Good man!
nikita khruschev would be proud of both of you.
Posted on 09/11/2007 5:09:04 PM PDT by ruination
WASHINGTON - The Senate voted Tuesday to ban Mexican trucks from U.S. roadways, rekindling a more than decade-old trade dispute with Mexico.
By a 74-24 vote, the Senate approved a proposal by Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., prohibiting the Transportation Department from spending money on a North American Free Trade Agreement pilot program giving Mexican trucks access to U.S. highways.
The proposal is part of a $106 billion transportation and housing spending bill that the Senate hopes to vote on later this week. The House approved a similar provision to Dorgan's in July as part of its version of the transportation spending bill.
Supporters of Dorgan's amendment argued the trucks are not yet proven safe. Opponents said the U.S. is applying tougher standards to Mexican trucks than to Canadian trucks and failing to live up to its NAFTA obligations.
Until last week, Mexican trucks were restricted to driving within a commercial border zone that stretched about 20 miles from the U.S.-Mexican boundary, 75 miles in Arizona. One truck has traveled deep into the U.S. interior as part of the pilot program.
Blocking the trucks would help Democrats curry favor with organized labor, an important ally for the 2008 presidential elections.
"Why the urgency? Why not stand up for the (truck) standards that we've created and developed in this country?" Dorgan asked.
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, who drafted a Republican alternative to Dorgan's amendment, said the attempt to block the trucks appeared to be about limiting competition and may amount to discrimination against Mexico.
"I would never allow an unsafe truck on our highways, particularly Texas highways," he said.
Under NAFTA, Mexico can seek retaliation against the U.S. for failing to adhere to the treaty's requirements, including retaining tariffs on goods that the treaty eliminates, said Sidney Weintraub, a professor emeritus at the University of Texas LBJ School of Public Affairs in Austin.
The trucking program allows up to 100 Mexican carriers to send their trucks on U.S. roadways for delivery and pickup of cargo. None can carry hazardous material or haul cargo between U.S. points.
So far, the Department of Transportation has granted a single Mexican carrier, Transportes Olympic, access to U.S. roads after a more than decade-long dispute over the NAFTA provision opening up the roadways.
One of the carrier's trucks crossed the border in Laredo, Texas last week and delivered its cargo in North Carolina on Monday and was expected to return to Mexico late this week after a stop in Decatur, Ala.
The transportation bill is S. 1789.
If efficiency is not improved, why would this agreement matter? My understanding is that Mexican drivers will not unload/load. Is it possible that unloading/loading is done because the law precludes Mexican drivers from continuing beyond 25 miles?
I may have confused you with a guy who seemed to pushing for some choice comments on this issue. I’m sorry if that’s not the case.
“Really? What’s my definition of freedom?”
Trade-Openness. With that as a synonym for the word Freedom, it’s a moot point. This is why you and I can’t communicate effectively together.
Country Year Overall
Score Business
Freedom Trade Freedom Fiscal
Freedom Freedom from
Gov’t Monetary
Freedom Investment
Freedom Financial
Freedom Property
Rights Freedom from
Corruption Labour
Freedom
Hong Kong 2007 89.3 88.3 80.0 95.3 91.6 91.1 90 90 90 83 93.6
Singapore 2007 85.7 94.6 80.0 93.0 86.2 89.5 80 50 90 94 99.3
Australia 2007 82.7 91.7 73.8 75.4 70.1 84.8 70 90 90 88 93.1
United States 2007 82 94.5 76.6 79.4 67.5 83.8 80 80 90 76 92.1
New Zealand 2007 81.6 93.7 74.0 74.2 63.6 84.5 70 80 90 96 89.9
United Kingdom 2007 81.6 92.1 76.6 74.6 54.2 79.3 90 90 90 86 82.7
Ireland 2007 81.3 92.8 76.6 81.1 73.1 85.1 90 90 90 74 60.4
Luxembourg 2007 79.3 90 76.6 75.4 55.9 80.2 90 80 90 85 70
Switzerland 2007 79.1 83.3 77.0 78.6 68.6 83.6 70 70 90 91 78.4
Canada 2007 78.7 96 78.2 83.9 61.8 80.6 60 70 90 84 82.7
“”
Countries with more freedom have higher standards of living”’
Plese list the ones who will allow 20 million illiterate illegal slobs to invade them in just a few years.
Well, actually it was. I may have made a mistake though. Thanks.
I think so. No worries. I’ve been called worse :)
Man, I’m getting tired :-)
No problem. We’re all in this together.
Wrong. The previous chart you got so excited about was based on what I just posted. More than just trade. Sorry you're wrong. Still.
Me too :) Niters...
Do I really belong to the right party?
Really? So they do not pay the avg. 43 cent gas tax, or sales tax at restaurants or motels.
Also by the way using your logic the gas stations and restaurants give these Mexican truckers free gas and food.
Now don't you feel silly for making such declarative statements.
I want to send the 20 million back. And build a nice big wall.
What I am saying is that if the efficiency of a product, in this case horse and buggy drivers or milkmen, is no longer efficient in the market process, then it should be discontinued. While this is yet to be seen in the American.\/Mexincan trucker market, it is a factor that must be considered into it
“...unconscionable freedom — Free Trade. In one word, for exploitation...” Low wages.
“I want to send the 20 million back. And build a nice big wall”
Good man!
Good evening Dane. Where ya been?
All the fat cat elite nodding in agreement...
LOL!
In one word, for exploitation...” Low wages.
Free trade is based on low wages?
Good man!
nikita khruschev would be proud of both of you.
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