The Wall Street Journal last night noted the rise of Uber Republicans—that is, Republicans who hail the luxury car service Uber for its ability to get people to understand the stifling nature of unnecessary and protectionist regulations. Here's the Journal:
Uber, the app-based alternative to traditional taxi services, is becoming an icon among Republicans, who say it is an example of innovation stifled by big government—much like charter schools, for-profit colleges and market-based ideas in health care and other highly regulated industries.
Uber allows passengers weary of hailing cabs to arrange rides through their mobile phones. But in cities from Miami to Washington, D.C., it has run into government rules that make it difficult for the new service to compete against the taxi industry and other established transport companies.
"The company has become a cause célèbre among conservatives," said GOP strategist Gregg Keller, former executive director of the American Conservative Union. "As a movement, we need to champion these kinds of disruptive technologies, because they represent the free market."
I'm glad the GOP is championing Uber—it really is a remarkable company that entrenched interests are trying to stamp out via burdensome and protectionist regulations—because anything the party can do to reach out to the youngs is a good thing. However, it's worth noting that plenty on the left—especially the younger members of the left—have long supported the company as well. Aaron Wiener over at the Washington City Paper snarkily described this person as an "ubertarian":
Who are these Ubertarians? Here are a few characteristics they share:
1. They support government regulation—except when it inconveniences them. Clamping down on the big banks? Yes, please. Tighter safety standards? Love 'em. Restrictions on app-based taxi competitors, or on the number of bars or restaurants in their neighborhood? An outrageous imposition on the free market!
2. They love public transit, especially the not-so-public kind. Build new Metro lines! Add more bike lanes! Create dedicated bus lanes! Except riding the bus is soslow sometimes. Better whip out the iPhone and hail an Uber. Thank God for car-free living.
It goes on like that for a while. His point is that these voters are pretty liberal on social issues but aware of the damage that regulations can do to legitimate businesses. If the GOP can peel off some of these younger voters who understand that regulations—be they related to the hailing of cabs or the height of apartment buildings—make things more expensive, hooray! The snark of the Wieners of the world may even help push them into the Republican camp.
Until that day, however, I'm willing to accept Uber as a sort of bipartisan triumph. If there's any one thing we can all agree on, it's that cab drivers are terrible (though not as terrible as bicyclists) and that more competition in terrible industries is a good thing.