Jones act hurting Puerto Rico?

[glinda]

quote:

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Originally posted by geochem

Contrary to glinda's rant, I have always assumed that the deciding factor for Inouye was the union support for the Jones Act (maritime, longshorman's, etc.) from whom Senator Inouye always received strong support.

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I don't recall speculating on why Inouye favored the Jones Act, though I do recall him saying something about the need to maintain a maritime industry that without federal intervention would collapse. An industry that in times of emergency, war etc., could be leveraged to augment our military. Unfortunately this still boils down to corporate welfare. Personally I would rather you got those two containers for the price of one verses all of us being gouged so deeply for whatever excuse Dan and his buddies cooked up.

I personally liked Dan and thought he did a lot for so many here in the islands. But when it came to military matters I felt he had a blind spot. But as long as he had that one sleeve rolled up as he did I had way too much respect for him to argue with him directly. Still and all, I believe the Jones Act should be repealed. I mean come on, as it is the military gets what, half? of our government budget? It's ridiculous to use them as an excuse for anything. They could buy the moon if they wanted too.