The inaction on the Jones Act showed the real Donald Trump.

[kentuck]

When it came down to a choice between wealthy ship owners and 3 million American citizens on the island of Puerto Rico, Trump was bewildered. He was going to do nothing until the PR became so strong that he could see it hurting him personally. He then decided to lift the ban on shipping temporarily. But, we got to see the real Donald Trump.

[riversedge]

1. Bewildered?? Trump has his nanny next to him. I would this Kelly would

just say--The jones act needs to be wavered NOW! But I do not know what Kelly said or if he gave advice. What is bewildered is that trump said PR was an island with a big ocean around it (that itself was!!). Anyway, it makes it all the more imperative that ships get to and are able to drop off supplied without big fees attached. But Trump and his advisors did not make that connection.

[kentuck]

3. My guess is that Trump is very familiar with the Jones Act.

He may be invested in some of these ships?

[riversedge]

13. um.. had not thought of that.

[spanone]

2. he waived if for texas and florida with hardly a thought....

he couldn't care less about PR

[Turbineguy]

4. I don't think it's quite that simple.

The Jones act has a lot of supporters and detractors. A lot of Democratic Lawmakers are staunch supporters (Defense of the Nation and all that). A lot of Republicans are against the Jones Act. Corporate "wealthy ship owners" would flag out, dump the Unions and pay lower wages.

McCain is against the Jones Act because of his Navy upbringing. Some (not all) Navy types resent the higher wages.

But yes, Trump could have acted faster. As it is, he can extend the waiver. But I see this delay as just normal Trump incompetence.

[kentuck]

5. It is my understanding that they register as Panamanian and Bahamian ships to escape taxes?

Primarily?

[Turbineguy]

6. Yes.

And Liberian.

All of those registries are run out of an office in Reston VA. Same office, different filing cabinets, so I'm told. There's also the Marshall Island Registry. A special situation.

[kentuck]

7. I am no authority on the subject but...

...would the amount of taxes be so great as to prevent them from not wanting to help in such a humanitarian effort? I get the feeling there is a lot more going on with this "Jones Act" than any of us know?

[Turbineguy]

8. The Jones act is extremely complex

and a lot of competing interests are involved. Shipyards don't want ships built overseas. Owners don't want to pay higher U.S. shipbuilding costs. Sailors' Unions want jobs. Owners want to pay sailors less. There are government subsidies to shipyards and owners with complicated rules. Ships are required to be suitable for Defense Dept use.

It goes on.

This Jones Act argument is a strawman. The Jones Act has nothing to do with what's going on in Puerto Rico. It does not help and it does not hinder. But republicans who want to get rid of the Act can hardly be expected to let a tragedy take place without somehow taking advantage of it, can they?

http://bridgedeck.org/actionnetwork/MLA-Maria-JonesAct.pdf?link_id=0&can_id=1ba06146d0137a8e3ebb18b934178df1&source=email-the-maritime-labor-alliance-supports-the-citizens-of-puerto-rico&email_referrer=email_241118&email_subject=the-maritime-labor-alliance-supports-the-citizens-of-puerto-rico

[kentuck]

9. Who are the owners of these big ships?

Are they in the US Senate?

[Turbineguy]

10. The owners are corporations.

But I believe McConnell has some interest in foreign flag shipping through his wife.

[kentuck]

11. Oh yeah!

I remember that one of their ships was involved in some way with drug smuggling?

[Turbineguy]

12. Yes.

I don't think it was the owners who were smuggling though.