Now Obama Wants to Kill Off the Long-Haul Rig & Trucking Businesses

As if he hasn’t done enough already to destroy the greatest economy on earth, Barack Obama on Tuesday passed legislation to kill the American long-haul rig and work truck businesses.

Flanked by truck manufacturers and trucking industry executives, President Obama signed a first-of-its-kind order in May 2010 clearing the way for medium- and heavy-duty trucks to meet more stringent fuel-economy targets. (CA Transport)

Obama’s latest regulations on the trucking industry will force thousands of long-haul truckers out of business and will significantly increase expenses on all trucking companies.
The Daily Press reported:

President Obama announced the first-ever fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas standards for long-haul rigs, work trucks, and other heavy duty vehicles Tuesday, the second mileage pact with manufacturers in less than a month.

The regulations call for reductions on fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by 2018 of 9 to 23 percent, depending on the type of vehicle. Trucks and other heavy vehicles make up only 4 percent of the domestic vehicle fleet, but given the distance they travel, the time they spend idling and their low fuel efficiency, they end up consuming about 20% of all vehicle fuel, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists.

Experts say that a 20 percent reduction in heavy vehicle emissions would boost fuel efficiency to an average of 8 miles per gallon from 6 miles now.

The announcement comes less than two weeks after Obama and the country’s automakers unveiled new fuel economy rules for passenger vehicles that would boost fleet-wide average gas mileage to 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025, from about 27.8 miles per gallon now.

The success of the Obama fuel efficiency program, some of it hard-won through difficult talks with car makers, stands in sharp contrast to the failure of other environmental initiatives, like climate change legislation…

…The new standards would increase the cost of heavy duty trucks, which cost tens of thousands of dollars, by several thousand dollars each, depending on the vehicle. But the administration and the manufacturers’ group estimated that the higher costs would be recouped very quickly, often within a year or two, because of savings at the pump, one of the biggest expenses for any cargo or trucking business.

Obama won’t be happy until the economy is in complete ruins.
2012 can’t get here soon enough.

#1 August 12, 2011 at 4:39 am
shawn commented:

Who gives a rip honestly? Are you seriously that mad about tTruckers? They sit in a truck and drive it.
#2 August 12, 2011 at 5:04 am
Granny commented:

“Obama passed legislation”??? NO. Obama cannot pass legislation. Either the Congress passed this legislation and bears some portion of the blame, or Obama used an Executive Order to make an end run around Congressional authority. Which one is it?
#3 August 12, 2011 at 5:07 am
backhoe commented:

Everything you get is moved at some point, by a truck.

Do you really want to spend more of your money for everything you buy, including gasoline & heating oil?

Remember Duh!1′s “necessarily skyrocket?” words?

Impeach the bastard.
#4 August 12, 2011 at 5:14 am
cedarhill commented:

Always a silver lining. Those huge windmill blades just won’t be able to get up any hills if this is enforced. The Greenies might cheer, however, to see 100 mile long series of tractor rigs trying to push it. Just think of the traffic jams those things will cause. Back to walking and killing squirrels for food.
#5 August 12, 2011 at 5:16 am
Militant Conservative commented:

Shawn my neighbor is a trucker. Hauls heavy

Construction equipment all over Georgia. He’s

The only driver left out of twenty due to Obama.

You are a little retard that does not know how

The economy works, cranial rectal inversion.

Powder is dry
#6 August 12, 2011 at 5:20 am
Little David Puddy commented:

This is unbelievable. If you look at the want ads in any local or regional newspaper in the country, the most prevelant if not the only jobs available are those for long haul truck drivers. Now douchebag wants to destroy the only industry where there seems to be an abundance of Jobs. Absolutely unbelievable. Could it be any more obvious that the man is trying to destroy the country. Man do I hate this a$$hole.
#7 August 12, 2011 at 5:24 am
Militant Conservative commented:

OBTW all of your food in a grocery store comes via

TRUCKS. Shawn with a brain of a prawn.

Probably a soros media matters robot.
#8 August 12, 2011 at 5:26 am
MDd commented:

They always said America would be destroyed from within.
#9 August 12, 2011 at 6:22 am
jerrylud commented:

im a truck driver i drive a company truck and we havnt gotten a raise sense obama took office and his epa is pushing the global warming crap thats just what these new regs are all about you think things are expensive now at the store give it time we will be on our knees if we dont stop obama and his epa period
#12 August 12, 2011 at 6:52 am
P. Aaron commented:

From the article, it appears that Obama signed ‘the first of it’s kind order’. So it seems a executive decree rather than a debated piece of legislation.

More Chavez’ing from el Presidente’.
#13 August 12, 2011 at 7:01 am
carmen commented:

My whole biz is based on trucking – drivers load, drive, unload & make tight tight schedules – they are VITAL to everything you use at home and work. Truck prices equal freight cost increases – increases = consumer prices skyrocketing.
#14 August 12, 2011 at 7:05 am
tarpon commented:

Be cheaper to just ‘can the freak’ and drill for oil. What are we running here, the Hugo Chavez tryouts for our man-child?

Why does the country with the world’s largest fossil fuel reserves have to put up with the liberal claptrap is beyond explanation.

What goes in can just go right out … I suggest the first Exec order for the new pres is erase any regulation passed since Jan 1, 2008.
#15 August 12, 2011 at 7:09 am
chicago commented:

the next CONSERVATIVE president will have a lot of Executive Orders to cancel!
#16 August 12, 2011 at 7:12 am
Gary Ogletree commented:

The market increases fuel economy. That’s how we get new technology. The socialists have already cut our income with ridiculous safety rules that have a negative impact on safety. They should have to work under such inflexible mindlessness. It’s all about nanny state control freaks. Printing trillions of fake Fed notes and shoveling free money into the corrupt investment banks will already give us massive, crippling inflation. Let’s ramp it up some more. Drive up the price of trucks and put lots of good old trucks in the junkyards. That hurts the independents the most. Which may be part of the strategy all along. Marxist Leninists don’t lilke independents or small business operators. I’ve been looking forward to buying a new Volvo tractor. That won’t happen til we get a Tea Party Congress and a President Palin to clean up the Obama disaster. May the sorry bastard rot in hell.
#18 August 12, 2011 at 7:49 am
Joyce Sanders commented:

Has Idiot In Chief thought about the fact that the largest employer in the U.S. is Wal Mart that has their own trucking fleet. Prices at Wal Mart will skyrocket! I am sure all of the middle class will be thrilled with their necessities going sky high!
#19 August 12, 2011 at 8:09 am
feduptoo commented:

He already allowed Mexican trucks & Mexican truck drivers, to cross our border and drive throughout our Country, delivering cheap Chinese made products.

The environmental upgrades to these trucks, was paid by us!

I have fought illegal immigration for years, I remember someone telling me, that they saw a semi truck pulled off the road, with two men holding a piece of paper up to a street sign….he stopped to help…they were Russians that did not speak English, and were trying to compare the words on the sign, to what was written on the piece of paper!

No business in our country is safe from Obama!
#20 August 12, 2011 at 8:27 am
#1AMERICAN commented:

odumbass the mooslum…continuing to destroy america from day 1…. someone needs to frag his A$$ someday
#21 August 12, 2011 at 8:39 am
silent_rage commented:

This one giant 4 year long nightmare. Shawn are you brainless?
#22 August 12, 2011 at 8:57 am
Patty commented:

Where does this guy come up with this nonsense. Gore and other liberal wackos, likely.

I just cannot believe why he isn’t aware of the jobless rates and the no growth in our job force.

He may believe his intentions are good but in another time. Placing more and more regulations in a time when our nation has more business just stagnating and unsure of the future because of so many regulations in completely opposite and detrimental to our economy. This blows my mind.
#23 August 12, 2011 at 9:00 am
Mike W commented:

When the DOT puts farmers under their finger these standards would also apply to farm equipment.
#24 August 12, 2011 at 9:14 am
gwhh commented:

I am not worried about this. Ever president and congress ahve tried to increase vechile gas milage since the gas shortage in 70′s. The difference is GOP members, do sane and rational milage increae. The democrats do not. it will all get worked out in the end!
#25 August 12, 2011 at 9:15 am
Patty commented:

I can remember the environmentalists going after thrashers, those vehicles used to compost the land. They said it raises to much dust and dirt in the environment. Wack jobs.

And remember no water for the farmers and the the farmers lost the farm. Wack jobs.

Obama and the gang are killing the farmers off one by one.
#26 August 12, 2011 at 9:24 am
Speaking Clearly commented:

Mike W: Right.

Farmers are the last bastion, that Obama has not yet completely destroyed.

The Obama Administration has done their level best, to deny any possible success or productivity, in most sectors in our ecomony, but up until lately, have left the Farming Industry alone, for the most part.

Now, going after Farmers, the last bastion of most developed countries, the Obama Administration has sealed their doom for reelection.

To bring about the destruction of our economy, our way of life, and the Constitution, and redistribute the wealth of productive U.S. citizens. It is so obvious the intentions of this Administration.

The Glenn Beck program, sure did alot to educate America about what is really going on.

This lust for power and control, that Progressives have, has to be an evil sickness.

They think they know better. What arrogance. Not a one of them could create productive jobs, by their own merit… let alone companies that could thrive under their own Progressve rules of Regulation.

Hypocrites.
#29 August 12, 2011 at 10:03 am
Professor Guvinoff commented:

Actually, the big rigs are very efficient! The miles-per-gallon statistic is the wrong one: In transportation, what matters is the mile-ton per gallon.

Why? Suppose that the load inside the truck is strawberries, and you propose to carry the strawberries by hybrid cars instead, because their mpg numbers are so stratospheric: How many priuses does it take to carry the the load of the big rig? About 200 cars! If each one of them gets 40 miles per gallon, and you have 200 of those, what’s the mpg of the whole fleet? 40 divided by 200. This works out to 0.2 mpg! And it takes 200 drivers instead of one, and the air conditioners are too weak to keep the strawberries consumable after the 3-day trip across the land.

And the president will argue that the big rigs are inefficient. Don’t send your children to college: it will destroy their ability to think, and it will cost you a fortune, and they will elect an imbecile!
#30 August 12, 2011 at 10:06 am
aprilnovember811 commented:

Is their one person in Washington that will stop this Weather Underground/Muslim Brotherhood operative? Has everyone been DE-BALLED there?
#31 August 12, 2011 at 10:20 am
Kathy commented:

Is his high speed rail scheme supposed to take over for long haul trucking?
#32 August 12, 2011 at 10:26 am
burt commented:

None of these enviromental requirements ever apply to the Soviet Union. That because the enviromentals movement is straight out of the Soviet Union. If you investigate these “greens” you will find that in the 60′s they were “reds”.
#33 August 12, 2011 at 10:38 am
Freddy commented:

Obama is destroying industry in the USA with every regulation he implements.

The next President will need to repeal tens of thousands of these economy destroying regulations.
#34 August 12, 2011 at 11:12 am
Mannie commented:

Another reason to never get rid of my old truck.
#35 August 12, 2011 at 12:44 pm
GregABF commented:

Fuel is largest portion of the cost for long haul operations. If fuel economy is enhanced, the payback for new equipment will be quick. Quit your whining and think ahead!
#36 August 12, 2011 at 1:13 pm
randyinrocklin commented:

John Boehner is complicit in this because he let this legislation pass the House. John Boehner should be primaried as well. The committee Chairmen (his establishment buddies like Upton, et al) are the ones that voted this out of committee, it’s their fault for letting this pass. We need to primary these Establishment RINOs!
#37 August 12, 2011 at 2:21 pm
harold stotts commented:

TRuckers unite!! that man has to go, no ifs buts or ands about it, HE MUST GO!!!
#38 August 12, 2011 at 2:41 pm
Castaway50 commented:

Evidently, Shawn doesn’t appreciate groceries being on the store shelves or gas in the underground fuel tanks at the local gas station. I am a retired trucker of 35 years. Many of you know that everything at some time or other moves by trucks. And Shawn seems to think that all we do is just sit there and drive it?? It’s one of the most stressful jobs out there. Trying to make pickup and delivery on time and the damn paperwork with the log books.
And trying to avoid the mindless idiots out there in their 4-wheelers and whatever else they can drive. Thirty five years and forty-four states and never been in an accident. I done my job well. I admit though, there are some idiot truckers out there that give the rest of us a bad name. Next time you go shopping, just remember, a trucker hauled it.
And Shawn, you’re an idiot!!!
#39 August 12, 2011 at 2:58 pm
terry hyche commented:

Truck drivers live in a small area and do a hard job. Its not surprising that someone as lazy as obama would try to do away with the livelihood of such a hard working people. This shows how bad he wants to demoralize the American people and destroy the ability to transport goods. Has anyone any memory of how to destroy a Nation completely by destroying its roads to productivity. This would really kill the efforts of the American tax payer who is working frantically to provide for their families. Think about products not being delivered to the stores, then the little money you do have wont be worth toilet paper. There won’t be anything to buy. That’s what they are trying to do. He is an enemy of this nation, him and all his confederates.
#40 August 12, 2011 at 3:01 pm
For my Liiberty commented:

Shawn…..because I feel sorry for you LACK OF INTELLIGENCE, I will try using SIMPLE words to explain to you who cares!

EVERY SINGLE person in the USA that EATS should care! IF it were NOT for those truckers, YOU would STARVE.

LOTS of these Truckers and Trucking Companies are SMALL BUSINESSES or OWNER OPERATORS. These trucks NEW, ALREADY cost 100K….add to that a trailer, the Insurance, Taxes, Road use tax they ALREADY pay over and above the Government taxes at the pump, and the profit margin is very small. MOST cannot even MAKE it unless they buy a USED Tractor, and with THAT you have to add in REPAIRS.

This is just ONE MORE blow to the Small businesses. You know what? I hope you DO starve…it would be ONE LESS VOTE for the POS OVOMIT!
#41 August 12, 2011 at 3:06 pm
For my Liiberty commented:

It is too hard to organize a strike. REMEMBER the last “successful” one in the 70′s? Was tried again in the early 90′s and it didn’t work….SOMEONE IMPEACH THIS IMPOSTER IN OUR HOUSE!!

@ Castaway….*Salutes* I dispatched O/Ops for 15 years and my business is in bulk freight…I know it is a hard, dirty job.
#42 August 12, 2011 at 3:10 pm
For my Liiberty commented:

@ GregAFdummy–NO, the cost of the EQUIPMENT is the largest portion….Call that college you went to and tell them you want a REFUND! Do you NOT understand that this will FORCE all Truckers to get NEW EQUIPMENT??? *sheesh* He will end up killing all the Owner Ops and Small businesses that CANNOT AFFORD TO UPDATE THE EQUIPMENT!!!

Next time you open your mouth and let STUPID fall out…..at least try to study up on the subject!
#43 August 12, 2011 at 5:19 pm
james hartley commented:

of course he wants to ruin the trucking industry its too much competition for the rail system what a better way to either get large trucking companies in the government butt kissing line or to make sure the losing monstrosity that is the rail system turn a profit this war has been waged for many many years they just have the epa and other ways to make it a reality. Trucking is last form of self employment you can go and spend 130K on a truck and trailer get your own authority or lease on with someone without haveing some greta big list of regulations you have to follow to get your company going and the government hates that repubs and dems alike but as an earlier poster said trucks do most of the job and for the earlier guy that said all we do is sit in it and drive well bubbba i can tell you havnt ever been in one and sure as heck dont know just what a truck can and is used for do ya . granted some of it is sit on your butt and feel it grow type jobs and some of us actually get out load our own loads unload our own loads and deal with snots like you on the road daily who think you can just disrespect everyone on the road .
#44 August 12, 2011 at 5:26 pm
james hartley commented:

thank you for my liberty im a bulk barite hauler and i haul barite , fly ash , and bentonite to drilling rigs and brother some of them folks aint got a clue and id be damned if i spend 130 k on a brand new underpowered truck in wyoming to run the hundreds of miles of gravel roads and watch it get trashed like my old 99 pete
#45 August 12, 2011 at 5:38 pm
Len commented:

This goes hand in hand with Obama opening up the border to Mexican truckers. He wants to make it more expensive for American truckers to exist. At first I thought it was a ploy to force us all into unions since he first started attacking individual owner operators, but even Teamsters are standing against him now. He wants corporate trucking to dominate the highways with their illegal drivers. If you’re a CDL operator, you’re a fool to vote for this man.
#46 August 12, 2011 at 5:46 pm
james hartley commented:

never did and never will but this failure wasnt the first one to do it clinton brought it in full force with not only mexican trucks but bringing in immigrants ,sending them to school and turning them loose on the highways with out even being able to speak a full sentence in the english language. if we do strike and id hate to do that because it goes against my belief but if we did what do you think would happen to the country as it is we have 3 days of food onn the shelves maye 4 days of fuel in the stations but what do you think the repruccusions would be from this administration and dont think for a minute one of these giant companies are fitted to handle at least some of the load to major metropolitan cities
#47 August 12, 2011 at 5:53 pm
james hartley commented:

hes not the one who started it but damned if he hasnt stepped it up clinton started this with nafte and it got shut down with bush like i said this war has been waged for many many generations and it wont stop they have got us now with this ultra low sulfer diesel that makes our motors extremely inefficiant cuts our horspower and as far as idle time they have a generator on most long haul trucks i see me i dont run mine when i sleep in the summer time and its got to drop below 40 before i run mine in the winter if you want a lesson in fuel efficency talk to an owner operator who works with out a fuel surcharge and this was not the first shot at the trucking company it was brought on with the csa 2010 laws now if you want to see somthing that will have companies going out of buisness and drivers destroyed take a look at them laws
#48 August 12, 2011 at 6:04 pm
carolyn commented:

President Obama signed a first-of-its-kind order in May 2010

why did it take so long to hear about this?
#49 August 12, 2011 at 6:25 pm
wanumba commented:

But the administration and the manufacturers’ group estimated that the higher costs would be recouped very quickly, often within a year or two, because of savings at the pump, one of the biggest expenses for any cargo or trucking business.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

There has been no such critter as “savings at the pump” since Obama and his control freaks got into the WHite House. Obama campaigned on RAISING gas prices, RAISING electrical rates… do electric car nuts know their $40,000 tin can recharge will “necessarily skyrocket” as promised by Obama?

If truckers have to pay higher equipment prices, then EVERYTHING will inflate in price. EVERYTHING. We have HOW many people out of work and Obama is beavering expressly to jack higher and higher costs – putting more businesses out of business while food and necessities become too expensive.
#50 August 12, 2011 at 7:07 pm
Patrick commented:

Shawn! Don’t be so dumb! If it’s in your house the odds that a truck delivered it are pretty good! Obozo is destroying America piecemeal and we’re allowing the usurping clown to do it!
#51 August 12, 2011 at 8:06 pm
A_Nonny_Mouse commented:

“… Trucks and other heavy vehicles … end up consuming about 20% of all vehicle fuel, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists …”

= = = = =

Oh, yeah. Credibility to the max, right there in the name.

{Just googled them.} Yep, a bunch of warmists using their “concern” as a weapon to send humankind back to those happy, productive times before the advent of fire…..

From their website: “UCS played a critical role in helping Californians to understand the serious impact of climate change, and in the state legislature UCS’s analysis was instrumental in getting the votes needed to pass groundbreaking global warming legislation.”

Also from their site (dateline today): “EPA Science Advisory Board to Release Five-Year Report Recommending Federal Action to Curb Nitrogen Pollution”. When you look at it — they want to end feedlots. Say goodbye to steak (unless of course, you are the leader of a certain major Western country; I’ll bet beaucoup bucks (that I don’t have) that wagyu beef will still be part of Cherished Leader’s diet).

Another news item: UCS engineers have created a new line of electric car designs, the Model E. Wonder upon wonders!

It’s obvious that the Current Administration wants us little people to get used to taking orders from “experts”. Sadly, I’ve about had my fill of “experts” and their adamant assertions about “what we as a nation MUST do now” to protect this, or save that, or prevent total catastrophe in some other regard.

Dear experts: if it’s so damn bad, you don’t have to live through it. Go commit seppuku.
The rest of civilization will muddle through somehow, just as we have for the last 4000-plus years. PS- You won’t be missed.
#52 August 12, 2011 at 8:32 pm
A_Nonny_Mouse commented:

I’m not clear what kind of “order” Obama signed in May 2010. Transport Topics says (05/21/10): “Under the order, the Department of Transportation and Environmental Protection Agency are charged with collaborating on a rule setting limits on the fuel consumed and emissions produced by large commercial vehicles beginning with the 2014 model year.

“Today, we’re … proposing the development of a national standard for medium- and heavy-duty trucks, just as we did for cars and light trucks,” Obama said … . “This is the first time we’ll have such a standard.”

The order said that the administration has “the aim of issuing a final rule by July 30, 2011.”

= = = = =

Maybe that “final rule” is what he signed Tuesday according to the article cited above? It’s very unclear to me whether it’s legislation, or regulation, or just what…
#53 August 12, 2011 at 9:01 pm
Brian Shanabrough commented:

Obama sucking up to the UAW again.Everytime new mandates are put on trucks,companies will scramble to buy trucks BEFORE the mandate takes effect.The last time EPA madates were enacted ,my former employer purchased 120 trucks before the change went into effect.
Every time the Gov’t.mandates pollution and MPG standards,engine manufactures all try to meet the standards w/ new technology and sadly it takes 2 yrs or so to get the “bugs” out. The owners of these trucks experience breakdowns, and shop time which translates into lost revenue,dissatisfied drivers,shippers and customers.. The manufactures loose money on hours upon hours of warranty work. The only ones who profit from this are the UAW…
#54 August 12, 2011 at 11:27 pm
HiHeels commented:

This fits into the grand scheme of agenda 21. Dont repair highways, regulate the big rigs moving commodities out of business and control the farm land resources and food.
Sounds like a plan for sustainable development along his choo choo tracks is coming together. Just to spite ” it ” and al gore, I hope the mayan calendar is right because I want to see them dragged to the burning depth of he11.
#55 August 13, 2011 at 2:41 am
crazy rebel commented:

i’m a trucker and to say we just sit and drive is non sense why don’t you take our job and see what it really is about.what if we all stopped our trucks are goin to go to another state to get your food shoes etc. no you will sit and complain about us gain well let me tell ya it wil happen some day.
#56 August 13, 2011 at 7:18 am
PJSolarz commented:

Great comments!
99% were on the money with just a few dancing off the edge of the cliff. Anytime government signs a new regulation, standard or mandate, it costs us more money. Obama’s motivation is as plain as the egg on your face, to fundamentally change the structure of this country (wipe out the middle class) and systematically alter the rules (re-write the constitution) so that he as one of the elitists can rule from his perch above like a vulture waiting for it’s victim to stop kicking so he can take what is left.
#57 August 13, 2011 at 7:25 am
Mike V. commented:

This also effects millions of other americans, like myself. my second full time job is as a Pilot Car (escort) driver for oversized loads. it would also effect americans working at truck stops and as truck mechanics. it will also make it alot harder and more expensive to get every morsel of food you eat and everything you buy TO the place you buy it from.
#58 August 13, 2011 at 7:46 am
rick copr commented:

@ shawn, you sir are clearly an idiot. You think all we do is sit and drive, contact me and come spend a week,help me fuel at $1000. Per fill up, help pay for meals, service and maintain this vehicle, deal with people in their autos who are convinced they own the road, spend an afternoon with the accountant and compare profits now, after being regulated to near death to those prior to de-regulation.fuel is $4 per gallon and its a by product of gasoline.. everything moves by truck and one day we will say enough is enough. And you shawn won’t eat, or clean, or drive ……well even you see where this is going…obama makes jimmy ctrarter look like a great presudent…
#59 August 13, 2011 at 8:53 am
Debbie commented:

Shawn seems to be very uneducated about reality. If obumass does this to truckers, what is next??? We need our truckers moving on the roads, they are a VERY important business for all Americans. Without our truckers America stops moving and supplies and necessities become scarce and expensive. Shawn, read up on how reality works buddy.
#60 August 13, 2011 at 12:31 pm
mike commented:

measure by measure in slow increments, our great country is being dismantled. Who really believes that there is such a thing as the workers paradise that Obama and his puppet masters envision. It hasn’t worked anywhere else. china’s economic rise has been because they moved the other way. And still they are facing trouble because of all the money their govt. is putting into construction. barry wants more for rebuilding the infrastructre claiming it will create jobs. where did all that stimulus money and money from QE1 and 2 go. He wants everything including cars to run on electricity. How is this electricity to be produced. Right now most of it comes from burning fossil fuels and nuclear plants. His solution, is to stop us from drilling and utilizing our reserves of oil and coal. And when the permits for our nuclear plants come up, I’m sure there will be “problems” getting them renewed as well. We need a dramatic change in how we regulate our business, schools, social programs, and our borders. 2012 may be are last chance to save our country. After that, between the newly legal immigrants, and all those tetthered to the govt. teat, it will be too late. Sorry for the pesimistic outlook, but it don’t look good.
#61 August 13, 2011 at 12:37 pm
Greg Zotta commented:

Granny, In May 2010 Congress was controlled by Democrat/Statists and Barack Hussein Obama was president. The Bill does NOT become LAW until it is signed by the president. Obama could have vetoed the Bill, but he did not. Then it would have taken a 2/3 vote to override his veto. Once he signed it it became LAW. Therefore, it is an Obama law.
#62 August 13, 2011 at 1:36 pm
Bob Mack commented:

It’s appropriate that he signs legislation with his left hand…
#63 August 13, 2011 at 2:35 pm
george Gallo commented:

Shawn’s post was so terse and pointless I didn’t know what to make of it,
but every other response was a good rebuttal of what we THINK he said.

Anyhow if “Executive Orders” are how the POTUS coerces society into acts
no individual or voting bloc is benefitting from, then how about the military
(joint chiefs of staff) just “order” he desist from the systematic aiding and
abetting of our adversaries (i.e. committing TREASON). Or if he cannot be
schooled in private to shut up and await his removal or implied consequence,
perhaps they should all then resign and precipitate a cathartic very public
constitutional crisis. Expecting an impeachment through congress is just
a pipe dream.
#64 August 13, 2011 at 2:42 pm
marie commented:

When you have to pay more for groceries and other things you will give a rip. This person is destroying America
#65 August 13, 2011 at 4:27 pm
megansdad commented:

So will the teamsters union still back him? LOL
#66 August 13, 2011 at 5:44 pm
jeff commented:

This goes to shawn about comment #1. I drove a truck for a year and let me just let you know that you don’t know crap about trucking! i can guarantee you couldn’t handle it. i’ve worked sawmills, manufacturing plants, sewing factories, fast food, and many other jobs in my life and trucking be it flatbed or van is the most exhausting and nerve-wrecking job i’ve had. learn a thing or 2 about something before you speak to the entire world about it!
#68 August 13, 2011 at 9:58 pm
PJ commented:

“They sit in a truck and drive it.”

Hey Shawn-I dare you to get behind the wheel of a 75 ft long, 9.5 ft wide articulated vehicle, double clutching 8-18 speeds, having to take up twice the turning radius if not more to make a turn, having blind spots larger than a car, all the while avoiding what truckers call “idiot four wheelers”, low clearances, narrow lanes, rules regarding hours of service, making sure all of your permits are up to date, and generally being at fault every time there is a car vs truck accident. Are you that stupid or did you really think that your statement would not be read by truck drivers???? You obviously have no idea of what it is like to drive a big rig through rush hour traffic in Chicago, Philly, Atlanta, NYC, L.A., Dallas, Houston, or any other big city in the nation, all the while trying to keep up so you can make your next scheduled pickup or delivery. For those who think that truckers are lazy, stupid, and don’t deserve the time of day, try doing the job yourself. Your mind will change very quickly. Truckers live and work in an area smaller than a jail cell. Often times you are away from home for days if not weeks at a time. If not for trucks, Shawn, the computer that you used for your lamebrained,misinformed, completely irrelevant comment would not exist. Neither would the building you live in, your phone, your clothes, your car, your electricity-EVERYTHING is affected if trucks shut down. Nice try, Comrade Barry. You, like Shawn, are a completely misinformed idiot.
#69 August 13, 2011 at 10:46 pm
FedUP commented:

When is this clown either going to resign or commit suicide? America will be better off when he’s gone! This is what you get when you put “ghetto” in the White House!
#70 August 13, 2011 at 11:13 pm
FedUP commented:

Do us all a favor you ignorant clown…just wash your mouth out with buckshot a.s.a.p. We would appreciate your full cooperation in this task. Please don’t delay! America is depending on it!
#71 August 13, 2011 at 11:43 pm
cj commented:

The trucking business is dying without any thing from Obama. Greedy company owners are squeezing and ripping off the drivers every chance they can find.
#72 August 14, 2011 at 10:48 am
Fordson commented:

The legislation signed by Pres. Obama will have a positive effect on the trucking industry and the US economy. Diesel is the fuel used to drive the world’s economy and the price of diesel fuel raises and lowers based on the worldwide price. Remaining competitive in the world economy depends on the ability to deliver goods around the country by fuel efficient OTR trucks (and diesel electric locomotives). Efficient diesel-electric hybrid OTR tucks will lower the cost of consumer goods, lower the cost in delivering manufactured goods to seaports for export, reduces the number of refueling stops, lowers emissions…basically everybody wins. Yes, the price of the tractor will increase but that will be offset by the increased mileage gained by technologies that increase fuel efficiency.

Try and drop the John Wayne/Marlboro Man mentality. This country WAS built on guns, God and guts but it was also built with brains. Take your brain and think about it a bit. If not successful in using your brain then place your peter back in the milk jug, cap it, throw it out the window and keep thinking like a Neanderthal.
#73 August 14, 2011 at 11:10 am
erin commented:

Does everyone now see how bad the socalist plan that obama is pushing really is for this country.
#74 August 14, 2011 at 11:44 am
Fordson commented:

America loves socialism! When your house is on fire you call the fire department, which gets its operating budget from tax dollars. When you drink your water the greatest majority of you drink it from a public water supply, your sewer system is funded by public funds, the national park service, the police dept., and the list is endless. Do you really want to turn over the fire dept. to a private company that wants to haggle on a price when your house is on fire? For those of you over the age of 65 really want the government to dissolve the Medicare program and revert back to a “pay as you go” (out of pocket) health care system?

But one of the largest gov. socialist programs is the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and Marines. Do you want to disband the United States military and turn our nation’s defense over to a bunch of mercenaries like “Blackwater?”

And last of all what happens when veterans of WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan and smaller military actions in the 20th century like the Dominican Republic, bombing of Libya, occupation of Lebanon, Panama and the list goes on. When these veterans need to have their wounds treated they go to one of the most socialist of all health care institutions in the world; the Dept. of Veterans Affairs that gets 90% of its revenues from tax dollars from US citizens. The medical care in the VA is some of the best in the world and you would have that turned over to a “profit making” organization?!

No my friends, America loves socialism but they just don’t know it.
#75 August 14, 2011 at 1:14 pm
Alvin J. Bates commented:

Without trucks, America stops!! I just spent 10 years of my life on the road as a over-the-road truck driver with my wife Connie.
I can tell you that the federal govenment and all their ‘rules’ are out of touch with the reality of living in a truck. The feds listen to the big unions which do not live in their trucks 345 days a year. That’s right folks, truckers live in their trucks 345 days a year out of 365 days a year for decades.
Try that on for size and talk to the real truckers out there who are being asked to sleep in their trucks down to 17 degrees above zero with no heat just to cut down on the fuel usage as per company policy.
Were do you think that the saved fuel miliage comes from? That’s right, the poor sap curled up under a blanket freezing his b…s off!!
Obama will never in his sweet life know how the ‘last american cowboy’ does his job when all he knows is a candy cane lifestyle.
I would like to say ‘Thankyou’ to all you real Americans that make this country great.
#76 August 14, 2011 at 2:30 pm
mcgyver commented:

Shawn, pull your head out of your butt! And the rest of you, if you know nothing about the trucking industry, what diesel is, how much a diesel hybrid semi would cost, if they even have one yet that could pull 80,000 lbs and make it up a hill much less a mountain, or anything else related keep your comments to yourself. Nobody wants to know what you think when you know nothing about the subject. A new semi cost $120,000to 200,000 A hybrid would be more than twice that as well as weigh enough to increase cost just through less freight. New truck needs to be payed off within 5 years. Insurance could be as much as $20,000 salary, $40,000 to 80,000 workman’s comp ect……yea….this is going to be great….
#78 August 14, 2011 at 7:24 pm
david commented:

with out us truck drivers you cant go to the store and buy meds food clothing beer tobacco tvs appliances really any thing so just think about it and shawn comment#1 if you think its easy to be a truck driver gve it a shot then say it easy driving about 70 ft 13’6 high and weighing up to 80,000lbs is not a easy job plus i dont get to see my family every night so just think about that i serve the general public just like cops fire men who i suport along with our troops i put my life on the line every day so you can have the stuff you need and want
#79 August 14, 2011 at 8:11 pm
rhonda commented:

Some people leaving comments are so stupid. I drive a truck and there is more to it than just SITTING & DRIVING. And others are so right, at some point things are moved by some type of truck.
#80 August 14, 2011 at 8:46 pm
Tenn-Driver commented:

I am a 28 yr OTR veteran and I would love to have a truck that got 8 mpg, in fact they should get 10 mpg. Make no mistake though, we won’t recoup the additional cost at the pumps as the cost of fuel will increase as we use less…. These refineries will earn what they need to continue to operate. So guess who really gets to pay for all this ? That’s right, the consumer !

There are already OTR trucks that get 8 mpg on our highways. This legislation is pointless and many are over reacting. It is unfortunate that manufactures will not utilize innovation already proven and in use over in Europe without govt intervention.
#81 August 14, 2011 at 8:46 pm
tanya smith commented:

im sorry too say this but i have been driving a truck now for 10 yrs but if it wasnt for us the american truckers that are out here everday .yall wouldnt have anything for u or ur famlies we are the american dream we bring in ur livestock ur food, clothes, cars an the stuff u sleep in every nite an the comforts of ur life. if he passes this law u can kiss ur conforts of home life gone it cant be deliveried by rail or plane it just cant u have too sit down an think of what will happen when this law is passed they r killing the truckers out here just so we dont clog up ur roadways well how do u think u have ur roadways an stores an products u need everyday in life IF IT WASNT FOR US TRUCKERS U WOULDN’T HAVE ANYTHING !!!!!!!
#82 August 14, 2011 at 10:09 pm
John commented:

@ Shawn You have no idea what its like to be a trucker. Lets put it this way when your out on that road in a rig your are a target for police and now this retard of a president is making it harder for truckers by passing this? It will be funny as hell watching everyone panic when there is no gas at gas stations no food in the grocery stores, Ect. because trucking businesses went under. What hurts truckers hurts all of us.
#83 August 15, 2011 at 3:36 pm
Mandy commented:

This POS in the Big house is not gonna be happy till we are a 3rd world country. The stupid remarks made on here about truckers. How in the hell do they think they get their food, clothes and everything else….ITS TRUCKERS !!!!! Looks like its back to the ASS and Cart !
#84 August 15, 2011 at 3:46 pm
James Miles commented:

@ Shawn “shawn commented:
Who gives a rip honestly? Are you seriously that mad about tTruckers? They sit in a truck and drive it.”

What effects a trucker, effects YOU Shawn. How do you think ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING you own or buy, was transported from one point to another and finally arriving where ignorants such as yourself purchase ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING from.

In case you did not realize, Shawn; materials for ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING, is transported to a facility to for manufacture. Be it, medicines, cars, bikes, motorcycles, cell phones, stereos, TV’s, DVD’s, CD’s, furniture, building materials ….. the list is just endless, Shawn.

Without TRUCKS, you have NOTHING. Try meeting a cargo ship at the port, the next time it drops anchor, and see if you can load up your goods in what ever your choice of vehicle you currently drive. And sit in the long lines, to pick up your goods, since there are so many more fools just like you, that see trucks and truckers as nothing but an obstacle in your way on the interstate, as you mindlessly speed, cut people off, change lanes for nothing, speed up and slow down, and probably travel only in the passing lane, holding everyone else up.

who do you think transports those tires to the dealer, you buy for that vehicle. How does the gasoline get delivered to the gas station, so that you may fill your tank and return to the highways, to be a menace to others using it ?

Where did that fancy car stereo come from, and how did it arrive at the store you bought it, so that you can crank the BASS and annoy more people ?

How did your clothes you wear, get to the store ?

How did the food get to the stores. How did frozen food remain frozen. Did elves do all of this ?

How did the chemicals for medications make it to distribution centers, and finally to the pharmacist ?

How do generators make it to the power plants, to continue making electricity for all of your needs, be they trivial or not.

Yes …… the list is infinite.

Even your mail is brought to you by a small version of a truck. UPS, FED – EX …. etc.

So the next time you are thinking you’re better than the person driving that truck, that is slowing your preciousness down, just imagine what your existence could be like without them out there, slowing traffic down, which most of you are usually speeding anyways. And maybe you’ll realize, your time really isn’t all that important in the grand scheme of things. The trucks are hauling goods and necessities for many more people than just yourself.

Oh, and a few more things; People like you are often the ones who are really in the way. Since most times you are out there, just cruising because you’re bored. And that means YOU are taking up space.

And, trucks are on a time sensitive schedule most always. Since distribution centers require them to be there at set times. And D.C’s take in hundreds of trucks a day, and often are under manned with forklifts, to offload these trucks. So it’s not like trucks can just show up at their convenience.

Trucks are a sign of a thriving economy. No trucks, no economy.

So, Shawn, try sitting in the middle of a forest, under a tree, while it’s raining, wearing your loin cloth, and twiddle your thumbs, wishing life was better. Because without trucks, pretty much you’d be living a miserable life, much like a caveman.

Oh, and yes, I am a trucker. And because I know you want to thank people like me who make your life so much simpler, and enjoyable, I say, ‘You’re very welcome.’
#85 August 15, 2011 at 5:14 pm
K hutson commented:

It’s people like Shawn that have no clue how the economy works, yet they vote for people like Obama. Shawn, literally every thing we use comes by truck in one way or another, Your food, your clothes, you name it. The prices will increase on these goods because the haulers have to raise prices to compensate for the additional expenses. Get a clue will you. I hate stupidity
#86 August 15, 2011 at 10:41 pm
Fordson commented:

Hey mcgyver, they do have large vehicles that operate on diesel & electric motors. They’re called locomotives and they can pull one heck of a lot more than 80,000 lbs. The technology already exists. If we insisted that the federal government stay out of every decision in the transportation industry we’d still be driving vehicles without safety glass. Unless you’re fond of buying oil from the middle east and funding terrorists I’d say mandated higher mileage is American and patriotic. Patriotism is not grousing about how much we need truckers. Everybody knows we need truckers! That’s the reason why the “National Defense Highway System” was created. It had nothing to do with national defense. President Eisenhower knew that in order to make the US economy #1 in the world we’d have to be able to deliver goods fast across the US. Pres. Eisenhower knew he couldn’t ask for a tax increase for improved roads because American citizens would see it as a “tax.” If Pres. Eisenhower said the roads were necessary for “National Defense,” however, then they’d be a good chance he could sell the idea and it worked. Just ask yourself, on a percentage basis how many civilian vehicles do you see on the Interstate Highway System compared to military vehicles? Just to remind you, the Interstate Highway System is another “socialist” program and where would truckers be without it.
#87 August 16, 2011 at 12:36 am
Bill commented:

This rebuttal is for the #2 commenter,
#2 August 12, 2011 at 5:04 am
Granny commented:

“Obama passed legislation”??? NO. Obama cannot pass legislation. Either the Congress passed this legislation and bears some portion of the blame, or Obama used an Executive Order to make an end run around Congressional authority. Which one is it?

The President is as much to blame as well as congress. Congress does write the bills, but the President still has the Constitutional right to veto and bill that is un-constitutional. This bill is un-constitutional, so he should have vetoed it. There is nothing in the Constitution that says congress or the president has the power to set any fuel standards. It is one of many un-constitutional laws congress passes like many.
#88 August 16, 2011 at 12:18 pm
blckrprtr.blogz commented:

Jim Hoft, why insert inaccurate information into an article; then you have the nerves to believe anyone reading what you have twisted will accept your faulty and subjective information. You have attempted to utilize this article to corrupt the minds of the American people, but instead, you have actually displayed your ignorance and racist attitude.

Man, President Barack Obama can not control nature, climate change and technology advancement. Many industries including the trucking industry is going green to protect the environment. Are you that stupid that you have not noticed global warming and the catatrophic storms occuring throughout the world. Where have you been . . . hiding in a cave or under a rock?

You need to educate yourself and consider the affects that diesal fuel and gasoline have contributed to rapid climate changes. Therefore, government and industry seek solutions to slow down or alleviate these chemically induced threats. If you have any intelligence, then you too understand. . .

If you don’t understand, then you and your followers have ISSUES!!! If your attitude toward, race and the changes America and the world is going through . . . you will be the next victim of a serious cancer or another serious health ailment induced by pollution that was caused by diesal fuel, global warming, and misinformed people.

STOP BLAMING PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA FOR YOUR MISERIES AND YOUR FAILURE TO ADAPT TO CHANGE!!!
#89 August 16, 2011 at 5:49 pm
johnnyreb™ commented:

This emissions requirement will directly effect engine performance, meaning that after 2018 all trucks will lack power and go slower …

Fuel costs will probably increase due to this and the consumer will ultimately have to pay for it …
How’s that for a kick in the sack?

@ blckrprtr.blogz, step away from the kool-aid …
#90 August 16, 2011 at 11:19 pm
Mike F. commented:

So we have some idiots that think all truckers do is mash the gas and grind gears. I have been a trucker for almost thirty years. When I first started, I ran across an article that stated all that a truck driver does. I cannot remember all of it but here is what I can remember.

A truck driver is a secretary, load planner, safety director, mechanic, route planner, loader, unloader, customer service agent, accountant, public relations officer all while safely operating the truck. The truck driver has to constantly watch overhead clearance, turning clearacnes, idiots in four-wheelers cutting us off, backing a 53′ trailer into docks made for the old 40′ trailers and cabovers, deal with shippers/receivers who think we are the scum of the earth, cops who get their jollies harassing truck drivers and state governments passing laws so restrictive to trucking that their own agricultural products rot in the fields because they don’t want the “big, bad, dirty truck” operating in their state.

I guess Shawn’s right. We do just mash the gas and grind gears.
#91 August 17, 2011 at 9:52 pm
Randall Towry commented:

Geez, the man said he wanted to change things, although he did not say which way. Oh and just a point of interest, that funn lump between your back pockets is the US govt changing!!!
#92 August 18, 2011 at 2:05 pm
Trucking Expert commented:

Jim Hoft’s first sentence show his bias against Obama: “Barack Obama on Tuesday passed legislation to kill the American long-haul rig and work truck businesses.” The president doesn’t pass legislation Congress does.

As far as I’m concerned this can be argued either way. But if heavy truck mileage is improved it will be a win win for all parties because it will reduce one of the most difficult costs of trucking to cut. I guess it all depends on whether someone believes that climate change is occurring or not. Me I’m a person who is a bit conservative when it comes to such things. Worst case scenario is it is happening and it needs to be addressed, best case is it just a bunch of BS. I going to go with the worst case. Kind of like deciding to play or not play Russian Roulette. If it’s true than were doing something that can help preserve our blue orb, and if it’s not true and we go ahead as if it was we haven’t done any harm by improving the environment in which we live. But if we do nothing and it turns out to be true we’re screwed.
#93 August 18, 2011 at 3:08 pm
Michelle commented:

Hey Shawn – do you realize that the computer you are using to post your comment was delivered by a truck? How about that water you drink out of a faucet everyday…..where do you think your city gets the chemicals to treat that water? Do you eat? Do you grow your own food? Where did that seed you planted come from? I bet a TRUCK DRIVER delivered it to your local Walmart or other store. How about when you go to the doctor when you get sick? Where do you think their equipment came from? And that prescription that made you better? TRUCK DRIVERS! What about the copper wire they use to install your satellite or cable television? Do you enjoy coffee or cokes or ANYTHING that you get at your own convenience whenever you want it? Look at the packaging and tell me where your product was made. I bet it was from somewhere halfway across the country….and you think Truck Drivers or Trucking doesn’t matter?