Truckers to Shut Down America: Why

This weekend (Friday October 11^th to Sunday the 13^th), thousands, if not more, truckers and bikers are planning a general strike in Washington D.C. to bring their many grievances to the attention of the government. For three days, American truckers will “shut down America” by ceasing to haul freight across the country and prevent traffic from going into and out of D.C.

The “Truckers on Strike to Shut Down America” did have a Facebook page, but it was removed on September 23^rd upon request by the Department of Justice; an act that is considered by many to be a violation of the organizers’ civil rights to Freedom of Speech. What this page illustrated before it was removed was that the proposed strike has the support of tens of thousands of truckers, bikers and other Americans, all of whom are dissatisfied to the point of being enraged by the “corruption” and “unconstitutional” behavior of the Obama administration.

The Facebook page boldly stated:

“The American people are sick and tired of the corruption that is destroying America! We therefore declare a GENERAL STRIKE on the weekend of October 11-13, 2013! Truck drivers will not haul freight! Americans can strike in solidarity with truck drivers!”

What exactly do they mean? Key issues involve the following…

Satellite Tracking for Truckers’ Vehicles

The Department of Transportation (DOT) is currently fighting to make it compulsory for every trucker to have a tracking device installed, which would record driving speed, idling time and mandatory breaks. This may not seem like much of a problem to the layperson, until you imagine the same legislation applying to your own car or motorbike. Imagine if the government knew where you were, how fast you were going and exactly what you were doing at all times of the day? Many believe that this is a privacy issue and that the DOT is essentially pushing to become the “trucking nanny.”

Enforcement of Idling Laws

It’s no secret that idling poses a terrible pollution problem and the laws that have been created are intended to prevent the unnecessary emission of greenhouse gases. However, certain allowances need to be made for American truckers who service parts of the country that are either blindingly hot or blisteringly cold. Running a truck’s engine for a few minutes prior to hitting the road allows the air conditioning or heating to take effect. By prohibiting idling, truckers who work in temperatures below zero or above 100 can actually be in danger of hypo and hyperthermia respectively.

Obamacare

The legislation that demands that employers provide health insurance for employees working over 30 hours a week is having a terrible impact upon truckers. Many companies are clamping down on the number of hours a trucker can work per week, so that they don’t have to cover the cost of full health coverage. In the trucking industry, Obamacare negatively affects both trucking companies and truckers.

Truckers Go on Strike

These few issues are simply the tip of the iceberg. Then there is the increasingly expensive cost of equipment and the soaring gas price. At the end of the day, American truckers are being hit with expense after expense and restriction after restriction that is completely at odds with just how important they are to the American infrastructure. You would think that an industry that is integral to the running of the country would have support from the government and yet little is being done to help the industry or at least protect it.

The issues being raised by the truckersstrike to shut down America are not only on the agenda of truckers; they are of national interest too since Americans having grown exceedingly tired of corrupt and abusive politicians.

Want to Find Out More About the USA Trucker Strike?

For more information on the trucker’s strike in America, you can refer to the informational website, www.PatriotsConvoy.com. Here is another informative video.