101 years ago today, the Jones Act became law. It has crippled the US maritime industry, driven up the cost of living (especially in the US Islands and Alaska), and American jobs and lives.
It is long past time to repeal it.
In order to understand the problem, let's look at how we got here. For a more detailed look at the Jones Act, be sure to follow @cpgrabow at @CatoInstitute, one of the foremost experts on this subject, but here are the basics:
Early on in our history, the US had the most vibrant & successful shipbuilding industry on earth. Over the years, other countries' shipbuilders became more competitive. Rather than rising to the challenge, US shipbuilding companies pushed for government to "protect" them.
This culminated in the Jones Act, introduced by Sen. Wesley Jones, who represented Washington state (and all of the shipbuilders there). This law requires that anything shipped from one part of the US to another has to be carried by a US-built, US-flagged ship.
The results of this are dramatic, and obvious for anyone who understands economics.
Because US shipbuilders have had a captive market, they stagnated. In fact, US companies found other ways to transport their goods internally, so US shipbuilders rarely even make ships anymore.
Because US companies have resorted to using less efficient (and less environmentally friendly) means of transporting products within the US such as freight trains & trucks, the price of American goods has been made less competitive than foreign goods, which costs us jobs & money.
Alaska, Puerto Rico, Hawaii & other US islands buy most of their goods from other countries, because the Jones Act has made shipping things from the 48 states too expensive. This makes it cost more to live in Alaska & the islands, & robs American companies of American customers.
Worst of all, during times of crisis, the Jones Act severely limits what ships can deliver relief to Americans who desperately need it, costing lives. This is why after a disaster government temporarily lifts the Jones Act for that area, proving that it's harmful and unnecessary.
The Jones Act is a century-old act of corporate welfare for an industry it has destroyed, and an albatross around all of our necks. It is long past time to put it out on an old, Jones Act-compliant rust bucket and let it drift away.
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They're inept, outgunned, poorly trained, and massively in debt.
Their ideas suck and they eventually destroy everything they hold dear.
All they have left is fear.
Don't give in to it.
Be of good cheer.
Liberty will win.
We've been saying from day one that people should be able to decide how to live their lives.
After 17 months of lies and widespread destruction of our livelihoods, a solid majority now realizes what we've been saying all along.
The emperor's nudity is being exposed.
3d manufacturing is quickly becoming so advanced and prolific that not only will gun control become irrelevant, you'll be able to build and distribute the newest small arms tech faster than they can.
That is the number of US military personnel who have died at war.
Today is Memorial Day, a day for us to remember and honor those who have fallen.
Let's truly honor them by ending the wars that are sending more to join them.
For many, this is a day for cookouts, fireworks, vacations and spending time with loved ones.
For some, this is just another day to mourn their lost spouse, parent, child, sibling, friend.
Let's be very clear: the best way to honor them is to stop more families from suffering.
Millions of Americans, some of the best salt-of-the-earth people in this country, swear an oath to support and defend the Constitution from all enemies, foreign and domestic. They join to protect Americans and our freedoms, with promises of financial and educational support.
Gentle reminder that the Nazis very strongly approved of FDR's "New Deal" because it was the exact same corporatist command economics that fascists always use.
Official thread for people who want to defend the guy behind the Tuskegee Experiment, Japanese internment, appointing a Klan member to the Supreme Court, sending Jewish refugees back to the holocaust.
Oh also, when the Allies took over North Africa in 1942, Roosevelt kept the Vichy French in power there, who continued to operate concentration camps for another year.