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What's the problem? Why the vitriol about Musk using "taxpayer money"? (Interesting it's phrased as "taxpayer money" when trying to dis someone receiving it, bu
by ctdonath 11y ago
What's the problem? Why the vitriol about Musk using "taxpayer money"? (Interesting it's phrased as "taxpayer money" when trying to dis someone receiving it, but it's "government money" when approving of the redistribution of exactly the same money.)
Those government-supplied tax credits, loans, and grants are the direct result of legislation designed to encourage R&D in solar, space, and other industries. To encourage growth in the electric car industry, the federal (and many state) government gives credits etc to individuals who buy/lease EVs and businesses who build them ... so why the surprise when individuals buy/lease EVs and businesses (like Tesla) build them, leveraging the handouts designed precisely to encourage such activity?
It's like supporters of such credits don't actually want anyone to use them.
- ryanobjc 11y agoStandard political argumentation. The taxpayer vs government money thing is a perfect example of dog whistle politics. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog-whistle_politics https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog-whistle_politics
- jkestner 11y agoDamned if you do (Tesla), damned if you don't (Solyndra). The reaction is either because no one understands how gradually a business is built, or he isn't participating in cronyism as more established incumbents are (oil & gas, auto dealers).
- VeejayRampay 11y agoThe problem is that he's stealing hard-earned taxpayer money to create a new economy of reusable rockets, solar energy and clean cars when he should be stealing hard-earned taxpayer money to mod his diesel engine for rolling coal sessions on the highway. Musk must really be pissing off the old guard to get such bad press, jeez.