Posted on 09/28/2007 7:55:07 PM PDT by yorkie
Some pundits discount objections to Mexican semi-trucks on American highways as little more thinly veiled racism. But there are legitimate reasons to believe that allowing this access is a prime example of globalization gone too far.
Following through on promises initiated by the Clinton administration, the U.S Transportation Department is starting to allow long-haul trucks based south of the border to travel wherever they wish on U.S. soil.
The Bush administration asserts that this will benefit U.S. consumers by lowering the prices we pay to import Mexican products, while allowing U.S. manufacturers to more cheaply export to Mexico. Starting with a mere trickle, Mexican trucking will become a major presence here in coming years if the Bush administration has its way.
This should not mean that we must accept the lowest common denominator in terms of a broad set of laws and regulatory protections. Mexico's treaty rights to sell us inexpensive lettuce doesn't mean we should have to pay our farm workers Mexican wages - nor should we have to treat Mexican trucking companies on an even par with our own.
[snip] In theory, treaty arrangements should ensure that Mexican companies comply in every way with our standards. But anyone familiar with Mexico knows there is a wide gulf between laws on the books and how firms there actually operate.
The grand opening photo, several years ago, of the first truck to cross the then-newly revamped Tecate port of entry depicted a Baja California truck with the front bumper hanging catawampus and the license plate secured with baling twine. A common sight on the highway that parallels the border is bits of Mexican trucks, including brake parts. Flaming chunks of carbon sometimes fly from exhaust pipes and ignite roadside brush fires.
(Excerpt) Read more at wallowacountychieftain.info ...
"There also are many reasons to fear the additional opportunities that these trucks will give drug smugglers. By now, most people are aware of last week's massive Southwest drug seizures, the result of a six-month investigation of just one Mexican crime family's network north of the border. Seized were $45.2 million cash, 27,229 pounds of marijuana, 9,512 pounds of cocaine, 705 pounds of methamphetamine, 227 pounds of pure (ice) methamphetamine, 11 pounds of heroin, $6.1 million in property, 100 weapons and 94 vehicles."
I hadn’t heard about the above seizures. Good Lord!!
where are the teamsters now when we finally need them?????
I am around 18 miles north of the San Diego - Tijuana border crossing: largest and busiest in the world.
Major drug seizures go on all the time at the border.
Tunnels also used for moving drugs.
With the crap Mexican drivers and junk trucks, this won’t be good.
How long have you been out of your mind?
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