Bush Defies Congress on Mexican Truck Policy

Defensor · 01-05-2008, 10:51 PM

Program allows Mexican trucks in U.S.

Quote:

The Bush administration is going ahead with a controversial pilot program giving Mexican trucks greater access to U.S. highways despite a new law by Congress against it.

The decision to proceed with the four-month-old program, which allows participating Mexican trucking companies to send loads throughout the United States, comes despite language in the recently signed catchall spending bill aimed at blocking it.

But the Department of Transportation is taking advantage of a loophole in the new law, which prohibits the government from spending any money to "establish" the program. The government says the new rules don't apply to the current program since it was started in September.

"The U.S. Department of Transportation will not establish any new demonstration programs with Mexico," said Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration spokeswoman Melissa Mazzella DeLaney. "The current cross-border trucking demonstration project � established in September � will continue to operate in a manner that puts safety first."

Congressional opponents of the programs insist that it's clear what lawmakers were trying to do last year when both House and Senate voted against allowing the program to go forward.

The provision, as signed by President Bush last month, says: "None of the funds made available under this act may be used to establish a cross-border motor carrier demonstration program to allow Mexico-domiciled motor carriers to operate beyond the commercial zones along the international border between the United States and Mexico."

"They know what the law says," retorted Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., who won a 74-24 vote to block the program. "And they're not above the law." Dorgan warned they better follow the law.

The hotly contested program, opposed by labor, independent truck owners and environmental groups, permits up to 500 trucks from 100 Mexican motor carriers full access to U.S. roads.

Opponents have been fighting the measure � part of the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement � since it was first proposed, saying the program will erode highway safety and eliminate U.S. jobs. And they say that there are insufficient safeguards exist to make sure that Mexican trucks are as safe as U.S. carriers.

Surprise, surprise.

Migi e! · 01-05-2008, 10:57 PM

& as usual, congress sits on their ass & allows it.

Pass the Bong · 01-06-2008, 12:25 AM

This is one of the many reasons why I think Bush has his head up his ass. Truckers are dying right now because the high cost of fuel, they need every load they can get and now they have to compete with a bunch of Mexicans that buys its fuel in Mexico cheaper and without paying US taxes yet using the road us taxpayers paid for, so they can haul the same load cheaper. Fucking Bush the ****** lover. ********edited to not offend johnny.*********

Sorry not meaning to offend anyone of Mexican descend, but these fucking Mexicans are stealing jobs that ARE AMERICANS!

johnflesh · 01-06-2008, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pass the Bong

This is one of the many reasons why I think Bush has his head up his ass. Truckers are dying right now because the high cost of fuel, they need every load they can get and now they have to compete with a bunch of Mexicans that buys its fuel in Mexico cheaper and without paying US taxes yet using the road us taxpayers paid for, so they can haul the same load cheaper. Fucking Bush the beaner lover.

Sorry not meaning to offend anyone of Mexican descend, but these fucking Mexicans are stealing jobs that ARE AMERICANS!

Man, fuck that.

Pass the Bong · 01-06-2008, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnflesh

Man, fuck that.

I have been called worst than that by illegals here during the illegal May Day parade.

If it offend you that much I will edit for you.

johnflesh · 01-06-2008, 12:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pass the Bong

I have been called worst than that by illegals here during the illegal May Day parade.

If it offend you that much I will edit for you.

Offended, no... I just know who not to take seriously. I was following you just fine up until that point.

Does it ever get embarrassing to be prejudice?

Dr House · 01-06-2008, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pass the Bong

This is one of the many reasons why I think Bush has his head up his ass. Truckers are dying right now because the high cost of fuel, they need every load they can get and now they have to compete with a bunch of Mexicans that buys its fuel in Mexico cheaper and without paying US taxes yet using the road us taxpayers paid for, so they can haul the same load cheaper. Fucking Bush the beaner lover.

Sorry not meaning to offend anyone of Mexican descend, but these fucking Mexicans are stealing jobs that ARE AMERICANS!

Truck driving is one of the more lucrative professions in the United States, even with the insane oil prices. Mexican truckers have to buy the same gas if they stay in American soil long enough and American lorries actually cross the border going south as much as Mexicans do going north. And the road problem is easy: Don't make the taxpayer pay for them. Privatize roads, problem solved. And being a "beaner lover" is, IMO Dubya Bush's one and only redeeming quality.

NO-Bama · 01-06-2008, 02:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr House

Truck driving is one of the more lucrative professions in the United States, even with the insane oil prices. Mexican truckers have to buy the same gas if they stay in American soil long enough and American lorries actually cross the border going south as much as Mexicans do going north. And the road problem is easy: Don't make the taxpayer pay for them. Privatize roads, problem solved. And being a "beaner lover" is, IMO Dubya Bush's one and only redeeming quality.

Hahahaha....you've got to be delusional. This couldn't be further from the truth, unless you consider working 70 hours in an 8 day period (of logged time, which is honestly usually fudged to look legal, but more often than not these guys work even more...yes, ILLEGALLY....to get the job done) for an average of around 40-45,000 per year as being lucrative. I was a truck driver. I know what its like from years of experience. Most go weeks without seeing their families. You work any time of the day from one day to the next. 10 hours on, 8 hours off, as the DOT requires (yeah right). And it goes on and on and on. Days without a shower sometimes, until you get time to take one at a truckstop. You get paid by the mile, so if the wheels aren't rolling, you aren't making money. You might be away from home for 21 straight days, but you're not getting paid for all that time. Be very careful around truckers on the highway, would be my recommendation, because they are some of the most over-worked, under-rested people in America. You never know when the last time was that they truly got some restful sleep. Red Bull and coffee only go so far before you crash.

And Mexican drivers are regulated even less, which makes them MORE dangerous.

nonsqtr · 01-06-2008, 07:20 AM

Argh..... you know, man.... this sh** REALLY pisses me off.

I mean, here I am, brand new on a new forum, and I'm sayin' to myse'f, "okay, I'm gonna be polite, and not piss anyone off, and not use any expletives or anything like that" -

But GODDAMIT, I can't help it.... you know, this friggin' clown in the White House is a MENACE to the People of the United States.

I'm sorry, but..... rrrrr...... you know, I'm gonna just state this once, unequivocally and for the record, and then I'll just try to shut up about it (hard as that may be):

But just so everyone knows, my humble opinion is, that

Our President is a moron.

God Help Us One And All. Seems to me, we could use His help these daye.

Yikes. You know, I've been a registered Republican all my life, I've never not once been a registered Democrat. But I just might vote for Obama this time, he seems like a good man, and I really want to stick it to these Neo-Morons, to help ensure that their evil and irresponsible political philosophy goes right into the trash can of history, which is exactly where it belongs.

There, 'nuff said. I feel better now. Thanks for indulging me. I'll be nice from now on.

Inkslinger · 01-06-2008, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pass the Bong

This is one of the many reasons why I think Bush has his head up his ass. Truckers are dying right now because the high cost of fuel, they need every load they can get and now they have to compete with a bunch of Mexicans that buys its fuel in Mexico cheaper and without paying US taxes yet using the road us taxpayers paid for, so they can haul the same load cheaper. Fucking Bush the ****** lover. ********edited to not offend johnny.*********

Sorry not meaning to offend anyone of Mexican descend, but these fucking Mexicans are stealing jobs that ARE AMERICANS!

Here's a thought. Give up the bong. It may improve your work ethic.