<p>In many cases, what plagues USMMA specifically is what plagues America generally: Once an institution is created is lives forever regardles of whether it serves a purpose. Regardless of whether or not MMA offers a fine education, its mission in modern-day America is largely unneeded. The domestic shipping industry is, for all practical purposes, dead. The “maritime industry” is private enterprise; and for all of you “limited government, tea-party” types, you should be ashamed that public tax dollars are used to support private industry in this way. Not that it doesn’t occur in many other industries as well; so, in that respect, you are no different than others who seek to stay at the pork trough.</p>
<p>There will be all sorts of people who will justify MMA’s existence; more power to them. Just be honest that this is nothing more than a big sop to the maritaime industry. As I said before, would I advise a kid who wants to enter the maritime industyr to consider MMA? Absolutely. The current law, as has been pointed out, supports the “mission” of the MMA; take advantage of it. Everybody else does.</p>
<p>Life goes one. MMA remains a part of the budget and will for the foreseeable future.
By the way, my advice is provided to those at the MMA who are trying to clean up the rather substantial financial mess that exists.</p>