Let’s Re-regulate Trucking

Posted on 07-02-2006

Let’s Re-regulate Trucking

by Ron Peacock (editor’s note - Ron has posted here before and has his own website. Which hasn’t been updated for awhile because he’s been busy with his local politics, which I admire him for doing something, instead of just talking about it.)
The trucking industry is complex, not appreciated by or understood by society-at-large and is filled with people that will do anything for a dollar; thus driving down rates and compromising safety in an effort to stay ahead of the other guy. Wayne, I know you’ll
disagree with me, but I think I am a proponent of re-regulating the industry to some degree. As much as I am a capitalist and have a fair and pragmatic view of the free market, deregulation has adversely affected some of our most prosperous and technical advanced markets. And in the end, deregulation does not create a more competitive market, but just the opposite. As we have seen in the telecommunications industry, deregulation destroyed our position as the most advanced country in the world (we are now ranked one of the lowest in the industrialized world), good careers were lost only to be replaced by McDonald
wages jobs that afford no security (here today, gone tomorrow), our once unchallenged and unmatched R&D was abandoned or sold off to other countries and in the end what do we have? A monopoly or cabal of a few companies that have a stranglehold on the whole industry but provide services no better than some of the third world countries I have visited, not to mention, the loss of hundreds of thousands professional positions.

Isn’t it funny, that prior to deregulation, the trucking industry had extremely larger numbers of independent drivers? It actually represented the American dream. You didn’t need a degree in business (or anything else) only the skill, will and determination to do the job and you could be a success; sort of like the pioneers that built this country (they depended upon government regulation, in the form of land grants, in order to realize their entrepreneurial dreams also). Now, the trucking industry feeds upon itself dog-eat-dog style and in the end there will be just a select few who will profit from everyone else’s misery. So, deregulation has created an un-American environment and the idustry will slowly be swallowed up by cheap immigrant labor and competition from Mexican and Canadian companies (thanks to NAFTA). I don’t pretend to have any solid answers but, history has shown us, until American truckers unite as one, they are a species on the endangered list.

Comments

wayne on 7 February, 2006 at 3:14 pm #

It may sound like I disagree, but I don’t. My feeling is that if the government is going to half-ass regulate the industry, they might as well go all out and do it right or as right as the government can do it. But, I honestly don’t think that’s going to happen. Especially now with all the polictical correctness and lawsuit-happy so-called watchdog groups it would be impossible to make everyone happy. But since we’re not regulated or going to be I need to make the best out of what I have to work with.

Between deregulation and trying to compete with labor in third world countries we are bringing ourselves down to the lowest common denominator. And all for the good of the world economy. We should kick the UN out of the country and make them go to Singapore or somewhere and get a little more protectionist. China and Japan are still protectionist and they are doing great. Ignore what the rest of the world is doing or saying and take care of US. The left wants us to be “worldly” and do what the UN says, but not protect ourselves or our economy. The economy is like terrorism in that we are the only ones playing by the rules.

Cliff Hudson on 11 February, 2006 at 12:21 pm #

I think we need to do something. Either the gov. needs to get all the way back into trucking or all the way out. We are a big enough industry that we can self govern our selfs. Now I am tried of states like IL. over riding federal rules and reg’s. The state of IL. has had my lic. suspended since Nov.04 till present. For driving on a suspended lic. that I didn’t know about, but I have paid all fines, and I am still waiting on them to reinstate me.

Benn Dipp on 13 February, 2006 at 5:42 pm #

….. From the time that Trucking was de-regulated, “What has the Federal Government done about anything that has proven to be productive”. Sure they can throw money at a problem[and always have] or they can appoint a committee of Fat-Belly Politicians to try and come to a popular conclusion. I’d be willing to bet there’s not one politician in the bunch that could start a Truck if the key was in the door. As, Long as politicians are elected into politics your going to get the same results…..When and If the money is ever taken out of politics, Then and only then will you get any results to problems that involve the Federal Government…….. I have been in Trucking for 39 years, and have made more money since Deregulation than before. I maintain a much better lifestyle with a whole-lot less work……”Reregulate Trucking HELL -NO”

Mike Masters on 21 February, 2006 at 6:52 am #

Ron, please reference my earlier post at Good News For Us.

Cheers!
M

greasedog on 11 March, 2006 at 8:56 am #

I think all drivers should be paid by the hour, that is the way we should go.I can’t stand the trucking Industry harping on the milage rates all the time. Truckers don’t stick together (like comercial fisherman)like glue…Ive been there!Out here in B.C we a mouth-piece named Tom Landry ( BCTA)..If you are a member (Im not),T.Landry would be your spokesman.Every time there is an event about the transport industry, the media gets a hold of this guy….( thinking he is our speaker for the truckers) and his voice is not…remember guy’s this guy is a puppet to goverment and the media! I want to put a rag in this guy’s mouth…watch what you say T.Landry…you only represent the owner-ops. that are willing enough to pay you there dues.Lets get this parliment puppet out of the lime light! Start e-mailing the media or calling every-time you see this joe on T.V representing us drivers on sensitive issues.What we need to do is organize ourselves…where we are nation wide and boycot companies that want to slash rates for there customers, in order to succeed on the contract.If you want to deregulate through the goverment the way it is now….have fun! YOU BETTER BE ORGANIZED FIRST!!! Because the way it is now is a joke!If you have T.Landry type of guy’s talking for us you (us) will never see the light, as far as change.Im attempting to create a strong body here,weather we are owner-ops,drivers,or company owners,…in the end if we don’t stick together,and all lost in the same cave,we will all die in this cave!

send me your thoughts,
GREASEDOG