Truckers protest fuel prices in Harrisburg (PA State Capitol)

[RamboLiberal]

Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

HARRISBURG -- Dozens of angry truck drivers, some in semis and some in pickup trucks, drove around streets just outside the state Capitol this morning with horns blaring to show their displeasure over rising diesel fuel prices.

Today's demonstration is a follow-up to one held March 22 at a truck stop just east of Harrisburg.

Truckers are complaining that they aren't making much, if any, money due to the constant increase in diesel prices, which have topped $4 a gallon in many places. They said prices for consumers on many items will also rise because of the higher fuel costs.

It isn't clear what the state government can do for the truckers, other than lower the state's tax on fuel. But doing that would be the exact opposite of what some transportation advocates are calling for -- higher state taxes on gasoline and diesel fuel, along with higher fees for drivers licenses and vehicle registrations, as a way to raise the millions of dollars needed to fix ailing roads and bridges.



Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08091/869366-100.stm

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Good for you truckers! I support you!

[mike_c]

1. with all due respect to truckers...

...it simply does not make environmental or economic sense to strap separate internal combustion engines to every trailer load of long haul goods. It's just about the most profligate and wasteful transportation system we could possibly have designed-- and now we lack the rail infrastructure to shift away from interstate trucking. Sheesh.

[uberllama42]

2. I think it's funny that the capital of my state

is unlikely to be recognized unless it is identified as such.

On one hand I sympathize with the truckers- they are being squeezed out of their livelihood. On the other hand, the Harrisburg area is polluted and driving on I-81 in that area is exceptionally dangerous due to the heavy semi traffic there. We would all be better off (except the truckers, of course) if we converted to rail as a means of shipping. I'd like to help them but I don't know what could be done.

[liberal N proud]

3. I was talking ot a truck driver last week on my trip to Florida

He was helping some stranded travelers. I asked if there was anything I could do, he had it pretty much under control.

We talked about the fuel prices, like everyone else subject 1. If I remember correctly, he said that every 1/10 of a penny increase cost him $1,200/year.
I don't know how many miles he drives to do any calculations but these prices are killing these truckers and they have no choice but to pass those cost on.
And now we are seeing it in everything we need to survive.

Their pain now is ours later.

Next time you are on the road, yield to those big rigs. He is trying to make a living.

[Earth_First]

4. I completely support this, and I also support a nationwide strike expected on April 1st

however you have to see the irony in DRIVING around the State Capital in order to protest fuel prices...

[2tr4nqued]

5. strike hard like you mean it

I would like to see this strike get big enough that it brings this filthy brutal empire to its knees.