The Greatest Threat to US Economic Power and Security

[paxamericana]

The Jones Act

Ships sailing inside US waterway had to be American owned , American built, American crewed

As a result of over a century of stupidity, the America now transport most of its cargo by Truck 90 %. Today America's greatest God given gift, it's waterway is severely under utilized at 1%. To give perspective to the level of stupidity, It cost per ton, 100x to move things on truck then to do so on a ship. 10x for rail than on ship. Much more so on air compared to ships with limits to the type of cargo for flammability hazards. . 

[robosmith]

Enacted by a Republican Congress to serve National Security just after WWI.

Of course short sighted business people (like you) don't want to pay for Security.

[paxamericana]

22 hours ago, robosmith said:

Enacted by a Republican Congress to serve National Security just after WWI.

Of course short sighted business people (like you) don't want to pay for Security.

Perpetuated by special interest groups. It's a similar story with the airline industry. Fact of the matter is, the American people are subsidising truck and vehicle related infrastructure. Water ways are a fraction of the cost to maintain compared to roads and bridges. It is the most cost effective way of transport since people learned how to make a boat.

Edited October 2, 2025 by paxamericana