Elon Musk's growing empire is fueled by $4.9 billion in government subsidies [2015]

Los Angeles Times ^ | May 30,2015 | Jerry Hirsch

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

So those Teslas I see all over the road are phantom vehicles?

All over the road?

I have never seen even one Tesla on the road.

Either you live in an area where people have a great deal of stupid money or you are exaggerating.

I have seen more Model J Duesenbergs (Two) on the road then I have seen Teslas (zero).

[Autonomous User]

It’s okay if you worship a flake and a fake. But then you are a low informed St Elon Lemming.

[Haiku Guy]

The greatest product
Of an Elon Musk venture
Is the subsidy

[Mr. Lucky]

Well, he’s managed to live his life, so far, without sucking 3 and 1/2 Billion Dollars of taxpayer’s money out of the economy.

[Garth Tater]

"So what?? Musk didn’t lobby for or institute any of the subsidies, he was just astute enough to compete for them against other companies, and win. "

Astute enough? Are you really that naïve? The govt doesn't give subsidies to the best and the brightest. They funnel money to the well connected and those most willing and able to return the favors in campaign contributions and cushy jobs to politicians' friends and family members.

[bigdaddy45]

I remember the good old days, when Republicans admired men of industry and accomplishment, and Democrats clutched their pearls an lamented the evils of industry. Apparently times have changed. Hows that pearl-clutching suiting you?

[Wuli]

Elon Musk is a miner - a miner of public treasuries with which to line his own pockets.

[bigdaddy45]

Well then you must live in a cave. I was in Texas this weekend. Saw them everywhere. I live in Ohio. I see them all the time. You need to get out more. Or look them up to see what they look like.

[Autonomous User]

You are certainly one confused old fart.

[bigdaddy45]

Sorry Miss; I don’t want to interrupt your pearl clutching about the evil industrialist. I’m sure you can go march or something. Whatever those silly SJWs do.

[Wonder Warthog]

"Astute enough? Are you really that naïve? The govt doesn't give subsidies to the best and the brightest. They funnel money to the well connected and those most willing and able to return the favors in campaign contributions and cushy jobs to politicians' friends and family members.

So, why don't you lay out for us exactly what "connections" Musk has and has used?? Since you're so "knowledgeable" about them. While you're at it, why not do the same for Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Jeff Bezos, and the rest of the computer era billionaires.

[Garth Tater]

And why should I do your homework for you? If you are so hopelessly naïve that you think govt subsidies are given to corporations based on merit you really need to get out there and educate yourself.

Here is a link to get you started on crony, fake-capitalist Elon Musk. There are many, many others out there that detail his links to politicians and the methods he has used to build his symbiotic, corrupt network of mutual back scratching that keeps the public monies pouring in to his corporations.

It’s Time to Stop Spending Taxpayer Dollars on Elon Musk and Cronyism

A quote from the article concerning Musk's heavily subsidized, never made a profit Solar City which somehow managed to come up with three million dollars to finance the elections of candidates to the Arizona Corporate Commision:

"In this year’s race for Arizona Corporation Commission, the state’s public utilities overseers, only one outside group funneled cash into the contest."

"All of the $3 million donated by that group, Energy Choice for America, came from SolarCity. The beneficiaries are candidates who have signaled their willingness to be part of the 'green machine' that greases the skids for lucrative government subsidies."

It sure would be nice to have the govt give my company millions of dollars so I can turn around and buy the election for a state's Corporate Commission which in turn gives out subsidies to corporations like Musk's.


"While you're at it, why not do the same for..."

Because it's not my job to open your eyes. That is your job and so far you seem to have failed at that task.

[hal ogen]

If you like it so much have you personally investing it...or relying on money stolen from taxpayers ?

[dennisw]

You are correct/ I read a 2015 account http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3038853/SpaceX-lands-rocket-barge-Elon-Musk-confirms-Falcon-landed-hard-survival-groundbreaking-experiment.html

Where it tipped over

[Ozark Tom]

Only hindrance to electric drive-train domination is the on-board electric source. Fix that detail...

[Moonman62]

I remember the good old days, when Republicans admired men of industry and accomplishment, and Democrats clutched their pearls an lamented the evils of industry.

...

Yep. The Musk haters are suffering from cognitive dysfunction that only allows them to see information that supports their hate. They are missing one of the greatest American success stories of all time.

[editor-surveyor]

.

The insurmountable shortcomings of storage batteries, and the unavoidable cessation of operation when the power grid is dead are not dismissable ‘details.’

[editor-surveyor]

.
“Cognitive dysfunction” has a functional definition:

Believing you can evacuate in an emergency in an electric car.
.

[roadcat]

If you like it so much have you personally investing it...or relying on money stolen from taxpayers ?

You a-hole, why are you insulting me? You have sh*t for brains? The high-speed rail is a boondoggle and waste of taxpayer money. I'm merely referring to the idea of the Musk Hyperloop as a better cheaper idea. There are several companies besides Musk's company involved in that, and so far, no government subsidies. Why don't you do some research instead of trying to insult better-educated people like me?

[bigdaddy45]

This is your reason for not liking electric cars? Thats the best you can come up with?