Re: “Save our ferry system: A plea for assist from an islander” [Nov. 29, Opinion]:
Op-Ed creator Paul Bunning suggests repealing the Jones Act as an answer to Washington State Ferries’ issues. He known as the Jones Act protectionist with out explaining what the Jones Act is.
The Jones Act, in any other case referred to as the Service provider Marine Act of 1920, is a legislation launched by United States Senator Wesley Jones of Washington State as needed for nationwide protection to advertise a service provider navy. The legislation requires that waterborne commerce between two ports in the US be performed on American-owned, -manned, and -built vessels. It requires house owners to adjust to US labor, environmental and tax legal guidelines.
Bunning glorifies the shipbuilding industries of China, Germany and Poland. The shipbuilding business in these international locations is sponsored not as a result of these international locations are socialist, however fairly as a result of they acknowledge shipbuilding as important to their nationwide protection. Our shipbuilding business was destroyed when President Ronald Reagan ended shipbuilding subsidies in 1981, placing the US at a aggressive drawback. Speak about giving up the farm.
Present opponents of the Jones Act embody international transport pursuits, the libertarian Cato Institute, and pro-choice deniers reminiscent of U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz and Mike Lee. Let’s strengthen our service provider navy, not drain it.
William Williamson, Federal Method