Posted on 12/18/2001 2:04:35 PM PST by expose
Mexican Trucking Companies Sue U.S. Government, Alleging Discrimination
By Lynn Brezosky Associated Press Writer
Published: Dec 18, 2001
BROWNSVILLE, Texas (AP) - Eleven Mexican trucking companies filed a $4 billion lawsuit Tuesday, accusing the U.S. government of discrimination by denying them permits to operate and do business in United States. The complaint asserts that federal agencies, including the Department of Transportation, violated the North American Free Trade Agreement by allowing Canadian trucking firms more access than Mexican companies.
"There is no problem when trade is coming back and forth across the border," said lead attorney Fernando Chavez, the son of the late labor leader Cesar Chavez. "What causes the problem is when an individual who's Mexican is bringing it across."
The suit also alleges that Mexican truckers have been denied the right to invest in or own trucking companies based in the United States.
The plaintiffs' lawyers said the suit, filed in federal court in Brownsville, was on behalf of at least 185 Mexican trucking concerns. The $4 billion figure includes business and profits lost by Mexican companies since 1995, attorneys said.
A spokesman for the U.S. Department of Transportation Tuesday said he had no immediate comment.
Rob Black, spokesman for the Teamsters union, which represents more than 120,000 U.S. truck drivers, called the suit "baseless."
"We would call on the trucking companies and the government of Mexico and say that now is the time they should do what should have been done seven years ago when NAFTA was passed: Improve their trucks," Black said.
The issue of Mexican trucks in the United States has simmered since a part of the NAFTA agreement called for allowing trucks to travel first throughout Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas by December 1995 and throughout the United States by January 2000.
While Canadian trucks were allowed, the agreement was delayed for Mexican trucks by former President Clinton.
After the White House threatened a veto on stricter legislation, a compromise was approved earlier this month that requires U.S. inspectors to conduct safety examinations of Mexican trucking companies, their vehicles, as well as driver's license verification.
Implementing the rules is expected to take months
Sounds like bullsh*t to me. Not that the lawyer is a Mexican that bothers me...It's that he is a lawyer...Mexican, American, Russian, Chinese...no matter, they're still lawyers, that's all.
FMCDH
The trucks coming into the U.S. from mexico are CRAP! And before you try or anyone else should try to dispute this, YOU GO STAND IN LAREDO AT THE BORDER CROSSING AND TAKE A GOOD LOOK!! (rant off)
Did you support NAFTA?
That's because they are only being used for short hauls. Studies have shown that they are no less safe than short haul trucks in any other part of America.
People who argue that companies in Mexico are going to ship their goods long distance in unsafe trucks are as irrational as people who claim that hundreds of millions of slaves were thrown over board and lost because slavers used unseaworhty ships.
Would you ship five million dollars worth of electronics parts in a truck with bad brakes? DUH!
They haven't seen the trucks coming across or are just disregarding safety for their individual ideology. I'm in favor of them coming across when they get their trucks and drivers up to the standards we have in the States.
We will see our trucking companies move to Mexico to escape the taxes and higher wages we have here. This was the trend when Canadian trucks were allowed on our highways.
Canada is still subsidizing their trucks in the form of mileage benefits to further their balance of payments with the US. The Mexicans can be expected to do the same
Anybody else out there recognize it?...
FMCDH
IMMIGRANTS, NOT AMERICANS, MUST ADAPT
I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Sept.11,we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Americans. However,the dust from the attacks had barely settled when the "politically correct" crowd began complaining about the possibility that our patriotism was offending others.
I am not against immigration, nor do I hold a grudge against anyone who is seeking a better life by coming to America. Our population is almost entirely comprised of descendants of immigrants. However,there are a few things that those who have recently come to our country, and apparently some born here, need to understand.
This idea of America being a multicultural community has served only to dilute our sovereignty and our national identity. As Americans, we have our own culture, our own society, our own language and our own lifestyle.
This culture has been developed over centuries of struggles,trials,and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom. We speak ENGLISH,not Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian,or any other language.
Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society, learn the language!
"In God We Trust" is our national motto. This is not some Christian,right wing, political slogan. We adopted this motto because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture.
If Stars and Stripes offend you, or you don't like Uncle Sam, then you should seriously consider a move to another part of this planet. We are happy with our culture and have no desire to change,and we really don't care how you did things where you came from. This is OUR COUNTRY, our land, and our lifestyle.
Our First Amendment gives every citizen the right to express his opinion and we will allow you every opportunity to do so. But, once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about our flag, our pledge, our national motto, or our way of life, I highly encourage you to take advantage of one other great American freedom, THE RIGHT TO LEAVE.
Good. I hope they sue our idiot arses off, and the Republican party has to pay for it. Thanks to the spineless bunch that loves NAFTA, and encourages illegal immigration.
If I'm not mistaken, US citizens are prohibited from owning land in Mexico. It has to be lease for so many years.
FMCDH
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