I think fundamentally you have 2 arguments here.
First your argument is does one have a right to make money doing something the same way it was done yesterday? Or 10 or 20 years ago?
At one time you could make good money operating an elevator. Do we ban buttons in elevators to protect these jobs?
So no. No I don't think it's on societies best interest to outlaw buttons in elevators. New technology is happening that fundamentally de-values what a driver now does. It's unfair but it's maybe time for new jobs. That's simply best for society as a whole. The amount we all collectively save will vastly dwarf anything these few get by holding back the tide.
Two - the old system sucked. It was terrible. It still is. Taxis in NYC were already a cesspool of con-men and corruption. Lives were ruined in the buying and selling of medallions. The cars sucked, the drivers refused to go places, the ONLY reason it survived at all was the government forced it down our throats.
Uber won because people like it better. No matter what you say about any of it - people decided they VASTLY prefer pressing their own button in the elevator. It's sad but it's life.
So yes, it is "stupid" to fight this when everyone using these services has so clearly said the new way is better.
