CapitalistMarks

Pirates, a sensible multi-faceted solution!

Posted on 16. Apr, 2009 by scott in Social commentary, economic daydreaming, political munglings

Pirates are a huge?and expensive issue.? The issue is political, economical and social.? It has to end.? Millions?are paid to pirates each year in ransom.? Millions more are spent to evade or avoid them.? Yet, millions more to bring a naval presence to bear.? Nothing has been effective.? Sure we got lucky last week.? But, we can’t expect that to continue in the enraged environment our justified action has caused.? There has got to be a way.

To start, check out Ron Pauls’ solution (not bad either) and there are of course other ideas out there.? I am adding mine to the mix and it is the best yet, as you will see.

One thing is for sure, politcally and economically we (the U.S.) can’t let this awful situation continue, let alone get any worse.? It could end next week, or month, if we implement this plan and?bring the problem to a screeching halt.? The plan solves other problems as well, including?economic, political and more importantly unemployment (it will generate thousands of jobs . . . albiet with an?element of danger).

Here it is.

Our government, in collaboration with the U.N. or other governments (if they are willing, but without if they are not), declares a state of war against ’stateless’ pirates (Ron Pauls’ idea sort of gets to this but falls far short).? Then with the declaration in effect?we create lots of jobs by hiring?and training?guards (somebody has to train them — more jobs)?to accompany every American ship that travels in dangerous waters.? This will be like the sky marshal program?and will instantly be effective, cost efficient and most importantly ‘job creational’.

The pirates criminal acts need to be responded to legally, effectively, immediately, and overwhelmingly.? This plan would accomplish all of the above.? It just might?need a few refinements but it would work and work well!

Frankly, I would volunteer for training tomorrow and I would gladly take several?voyages each year as a guard.? Of course, my wife would come along to keep the weapons clean and in every port we would gladly spend money as tourists (further helping the world economy).

These jobs would have to be well-paid (a good full-time salary for limited part-time work–say no more than six months a year).? They would also have to employ only persons willing and able to do the dirty-work when it is required (please note here that I would consider it an honor to protect a vessel flying the American flag from pirates!).

The guards would in effect be deputized or enlisted so their actions are legal.? They would get training on all necessary weapons (up to and including anything necessary to outmatch the pirates) and be provided with such weapons and ammunition in sufficient quantities to get the job done.? A seperate note here:? every American vessel should be equiped with electronics to ‘jam’ communications from pirates so ‘mother ships’ and others won’t know what is happening.

Further, as an adjunct to this program, the involved navies would have to provide backup support with everything needed (including aircraft)?to ‘blow’ the pirate ships out of the water whenever called upon (including the so-called ‘mother ships’).? This plan would make piracy stupid, dangerous and with no economic benefits.

The new jobs would be good justification in their own right.? In the gulf of Aden alone there are about 20,000 transits per year?and this is not the only place where piracy takes place.? Say, 100,000 jobs at $100,000 per year and you have a $1 billion cost.? The benefits, worldwide, are far?greater than the total cost? and this does not include the benefit from the jobs that would be created (consider ransoms, increased insurance, risk of life and limb, increased costs etc.).?

Let’s do it.? Let’s stop piracy dead in the criminal’s tracks.? Let’s increase employment.? Let’s give veterans that need them a job (they should get preference).? Let’s spread money around the globe as the guards (and spouses if desired) get to see the world.? I admit the last one there is just my way of getting free (even paid) cruising benefits and I doubt the risks would be high after the first month or so.? Pirates would lose interest pretty fast.

Come on President Obama, this is the kind of creative thinking we need in Washington D.C.? and not just for this problem, but for a bunch more we face.? I am just a call away and there are thousands more like me.? The best ideas don’t come from D.C. they come from the ‘heartland’, so make the effort to get ‘our views”.

Capitalism rocks!?

Pirares suck!?

Sign me up, I can blog at sea!!

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Thanks to flickr’s randy son of robert for the photo

Tags: creative capitalism, job creation, Navy, pirate guards, pirates, President Obama, sky marshall, solving the pirate problem