F.U. Uber!

[dgs49]

"Delicate Snowflakes"

I've seen the expression used quite a bit recently w/r/t (some of) today's college students; they are all unique, but oh so vulnerable to harm.

(1) Freedom of Contract: We are ALL free to enter into contracts or to decline to do so. Free to work for any employer who will have us, or decline to do so. There is no conceivable way that anyone seeking to work under the Uber umbrella does NOT know that s/he is looking at a position as an INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR, and not as an employee. Accordingly, if they are ADULTS (or the Delicate Snowflakes who populate California), they weigh the pro's and con's of being an independent contractor for Uber, or an employee of someone else. Or unemployed. It's your choice. To have THE GOVERNMENT step in and say, "Oh, I know you signed up to be an independent contractor and the other party agreed to bring you on as an independent contractor, but WE KNOW BETTER!" is bullshit on steroids. I would also argue that it is unconstitutional on a number of fronts.

(2) The licensure laws of most states are nothing more than "rent seeking" bullshit, pretending to be for public benefit, but in fact intended to do nothing more than perpetuate the monopoly of those who are licensed, TO THE DETRIMENT OF THE PUBLIC. I challenge those who claim the public is "threatened" by Uber drivers to come up with the goods: Find me the difference in accident rates, and in uncompensated claims against Uber drivers vs. claims against licensed taxi drivers. If the case were there, someone would be making it, loud and clear. There is no demonstrable harm in allowing Uber to operate outside the Utility Commission rules of the states.

(3) My car insurer, "Allstate" offers a minimal-cost endorsement that provides me (and my potential road victims) with the same coverage (if I were driving for Uber or Lyft) as if they were injured by a Yellow Fucking Cab. Both Uber and Lyft require proof of insurance. The Insurance issue is off the table.

Stock market valuations for popular companies (e.g., Google, Apple, Amazon) are INSANE. Uber falls into that category.

[BoSoxGal]

Stock market valuations for popular companies (e.g., Google, Apple, Amazon) are INSANE. Uber falls into that category.

I'd have to agree with this, at least as relates to Uber. Where is the 62 BILLION dollars of value in this company? That just seems insane to me.

[Lord Jim]

That just seems insane to me.

I agree; that valuation is just plain nuts...

Especially when you consider all the uncertainties of pending decisions by local and state governments that will directly impact the company's value...

[rubato]

Stock market valuations for popular companies (e.g., Google, Apple, Amazon) are INSANE. Uber falls into that category.

I'd have to agree with this, at least as relates to Uber. Where is the 62 BILLION dollars of value in this company? That just seems insane to me.

When Amazon started out and were only selling books and music their valuation was even more insane. It was 100 times what the company should be worth if they sold every single book, record and cd sold in N. America. But they found a way for it to make sense by expanding and adapting their model into "everything else". At the moment the valuation of Uber appears too high but I would be looking at adjancencies to see if they are the next Yahoo/AOL and about to crest and start the slow glide back to earth or the next Amazon/Google and about to change the world.

Yrs,
Rubato