In previous posts I’ve come across as somewhat unenthusiastic in regard to the concept of a Truck Strike. I still am. I’m also not impressed by the persuasive techniques of those in FAVOR of the strike. You might read some of the comments in several of the previous posts….both by me and others ….and see what I’m referring to.
Being the swell guy that I am I’m reposting some of those comments here….and then I will attempt to refute them.
The latest “Pro-Strike” comment to my earlier Post “I’m Annoyed…. with the TruckStrike CryBabies” is representative , as a class, of the quality of comment, and I would assume, the mental processes of the ProStrikers.
Reproduced in total here for convenience: (in boldface…since they tend to get rather loud at time.)
Comment by Frederick (SilverSurfer) Schaffner
2008-04-06 22:55:58
This is an issue effecting all of us and we MUST take a stand NOW. Our government IS a major contributing factor in the outrageous price of fuel, and the struggle American citizens are experiencing making ends meet.
I’ve posted repeatedly that this is NOT the case. The reason for the High Price Of Fuel is multifaceted, which I’ve gone over repeatedly. The PRIMARY cause is a supply/demand situation. Currently and for the foreseeable future there is a high demand for fuel. Today’s economy is Global so the supply/demand equation is based on Global Economics. China and India’s economies are on the upturn. They have a LOT of people. China has a population of 1,321,851,888 and India has a population of 1,129,866,154 . Think about that for a minute. Over two and a half BILLION people. The United States has a population of 301,139,947 Surely it’s obvious that Three BILLION is just a tiny bit larger than Three Hundred MILLION. It would also appear that such a population disparity would lead to a DEMAND disparity. What I’m saying is that China and India are competing with us for a scarce resource….oil. If we want oil we have to pay.
Pretty simple…. no dastardly government plot or nuthin.
Ok…I’ve made my case as to why fuel is high….again. Why don’t one of the TruckStrike CryBabies ™ speak TO it? So far they’ve just said “No…it isn’t true” with no supporting data or any reasoning. Kind of like a school yard quarrel between two children….I’m sure all parents have seen it.
“It is TOO..” the little girl said
“It is NOT..” the other girl said.
“TOO!!”…
“NOT!”…
And on and on and on…..
We must take action to get their attention. All other avenues has only fallen on deaf ears - our government is ignoring the will, and needs, of the American people.
Suuuuure they are…. that’s a fine way to get re-elected. That’s why… the U.S. Government is the largest employer in the United States, hiring about 2.0 percent of the nation’s work force.….and why the large majority of those employees are dealing with social programs.
The largest Federal program is Social Security, which will provide monthly benefits to more than 46 million retired and disabled workers, their dependents, and survivors. It accounts for 23 percent of all Federal spending.
and that’s just social security.
I could go on and present an abundance of facts illustrating that the vast majority of Government spending….in excess of two TRILLION dollars a year….are for Social Programs….but I won’t. Check it our.
Consequently the statement that
our government is ignoring the will, and needs, of the American people.
Is absurd.
In The Last Year
(88,000 Jobs Lost)
Ok….suppose that’s true. In fact it IS true.
Nearly 88,000 financial industry workers — 41 percent of them directly related to the mortgage sector — have lost their jobs this year, according to the latest count by Challenger Gray & Christmas, a Chicago outplacement consulting firm.
The question being….what does the fact that 88,000 bankers, tellers, mortgage brokers, etc… have lost THEIR jobs have to do with the price of Diesel Fuel. Might as well say (in a shrill voice) it’s 93 million miles to the sun. Also true. So what?
2 Million American Citizens Lost Their Homes
see above. The cause and effect are both related to the SubPrime Lending debacle which was instituted and supported by the Liberals before it was Castigated and Reviled by the liberals. (I voted for it before I voted against it)…….and…….(sigh)…….you get my drift.
And how can slowing down what’s left of the economy help?
28 Million American Citizens Projected To Be On Food Stamp Programs
and your point being? Once again…what does that have to do with the price of fuel. And how can slowing down the economy help?
Our government officials are eating good dinners, are living in beautiful homes, are driving brand new vehicles and are collecting large salaries…on the American Citizen’s dollar. It’s time to take our country back.
And …I also took a shower last night. And I brushed my teeth. That also has nothing to do with the current discussion about…pay attention now…..How a TruckStrike will improve the Situation………
STAND UP, SPEAK OUT OR ACCEPT WHAT COMES!!!
theamericandriver.com/files/TruckersAndCitizensUnited.html
Well I feel better now. I stood up (as well as you can while typing)….While speaking out (as well as I could while typing) and I’m looking forward to the future.
Let ‘Er Rip
Picking apart a statement is what individuals do to try and obscure the realities about us. You speak a lot of stats about supply and demand, but you neglect to point out our government is exporting 60% of our Alaskan oil production…exporting refined diesel…exhausting millions of gallons of fuel, and American taxpayers dollars (over $500 billion to date,) on a war we shouldn’t be in…refusing to suspend daily deposits to the SEP, or to release current SEP reserves. These actions are depleting our supply that you refer to in your supply/demand lecture. So the issue isn’t necessarily demand has increased because of other countries - it’s our governments refusal to tend to the needs of the American people and stop depleting our countries fuel supply…which is in direct relationship to the rising costs of fuel in America.
On top of those points, our government gave $14 billion dollars in subsidies to big oil last year. Big oil profited $123 billion last year…why is our government giving them American taxpayers money? Why is our government attempting to open our borders against the will of the American people? Why is our government leasing our roads to the highest bidders, that American citizens will have to pay to use…as well as still pay taxes at the pump? Why is our government attempting to convert roads American taxpayers have already paid for to toll roads? Why isn’t there uniform IFTA Fuel Taxes for all states? Why did our government de-commission ICC (the only authority that professional drivers had to go to for help?) Why won’t our government allow the construction of more refineries, or open protected lands to drilling? Why won’t our government pass legislation which protects the professional driver force like they did, and do, for the rest of the American work forces? I could go on and on with questions you name-callers won’t answer…as well as our government won’t answer.
So feel free to pick this comment apart if you will, and explain to the American people why they shouldn’t feel our government isn’t listening to them. I, personally, don’t expect this comment to stay up on your site for long.
Safe Trails and God Bless
http://www.theamericandriver.com/files/TruckersAndCitizensUnited.html
Well….you got me there pardner. If I go thru and point out all the inaccuracies and flat out lies……it’s…… “Picking apart a statement is what individuals do to try and obscure the realities about us” Analysis promotes obscurity?….who would have guessed?
My…..what a LOT of lies, innuendo’s and misrepresentations….makes my fingers itch just too look at it……
And you even agree with me….that I COULD do it…. when you say….”So feel free to pick this comment apart if you will, and explain to the American people why they shouldn’t feel our government isn’t listening to them.”
But no….because you….”……personally, don’t expect this comment to stay up on your site for long.”
That’d be a waste of effort….um……when’s the last time you took a comment down Wayne?
oooooh….that’s just too tempting.
I can’t stand it. Suppose I just refute ONE of your lies. Just one? Then I’ll quit. Promise.
“You speak a lot of stats about supply and demand, but you neglect to point out our government is exporting 60% of our Alaskan oil production…”
That’s too easy….kinda like taking candy from a baby….
from the Office of the Governor of Alaska
“Alaska also produces nearly one million barrels a day of crude oil. However, the international export of Alaska North Slope crude voluntarily ended in 2000. Now these sales go to west coast refineries in the United States and therefore are not included in these statistics.”
That was fun….took about twenty seconds with GOOGLE….(google is your friend)
I’ll be good now….nite.
Just to take that tidbit of erroneous statistics a bit further, even after the total ban of ANSC was lifted by President Clinton, almost 20 years after oil began flowing down the pipeline, only 4% of crude production was exported to Asia. Those exports, as you say, were voluntarily ended in 2000 with the exception of a single tanker in 2004.
A bigger issue here, though, is the characterization that “…our government is exporting…” oil. Our government has never had anything to do with exporting oil. The ban was lifted because California refineries were beginning to become over-supplied and they lobbied to lift the export ban so as to increase demand for their product.
Once the demand increased to the point that the refineries were running at full capacity the exports were stopped. It seems that pesky “supply and demand” thing has, once again, raised its ugly head.
Blaming government for all our ills is a handy tactic for some folks, though, because it then means that government can be the solution. That this is the path Mr. Schaffner has chosen to tread says a lot about his understanding, or lack thereof, regarding the situation in which trucking, and the economy in general, currently exists.
It is very correct that the government is not going to cure this! They would love to put their brand of cure on things, but we all know that they have no beneficial solution.
I don’t understand why the focus is on fuel price. If fair business practices were in place, those cost would be passed on and truckers would stay in business. At least those that choose to run their business instead of purchasing some cool new chrome. Then, fuel becomes everybody’s problem and everybody starts looking for solutions. Not just a few disgruntled failed businesses. Why not put your focus on the real problems concerning the unfair business practices?
In all of the talks about trucking strikes, there is no blame laid on the trucker. How are so many trucks staying on the road even with adverse conditions? America shouldn’t support failing business simply for the sake of “helping” a business. The government’s only role should be to legislate and enforce fair laws. Just because a driver chooses bad customers like leasing onto poor quality trucking companies and working with companies that will not pay a fair fuel surcharge, the whole industry needs shook up? When I cannot earn a living as a company driver within 14 hour days, I start looking for another carrier to work for.
I would love to own a truck, but I have not seen a reasonable deal with the capitol I have available for a business. So, I don’t buy a truck. I seen this long before the fuel increases. I never spoke to a company that would alter their contract enough to have a reasonable business relationship, so I never signed on. I don’t have the connections to haul with my own authority, at least enough to be comfortable, so I just forget about the “dream” of owning a truck. Why should my government take the time to attend to other peoples “dreams”.
My hat is off to those who try, it is an honorable endeavor. You just can’t expect the government and public to fix your problems though. It’s not American. If you don’t want to haul freight at the prices you are getting, don’t. I’ve heard the term “Solidarity”. Why do you need to take others down with you? Misery loves company?
Amen Brother. Well put.
Fair Business Practices it is. Hmmmmm….wonder why Truckers are STILL exempted from the Fair Labor Standards Act? That might have been a better focus for the “TruckStrike Crybabies.”
Hmmmmm….(again)….there might be a post in that….(mumble, mumble)
Truckers are exempted from MANY things. Minimum wage is a sad but true exemption at times. Of course if there are Americans willing to do it, there ya go. If Americans won’t why not get illegals to give a whirl? Can you imagine the outrage if this were the auto industry?
Through all of this, it really underscores the skills needed to be successful in trucking. The owner-operators that have the skills really are very unique and intelligent people. Imagine what they could do on a level playing field.
When I think of how the ATA promotes unfair treatment of company drivers and then uses that to compete against owner operaters, it can make you a little mad. What other group could get away with this?
Never, Wayne, unless it contains pornographic material/links. And I do believe you’ve proven - to this individual - that you live up to the statement above “Stand Alone Trucker.” Enjoy yourself…I have more important things to do than have a one-sided debate. You’re right - I’m wrong…you happy?
Safe Trails and God Bless
After finding out that you’re not even a truck driver, I hadn’t decided to waste our time or not.
I agree the government doesn’t listen to the people much anymore. But like all of your other arguments, that has nothing to do with trucking.
Your “Demands/Goals” for the strike, are trucking related, but most are controlled by the State and not the Feds. And the rest are temporary fixes, not counting the ignorant ones.
Here’s a hint - The one about the visibility between brokers and shippers should be the only one on your list. Keep things simple. Keeps your demands to a five second soundbite, clear and concise.
Like I’m going to listen to a failed owner operator on how trucking should be run by the government. Uh, no.
Go have fun making yourself seem important and “showing America” that trucking’s important. You can help in the over-supply of trucks, by keeping your followers off the road. At least you have one thing right.
You know, the more I thought about this comment the more i thought what the hell, why beat this guy up, how do you know he failed as a O/O, for all we know he’s smarter than us and had the for site to bailout of this ucked up business, See this is the $hit that pisses me off about you guys, all of you guys come across like pompous a-holes, do you all suffer from hemroids, dam
Bailed out, failed, same thing. Sorry, I take offense from someone that bails, then tells me what’s best for a business he obviously knows nothing about. Especially since he isn’t even in this business anymore.
WOW, Wayne and Mick, haven’t been over here since the last education I got here! ha, been to depressed lately, didn’t want you guys pushing me over the edge, if I said something that you don’t agree with…..haha…
Anyway, I’ve been flip flopping all over the place, I look at it as getting educated and learning the facts. You guys have been the teacher on some points, but I have been pissed by some of your views.
Which brings me to your last comment Wayne, I can say I agree with you 100%! What the hell are these people thinking, all their issues and demands are unrealistic, I think you pretty well covered that, these dummy’s are losing an opportunity to set the facts straight on the real problem we are facing.
That being the control of the dishonest logistic/broker companies. Get this problem taken care of, and that would solve a lot of problems…PRONTO”
That’s my PRIORITY ONE! Pay ME whats being paid already by the AMERICAN consumer to have their every want and whim, when and where they want it! That’s my job, that’s my lifestyle, just pay me my part of the AMERICAN PIE.
I would bet if a investigation into the the practices of companies like CHR, LANDSTAR, CARGOMASTER, ON AND ON, we would see the rates become more realistic and we could get back to makin money and enjoying some of the good life!
I would also bet you start with these fat cat outfits first, the rest would fall in line before the hammer starts to fall, the rates and FSC’s would adjust over night! I can see um scrambling now, shredding machines running day and night.
HELL, I can deal with all the other BS in this industry, pay me my fair share…. NOW….I’ll handle the other $hit later………