An Idea Even A Conservative Could Love
Homeland Security (OK, that phrase still gives me a bit of the willies) is a Big Issue in the upcoming campaign, and the Republicans are making a lot of noise about it, but our ports are still about as porous as a fishnet. Thousands of containers arrive aboard ships every day, and only a tiny fraction of them are inspected. I won't go into possible mayhem that one or two of these could cause under the right (wrong) circumstances, but it's clear that we're not doing what we should be to ensure the safety of our ports and citizenry.
So, herewith a notion that should appeal to everyone.
Tax breaks are given to American companies to improve their inspection procedures. The more completely they inspect the containers, the bigger the tax breaks. Non-American-owned companies also get a tax break, but it's smaller, thereby encouraging them to outsource the inspection to American companies.
Everyone wins:
--Containers are inspected, thereby improving our safety
--Bush & Co. get to give tax breaks to businesses; their favorite occupation
--More American jobs are created.
Yes, it means a tax break, but that's probably cheaper than expanding Homeland Security and having them do it.
So, herewith a notion that should appeal to everyone.
Tax breaks are given to American companies to improve their inspection procedures. The more completely they inspect the containers, the bigger the tax breaks. Non-American-owned companies also get a tax break, but it's smaller, thereby encouraging them to outsource the inspection to American companies.
Everyone wins:
--Containers are inspected, thereby improving our safety
--Bush & Co. get to give tax breaks to businesses; their favorite occupation
--More American jobs are created.
Yes, it means a tax break, but that's probably cheaper than expanding Homeland Security and having them do it.