Posted on 01/05/2008 4:44:15 AM PST by Man50D
A constitutional crisis is developing between Congress and the Department of Transportation over the federal government's decision to continue its project allowing Mexican trucks on U.S. roads, in defiance of new legislation. "The DOT response is both arrogant and wrong!" Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., wrote in a letter yesterday to Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration officials told the San Diego Union Tribune the cross-border Mexican truck demonstration project would continue because the program was established in September and the amendment allows programs that have already begun to continue.
But Dorgan insisted a provision in the 2008 omnibus spending bill was "clearly written and designed to put the brakes on the current pilot program."
"Failure to end the pilot program, I believe, will put the Department of Transportation in direct violation of federal law," the senator charged.
As WND reported in September, the amendment championed by Dorgan to remove funding for the project from the 2008 DOT appropriations bill passed the Senate by a bipartisan majority of 74-24.
(Excerpt) Read more at worldnetdaily.com ...
"The Bush administration is showing itself to be a rogue administration," Spencer said. "I understand the need to reduce the size of government, but I didn't realize it could involve doing away with the entire legislative branch. "It's outrageous and hypocritical for the Bush administration to be preaching democracy around the world, while blowing off democracy at home," he added.BDS hysteria and hyperbole aside, I think congress is correct to demand that the DOT obey the law. And in this case, I agree with the law.
I am sure all the terrorists, illegals, and drug dealers support the NAFTA/NAU/Mexico trucks deal.
The program should be stopped, now. The arrogance of the Bush Admin to value the rights of illegals, drug dealers, etc over the rights of American citizens
“BDS hysteria and hyperbole aside, “
While there is a certain amount of hyperbole there it is wrong for him to do that. A lot of what Congress does is also wrong.
Before the Mexicans trucks were allowed to come into USA so freely, 19 wheelers rarely crashed. Now there are several every day in Houston where we live and in L A where we used to live. I keep wondering if there is a connection. They caught an 18 wheeler this week that had illegals hidden behind the merchandise in the truck.
So the Dems get their illegal aliens and the APPEARANCE
of trying to stop it, too.
Strategery? I think not.
I agree.
I am a free trader - so does this agreement allow U.S. trucks freedom in Mexico?
I'll see your "A lot" and raise you a "most"....
500 trucks operating since September and you’re seeing a rash of truck accidents in Houston? Yet with all the opposition to this program, no reports of Mexican trucks being involved?
Of course, you would avoid the entire point of the article. Against the will of Congress and the people of the U.S. this administration is allowing foreign trucks into the U.S.
I am a free trader - so does this agreement allow U.S. trucks freedom in Mexico?
*************************************************
Officially , on paper , yes , however in reality as Mexico is a giant mafia town our truckers are unable to operate as they would be robbed blind... Cars and Trucks stolen in the US and taken into Mexico are not returned ,, in fact most of the Mexican police cars in border towns were stolen from US. There is a reason why your insurance policy doesn’t cover you if you drive into Mexico. In Mexico regular citizens are not allowed to own guns ,, our truckers are prohibited from carrying any weapon by the USDOT regs and would be unarmed against the criminal police forces of Mexico. In Laredo TX over 70 Americans have been kidnapped and brought into Mexico in recent times ,, many as sex toys for the drug lords who like blonds.
Maybe because I was responding to an individual comment? Just a thought.
Someone's political, ergo financial, ox is getting gored and it's such a precious animal that they're not giving it up without a fight.
Follow the money.
Not trying to be picky but the title seems to be misleading. The article states a conflict with the DOT and the Congress — not the Mexican truckers.
Of course, I realize that it’s a fantasy to state that a government department is not a commercial entity. It’s the most profitable business to be in. No overhead, great benefits and the perqs are for others to die for.
Most of the problems I’ve had lately with truckers consist of the “I don’t give a shit how your load got damaged” attitude by teamster drivers.
The poster is not avoiding the point of the article.
They are simply arguing the point of the other poster.
“Yet with all the opposition to this program, no reports of Mexican trucks being involved?”
There have been accidents, some have been reported. I for one do not trust the MSM to cover these types of things with full disclosure.
A couple of questions for you:
Do you propose that vehicles in Mexico are maintained to the same standard as those in the US?
Do you think its a good idea for large trucks to be allowed entry to any part of the US from Mexico with virtually no inspections or limitations?
Are you aware of the massive drug problem that exists within the US caused by drugs smuggled in/from/thru Mexico?
What is the problem the DOT and Bush are trying to solve with this program?
1. yes
2. no
3. yes
4. having to trans-ship goods from one carrier to another
Cash flow...
1. yes (rudeboy)
LMAO.
Do you want me to post the regs, or do you choose to remain blissfully ignorant of them?
“Reeducation” is correct. Instead of pressing the Administration on immigration, we must complain about trucks. In fact, the more we complain about trucks, the easier it will be for it to ignore us about immigration.
By the time Bush leaves office; he’s gonna leave his successor with one hell of a mess to clean up!!!
1/2009 won’t come soon enough for me!
We can only hope & pray that the Gelding Old Party gets a testicles & spine implant in the meantime and nominates a true blue conservative to be POTUS who will secure BOTH borders, fine employers who hire illegals, deport ALL illegals and enforce the immigration laws of this country!
Dick Cheney, your country needs you!
LOL Just because there are regulations does not mean they are enforced. We have border laws (regulations) also. So much for them working.
Let's see You don't care when US manufacturing jobs are lost, U.S. trucking jobs are lost etc. What's the deal?
All those bureaucrats will do nothing at all. And the cops will be eating donuts.
I care when anyone loses their job. Just not you.
The deal was at least 30 pieces of silver....but he won’t say the exact figure.
Here in Michigan the law says every vehicle driven must have insurance. Do you think they all have insurance?
Here in Michigan they law says you must have a drivers license to operate a motor vehicle. Do you think everybody has a driver’s license? (I personally know several that have been driving for YEARS without a license)
Around here if the illegals get stopped for virtually ANY traffic violation it appears to be a ‘catch and release’ program.
So, despite what the regulations say, do you really think the Mexican trucks are really meeting the regulations?
Keep in mind that I’ve lived in Texas several times and regularly visit there... and my friends who are life long residents of Texas (and former LEO’s) say the Mexican trucks generally DO NOT meet the regulations.
What???? Just because you don't work to to your "disability" you want all other Americans not to work either.
Leading to the question, how many of those uninsured drivers in Michigan will run out and get insurance if Mexican trucks are not allowed to operate beyond the 20-mile buffer zone?
What disability? I fed 38 horses Thursday morning.
You are book smart but don't have a lick of comon sense.
“Common sense” defined as, “you agree with me,” apparently.
I agree.
Yep...we can only hope & pray that a true, blue conservative is elected POTUS in 2008!
You are lost to what is happening to the average American worker. That is why a democrat is going to be the next president. You post all your meaningless/deceitful charts from the "unbiased" Cato Inst and expect all the other posters on this site to believe you. Guess what? Your "free trade at any cost" side is losing. You and toddler are down to a few core group of believers.
Yep.
Just about everyone on FR (and even those who don’t post here) are aware about his deal....it’s that obvious.
If you feel the path to political success is by pandering to segments of the voting population, be my guest. You'll get people to follow along. Although when it comes to pandering-contests, the Democrats always win.
And I prefer Heritage to Cato. You just think that the Heritage charts I post are from Cato because you react to them as a vampire to garlic.
A simple trip to Tijuana shows the maintenance standards are not the same. Let them be inspected and have insurance and the maintenance issue would be less of an issue. Let the drivers be drug tested as well since its common for Mexican carriers to require extremely long hours by the drivers.
Port security is a problem everywhere but to allow trucks into the US without even a cursory inspection and then allow those trucks to go anywhere seems foolish from a security perspective.
This program is an effort to bypass the unions at the ports and the american trucking industry. I’m not a fan of unions but insourcing this industry is not in America’s best interests. It may be in the best interests for the corrupt mexican govt and drug cartels though.
Again, I’m wondering where this “without even a cursory inspection” meme comes from.
“All those bureaucrats will do nothing at all.”
Bureaucrats are bureaucrats, those that want to do something will be outvoted by their chain of command (eg the President).
” And the cops will be eating donuts.”
The mexican truck drivers will have virtual immunity so the cops will only be able to clean up the mess and notify the survivors. Cops that try to do something will be visited by lawyers from the mexican consulate.
The majority of the American public and industry think this is a stupid idea. The only folks pushing this are foreign companies and governments. Why is our President giving them what they want and ignoring Americans?
The Mexis may be defying congress, but they're on the same page as our Mexi-loving President.
And how many times has this happened, say, since 1981?
“how many of those uninsured drivers in Michigan will run out and get insurance if Mexican trucks are not allowed to operate beyond the 20-mile buffer zone?”
About the same number of Mexicans truck drivers who will run out and buy insurance and get their brakes checked.
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