Obama Aims Budget Torpedo at Merchant Mariner Unions

[Omaha Steve]

http://inthesetimes.com/working/entry/14952/obama_aims_budget_torpedo_at_merchant_mariner_unions/

By Bruce Vail



A merchant mariner aboard a replenishment oiler prepares to attach a cargo net to a helicopter. Unions believe the Obama administration's proposed changes to a U.S. humanitarian food aid program could mean a loss of jobs for upward of 1,200 Merchant Marine personnel. (U.S. Navy / Flickr / Creative Commons)


Washington mostly yawned last month when President Barack Obama presented his official budget proposal to Congress, but it rang alarm bells for the unions representing American merchant sailors, who felt their ships were suddenly under friendly fire.

The unions feel torpedoed by an obscure budget provision that would shift financial control of U.S. humanitarian food aid away from federal government agencies and place it in the hands of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) such as Oxfam America and Catholic Relief Services. Union advocates say the reform, touted as a way to benefit undernourished countries, would idle U.S. shipping and force crewmembers into long-term unemployment.

The humanitarian program was established in 1954 as a Cold War initiative to boost U.S. influence in developing countries. From the start, it specified that the food would be domestically produced and then shipped in U.S.-flag commercial vessels. The food was often carried in bags stamped “From the American People” so that recipients would have no doubt about the source of wheat, rice and other food commodities being delivered. But now, in an attempt to stretch aid dollars, the Obama administration wants to reduce or eliminate the U.S. sourcing element of the program.

“To me [the change] is inexplicable. The point of the food aid program is to provide American help to people who are suffering, it’s not just about handing out bags of money,” says Don Marcus, President of the International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots (MM&P), a union representing ships officers. “You are talking about American jobs—not just maritime jobs, but farming jobs and jobs all along the transport chain.”

FULL story at link.

[leftyohiolib]

1. more love from our dem president

[kelliekat44]

2. A true understanding of the issue and what "budget cuts" means might help folks.

Everyone wants the government to cut spending...but no one wants anything cut.

[byeya]

3. Everyone does not want to cut gov't spending. The Austerians want to cut gov't spending.

Those who realize government spending on infrastructure will boost the recovery favor more gov't spending.
And, if you do make cuts, why hurt those who supported you? Another slap at collective bargaining.

[MannyGoldstein]

4. "Make no mistake... America can't afford a living wage.

Times have changed, and America needs to maintain it's competitiveness. While Chinese and Russian Plutocrats haven't caught up with our own Plutocrats yet, we must undertake common-sense reforms that will ensure that our Plutocrats remain the most Plutocraty in the world.

A living wage is something we can no longer afford. Only by paying lower wages can our Plutocrats gain the advantage they need to keep a leg up on the foreign competition."

[Fuddnik]

5. Someone will be along shortly to explain to us why this is a good thing.

And to explain how the budget will never pass anyway. So, it's all a joke on the Republicans. He doesn't really mean it.

[Demo_Chris]

12. Well said sir. American "workers" -- with their televisions and interweb and refrigerators...

...Many living with only one or two families per home, and a bed for each, have been spoiled long enough. Workers in China and Vietnam and India are laughing at us and our lazy ways. Like our President, I think we can and must do better. If they can drink and bathe in toxic waste while putting in 18 hour days, surely our workers can at least commit to an easy 14 hour day. I don't think that's too much to ask, and I am proud to have a party that shares my views.

[Overseas]

6. Sad K&R. Democrats need to support our unions. It's part of rebuilding our middle class.

[blackspade]

7. Why is this kind of shit showing up in a Democratic president's budget?

The daily shanking we seem to get from this administration is getting unbearable.

[Brickbat]

8. Shameful. K&R.

[Javaman]

9. The Merchant Marines have a long a colorful history...

My Uncle was in them before he was drafted in WWII.

and speaking of torpedoed, (which to me is a very poor choice of words for the headline), my Uncle was torpedoed off of Newfoundland during the Lend Lease act by a U-boat, while he was abort a victory ship.

Over the side, in less than 30 seconds still in his skivvies. He was shaving when they were hit. The ship split in half and went down in less than a minute.

He spend the next 6 hours covered in oil(which probably saved him from freezing to death) in a life boat until was picked up.

[JayhawkSD]

10. Interesting point in there, though

"The point of the food aid program is to provide American help to people who are suffering" (emphasis mine)

While I agree with the OP, and the gist of the objection voiced, how is American help any better than any other help? Our goal should be to provide help, and not be so hung up on where the provided goods came from. Is the purpose of the program to help others? Or is it to provide American jobs and sell American products to the government for giveaway? I would suggest its purpose is to do both.

Mr. Marcus is trying to sort of gloss over the second part, and claim that Obama is damaging the first part by using foreign ships and goods.

Reality is Obama is not damaging the first part, but he is destroying the second part, and it is perfectly proper and fitting to object to that. We should be raising all sorts of hell about that, since there is no reason to do it. It does not advance the cause of the first part, and it harms our own people in the process.

[woo me with science]

11. Every day, a new assault.

Every single day.

[woo me with science]

13. kick