Rep Peter DeFazio (D-OR), chairman of the Transportation Committee came down on the other side of the equation noting that he isn’t interested in bailing out the cruise industry. He spoke plainly when he said, “They aren’t American. They don’t pay taxes in the United States of America. If they want to re-flag their ships … and pay U.S. wages and pay U.S. taxes, maybe.”
We agree with DeFazio.
In our view any relief should be limited to the 172,000 U.S. citizens who are negatively affected by the crisis. There is no doubt other cruise lines will follow Princess Cruises lead and suspend operations which will have a deleterious effect on a great number of those 172,000 who work within the cruise industry. They should be provided some sort of economic relief, just like the barista and the sales person in the local Florida mall.
rogozh1n on March 20th, 2020 at 21:59 UTC »
The very concept that they are licensed in tax havens and then the taxpayers bail them out -- that is so wrong.
MissRedShoes1939 on March 20th, 2020 at 22:06 UTC »
Not my boat, not my bailout.
pale_blue_dots on March 20th, 2020 at 22:29 UTC »
Here's a real short article about this: