Introducing the Libertarian Democrat. Are You One?

[justiceischeap]

27. The problem as I see it is this

Since the beginning of time, change has occurred. It's kinda like death and taxes, it's going to happen.

The problem we're facing today isn't just that these Internet companies are "killing" jobs, it's that your some of your standard brick & mortar stores aren't changing with the times. I've watched this since the Internet started developing beyond the AOL chat model. I'm a web developer and have been for some time--people do not think they need to invest money on their Internet presence and if they do, they often do it cheaply and without much afterthought. Or they'll build a website and then shirk online advertising because, hey, they never had to advertise before. Then there are successful folks who still have B&M stores but also have successful websites, they've embraced the change and made it part of their business model. I sometimes wonder if there are people who think the Internet is still a fad and will slowly fade into obscurity.

Also, as a web developer, I've been a contractor many times--hell, most of my career. And just because you're a contractor doesn't mean you don't receive benefits or you're constantly getting screwed. It depends upon whom you're contracting through. I contracted at PBS for 5 years. I had health insurance, I could have participated in a 401k if so inclined and I also had paid vacation but that was because of who I contracted through. I know of at least one other company in my neck of the woods that deals with its contractors the same way--so contracting isn't always a horrible proposition.

I've used Uber on a few occasions and I had a much better experience with my Uber drivers than I've ever had with regular taxi drivers (many of whom are also Uber drivers, BTW). I've never met a taxi driver who likes accepting credit cards and I've been denied rides because that's what I want to use. With Uber, no such problem. So really, the taxi companies need to talk with their drivers about actually accepting payment they say they accept.

I've never AirBnB'd because that just seems weird. However, I will say that services like AirBnB allow some people to travel who otherwise couldn't because of funds. Are they doing so at the expense of the local government they're visiting? Yep, they are but then they have more money to spend locally at restaurants, bars, shops, etc. so the local economy isn't being completely ripped off by tourists.