A federal judge recently ruled that a lawsuit filed by Uber drivers is approved for class-action status. The Uber drivers are claiming they should be considered employees of the company instead of being paid as contractors.

The suit is taking place in California, which probably won’t come as a surprise if you are at all familiar with California politics. The drivers filing the suit say they deserve the benefits and protections provided under California labor laws.

There is a saying: As California goes, so goes the nation. But let’s hope that isn’t the case here.

At least this lawsuit is based on California law. If justice is not served and the Uber drivers filing the suit actually win, then hopefully it won’t spread to other parts of the country.

Uber is a major thorn in the side of big government. It is driving around (pun intended) the government-imposed monopolies of the taxicab industry.

This company came onto the scene out of nowhere and now threatens an entire industry that has been built up on the basis of government protection. In most cities, you have to buy a ridiculously priced license in order to drive around a taxi.

Uber is benefitting millions of customers by providing reliable, and generally inexpensive, transportation. The company Lyft is giving Uber a run for its money, just as it should be. This is what happens when you have some semblance of a free market. You actually get competition that drives more efficiency, better customer service, and often better prices.

The unions are in an uproar over this, because we just can’t allow this kind of choice for consumers.

You have to wonder who these Uber drivers are that are filing a suit in California. I guess you can always find someone to do anything.

When discussing the benefits of Uber, the conversation is usually on pleasing customers. But Uber has benefitted its workers in a major way too. It provides employment for people that no longer face the barriers of entry.

If you want to become an Uber driver, there is not a lot you need after a drivers license and a well-running car. It is a quick way for people to find employment and to work flexible hours. It makes a great gig for people who already have a job and are looking for a side job. It is also a great gig for college students.

So here is a message for the Uber drivers in California who are filing a suit. If you don’t like how you are being treated by Uber, and if you think it isn’t fair, then find other work. It is that simple.

Technology Beats Statism

A lot of people are down on the prospects for liberty in today’s world. There is certainly a lot to be pessimistic about. It seems that government at all levels is constantly expanding, spending more, accumulating more debt, and trying to centrally plan our lives.

It can also be frustrating talking to people who don’t understand the liberty that has been lost and how much we are missing out on because we surrender so much power to the politicians and bureaucrats who are more than happy to rule over us.

The good news in all of this is that we sometimes achieve victories for liberty without even realizing it. They seemingly happen gradually, but they are actually rather sudden changes when put in the context of history.

Who would have thought even 5 years ago that the entire taxicab industry would be under threat today?

It is almost impossible to get politicians to repeal government programs. This is especially true at the federal level, but it really applies to state and local government too. Yet, technology has a way of beating out some of these government programs.

The U.S. Post Office, which is actually one of the few things run by the federal government that is constitutional, is becoming more obsolete by the day. First the Post Office lost a lot of business to the likes of FedEx and UPS. Then along came email. Then came cell phones and social media.

The Post Office is still ticking, only because Congress funds its losses and because it maintains a monopoly on first-class mail. But there is going to come a day when it has become so obsolete that even Congress will no longer be able to justify its existence. Technology has beaten the Post Office. Now we just have to wait for it to become official.

Now think about how cell phones have cut down the phone companies that were typically granted monopoly status in local jurisdictions. Many people no longer even have a home phone line.

This is just the beginning of our technology revolution. We should expect to see other industries that are heavily controlled by government face more competition in the future. Personally, I am excited to see more pressure on the medical industry as technology advances.

This latest class-action lawsuit against Uber is just a small speed bump. I don’t think the company can be stopped at this point, unless it is by another company that is outcompeting.

Uber is another step forward for liberty in our technology revolution.