#deleteUBER: When we use them we directly support anti-competitive and unconstitutional behavior.

Uber is a douchebag company run by douchebags. I first realized this when I learned of their willingness to play really, really dirty with competitors.

Uber employees allegedly posed as customers ordered and then canceled rides from Lyft, decreasing Lyft drivers’ availability, wasting time and gas, and possibly sending real customers to Uber instead. Lyft told CNNMoney in August that 177 Uber employees—contractors armed with a burner phone and a credit card—ordered and canceled more than 5,000 rides.

Uber officially denies that it’s playing dirty, but an Uber contractor told The Verge that the company encourages that kind of maneuver.

There are a number of problems with the American form of capitalism, and people like their leaders are top of the list. The most recent evidence is CEO Travis Colonic Kalanick’s fluffing of President Donald. From Slate:

The company has been under fire for its ties to Donald Trump since Uber CEO Travis Kalanick agreed to serve on Trump’s Strategic and Policy Forum, a group of business leaders who will “meet with the president frequently to share their specific experience and knowledge as the President implements his economic agenda.” In a meeting defending his decision to work with Trump, Kalanick reportedly told concerned Uber employees that the company “would partner with anyone in the world as long as they’re about making transportation in cities better.” (This is not a very convincing defense, considering some of the world leaders who have met this criterion over the years.) [Emphasis aded]

I wonder if an earlier draft of that statement said “would partner with anyone in the world as long as they make the trains run on time.”

Uber’s main competitor, Lyft, is a very different story, focusing on community and valuing its people. And not behaving like jackals with respect to its competition. Also, they’re for freedom and diversity and against racism, sexism, religious discrimination, etc.

Have a look at the email I received this morning:

Defending Our Values

Hi Sam,

We created Lyft to be a model for the type of community we want our world to be: diverse, inclusive, and safe.

This weekend, Trump closed the country’s borders to refugees, immigrants, and even documented residents from around the world based on their country of origin. Banning people of a particular faith or creed, race or identity, sexuality or ethnicity, from entering the U.S. is antithetical to both Lyft’s and our nation’s core values. We stand firmly against these actions, and will not be silent on issues that threaten the values of our community.

We know this directly impacts many of our community members, their families, and friends. We stand with you, and are donating $1,000,000 over the next four years to the ACLU to defend our constitution. We ask that you continue to be there for each other – and together, continue proving the power of community.

John & Logan
Lyft Co-Founders

It’s not just bold talk – they’re chipping in to support the ACLU, which led the charge in getting last night’s injunction against President Donald’s blatantly unconstitutional executive order banning Muslims (from countries where he doesn’t do business) from entering the country.

Lyft is just run by better human beings than Uber. This is why I will not patronize Uber under any circumstances. There are very few cases where I need a ride, but when I do I will either call a taxi or Lyft.

I encourage you to do the same.

#deleteUBER