Exempting Puerto Rico from Jones Act

Alaskans know all about the Jones Act and fully sympathize with Puerto Rico on this issue. It’s a sign of our colonial relationships with the United States that Alaska, Hawaii and PR are forced to pay (on average) 30% more for goods because of the Jones Act requirement that even foreign goods be shipped on US-flagged ships. It strangles our economy here in Alaska, apparently PR feels it is harming their economy and I know people in Hawaii who say the same thing for them. Puerto Rico has greater problems tied to really stupid debt practices, but the Jones Act is part of the problem … a piece of the puzzle for fixing their woes.

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/making-sense/jones-act-holding-puerto-rico-back-debt-crisis/

Congress is considering suspending the Jones Act for Puerto Rico and I applaud. However …

HOWEVER, the Jones Act should be suspended for Alaska and Hawaii as well and Congress had better not play favorites with Puerto Rico while allowing the two actual states of the union to continue to suffer. But … I’m almost willing to lay down grocery money on this … I predict that if (and it’s a big “if”) Congress does repeal the Jones Act it will be only for PR and possibly Hawaii. Watch. Alaska is considered “special”. This is because the federal government believes the resources that rightfully belong to Alaskans should enrich those in the Lower 48 more than Alaskans. Evidence of our colonial relationship with the United States of Tyranny.

http://economics21.org/html/help-puerto-rico-repealing-jones-act-1403.html

http://www.joc.com/maritime-news/container-lines/bill-would-exempt-puerto-rico-jones-act-ignites-old-battles_20160608.html

So while I’m on Puerto Rico’s side in this debate, I insist that Alaska and Hawaii be included and suggest all three governments should join to fight for repeal.