By Dennis Powell, e-Management

For decades, the public’s perception of government has slowly deteriorated. In a Pew Research Report released last year, public satisfaction with the government was only 11 percent—an all time low. I wonder if those numbers would improve if more Americans knew about the awesome things many government agencies do to create jobs, keep people safe, and help promote energy independence.

Enough on Stats, Let’s Turn the Spotlight on MARAD
Maritime Administration (MARAD) is an agency of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). According to its website, MARAD promotes “the development and maintenance of an adequate, well-balanced United States merchant marine.” Okay, so what does that mean? It means that MARAD might just be the best agency you never knew existed.

And…to know MARAD is to value MARAD.
Seriously, Democrats, Republicans, and everyone in between should absolutely love MARAD! Why? Because of its potential!

1. MARAD helps to free up the roads. Are you sick of being stuck in traffic? Well MARAD could help with your predicament by reducing the number of large trucks on the road. The agency runs the America’s Marine Highway Program, which was established by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. The program promises to relieve congestion on the highway. Instead of using commercial vehicles for shipping goods over long distances, the same cargo can be transported using the marine highway, which consists of more than more 29,000 miles (46670 kilometers) of waterways including the oceans, rivers, gulfs, and lakes.
2. MARAD promotes safety and stronger national security. The National Defense Reserve Fleet (NDRF), owned and maintained by MARAD, serves our national shipping needs during times when we need help the most. The merchant marines assist the armed forces during times of war. When national emergencies arise, MARAD may also be called on to support relief or evacuation efforts. MARAD also provides alternative ways to transport hazardous materials—keeping our communities safe.
3. MARAD promotes a stronger economy and job creation. The merchant marine is responsible for the transport of commercial import and export goods. In addition, the Marine Highway Program can help to create new jobs for many Americans. The use of our waterways could also mean savings for state governments due to less “wear and tear on roads and bridges.”  The program means new opportunities for shipbuilders, which would lead to even more jobs!
4. MARAD promotes green values and sustainability. Another bonus of MARAD’s Marine Highway Program is the impact it will have on the environment. According to MARAD, the program promotes transportation that is sustainable and “requires less energy and reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions per ton-mile of freight moved.” Also, marine fleets are using innovative engine technology mandated by MARAD, which promotes sustainability and is safe for the environment.

MARAD’s Potential?
Every administration from the 1970s to the present has talked about energy independence with relatively little progress. MARAD seems to be an agency that could help to bring the USA closer to that reality. But do you think MARAD will actually have any real effect on energy independence? Can MARAD have a bona fide impact on reducing the number of commercial vehicles on the roads? Do you think MARAD is an asset to government or a potential liability for taxpayers?