Elimination of U.S. Pilot Truck Program Triggers Mexican Tariffs
 

Kind of delayed but I'm curious to know what are the main arguments for preventing Mexican trucks from using the US highways? Safety doesn't seem to be an issue and I don't see protectionism befitting many people in this situation.

I can't tell if Obama unknowingly scrapped the program or not.

http://www.heritage.org/Research/Lat...ica/wm2357.cfm

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nation/6313809.html

Mexico wants a trade war? LOL.

This will be like kicking a midget.

Are you nuts?

And if you follow the links it goes to a Texas newspaper editorial, with no substantiating evidence or corroboration. That don't make it true, Skippy.

Heritage.org? Should have known. They'd sell their own grandmothers.

My territory.

The main arguments are safety (unsubstantiated), job protection(also unsubstantiated) and somehow this is Bush's fault (it's not, blame Clinton, he signed NAFTA). Mexican trucks are all inspected at the border, Their out of service rate IS less than ours. While in the USA, Mexican drivers must abide by our rules. The only valid safety point is that it is possible for a Mexican driver to use two logbooks, one for the US and another for Mexico, to drive more than the allowed hours per day.

The unions are worried about the job loss, but the Canadians have been running here under the same rules and have taken no jobs.

The shrill refusal to admit our part in the treaty, signed years ago and only now are we beginning to live up to our obligations as we have required others to do. We either obey our own treaty or we should repeal it.

The Cross Border Demonstration Project has been defunded through the fiscal 2009 budget. What this means to NAFTA remains to be seen. I am watching.

Wasnt it a one year demonstration project implemented in FY 08....with the US having the right to extend it for two years?

I dont doubt that US labor is opposed to it...but why should it be automatically extended?

Is it also correct that Mexico has no mandatory drug/alcohol testing for CDLs? We may inspect the vehicles for safety violations at the border but do we test the drivers?

I dont know the answer to these questions...just asking.

Pilot programs are always limited in scope and under a magnifying glass by lots of concerned parties, so everyone involved is on their best behavior.
The problems arise when the pilot program has been declared a success, then the gates are thrown open to all. At the same time, most of the people that had magnifying glasses walk away and leave the poor understaffed agencies to deal with it.

According to an interim DOT IG report issued last year, it has not been all that successful...fewer than expected number of carriers and no assurances that they were all checked:
I know Bush extended it for two years right before he left office, despite the deficiencies noted in the DOT report and Obama just revoked that extension.

Makes sense to me to revoke the extension, if the FMCSA is not able to assure that every truck and driver is checked when there are such low numbers involved to-date (fewer than expected)...at least until there are greater assurances that quality control border check measures are fully implemented.

I really don't know enough about this to comment so I will stay out of it. I'm glad it's being discussed though.

I see, you don't know much about trucking, except how to flash the drivers.;)

:D

You've clearly never fought a midget, have you? They're small, but that means they're smaller targets, but still plenty strong. The vicious little buggers will duck your kick and have your balls off in no time. BEWARE!


Come on, this is the Cellar. Since when has knowing what you're talking about been a requirement for posting?

And they're worried about safety problems from the truckers. :headshake

So, the companies that moved their factories to Mexico for the cheaper wages are crying because we might not let them also truck the stuff in to the States with cheaper drivers too. Figures.

I've spent a while looking, but I can't find where NAFTA says we have to allow foreign trucking firms to operate on our soil.

Ah, okay, so it was in there.

We should withdraw from that treaty now.

Just saying.

lol - we should have never gotten involved in the first place.

Tell it to presidents 41-44.

Doesn't change my opinion - Does it affect yours? Whats your point?

Sure it affects my opinion. Both parties are whores (or more so, anyway), and neither one deserves anyone's vote.

But I do love when adherents of one party try to claim that the other party is the only one responsible for this shit.

So, you have no point. Gotcha. Just wanted to make sure that was clear.

Or you're just ignoring it to be a shit, because you pretty much know you're wrong.

Enjoy your tantrum.

I'm not ignoring anything and I'm certainly not throwing a tantrum. Your point is what? That you think "both parties are whores"?

yea, don't we ever learn? Just look at Iraq, and Afgahnistan.

:D Well all righty then! It's just that, when I post and don't really know what I'm talking about, I always get called out. I figured it would just be easier to keep my mouth shut. But what the hell, I'll play.

We probably really need stricter regulation for our own truckers, I can't imagine the nightmare of trying to enforce OUR SAFETY LAWS on Mexican drivers and trucks. They whine about everything we do, while they do the exact opposite in their own country (like immigration laws). For crissakes, we need MORE CONTROL over the borders, and that includes with truckers.

Good point.

Of course you are. You always get really bitter and hostile when you're pissed off. When you're in a regular mood, you just post non-stop strawman arguments.

Then you expect everyone to take your shit like they're your little bitch.

Too funny.

And your point was? I think you missed the question ... again.

I made my point. Your hilarious insistence on dodging it IS amusing, though.

Humor us all - what was your point?

Which one was your point?

Here is my point again...not that you asked.

Why should we extend the Bush pilot demonstration project that the Bush DOT said in its post-year review of the program is lacking key quality control measures to assure that every participating truck and driver is checked every time it crosses the border into the US?

There is no violation of the "letter of the law" of NAFTA that I am aware of... despite Mexico's claim...perhaps in the "spirit of the law" in which case Mexico is no shining example.

I would like to see Obama bring Mexico and Canada to the table to renegotiate NAFTA...but that's not likely to happen.

So we'll deal with these little flare ups and disagreements instead on a case by case basis.

This is the TGRR - classicman slapdown thread.

I'm having a hard time finding a slapdown-free thread today.

Perhaps we need a renegotiation of a Cellar Dwellers Free Discussion Agreement.

Perhaps you could start a group for that. :eyebrow:

Is that really feasible? Seriously. To put every truck through an extensive inspection every time is crosses the border would create a traffic jam all the way to Brazil. Wouldn't it?

According to the DOT report, there were only 18 Mexican carriers/trucking companies (and less than 100 total trucks) participating in the pilot demonstration and they still couldnt assure compliance. I think its safe to assume that they all were not arriving at the border at the same time on the same day.

Wow - thats it? Then it would seem like a no-brainer. Then again is it worth the expense for a few dozen trucks?
Doesn't really seem worth it - the whole program, I mean.

Nope...sure doesnt.

The DOT/IG final report summaryr on the demo project

From the full report - the numbers were 29 carriers (including 2 that withdrew) and 118 trucks. (my numbers were from the mid year report)

I couldnt pass a Cellar confirmation hearing....skeletons in the closet and issues of "attitude and overt partisanship"

yeh, tell me about it.

:D At least you haven't "crossed the line from being an irritatingly naive idealist to being a fucking moron."

Mexico just does not have the same kind of laws and regulations we have in this country, just as China doesn't. So why should we be forced to accept their trucks and drivers, if they are not up to our standards, and why should we accept certain products from China, when it's been proven they use lead and other toxic things in products they are selling us? What about the safety of our roads, and the safety of our people?

Sugarpop - its 118 trucks - this whole thing is a joke.

Who's "us all"? You and your tapeworm?

When you're done trolling, let me know.

I'm just saying... there is a double standard when it comes to Mexico and China, (and let's not even talk about Israel). Mexico and China are forcing us to rewrite our own safety standards, and Israel pushes us around with regard to our foreign policy. We really are wimps when it comes to this stuff, and it's because of corporations. They must have big trade agreements that are not in our best interests, but it lines their wallets.

Welcome to the Post-American Century. If you listen very closely, you can hear Teddy Roosevelt grinding his big choppers in his grave.

You don't have a point - its obvious. Attacking me will not change that.
"Us" is the rest of the people reading your dribble.

So wait.

You speak for everyone here?

That's quite an ego you have there, bro.

nope, just reminding you that the world doesn't revolve around you.
And thankfully I am not your "bro".

By claiming that it revolves around you, my sister? :3eye:

This childish game may be fun over at that "other site" you came from, but here it is just lame. Make your point or Fuck off -- preferably the latter.

Oh, so now you're giving orders?

If you guys come to blows, I could use one.

What? Wait, isn't this where you are suppose to call someone a troll?

You don't have to state the obvious Merc.

:corn:

I gotta be me. :)