How Protectionism Hurts Hawaii

[Guest]

Interesting video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhQ4d8g3tHc

[Seeb]

The Jones act costs everyone in Hawaii thousands of dollars a year, but most people don't know it exists

[kalakoa]

Jones Act, sure, but also the GET, the State-centric power structure, byzantine land-use regulations that can only be negotiated by long/expensive process, and refusal to recognize credentials issued by other states.

I'm sometimes surpised that we have any economy at all, especially on the Big Island.

[pahoated]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Seeb

The Jones act costs everyone in Hawaii thousands of dollars a year, but most people don't know it exists

---

All the representatives support the Jones Act and don't see it as protectionism, rather for national security. Also, Hanabusa has talked about exceptions to the Jones act that Hawaii is looking at. The cruise ships currently exempt themselves by stopping at a NONCONUS port after they leave the first American port. Then they can go straight to a port like Hilo from the mainland. Cargo ships from the mainland could potentially do the same, making a stop in Canada first, then proceeding to the Oahu international port.

"The Jones act is supported by Gabbard and Sen. Mazie Hirono have gone on the record with their full support for the act.

Hirono last fall said the Jones Act is important from a national security standpoint, and is important because Jones Act ships comply with U.S. labor laws. The act leads to the employment of about 10,000 people in Hawaii, Hirono said, citing the Department of Labor.

Sen. Brian Schatz did issue a written statement expressing his ongoing support, saying the act is “is critical for our national and economic security. It is critical that America control its own shipping and maintain labor and environmental standards within the industry.”

"This island Hawaii on this island Earth"

[kalakoa]

But do those "10,000 jobs" pay more than $7.25/hour?

[Seeb]

how does the jones act provide any jobs to hawaii! none of the ships are built here. it takes the same amount of people to unload a ship where ever it came from. there is almost no US port to US port coastal shiping on the main land ( inland waterways follow different rules).its just us that get hosed.
it would half the price of shiping if we could catch the ships going from china to the mainland and back

[Guest]

It does not provide jobs, it protects corporations that have lobbied the government. Don't forget this is really hurting Alaska as well. I am not surprised our representatives are also in the pocket of big business. They must think our economy is just great too!

[Kapohocat]

I dont exactly see how the Jones Act protects our homeland security?

[kalakoa]

In theory, the "US only" requirement means that all workers are cleared by DHS.

In practice, this is the same government that brought you warrantless wiretapping, politically-motivated IRS investigations, and the "fast-n-furious" gun running scandal, so the whole "security" argument is kinda relative.

[Chunkster]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Kapohocat

I dont exactly see how the Jones Act protects our homeland security?

---

That's because it really doesn't.