I honestly think this article does a massive disservice to the discussion by ignoring that independent contractors are required to pay their own taxes and some of the savings that a company receives by electing to hire independent contractors over employees come directly from not having to match the employee's FICA contribution. I love Uber and Homejoy as a service, but honestly if they are the people setting the rates any "middle ground" established by the government should require them to pay that FICA contribution, and any relevant self-employment taxes ( like we have here in NYC ). It's only fair.