Mexico Trucker Online

Jun. 22–President George W. Bush could use the controversial Cross Border Truck Program for his near messianic Mexicanization of America. If Senor Dubya allows unauthorized Mexican trucks to enter, as illegal aliens do now, American trucking could become roadkill, and the rule of law, a joke.

Free trade — buyers and sellers peacefully trading without interference — should be the goal of any nation that respects individual and economic freedom. The more trade among nations, the more peace. War becomes too costly.

Trade is good. So is immigration. Anarchy is not, whether it walks in from Mexico or drives.

The North American Free Trade Agreement liberalizes international trucking. This demonstration project by the U.S. Department of Transportation allows up to 100 Mexican trucking companies — with an unlimited number of tractor-trailers and drivers who barely speak English — to barrel through our golden door in a few months. Thirty-two carriers have been given the OK by the U.S. so far.

Those carriers may cross the border only to load or unload before returning home. No crisscrossing within the country, as domestic carriers do. The same applies for American trucking companies in Mexico.

“I don’t see any effective way that can be policed,” says Jerome R. Corsi, author and WorldNetDaily.com columnist. Mexican truck drivers can create significant safety hazards because there’s no assurance they will follow U.S. regulations, keep log books or be able to communicate if they get pulled over, Dr. Corsi says.

The foreigners don’t even need American commercial carrier licenses because Mexican regulations supposedly are just as demanding, according to John H. Hill, administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, part of the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Ask why any business needing transportation to and from Mexico would use American trucking companies — since Mexican carriers could offer lower rates because of lower labor costs — and Hill talks about lower overhead being good for consumers by lowering prices.

But ask for the details of the program and be prepared for stonewalling, even after filing a Freedom of Information request.

The Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety asked for one in October 2006. After being stalled for six months, the organization filed a lawsuit demanding disclosure.

“We’re completely computerized,” says Hill but adds he has no idea — none — when the documents will be freed. Trust him anyway, he says.

There is no “linkage” between the enforcement of immigration law and the enforcement of his regulations, Hill says. Later, his spokeswoman called to make double sure there was no misunderstanding about any comparison to the way Bush protects the border and respects immigration laws.

Failure to enforce would lead to America being overrun with Mexican truckers going anywhere they please — just like illegals do now. Surely, it would cost domestic carriers’ customers and carriers’ employees their jobs.

Yes, consumers might benefit from lower prices but the game would be rigged. Mexican illegals, now driving trucks, would be violating the law. Again.

If Mr. Bush wouldn’t defend the Mexican border from a very mobile invasion of illegals, adios, American truckers. Maybe there’s a Spanish term for “10-4, good buddy.”

Dimitri Vassilaros is a Trib editorial page columnist. His column appears Sundays, Mondays and Fridays. Call him at 412-380-5637. E-mail him at dvassilaros@tribweb.com

SOURCE:Dimitri Vassilaros, The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review