By keeping an eye on who is driving it makes the roads safer. In fact, in my home state starting this year when you renew your driver’s license you must take an eye exam to prove your eyesight is good enough to drive. No matter if you are 18 or 80 your must take the test to renew. My friend Mindanao Bob of Live in the Philippines Web Magazine  reported that you need to take a urine test in the Philippines to get a driver’s license. I don’t think this is all bad since if you can’t stay clean long enough to pass this test you shouldn’t be driving. But someone who commented said that they just brought their urine from home. Believe me in the US this test would be a waste of time because most people would just bring someone elses urine in.

So Juliet just to let you know that I expect to confront requests for permits and licenses whether I was teaching in the Philipine, the US. or anywhere. After all permits and licenses run the world whether good or bad.