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Comment by ss6754 | Hacker News Reader

Are u serious??? have you forgotten how the government bailed out all the major car manufacturers? here is the link to remind http://useconomy.about.com/od/criticalssues/a/auto_bailout.h... tesla got only 500mln while others got BILLIONS

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It's okay to give them half a billion dollars in loans because others got billions? Why not be outraged at everyone involved? The industry is colossally inefficient.

Inefficient when it comes to innovating, yes. In any industry dominated by powerful incumbents and where the startup capital costs are extremely high, you do need outside intervention (I.e. a subsidy in the form of a loan) to help newcomers.

So any startup that competes in the pharmaceutical sector or biotechnology industry should be given hundreds of millions of dollars in taxpayer-funded loans?

Not any startup. Only those who qualify for the stict conditions for the loan. Like Tesla did.

I am not outraged at anyone, except previous commenter. But to your point, yes it is okay to give them half a billion. I don't see why government should not have supported them. And as time has shown it was a right decision, since they have paid off that loan, which I think is incredible for an only electric cars company.

"But to your point, yes it is okay to give them half a billion. I don't see why government should not have supported them."

I find it quite outrageous that we're enriching well-connected billionaires and millionaires, but what do I know?

"And as time has shown it was a right"

Not really. Taxpayers are still on the hook for $7,500 for each Tesla sold.

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