truckers strike 2008

[Tractorat]

Just heard on the radio that there will be a truckers strike starting on wednesday. It will make some headlines, but probably wont do anything.



TRat

 

[KFranco]

Assuming you are talking about the high fuel prices in theory these things can work... everyone don't buy gas on certain days etc. but it's not realistic. Not everyone can sacrifice work and a paycheck. I would like to see something done about lowering fuel prices. I just don't know the answer.

 

[telliott]

I heard about this too. If it really happens its going to screw up a lot of things. 95% of everything we consume was on a truck at one time or another. I dont know if it will do anything for fuel prices, but it will sure affect everything else we buy.

 

[Skydiver]

Just do a web search on



truckers+forum



It's taking shape. It's all their talking about. There will be some people that will suffer more than others.



Thanks drivers.

 

[FPettijohn]

Lets get behind these guys! They are trying to help US and them. Aren't you tired of paying more than than gas prices for diesel???Oo. It only takes a few to make a big difference. Stand up and be counted.

Fred

 

[Jim Smith]

I'm all for it, Its just a small step in trying to tell folks that diesel costs are out of control. Not that gas isn't an issue either. Us non commercial drivers - private diesel owners need to support them. Tell your congress people to support as well.

 

[JFaulkner]

It's not going to happen and even if it did how would inconveniencing the general public do anything to lower fuel prices? The people (or countries) that have the power to affect fuel prices don't care anything about a dumb strike. Even though "big oil" has nothing to do with this do you guys actually think that a company like Exxon for example (their the biggest so they're the largest public punching bag just like Wal-Mart) is going to say "gee I guess no one is buying diesel fuel anymore since no one bought any today, I guess we better just give it away!!" Come on, you don't honestly believe that do you?? If they wanted to lower fuel prices the easiest way is to cut the taxes. But we all know their not going to do that so the next thing is to cut demand. Again isn't going to happen so unless OPEC decides to increase production to lower the price it isn't going to happen. Increased oil exploration, build more refineries, alternatives fuels ect... are all great but their all long term fixes. None of which can do anything to help prices now.



FYI Exxon only pumps about 13% of all the oil they refine. The rest comes from wells they don't control. That number is from before the Venezuela/Exxon problem.

 

[Bob Cochran]

This has been done before and at the time truckers actually blocked the fuel lanes. It actually worked that time because Congress got involved and something was done at least short term. Will it work this time? I just don't know all our politicians are not leaders anymore and have very little morals. They believe our tax dollars belong to to them to us anyway they choose namely pork or to line their own pocket. If this was not so something would have been done long before this. Can you imagine if the state said since we collect the Federal taxes for you and you are doing nothing for our State. We just will stop sending the tax money and keep it to make the necessary road improvements, etc. you promise but never follow through with!!! When you figure out the Taxes you collect does not belong to you for your own personal use we will start sending it to you can. Nice thought but never going to happen.

You all know of course the Civil War started because the Federal Government tried to force laws on the States rather than debate and compromise for the good of all. Oh yea, it was about freeing slaves which was a good thing but it should have been a state solution not a Federal armed enforcement. The States at the time was starting to make reasonable changes but was not fast enough so Armed conflict resulted. God I hope this is not starting all over again. Sorry got off topic but feel better now.

 

[Simplysmn]

From what I understand of this strike it is starting as of April 1st 2008 I went by the local flying J tonight and it was Packed wall to wall with trucks in Parking lot maybe this will work ?sure would be nice for the little guy .

 

[AABEN]

Well We The People Should Stand Up For The Truckers!!!we Should Not By Any Fuel For At Lease 4 Days!!that Might Wake Up Some One I Hope. Bush Has Done Nothing To Cut The Price For Us!! He Is Big In Oil So Is His Side Kick More Money In There Bank!!! Ben Princeton In 03 Hop Six Speed

 

[JCasper]

Well We The People Should Stand Up For The Truckers!!!we Should Not By Any Fuel For At Lease 4 Days!!that Might Wake Up Some One I Hope. Bush Has Done Nothing To Cut The Price For Us!! He Is Big In Oil So Is His Side Kick More Money In There Bank!!! Ben Princeton In 03 Hop Six Speed

I can go for 2-3 weeks without purchasing fuel, too bad I can't make the difference needed.

 

[WStrmiska]

70% of our goods are shipped by truck. If the majority of the truckers in the US would quit delivering to all the grocery stores,etc, it would cripple the US,people would be rioting in the streets, that would get them fat a---- in DC's attention real quick. I know that this is extreme but every one needs to get involved to make a differance, not just the truckers. It's always the little guy at the bottom that suffers the most. Just my 2 pennys worth.

 

[HBarlow]

Writing your congressman and senators to tell them you want oil production in ANWAR and other fields in the continental US and off our shores, more oil refineries built in America with less stupid and unnecessary government restrictions, and reduced federal taxes on motor fuels would be attacking the problem where it lives. While you're writing the letter, also tell them to abolish the airheads in the EPA who dream up the impossible emissions regulations like the ones imposed on our new 6. 7L Cummins engines. The EPA is the problem, not the solution. The new trucks could easily produce 50% more power and achieve better fuel economy. Instead, we are paying at least $1000 more per unit to get the new federal emissions crap, reduce power, and reduce economy. Probably reduce reliability and longevity as well.



If the blow dried empty suits in DC simply cut federal taxes on motor fuels the price of diesel at the pump would immediately drop by around $0. 50/gallon. If they cut corporate income tax on big oil companies they could reduce the price of oil by another $1. 00/gallon, maybe more. Just getting the federal government out of big oil company's pocket could cut the price of fuel almost in half.



Then, if you followed up by writing similar letters to your blow dried empty suit state governors and legislators and telling them the same thing you might influence more of the folks who create the problem. States impose high taxes on motor fuels and require the oil companies to refine and deliver numerous blends of gasoline simply to satisfy the left wing wackos in state government and their anti-American constituents who work in state and local government, vote for Algore, and drive Toyota and Honda hybrids.



"Big Oil" simply procures, processes, and provides the fuel we burn. If the federal and state governments got out of their way we would have far more crude oil at lower prices and far more capacity to refine it on our soil. Those two elements would be the solution to lower priced motor fuels, not meaningless protests by striking truckers or individuals refusing to buy fuel on certain days.

 

[NoSeeUm]

What is it they hope to accomplish, other than media attention?



Jim

 

[MOates]

Try an extra 10 grand per rig added to the purchase price because of the '07 emissions controls. I work for Freightliner, and they went to extremes trying to keep the increase in purchase price from being even more.



The end result was a boom in truck purchases in '05 and '06, and the last two years it's died off to nothing. Last year we spent nearly half the year shut down at our plant due to lack of orders, and this year isn't looking much better, with the added whammy of the economy going south.



When you have to add an auxiliary radiator to some rigs to handle the extra waste heat from the new emissions gear, that should tell you the approach being mandated is totally off course.



As far as reducing the income tax on oil companies - are you also going to do away with the 30 billion per year in tax credits and subsidies they receive from the government, which pretty much offsets what they pay in taxes to begin with?



Better idea - tell them to eliminate the splash and dash loophole, where they get a $1/gallon tax credit for creating B99 and then exporting it to Europe, having the net effect of exporting much of the diesel we do refine in this country.



Also, tell them to eliminate the "Enron loophole" that allows speculators to trade oil futures on unregulated exchanges with no oversight by the FTC, allowing them to manipulate crude prices to their heart's content. I'd even go so far as to add the requirement that the only people allowed to trade oil futures would be those that actually use the physical oil - oil companies, refiners, etc - keep out the hedge fund managers and speculators that only want to trade paper.



I'm no fan of onerous regulation, but even a grade-school game of dodgeball needs ground rules and a referee. Just human nature - when you try to do things by the honor system with no oversight, there's always some jerk in the crowd that has no honor and will screw over everyone else to his own benefit.

 

[HBarlow]

MOates,



A good argument could be made that the sum total of the issues you raised and the issues raised by me demonstrate that all government involvement in the oil industry adds complexity, unintended consequences, additional burdensome regulation, added cost per gallon of gas or diesel, and could/should be eliminated for the good of all.

 

[DHayden]

Lets be logical, you are never going to "hurt" the oil company and really why would you want to? If you take away there tax breaks or any silly " schemes" they are going to recoup any loss by adding it to your fuel cost at the pump, then you will right back where you started.

If they made one blend of fuel instead of the 30 or 40 they make now it would reduce refining costs and the price of fuel wouldnt skyrocket everytime a refinery is shut down or a pipe blow up because state A wouldnt have to import their specific blend from state B which is 4 states away because the state next door could provide it to them.

You could also make the federal speed limit 65 or 70 again, that would cut down on alot of wasted fuel and reduce demand. Would any of this happen? Probably not, because as stated, the government has its hand more in your pocket for fuel then the oil companies do.

The left wing should have let Bush drill in ANWR when he became president, it would have been producing oil right now.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

reducing speed limits doesn't keep people from speeding

 

[DHayden]

reducing speed limits doesn't keep people from speeding

I didnt say it did, but most peaple dont do more than 5 miles over the speed limit maybe 10 which effectively reduces consumption if the limit was 65 instead of 75. Yes ofcourse there are peaple who go well beyond 10 over.

 

[MLee]

Well it took place to day and also the oil Gurus meet with the congressional review. which was a coincidence. hope it works. Big oil should also give up there government substadities and return this to the consumer also.