> The reason why Uber and Lyft are given a hard time is that they're a serious threat to state-maintained taxi-cartels all over the world.

No, they're given a hard time because they ignore regulation like driver background checks or insurance or calibrated tamper proof meters.

> No, they're given a hard time because they ignore regulation like driver background checks or insurance or calibrated tamper proof meters.

"Ignoring regulations" in this context basically boils down to "competing with taxi cartels". That's obviously upsetting to the cartels, and unhappy noises are made about background checks and meters, as if those potential problems could only be solved with a cartel.

We both know that Uber & Lyft drivers give better service overall than taxi drivers overall. That's because Uber and Lyft are not part of a cartel, and have to therefore please their customers lest they lose them.

Perhaps the Pure Food and Drug Act is pointless, too.

Perhaps the safety-related government agencies aren't really doing their purported job?

Or they just forgot to include the opt out options.