The Jones Act

[wkmac]

Since a poster brought this up in another thread, here is an op-ed on the subject matter.

Looking at the fact that some claim that unions were the driving force of the Jones Act (some truth there) but when you really look at the larger merchant marine industry and it's history as privately help business interests in shipping, what may look like unionism at it's best may in fact have a "hidden hand" behind it and the unionist just took advantage of a state created market as any parasite does in a symbotic relationship.

I find it funny those who hold a somewhat anti-union bias because of their own non-union status are upset that unionist have squeezed in to suckle the same state teet as the business world started suckling first. Never mind again that even the union suckling had a hidden hand behind it!

Funny also how many of these same people who scream and rail against unions for using gov't (and that railing is correct) are the first in line to not only rail against so-called big gov't but then turn a complete blind eye when that big gov't benefits their self interests by the use of state reach and big gov't. So much for the idea of earning one's way in a true free market!

Before you call the President a socialist, you might look in a mirror. You might see a version of the President looking back at you!

 

[tieguy]

I'm not sure Obama's incompetence in handling this mess requires that much analysis. I think his failure here comes from his arrogance in thinking he could manage it through BP.

 

[fxdwg]

I'm looking in the mirror. I don't see Obama. Get where I'm going?

 

[bbsam]

I'm looking in the mirror. I don't see Obama. Get where I'm going?

No.

 

[fxdwg]

I hate political threads.

 

[bbsam]

I hate political threads.

ok. go away.

 

[Lue C Fur]

I'm looking in the mirror.

And you see this:

http://www.pebblebrookpress.com/students/noras/:censored:.jpg

 

[over9five]

I think his failure here comes from his arrogance in thinking he could manage. [-]it through BP[/-].

Fixed it for ya.

 

[tieguy]

Fixed it for ya.

I am grateful

 

[tonyexpress]

Since a poster brought this up in another thread, here is an op-ed on the subject matter.

Looking at the fact that some claim that unions were the driving force of the Jones Act (some truth there) but when you really look at the larger merchant marine industry and it's history as privately help business interests in shipping, what may look like unionism at it's best may in fact have a "hidden hand" behind it and the unionist just took advantage of a state created market as any parasite does in a symbotic relationship.

I find it funny those who hold a somewhat anti-union bias because of their own non-union status are upset that unionist have squeezed in to suckle the same state teet as the business world started suckling first. Never mind again that even the union suckling had a hidden hand behind it!

Funny also how many of these same people who scream and rail against unions for using gov't (and that railing is correct) are the first in line to not only rail against so-called big gov't but then turn a complete blind eye when that big gov't benefits their self interests by the use of state reach and big gov't. So much for the idea of earning one's way in a true free market!

Before you call the President a socialist, you might look in a mirror. You might see a version of the President looking back at you!

GULF HELP HELD UP BECAUSE OF UNIONS?


This BP situation keeps getting more interesting. Within two weeks of the spill thirteen nations offered assistance. They have all been turned down. This is nuts and more than hypocritical considering criticism aimed at President Bush for not accepting aid from Cuba after Hurricane Katrina. We are talking about help being offered by our closest allies and nations with vast expertise in deepwater disasters: Canada, Croatia, France, Germany, Ireland, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Romania, Korea, Spain, Sweden, and the U.K. (the UN offered help, too). According to Foreign Policy magazine, Belgians say they could clean the mess up in four months or less.

So what gives? The Jones Act, which isn't named after Van Jones but could have been. The Jones Act is in section 27 of the Merchant Marine Act of 1920. The act states all goods transported between U.S. ports must carry a U.S. flag, be constructed in the United States, owned by U.S. citizens, and have a U.S. crew who are permanent residents. The act also says these ships must have union crews. The act has already devastated the U.S. shipbuilding industry, which has been saddled with higher costs and limited opportunities. As a consequence, only 1% of the world's shipbuilding occurs in the United States.

It seems certain President Obama hasn't waived the Act because of his obligations to unions. By the way, President Bush waived the Act after Katrina, and help came in from many nations. As culpable as BP is for this, their partners in crime seem more and more to be the Administration, which appears to take its marching orders, even on environmental disasters, from environmentalists and unions. This is shocking stuff especially as the White House is looking to break more contract law and dictate the actions of an independent business. I don't know if BP is going to fold on the dividend; if there is a hint they couldn't pay for the clean up they should.

That poster was me!

Privately held business or unions...both are trying to protect themselves...Which one has more influence in this administration?? Hmmm...

By the way the most interesting part of this to me (no matter who jerked his chain harder) is the fact the Obama did not waive the Jones act to let other capable countries help take care of this mess from the beginning, a damn shame if you ask me...

 

[trplnkl]

I can't help but think that Obabma's reluctance is (as said) to protect the unions. However his suspension of the Jones act wouldn't really hurt the unions over all. It's not like this would deprive union members of income, the union's won't be doing the cleanup anyway.

 

[wkmac]

That poster was me!

Privately held business or unions...both are trying to protect themselves...Which one has more influence in this administration?? Hmmm...

Fred S!

By the way the most interesting part of this to me (no matter who jerked his chain harder) is the fact the Obama did not waive the Jones act to let other capable countries help take care of this mess from the beginning, a damn shame if you ask me...

I wasn't gonna throw you under the bus so let the record show you did that to yourself.


Regardless, it was/is an interesting subject to consider in all of this so tip of the hat to you for even raising it in the first place.

It's all State Capitalism

 

[moreluck]

Charles Krauthammer & Dick Morris basically said Obama & his advisors were too stupid to ask the question, "what do we have to do to let the other countries help?? Doesn't say much about the people that Obama has surrounding him. Nobody has a clue.