Elon Musk, who has never since the day he was born taken a breath that wasn’t in his own personal interest, is now purporting to make public policy.
That’s right. He’s going to make decisions that affect you and me. This past week, California Governor Gavin Newson had to remind Musk that he remains in the private sector, subject to regulation at all levels, including the county. But that didn’t stop Musk from declaring that he would open the Tesla plant in Freemont, despite an Alameda County order not to do so. Reopening policy in California is being implemented at the county level.
Of course, he announced his rebellion on Twitter, the anarchist’s platform of choice, the same one Donald Trump has been using to hijack the government. Effectively, Trump’s destruction of the government from the inside has given Musk air cover for a move that he would never otherwise make in saner times. Alameda has the standing to arrest Musk, and may do so, but the county should probably keep the plant shut for a symbolic period anyway, just to make a point about who gets to make public policy. That is why we have government: to make and implement policy, usually with the cooperation of the citizenry.
Musk can run for office if he likes, but he has to convince the rest of us that he has our well being at heart. And therein lies the…
