The Jones Act And The Debt Crisis

[Quixote1818]

Another article from VOX

The Jones Act, the obscure 1920 shipping regulation strangling Puerto Rico, explained
Protectionism and exploitation at its worst.

The island of Puerto Rico is devastated, with millions lacking power, infrastructure destroyed, homes damaged, and an entire year’s worth of agricultural output essentially ruined. Like any disaster-struck place, it will be in need of supplies brought it from elsewhere in the country.

But getting goods from the US mainland to Puerto Rico is much more expensive than sending them to Texas or even to other Caribbean islands as a result of a century-old man-made disaster that’s been crippling the island’s economy for a long time.

Meet the Jones Act, an obscure 1920 regulation that requires that goods shipped from one American port to another be transported on a ship that is American-built, American-owned, and crewed by US citizens or permanent residents.

For most Americans, this isn’t a big deal — it enriches a small number of American shipowners while introducing some weird distortions into the overall pattern of economic activity in the United States.

More:

https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/9/27/16373484/jones-act-puerto-rico

[DK504]

1. I would love to see Elon Musk

step in and help PR. Help them with renewable energy so they can tell everyone to F off.

The Slug will do what ever it takes to help his pals and family. Sounds impeachable.

[lapfog_1]

2. my understanding is that it is even worse

The Jones Act that is.

Requires that the sippers used US manufactured ships and flagged as US ships.

There simply aren't that many US manufactured cargo ships anymore.

[Turbineguy]

3. Oooh look

a flying saucer.

Puerto Rico wasn't looted, so stop saying that!