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WHO THE HELL DOES BUSH WORK FOR, ANYHOW?
From: "Mel Young"
<bg@surfside.net>
Folks:
Years ago, I lived in Tucson, AZ for 2 1/2 years. Tucson is heavily populated with Mexicans and only forty or so miles from the Mexican border
at Nogales.
In those 2 1/2 years, I suffered more flat tires than in the entire rest
of
my driving life of over 40 years. The reason? Junk dropped on the road
from Mexican pickups and other vehicles.
Understand that in Mexico, the standard items for repairs are a role of
bailing wire, duct tape, and any bolt, screw or nut they can stick in a
hole; never-mind whether it's the right thread, the right size, etc.
Quite often, the hammer is the major "technical tool" south of
the border. They drive junk down there; bald tires are normal and they drive on them
till there is nothing left but air.
Busted taillight? No problem. Just stick a piece of red cellophane over it
or leave it inoperative.
Broken headlight? Who needs two when one will do?
Broken spare tire holder on a big rig? Wire it in place with bailing wire.
(I personally know of a case, years ago, where an American trucking firm
did exactly that. The under-slung big rig tire/wheel came loose, fell on
the freeway and resulted in the burning deaths of seven people.)
And Bush wants to turn these trucks loose on American highways.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,29389,00.html
Bush Issues Veto Threat for Mexican Truck Ban
Thursday, July 12, 2001
WASHINGTON - President Bush threatened to veto any bill that prevents
Mexican trucks from operating on U.S. roads, just as a Senate committee
was poised to take up House-passed legislation that does just that.
Bush's veto threat was contained in a letter sent Wednesday to Senate
Appropriations Chairman Robert Byrd, D-West Va.
Bush suffered a stinging defeat in the House late last month when the
House voted 285-143 to bar the Transportation Department from issuing safety
permits that would let Mexican trucks operate throughout the United
States.
As part of the 8-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement, Bush
planned to let Mexican trucks begin making deliveries throughout this country
starting next January. The trucks currently are restricted to a narrow commercial zone just north of the U.S.-Mexican border.
Bush also is facing strong Senate opposition to that goal.
Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., said after the House vote that he would propose
an identical ban when his chamber considered the measure. Also, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, said she would oppose allowing the trucks full
access without tougher safety regulations than those proposed by the Bush administration.
In the House, 82 Republicans joined 201 Democrats and two independents in the vote to restrict the Mexican trucks.
The House stripped the transportation spending bill of $88 million Bush
had requested for Mexican truck inspectors and inspection sites. It also
prohibited using any fiscal year 2002 money to process applications for
permits for Mexican trucks to operate on U.S. roadways.
Sen. Patty Murray, chairwoman of the Senate transportation appropriations subcommittee, plans to propose an amendment that would lift the ban, but
toughen safety requirements for the trucks. Murray, D-Wash., also wants to
provide $103 million for construction of border inspection sites and
hiring of inspectors, her spokesman Todd Webster said.
Her amendment is backed by Hutchison, the ranking Republican on the
committee and whose state sees the majority of the Mexican truck traffic.
"We are not trying to raise any artificial bars here," Webster
said of the
additional safety requirements. "We are talking about keeping
America's
highways safety for Americans to drive on."
US Congressional Switchboard Toll-free Numbers
1-800-648-3516
1-877-762-8762
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