Life on the Road - Trucking News Blog

There was some very interesting news released yesterday about Sarah Palin and her wardrobe.  Apparently the Republican National Committee has spent around $150,000 on the Vice Presidential candidates clothing.  This number was confirmed by the campaign finance reports for the Republican Party.  In my opinion that is quite a staggering number to have spent on clothing.  I suppose when you’re buying $2,000 suits and $500 pairs of shoes that could add up pretty quickly.  The campaign finance reports show that there was $75,062 spent at Neiman Marcus and $49,425 spent at Saks Fifth Avenue.

One thing that is pointed out in the news reports is that this was not necessarily Sarah Palin’s decision to spend this kind of money.  It looks like she wasn’t even involved in the shopping process.  It was other people in the campaign that picked out the clothing and made the wardrobe decisions for Sarah Palin.  I would assume that you would need to have a professional look if you were running for Vice President.  Maybe she didn’t have the type of clothing they were looking for when she was picked to be John McCain’s running mate.

There are some interesting things to note about the purchase of this clothing by the Republican National Committee.  The $150,000 had to be spent by the committee and not the John McCain campaign.  If the John McCain campaign had made the purchase this would have violated some rules.  Apparently this would have been a conversion of campaign money for personal use.  This is something that is prohibited by the Presidential Candidates committees.  Another interesting point is that all of these clothes will be donated to charity after the campaign has ended.  The reason for this is because if Sarah Palin were to keep the clothing, she would then have to claim the $150,000 as income and would be taxed on this amount.

When you’re trying to win the white house in a heated Presidential race there is always going to be interesting things that come about.  That is because the media loves to over analyze every little detail and it can kind of become a annoying.  For the last three months it seems like almost everyday there is something new the media is complaining about from the Barack Obama campaign and the John McCain campaign.  I for one will be glad when all this campaigning is over.  If party supporters want to donate their money to purchase clothing for the Vice Presidential candidate then I would think that is their choice.  It is their money so they can spend it however they choose.  It’s just crazy the things that come up in the news these days.

Could have been Joe the Trucker. Look what Joe Public gets for asking an honest question? Who wants to be involved in this crap.  One of the Republican debates that was setup as a town hall was filled with Democratic operatives, but this is just one guy, playing football with his son and the messiah Obama comes through his neighborhood.

On a side note - I’m driving out of Miami and the interstate southbound is closed down tight. Obama is in the neighborhood. I guess he doesn’t want to be on the same interstate as the common folk. When the other VP nominee pulls the bus into Wal-mart to get diapers, who really understands what real people need? Taking a train to work makes you in touch with the common man? Make that Amtrak first class over $250 each way. I wonder if he takes the DC Metro (subway) from the train station to the Capitol? Probably not. Even if you are rich and famous and almost President have a little humility, at least in public.

The media has come out and said some horrible things about Joe Wurzelbacher for asking a question. A simple question that Obama tripped and spoke his mind instead of a talking point. And he didn’t even get the talking point right. I thought Democrats were supposed to be compassionate and fighting for the working man? Maybe it’s the working man that wants to do better they don’t like. 
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The 2008 presidential race is coming down to its last leg and the temperature in the room is rising.  McCain vs. Obama is becoming an ugly battle between the two presidential candidates.  It seems the two campaigns have really stepped up the advertisements on television in battle ground states.  I suppose it is at the point where they are trying to discredit the other party in attempt to try and win those last minute votes. The candidate bashing has really begun.

The things that both campaigns are saying about each other are really quite scary in my opinion.  The McCain campaign has been talking about Barrack Obama’s affiliation with domestic terrorists when he was younger.  The Obama campaign has been talking about John McCain’s role in the “Keating Five.”  I for one really don’t like negative campaigning.  I don’t think I am the only one that feels that way as I have read several articles that have called for a stop to it.  On the other hand it is important to know what kind of person is running for President.  I think the character of the person running is one of the biggest quality factors that should be looked at.  The bashing that is taking place doesn’t show much for either candidate’s character.  The issues from the past that are being brought up are also something to not take lightly, but we must make sure we have a correct understanding of the facts before we make judgment.

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Irizar Century. Typical of motor coaches used in Mexico with automatic fire suppresion systems and a myriad of safety options standard

Has anyone been paying attention to what’s happening on Capitol Hill? Remember the “Black Box” controversy where Joan Claybrook and Public Citizen was trying to get Electronic Onboard Recorders mandated for all commercial vehicles? Think it’s all been forgotten? Think again!

Remember back in August the Sherman Texas Bus Crash that made national headlines and exposed the fly by night operations of some Texas Tour bus operators?

This event of course, triggered the call by some lawmakers for tougher standards for bus operators.

Among these, was Senator Kay Baily Hutchinson of Texas, Senator John Cornyn of Texas and Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio. They had a bill languishing in committee since 11/07, referred to as (S2326) Motorcoach Enhanced Safety Act of 2007

Now, that bill is getting renewed sponsorship and is currently being considered by the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Senate Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety and Security.
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Mexican Kenworth T660 on the free road between Nuevo Laredo and Monterrey is typical of Mexican line haul trucks in operation on Mexican highways today. Gone or the days of what could be perceived as

The days after the one year mark of the Mexican Cross Border Program, and exactly one year to the day that the first truck crossed the border to inaugerate the program, the House of Representatives, by a vote of 395-18 voted to end the controversial Mexican Cross Border Program.

For one year, these 100 trucks have operated safely with ZERO accidents and ZERO serious safety issues further reinforcing the statistics that show Mexican carriers have a lower OOS rate than their counterparts. The past year proved that Mexican carriers can operate under our laws and regulations, do so safely and with no impact on American trucking jobs or economics.

But this is not enough to satisfy those such as Jimmy Hoffa, President of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. Despite evidence to the contrary, he still cannot utter the words, “Mexican Trucks” without putting “dangerous”, “unsafe” or “illegal” as a preface.

So Hoffa and his protectionists allies in Congress have won a battle but the war still rages. There is a continuing groundswell of support from mainstream media outlets, and business groups such as National Association of Manufacturers who quit out of character for them, came out and told it like others are afraid to do. Treaties? Trade Agreements? We’ll Violate Them with Impunity Tough talk but brutally honest.

The US Chamber of Commerce issued a “key vote” letter to lawmakers urging them to reject the bill. A “key vote’ letter is indicative of the seriousness of the issue and shows intent to place the members votes on a voters scorecard.

Retaliation Expected
As I am writing this, the a statement was released by the Mexican Embassy in Washington.

“Mexico has fulfilled its NAFTA obligations and expects the U.S. do the same. Should the bill be enacted into law, the government of Mexico will consider taking all the appropriate actions, including remedies or countermeasures under the North American Free Trade Agreement,” the embassy statement said.

As well they should and they have every right to do so.

Sadly, this demonstrates not the “will of the people” of is suppose to be the reason Congress exists, but the “will of special interests”.

Over the past year, I’ve had conversations in truck stops, over the CB radio, will American truckers. Most could care less about the Mexican trucks. The overwhelming opinion is if they play by the rules, they don’t have a problem.

I’ve run with other truckers on the highway and passing one of these Pilot Program participants, asking my running buddies what they thought about that “dangerous Mexican truck” we had just passed. They could not tell the Mexican truck from any others.

The truth is, this program has not effected any one of us in this industry nor in this country. Nor can it. The numbers just don’t add up.

More of my thoughts on my website where I can be my usual lovable, logical self.

And after a long dry spell, I have returned!

Pure partisan politics, but it’s more than the Democrats are doing. Here’s the link for the actual bill. Now that fuel prices have dropped a little, wonder if it will still be in the headlines or in the Presidential campaign when the Democrats come back from vacation.

Here’s the link for the Republican unveiling of the American Energy Act and the actual Bill HR 6566. Be sure and check the status page to see if it ever comes up for a vote.

With the Pickens Plan, Drill Here, Drill Now and now the American Energy Act, maybe Congress will get the hint that something needs to be done besides talking.

Oil prices have dropped slightly, because people have stopped driving and have seriously changed their energy habits. China telling half of Beijing to stop driving probably helped too, but hopefully this problem will still be on the front burner come election time. We can’t conserve and dream about technology to become energy independent.

We don’t need offshore drilling, just inflate your tires and get a tune-up. I’m not sure the Republicans have learned their lesson and will stop spending like drunken sailors on shore leave, but it will be better than people (Democrats) that want to conserve our way out of a crisis. It worked in the 70’s, it can work again right? Found a new site with some video’s about Congress and the lack of drilling, along with the Obama inflate your tires video. Peter Nickel.com

It seems Obama’s and the Democrats’ only platform is - Vote for us and we’ll give you money. You won’t have a job, or be able to afford food or gas, but we’ll give you a pittance so vote for us. People love getting handouts. Some truckers want to strike for a fuel handout. People must have really thought that last Incentive check. It must have made such a difference they want to do it again. It seems so simple, economics 101, but most politicians don’t really live in the economy, have never owned a business or had other people rely on them for work and a payroll. Read the rest of this entry »

Wonder who was behind this “temporary” legislation? It’s in the Senate, so it’s not law yet.

Senate bill proposes temporary weight increase
A bill in the U.S. Senate would temporarily increase weight limits on federal highways from 80,000 pounds to 100,000 pounds for a trial period of two years when diesel prices are above $3.50 per gallon.

The Commercial Truck Fuel Savings Demonstration Act of 2008, S. 3059, was introduced May 28 by Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Olympia Snowe. R-Maine. The bill, which has been referred to the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, also would require the Government Accountability Office to complete a report about safety and other concerns at the completion of the pilot program.

In the rest of the article, they use Maine as an example of how trucks weighing more than 80,000 lbs must exit the turnpike and travel smaller roads. Which doesn’t make sense, but both Senators that introduced this bill are from Maine, maybe they should fix Maine. I’m sure they’re only using that as an example, but the people that don’t know any better are going to assume the rest of the country is like that and think this is a good idea.

And notice how they name it the “Fuel Savings” Act? The only fuel it’s going to save is for the shippers. Think you’re going to get a better rate hauling 100,000 lbs of beer out of Colorado? Or a 100,000 lbs of produce out of California? I may be wrong and I hope I am, but I really don’t think the rate is going to be much better to cover the trucks lower mpg. That’s what doesn’t make sense!

Ice Berg Ho!

Possibly you’ve heard the term “Re-arranging the deck chairs on the Titanic” as a derogatory term used to berate people who are busily doing something which is not the least bit useful in terms of the current situation.

Congress is often like that. Often Congress spends lots of time and ungodly amounts of money mandating things which are useless.

Often congress does active damage.

Congress is proposing to do active damage to the American Economy next week.

Congress is proposing a bill which will spell doom for many more in the trucking business. At a time when the cost of fuel is at an all time high the Warner-Lieberman Energy Bill
will increase the cost of fuel even more.

This goes beyond merely re-arranging the deckchairs as the Titanic sinks. This is akin to actively directing the Titanic toward the iceberg.

Like I’ve said all too many time in the last few decades.

What are they thinking?

Do any of you have children? Do you recall the scenes where the little darling breaks something, or spills something, or otherwise causes a minor calamity, and then runs to mommy and blames it on another toddler. Or better yet “Sally MADE me do it!”

I was reading some posts regarding the recent Hijinks by the Senate Judiciary committee and that little scenario repeatedly came to mind. Children. We have children in office.

Vindictive and spiteful children. ”

Leahy and his comrades showed up ready to blame American oil companies for the high price of gasoline,

Not very bright children.

Not surprisingly, the petroleum executives stole the show, as they were far smarter, infinitely better informed, and much more public-spirited than the Senate Democrats.

And very, very, greedy children…

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