Regulation own-goal
One aspect about the various changes in regulation that are mooted is they are stupidly reactionary: they see (picking Uber for argument's sake) the business practice and they try to target that.
What they ought to be doing for everyone's sake is to identify why such regulation ought to exist, and make sure it applies to Uber as for any other taxi company. For example, most people are not in favour of cartels and other "closed shop" arrangements that serve to protect a few, but they are in favour of, for example, making sure that cars and drivers are in fit condition and fully covered by insurance. Simply putting that onus on Uber alone would be a step towards a level playing field.
OK, it may not address all of the issues, for example, to keeping universally available service, but unless that is also explicitly imposed by the existing taxi license holders its a hard sell to argue against Uber on that point. Legislate for social outcomes, not business methods, etc.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
