NYT: Bush Plan to Allow Mexican Truckers Throughout U.S. Draws Criticism

[kskiska]

A Bush administration plan to allow 100 Mexican trucking companies to haul freight deeper into the United States than previously allowed drew an angry reaction Friday from labor leaders, safety advocates and members of Congress.

The administration plan, announced Thursday, would have United States inspectors oversee Mexican trucking companies that carry cargo across the border. The pilot project will let Mexican truck companies travel throughout the United States. No hazardous material shipments will be permitted.

Currently, trucks from each country are allowed only 20 miles into the other to deliver their cargo.

Offering details on Friday, Transportation Secretary Mary E. Peters said, “This program will make trade with Mexico easier and keep our roads safe at the same time.”

But opponents said Mexico had substandard trucks and low-paid drivers that would threaten national security, cost thousands of jobs and endanger motorists.

more…
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/24/washington/24trucks.html?_r=1&ref=washington&oref=slogin

[anitar1]

1. That's all we need. Our roads are so bad now. How about more

trucks tearing them up ? There is also the question about insurance. But The Sociopath doesn't care, he has more money in his pocket from yet another deal that will accommodate his best buds. Anything Bush does is for profit.I know they have been talking about this for the last year. He is determined to mine this country for all it has to give.

[caligirl]

7. * will be unloading ships in Mexico and trucking the contents to canada and

the US by a huge hwy already under construction 4 football fields wide starting in, of course, Texas.

The unionized ports of Oakland and Long beach will be out of business.

[caligirl]

2. Pay attention people to what * is really going for here:

H. CON. RES. 487

Expressing the sense of Congress that the United States should not engage in the construction of a North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Superhighway System or enter into a North American Union with Mexico and Canada.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 28, 2006

Mr. GOODE (for himself, Mr. PAUL, Mr. JONES of North Carolina, and Mr. TANCREDO) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on International Relations, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Expressing the sense of Congress that the United States should not engage in the construction of a North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Superhighway System or enter into a North American Union with Mexico and Canada.

Whereas, according to the Department of Commerce, United States trade deficits with Mexico and Canada have significantly widened since the implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA);

Whereas the economic and physical security of the United States is impaired by the potential loss of control of its borders attendant to the full operation of NAFTA;

Whereas a NAFTA Superhighway System from the west coast of Mexico through the United States and into Canada has been suggested as part of a North American Union;

Whereas it would be particularly difficult for Americans to collect insurance from Mexican companies which employ Mexican drivers involved in accidents in the United States, which would increase the insurance rates for American drivers;

Whereas future unrestricted foreign trucking into the United States can pose a safety hazard due to inadequate maintenance and inspection, and can act collaterally as a conduit for the entry into the United States of illegal drugs, illegal human smuggling, and terrorist activities; and

Whereas a NAFTA Superhighway System would be funded by foreign consortiums and controlled by foreign management, which threatens the sovereignty of the United States: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That--

(1) the United States should not engage in the construction of a North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Superhighway System;

(2) the United States should not enter into a North American Union with Mexico and Canada; and

(3) the President should indicate strong opposition to these or any other proposals that threaten the sovereignty of the United States.

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c109:H.CON.RES.487:

[VegasWolf]

3. When I was a small boy, I remember a slogan that went something like "Made in America!" nt

[ShortnFiery]

4. I remember driving in Central America ...

often listening to AC/DC's "The Razor's Edge" off of the car's cassette player. I'm here to tell you folks, you can enjoy adrenalin tripping while driving in Panama without the use of ANY mind altering chemicals. :hippie:

UNREAL! You see everything and every absurd behavior on the road. I'd have to mentally cross myself for the hope of Divine Protection as I neared an intersection. It was right before you entered that the trucks (without signals or lights) would pull out directly in front of you. :wow: :crazy:

[caligirl]

5. You need to know what SPP is all about and why this is NAFTA PLUS

""If you have not read the news in a few months, you may be unaware: there are plans to create a North American Union, whereby Mexico, the United States and Canada will eventually become a single country, with a single currency and a single superhighway system.

Construction on the NAFTA Superhighway, encompassing I-69 and directed by NASCO, has already begun in two states. It will run from central Mexico, through the middle of the United States, through Kansas City, and up into Canada. It will be four football fields wide, off limits to most Americans, and run by foreign companies.

The mechanism to implement the NAU is the SPP (Strategic and Prosperity Partnership of North America), which was settled between President Bush, President Vicente Fox and Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin during their March 2005 summit meeting in Waco, Texas. Sec. of State Condoleezza Rice has been instrumental in setting the SPP plans in motion. The North American Union will modeled after ultra-liberal European Union, and put in place by administrative regulations under the SPP umbrella."http://stopspp.com/stopspp/?p=85

[ShortnFiery]

6. We will just be simply *AMERICA* (North, Central and South) n/t

[seafan]

8. Yes, this is the foot in the door to the North American Union.

More information in this thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x275025

[ohio2007]

15. You mean it's a kick in the ass for Teamster unions nt

[VegasWolf]

9. Exactly, and United States workers will just be too expensive in this new world

order. All laid off US workers will be encouraged to apply at either Taco Bell or Del Taco for further employment and retraining.

[Gloria]

11. Will all those trucks be using those alternative fuels that Bush was

talking about today?? You know, the ones that will be available pronto so that we won't have to drive cars (or trucks) that look like golf carts??? (He said that, I didn't)

[UpInArms]

13. check out the "Smartport" in Kansas City

http://www.kcsmartport.com/index.htm

and see this one also:

http://www.kcsmartport.com/sec_news/media/articles/kcstar_101405.htm

Trade deals put KC on the map;
International leaders meet
By Rick Alm
The Kansas City Star
October 14, 2005

Nearly 200 U.S., Canadian and Mexican business and government leaders met Thursday to map new North American trade partnerships that will place Kansas City in a pivotal role.

“Kansas City is well positioned to be an economic and transportation hub of North America,” said Sen. Kit Bond of Missouri, keynote speaker for the two-day conference. He outlined the region’s central geography, nationally ranked highway and rail assets, and a pending agreement that will allow Mexico to establish its first foreign-based customs inspection office here.

That precedent-setting international pact is the subject of high-level talks now between the two nations, and Bond said the deal was expected to close soon.

The Kansas City Council has approved a $2.5 million loan to KC SmartPort to build the customs facility in the West Bottoms near Kemper Arena on city-owned land east of Liberty Street and mostly south of Interstate 670.

...more...

[Gloria]

10. This has been brewing for awhile...Not happy about it down here

in Southern NM....

Truckers are up in arms, afraid this will make it impossible for them to make a living....

[Jacklyn75]

12. Unbelievable!

More job loss and more pollution! Just what we need!

[ohio2007]

14. What do the Teamsters think about this open road policy ?

IS it an attempt to lower wages from non union sources?

[robcon]

16. This is required by NAFTA.

Canadian and U.S. trucks have been allowed to do this in each other's countries since 1995. The fact that Mexican trucks haven't been allowed is a violation of the treaty.