Mark’s Soap Box

Well GWB is at it again. He is helping his favorite constituents — Mexico — to have greater success in America. Even better, they don’t even have to play by the same rules as we do.

“Tone Deaf” is what I would call the Bush Admin. They just don’t seem to get it.

When Mexico decides to stop shipping it’s people North, then they can start shipping their goods North. Until that happens, I see no reason to allow them anymore access to the US markets.

Access to all U.S. highways was promised by 2000 under the 1993 North American Free Trade Agreement, as was access through Mexico for U.S. carriers.

That aspect of NAFTA was stalled by lawsuits and disagreements between the two countries, though Canadian and U.S. trucks travel freely across the northern border.

Ironically the Unions — lefties all — are only upset that Mexican trucks are coming into the U.S.A. Could it be that Unions are virtually non-existent in Mexico? If you have a crappy economy, you don’t have unions either. Think about it. The Unions clearly don’t get it.

One-fourth of all U.S. trucks are taken off the road after random inspections because they’re so unsafe, she said. An even higher percentage of Mexican trucks are taken off the road at Texas border crossings, she said.

I agree that Mexican trucks are unsafe. However, can we really complain when 25% of ours are taken off the road? Maybe if we looked at the reasons why this happens, we could fix that. hint: it’s the taxes and government regulation that are the problem.

Oh looky here, an example:

According to the Transportation Department, U.S. inspectors will inspect every truck and interview drivers to make sure they can read and speak English. They’ll examine trucks and check the licenses, insurance and driving records of the Mexican drivers. Inspectors will also verify that the trucking companies are insured by U.S.-licensed firms.

Well you guys are doing such a bang up job on the border right now, how can we doubt you? Oh and how come the drivers who DON’T LIVE HERE have to speak English, but not illegal aliens or legal immigrants?

I wonder who is benefiting from this?

Bingo, we have a winner!

Mexico responded to the U.S. announcement by saying it will allow trucks from 100 U.S. companies to travel across the border.

Now we know why the Bush admit is allowing this to go through. Why only 100 companies? How much you want to bet many of them are from Texas? (disclaimer: I am from Texas) or California? (disclaimer: I live in California, at the moment). Could it bet that Bush saw a way to appease some industry folks and the Mexican government? Uh ya, I think so.

I don’t get this:

The American Trucking Associations said it supports the program, but wants to make sure that U.S. and Mexican truck companies are held to the same standards.

“We also are waiting to see that when US carriers are allowed to travel into Mexico that the regulatory and permitting process that U.S. carriers undergo is fair and transparent,” the ATA said in a statement.

Follow the money? Yep, seems the ATA is a lobby group for “Big Truck”. The little guy can tag along, but you know who gets the attention. They are also in bed with the government.

I am all for free trade, if and only if the rules for both sides are equitable. I also have no problem with Mexico, or any other country selling to us. I do have a problem when that country is willing to invade us, or puts our security at risk. That country should not be allowed any privileges, period.

We have done all we can to help Mexico, and they keep spitting on us. It’s time to show them who the boss is. Deportation, border lock downs, refusal to extradite anyone to Mexico, and an end to the nice-nice.

Tags: border, Bush, Homeland Security, Mexico, NAFTA