What happened in Little Rock, Arkansas, is typical. Uber came to town to recruit drivers, so the city's board of directors frantically began discussing what kind of regulations they should enact. Uber says it's not a transportation company and should not be subject to the regulations governing taxis. Uber maintains no fleet of vehicles and employs no drivers. It merely helps drivers and riders find each other. But the discussion of regulations went on. Then Uber did something guaranteed to upset any government and its favored interests: it started doing business.
A member of the board of directors quickly let it be known that he would seek an injunction. It's called "injunctive relief," but who would be relieved? I've already indicated the answer: no one who deserves to be.
The statewide newspaper, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, assumed the voice of the ruling elite when it reported that Uber "began operating in the city without approval.… The company is known for moving into cities across the nation without complying with transportation codes that are in place."
Regarding Uber's decision to proceed without waiting for the government to act, the newspaper reported, "Ward 4 Director Brad Cazort, who had a role in negotiating terms with Uber, said the company's sudden start without following city guidelines meant they should no longer have input in the drafting of Little Rock's regulations."
That'll show them. You won't play ball with us? Fine, we'll regulate you without your input.
What is the world coming to when any company can come to a city and arrogantly do business without asking permission, in essence, of those against whom it would compete? Does the new kid in town think this is America or something? Oh. Never mind.
Read the rest here...
http://reason.com/archives/2014/11/13/stop-those-who-would-stop-uber
A member of the board of directors quickly let it be known that he would seek an injunction. It's called "injunctive relief," but who would be relieved? I've already indicated the answer: no one who deserves to be.
The statewide newspaper, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, assumed the voice of the ruling elite when it reported that Uber "began operating in the city without approval.… The company is known for moving into cities across the nation without complying with transportation codes that are in place."
Regarding Uber's decision to proceed without waiting for the government to act, the newspaper reported, "Ward 4 Director Brad Cazort, who had a role in negotiating terms with Uber, said the company's sudden start without following city guidelines meant they should no longer have input in the drafting of Little Rock's regulations."
That'll show them. You won't play ball with us? Fine, we'll regulate you without your input.
What is the world coming to when any company can come to a city and arrogantly do business without asking permission, in essence, of those against whom it would compete? Does the new kid in town think this is America or something? Oh. Never mind.
Read the rest here...
http://reason.com/archives/2014/11/13/stop-those-who-would-stop-uber
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