President Bush Opens U.S. Roads to Mexican Trucks

AP NEWS ^ | Published: Nov 27, 2002 | The Associated Press

[Crusader21stCentury]

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Bush gave the go-ahead Wednesday for Mexican trucks to travel U.S. roads beyond commercial border zones where they have been restricted while inspection sites and new regulations were put in place.

[B4Ranch]

When I used to be a long line truck owner/operator my insurance company would not allow my truck to go into Mexico because of the robberies and truck hijackings.

The trucks the Mexicans used to bring the goods to the US side of the border were not capable of doing 50 mph. It was common to see every 30th one being towed into the warehouse yard because the engines had quit.

Last week I passed one on I-80 with five people in the cab meant for two drivers. Just hauling illegals I suppose. Do I have any faith in this idea? No, not one cents worth.

[FITZ]

some fat-a** Teamster might have to cut his rates?

Yeah ---American truckdrivers are solidly middle-class ---we sure don't want that do we? End the middle class. It's bad for Marxism.

[i_dont_chat]

I am so disappointed in the Administration.

Here in the Houston, these trucks from Mexico are a real problem. There are several fatalities a year due to the mechanical failures.

Much of our taxes go to special enforcement to inspect these vehicles.

When is this insanity going to stop?

[Reaganwuzthebest]

You either let them in or damages will have to be paid.

It was a democrat who said last summer NAFTA was a trade pact, not a suicide pact. Congress was ready to legislate it out, but Bush pressured them not too.

NAFTA is not something written in cement, it can be amended.

[1rudeboy]

OK, Einstein, please direct me to any data that suggests that Mexican trucks operating in the 20-mile exclusionary zone are more susceptible to accidents. I'll wait with bated breath . . . .

[1rudeboy]

Oh please. American trucks are unspoiled pieces of machinery. But Mexican trucks are crap. /sarcasm

[1rudeboy]

Sorry, I don't believe in the federal government enforcing class distinctions.

[Ben Ficklin]

Mexican President Fox had nothing to do with NAFTA.

[txdoda]

No wonder the Canadians called Bush a moron....they
probably knew the mex. trucks were on their way.....

[judgeandjury]

Additionally, Mexico is an ally, not an enemy. The xenophobia of some in our conservative community is unwarranted.

With an "ally" like Mexico, who needs enemies. Also, I wish Mexico wasn't so dang racist and xenophobic, what with a national population that is 92% Latino. I guess they just don't like having too many non-brown faces in Mexico. Hey, President Fox, you ever hear of multiculturalism or diversity?

[Merdoug]

Learn to speak Spanish, Gringo! And say "adios" to the America you once knew.

[Ben Ficklin]

Congress does not have the authority legislate anything out of NAFTA. Fast Track.

By the way, did you know that the Caribean Initiative, which is NAFTA-like trade agreement scheduled for the future was first proposed by Reagan?

[4Freedom]

I'd respond by saying we should examine accident statistics from Mexico, but they're not worth the paper they're printed on.

We'll just have to wait and see, now. Winter is here and the Mexican '18-wheelers-of-death' are headed into snow country. Aiiieeeeyah! Carumba, que esto mierda blanca?

[cajun-jack]

well....DUH....i know that...but he isn't trying to do anything to increase employment in his own country...I was merely stating that should be his agenda...can't he create jobs and an infastructure in mexico so the people could stay home and make a living and raise their families.

I know i am not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but i don't believe that i inferred that fox had anything to do with nafta....if i did or if you thought i did, then, my friend, one of us has had too much to drink.

[FITZ]

Do you suppose the new truck drivers on our highways will be expected to have even a minimal understanding of English, especially written English? There is a difference between Canadians and Mexicans in that most Canadians driving trucks on our highways can read the signs.

[FITZ]

I don't believe in the federal government enforcing class distinctions.

It would also be very unfair to require Mexican truck drivers to follow any of the same safety regulations. They've already demanded exemptions to those.

[Ben Ficklin]

Sorry if I misread your post.

[1rudeboy]

BS. Mexican trucks will be subject to the same regulations as ours. Who are you reading, Nader or Chomsky?

[Reaganwuzthebest]

Congress does not have the authority legislate anything out of NAFTA. Fast Track.

Fast track legislation, which won by one or two votes in Congress I think recently came after the attempt to stop these trucks. That was also ramrodded through under intense Bush pressure.

By the way, did you know that the Caribean Initiative, which is NAFTA-like trade agreement scheduled for the future was first proposed by Reagan?

Proposing and enacting are two different things. And I don't expect trucks from the Caribbean to be rolling in anytime soon. Besides, I'm not against free trade, but it needs to be fair also. Americans are being forced to compete with cheaper labor and it's putting them out of business.

[cajun-jack]

no prob...on rare occassions, it has been said that "coonasses" don't always make themselves clear. lol