OK, Now We Are Paying To Pay To Pay
by Vince?Daliessio
An editorial in today's WSJ on imminent shrimp protectionism. Here's what?our representatives are doing to make us pay to protect?ourselves from low seafood prices;
"Even worse, Congress funded this charade that will soak U.S. consumers. In 2003 it distributed $35 million to eight states for disaster assistance to the shrimp industry. Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco gave $350,000 of that aid to the Southern Shrimp Alliance to pay legal fees for the dumping suit. "
So, you and I got to pay $350,000 (at least) to raise shrimp prices at least 112%, and distribute the proceeds of the tarriff (estimated $890,000 each) to shrimpers hurt by the "dumping" (only US shrimpers who "apply" for this welfare will get it). Mexico, by the way, gets a pass on the antidumping fleecing;
"According to the trade journal Seafood.com, the Alliance admitted dropping Mexico from the suit because individuals "contributed significant funds (read: bribes) to the legal fight to achieve anti-dumping duties.""
So next time you pay higher prices for shrimp, or higher taxes, you can thank Bubba Gump and his paid lackeys in Congress.
