The root of the problem is the Jones act, a protectionist measure passed in the 1920s. It requires that all vessels operating in American waters to be US-registered and crewed by Americans. Obama has the authority to suspend the act (as GWB did after Katrina) but so far has refused to do so.
http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/24306
What...go against the union buddies to protect those “red” states?