Not paying your taxes on your employees is "better"? What needs to change for current taxis to provide an "Uber" level of service beyond a ratings system and an app?

You say that like it'd take a weekend and a bunch of Red Bull to get done...

6-9 months and $<5 million in capital. Redbull optional.

There is nothing special about Uber's backend or mobile apps that couldn't be replicated by another tech team, and we'll find out how easy it is as self driving cars get here.

I totally agree with the sentiment -- which makes it all the more frustrating that they'd rather riot than compete.