[timr]

Of course you would have welcomed it. But you're missing the point: companies don't want you to sell their private shares, either. If nothing else, it's a logistical headache that they don't need.

This isn't a story of "big government" -- it's better for everyone (except perhaps you) if it's difficult for you to sell your private shares on a secondary market. The company maintains better control of share pricing and internal information, you have a (sometimes strong) incentive to stay an employee if you can't liquidate your shares on a moment's notice, and it helps to keep scammers out of the equities market.