Crony capitalism is a pejorative term describing an allegedly capitalist economy in which success in business depends on close relationships between businesspeople and government officials. It may be exhibited by favoritism in the distribution of legal permits, government grants, special tax breaks, and so forth.
Crony capitalism is believed to arise when political cronyism spills over into the business world; self-serving friendships and family ties between businessmen and the government influence the economy and society to the extent that it corrupts public-serving economic and political ideals.
Government regulation is often a tool for incumbent businesses to prevent competition from new businesses, contrary to the conventional wisdom that Big Government provides a check on Big Business.
Today’s example: DC restaurants using regulation to kill DC food trucks:
After casting my vote at Hunter College with a minimal wait … the TV media was very sensational about long lines … I went to Chinatown and ate at my local hawker stall on south-east corner of Canal & Mott Streets …. three deep-fried vegetable spring rolls for $1.00 and fried vegetable chow-mein for $1.25 … I walked to the Hong Kong supermarket on Hester Street and bought a can of cool coconut juice for $0.89 … the best deal for this hard economic times … cheaper then the cost of the tip at a 4-star fancy up-town restaurant … Hong Kong Supermarket, 157 Hester Street., New York [Yelp]
Nominations are open and tickets are for sale for the Fourth Annual Vendy Awards, which will take place Saturday, October 18, 2008, from 3-7 pm in DUMBO, Brooklyn.
Purchase your tickets while they last to what has been called New York’s “biggest food event of the year”: www.streetvendor.org/vendys
Tobacco Warehouse, at the Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park in DUMBO, 68 New Dock Street, Brooklyn, NY
Posted 2008/09/16, 11:57 am
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Category: Street Vendors ·
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An update on Tony Dragonas, the Greek street-hawker….
I have noticed with great sadness that the city planted tree has been totally embalmed with the greasy-smokey BBQ fire. That poor tree could not survive the constant bombardment of smoke and heat. It is now a blackened dead tree.
This is the good-and-bad about Tony Dragonas… I suppose he must be sent to a re-education camp… Post by Peter
The Department of Health will ask the judge to revoke Tony’s license and permit. Tony will be there, with his lawyers, making a defense. The hearing is open to the public for people who want to observe and/or testify in support of Tony. Please come!
You can support Tony by appearing at his hearing, scheduled for June 5, 2008, 9:30 am. NYC Office of Administrative Tribunals and Hearings (OATH), 40 Rector Street, 6th floor, New York , NY 10006
Posted 2008/05/24, 6:47 pm
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Category: Street Vendors ·
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The Third Annual Vendy Awards are round the corner and nominations are now open, The Vendy awards seeks to recognize the best the street food vendor in New York City.
Tony Dragonas, street vendor who has been serving great hambburgers and souvlaki at the southwest corner of East 62nd Street and Madison Avenue for many years … just one block from Central Park/5th Avenue … weekdays only …
Tony Dragonas grilling …
may have the best grilled hamburger in NYC …
try the outstanding chicken pita with lettuce and tomatoes – it is a large meal with a very generous portion of bite-sized grilled chicken …
and if you like lamb get the gryos pita … and make sure to get the secret tzatziki sauce (a yogurt sauce with cucumber and herbs) and on the pita offerings … you can also get the pitas as plates (pictured above), with salad and rice, for an additonal $1 …
photo credit: Mike Saechang
