There are no quick fixes to systemic problems that were decades in the making: cato.org/commentary/ame…
In the latest (2020) World Bank/IHS Markit survey of global port efficiency, the ports of LA & Long Beach - the busiest in the USA, handling 40% of all imports - ranked a dismal 328th and 333rd, respectively. No US port ranked in the top 50.

Can't fix that overnight, folks.
Why do our ports stink? Well, union contracts mandate insanely high wages, rigid work schedules, & express limits on efficiency-enhancing automation. Meanwhile, the Jones Act & other US trade laws restrict port dredging (for more/bigger ships) & stress inland freight operations.
To top it all off, we just slapped 221% tariffs on imports of intermodal chassis from China (largest supplier), thus contributing to the shortage of chassis truckers need to move containers. And US law bars the agencies from delaying/nixing the duties bc of the current crisis!
So, yeah, some of this is just the pandemic - supply/demand imbalances, labor shortages, warehouse space, etc - doing its thing. But a LOT of it was decades in the making - and avoidable w policy reforms in earlier, non-pandemic times. /x
P.s. Plenty more, and links, in here: cato.org/commentary/ame…

• • •

Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to force a refresh
 

Keep Current with Scott Lincicome

Scott Lincicome Profile picture

Stay in touch and get notified when new unrolls are available from this author!

Read all threads

This Thread may be Removed Anytime!

PDF

Twitter may remove this content at anytime! Save it as PDF for later use!

Try unrolling a thread yourself!

how to unroll video
  1. Follow @ThreadReaderApp to mention us!

  2. From a Twitter thread mention us with a keyword "unroll"
@threadreaderapp unroll

Practice here first or read more on our help page!

More from @scottlincicome

25 Sep
Cmon, 'Pack. Cmon.
Classic.
The only FB team more snakebit than UVA... Tragic.
Read 6 tweets
25 Sep
Leave. Charcuterie. Alone.
"People around the country are turning a timeless classic that's one of the greatest things ever invented into a horrible trash-platter that deserves mass derision YEEEAAAH!"
Read 4 tweets
24 Sep
How long does it take for pre-sliced dry salami to go bad?
In other news, a person very familiar with my thinking just smashed some month-old salami
And now we wait.
Read 4 tweets
20 Sep
Behold, the shrinking American middle class (via @Mark_J_Perry):
And, yes, this IS inflation-adjusted (thus accounting for cost of living).

And, no, it ISN'T just just about household size (if at all): cato.org/commentary/ann…
Read 4 tweets
19 Sep
NFL = 'Nother Flag League. Borderline unwatchable.
I mean, at least baseball is *supposed* to be slow and boring. (That's its charm!) What's pro football's excuse?
The NFL is lucky standard time is coming soon. All that (glorious) Sunday darkness will force us inside, leaving us little choice but to watch garbageball or - gasp - talk to each other.
Read 4 tweets
19 Sep
It's bizarre to me that, out of all the amazing things on The Jetsons we don't yet have, people focus their complaints on flying cars - which are, at best, only a Top 5 Jetsons Thing (and most definitely not No 1).
Robot Maid is obvs #1, and - quite frankly - it's not even close.
And, for my money, the Toaster Bed/morning hygiene system has gotta be second.
Read 6 tweets

Did Thread Reader help you today?

Support us! We are indie developers!


This site is made by just two indie developers on a laptop doing marketing, support and development! Read more about the story.

Become a Premium Member ($3/month or $30/year) and get exclusive features!

Become Premium

Too expensive? Make a small donation by buying us coffee ($5) or help with server cost ($10)

Donate via Paypal Become our Patreon

Thank you for your support!

Follow Us on Twitter!

:(