Flip The Coin... A Differing Perspective...

[2xR]

I read that most of you blame the government for the woes of the trucking community, and, you bombard our representatives with demands to "do something", and your perceived cures are numerous.

Maybe, they should do nothing.

Here's an editorial, written by an owner/operator (albeit a successful one), that appeared in the June 30th print edition of Transport Topics. Somehow, I find it hard to argue with the writer's logic.

Quote:

Don’t Involve Feds I have been reading letters and listening to rants about fuel prices, and quite frankly, I am tired of it. Trucking is one of the freest marketplaces in our economy, and when times get a little tough, many of us go crying to the government for salvation. What will our thoughts be when freight volume outpaces capacity shortly and the shippers go crying to the government to cap freight prices? I think people would be appalled at such control over our business, but that is precisely the mentality behind truckers’ whining about fuel prices now. What is going on now is the market at work, and it is in the process of correcting itself. Friday the 13th’s Wall Street Journal had an article about how fuel pricing is changing the way businesses combat the fuel price by moving production back to North America. People are changing how they drive; I drive 63 miles per hour tops and am now passing cars with regularity. Truckers are purchasing auxiliary power units and not idling their trucks as much. Shippers are being more efficient and more sensible. For example, a customer I serve has stopped sending me on 200-mile additional deliveries with 5 pounds of freight because it is too expensive to spend $400 on freight for $20 worth of product simply because it is easier. On the whole, we are getting leaner and meaner. The United States is going to be hurt the least by these fuel spikes because we have a freer marketplace than other world economies. We can adapt, and we have fewer government regulations in place that would prevent adaptation. Crying now for more government regulation may save some companies and small businesses in the short term, but it hurts us all in the long run. This market will weed out the weakest companies among us and leave those left standing in a better position. As freight picks up, prices will increase because of lack of capacity. This change will spur companies to expand and fill in the needed capacity, and these companies will be run, for the most part, by people who were efficient enough to survive these times. Our industry will be stronger and provide better value to our customers and also to the nation as a whole. Please keep the government out of our industry. Anthony Elliot Tony Elliot Trucking Lakeville, Minn.

Anyway, it's food for thought. When you're dealing with the government, be careful about your wish list.

[gearjammer]

the first sentence "Trucking is one of the freest marketplaces in our economy'
already tells me that person doesn't know this business,

The regulations in trucking are completely out of control,

they tell us ,what where,when, how,and sometimes even why,

the only thing they don't tell us is how much,

you want to call that a free market then you are blind.

try reading that little green book.

the only thing not regulated is the rates paid to the owner/operator and the fuel surcharge, and the scamming is rampant in that area.

and no i am not for regulating rates,rather I am FOR passage of the TRUCC act, an act that will make a level playing field for all involved and add a bit of honesty to the crap that the brokers and 3pls have been getting away with for far too long.

[BANDIT]

Jammer, I agree. I hope Anthony Elliot isn't this guys real name, because anyone who would write anything as stupid as what I just read above, and sign their real name to it is even dumber than I first thought. There is no way this fool could be an experienced independant trucker and say the foolish things he has put in his letter. He's talking about an industry that tells us how many hours a day and week we can work, in fact limiting what we can earn. I could go on and on as anyone here with exprience knows, so I won't bother. Two Timer, if you really believe this mass of bullshit, I truly know where you stand as far as the trucking industry goes. On the OUTSIDE LOOKING IN with a blindfold on. I almost didn't take the time to respond to this stupidity, but in the end felt I had to........Please post something with a little intelligence next time. And YES your diaper does need changing...It's obvious from the smell

[lunachic]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BANDIT Jammer, I agree. I hope Anthony Elliot isn't this guys real name, because anyone who would write anything as stupid as what I just read above, and sign their real name to it is even dumber than I first thought. There is no way this fool could be an experienced independant trucker and say the foolish things he has put in his letter. He's talking about an industry that tells us how many hours a day and week we can work, in fact limiting what we can earn. I could go on and on as anyone here with exprience knows, so I won't bother. Two Timer, if you really believe this mass of bullshit, I truly know where you stand as far as the trucking industry goes. On the OUTSIDE LOOKING IN with a blindfold on. I almost didn't take the time to respond to this stupidity, but in the end felt I had to........Please post something with a little intelligence next time. And YES your diaper does need changing...It's obvious from the smell

lol, I think it good for a laugh, I think we should collect this guy's thoughts and make tolit paper out of it.Then everyone can wipe with it, cause that's what his thought's r worth...Tony Elliot.....rofl,

[BANDIT]

It wouldn't be any good as toilet paper Luna. It's already so full of Shit that it would only make you a bigger mess and smell really bad.....It truly is better than the Funny Papers.....and on top of it all,,,,Mr. SuperTrucker...Two Timer goes and says he agrees with the guy......LOL

[2xR]

I think I get it now.

If a persons thoughts, and, opinions are not in line with the with the leftist, the conspiracy theorist, or, the whinny-asses who want the government to "fix everything" they don't like in life, then the next step is to hurl a few stupid insults at the poster, and mark the subject closed.

But, then a debate does require a certain degree of intelligence (and a spell-checker). At least Gearjammer demonstrated there is some gray matter in that skull. The rest of you are operating on muddy water, and peer induced ignorance. I ain't sayin' you're ideas are wrong, it's just you aren't too good at expressing yourselves beyond keying up the mic and shouting "SHUT UP STUPID" when a differing opinion presents itself.
[/rant]

No, I'm pretty sure it ain't my diaper. That tag line is for a special friend of mine and is filled with love and admiration.

[BANDIT]

Quote:

Originally Posted by two-timer (2xR) I think I get it now. If a persons thoughts, and, opinions are not in line with the with the leftist, the conspiracy theorist, or, the whinny-asses who want the government to "fix everything" they don't like in life, then the next step is to hurl a few stupid insults at the poster, and mark the subject closed. But, then a debate does require a certain degree of intelligence (and a spell-checker). At least Gearjammer demonstrated there is some gray matter in that skull. The rest of you are operating on muddy water, and peer induced ignorance. I ain't sayin' you're ideas are wrong, it's just you aren't too good at expressing yourselves beyond keying up the mic and shouting "SHUT UP STUPID" when a differing opinion presents itself. [/rant] No, I'm pretty sure it ain't my diaper. That tag line is for a special friend of mine and is filled with love and admiration.

Please do us all a very large favor and sneak back into your boss' office and crawl back under his desk where you can truly be of some benefit to someone.....You and Him Have An Awesome Day

[BANDIT]

Quote:

Originally Posted by two-timer (2xR) I think I get it now. If a persons thoughts, and, opinions are not in line with the with the leftist, the conspiracy theorist, or, the whinny-asses who want the government to "fix everything" they don't like in life, then the next step is to hurl a few stupid insults at the poster, and mark the subject closed. But, then a debate does require a certain degree of intelligence (and a spell-checker). At least Gearjammer demonstrated there is some gray matter in that skull. The rest of you are operating on muddy water, and peer induced ignorance. I ain't sayin' you're ideas are wrong, it's just you aren't too good at expressing yourselves beyond keying up the mic and shouting "SHUT UP STUPID" when a differing opinion presents itself. [/rant] No, I'm pretty sure it ain't my diaper. That tag line is for a special friend of mine and is filled with love and admiration.

By the way, if you were even remotely close to GETTING IT, you wouldn't have posted that rediculous letter that you did. Please reach down behind you and grab your ears with both hands, and pull very hard. The previous action is known as a cure for Cranial Recinatia. (removing ones head from ones ass)

[rebel]

I'm not taking the bait this time.
There's enough evidence out there on most issues for everyone to make up their own minds. The results usually determine the soundness of the decision. Unfortunately, the only way we learn is to screw up and suffer. The best we can hope for is to not repeat the mistake.
I hated history in school, now I Know it's the best teacher of all. Just try to learn from it before deciding - case closed.
One more note - sometimes the right decision isn't all one way or another.
I hate giving up my freedoms, but sound reason might talk me into some compromise, maybe a little.

[midnight lover]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BANDIT Please do us all a very large favor and sneak back into your boss' office and crawl back under his desk where you can truly be of some benefit to someone.....You and Him Have An Awesome Day

NO NO Now we should be fare. Every one has a right to say what they want. We dont have to agre with them but they can say it. Just because we think they are wrong they can still write what they think just as we can.

[lunachic]

Quote:

Originally Posted by two-timer (2xR) I think I get it now. If a persons thoughts, and, opinions are not in line with the with the leftist, the conspiracy theorist, or, the whinny-asses who want the government to "fix everything" they don't like in life, then the next step is to hurl a few stupid insults at the poster, and mark the subject closed. But, then a debate does require a certain degree of intelligence (and a spell-checker). At least Gearjammer demonstrated there is some gray matter in that skull. The rest of you are operating on muddy water, and peer induced ignorance. I ain't sayin' you're ideas are wrong, it's just you aren't too good at expressing yourselves beyond keying up the mic and shouting "SHUT UP STUPID" when a differing opinion presents itself. [/rant] No, I'm pretty sure it ain't my diaper. That tag line is for a special friend of mine and is filled with love and admiration.

So let me see if I understand this right,
ur friend is full of shit...oh, ok I get it!
and I don't say SHUT UP STUPID, I might type break a finger, but then I don't talk to a screen...

[Bullwinkle]

I see a thread here that could have made for some good discussion. Instead, the thread starter gets hit with insults because their views are the same as others.

Things like this make me question whether and "trucking industry issues" forum is worthwhile here.

Remember that long thread I created a while back about respecting other members here?

[BANDIT]

Sorry Bullwinkle but I disagree. I don't see anything intelligent or accurate about the letter that was posted to start off this thread. I don't see any other "Truckers" here that think so either. I think that all we are trying to say is we don't give any credit to the person who wrote the letter or the one who posted it in having any real knowledge as to what is going on in the trucking industry today. When something as bogus as this is posted, if we can't speak up and say what we feel about it, then I agree, what good is it to have a Trucking Issues Forum. It's hard to debate something with someone who obviously knows nothing about the subject that's being dabated. If you want us all to just sit here and keep our opinions to ourselves, I guess that's exactly what I need to do again.

[rebel]

This is why I said I'm not taking the bait this time. The results are what will prove whether or not an opinion is valid.


Ex:
Are all these trucking companies and o/o going under because they don't know how to run a business and this guy is doing fine? Or is it something else?
Is it coincidence that this occurred while fuel costs doubled or it something else?
Is lack of government intervention (fuel related) making trucking more profitable or not? How about the rest of us? Bought groceries lately?


After reading 2xR's post on supply and demand, my faith in common sense is renewed.
All Bullwinkle is saying is instead of insults, use evidence. It's easier said than done, I'm guilty too.

[BANDIT]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rebel This is why I said I'm not taking the bait this time. The results are what will prove whether or not an opinion is valid. Ex: Are all these trucking companies and o/o going under because they don't know how to run a business and this guy is doing fine? Or is it something else? Is it coincidence that this occurred while fuel costs doubled or it something else? Is lack of government intervention (fuel related) making trucking more profitable or not? How about the rest of us? Bought groceries lately? After reading 2xR's post on supply and demand, my faith in common sense is renewed. All Bullwinkle is saying is instead of insults, use evidence. It's easier said than done, I'm guilty too.

I guess we all are Rebel....I have just always had a real hard time dealing with stupidity.....not so much ignorance, that can be excusable at times......Stupidity is never excusable.

[lunachic]

I have to agree too, I do not belive with all that is going on today someone can write a post like that.If they are involved with the trucking industry.Unless he is one that has know care's to the o/op.
He did attack us first. know one we know as a indep. or o/op under lease is doing fine. Most r parked already, others are one loss of account or breakdown away from being parked. How he posted was not a debate, it was a blatant remark agaisnt us (trucks) that held know reguard to what we face.
I will state this, athough I have know fact's I do not belive he is involved with trucking at least at our level. And untill he can prove different which is not possible, being anyone can be or pretend to be who ever on a puter. I will say I will not respond to him again.
Happy 4th.

[rebel]

If they outlawed stupidity, We'd all have a rap sheet.lol,lol

I got back from Atlanta, saw the rising frustration level, people attacking one another and thought that's exactly what the Big Dogs like to see.

Hey Bandit, were you in Hendersonville on july 2nd around noon? I heard someone on ch.19 but its a popular handle.

[BANDIT]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rebel If they outlawed stupidity, We'd all have a rap sheet.lol,lol I got back from Atlanta, saw the rising frustration level, people attacking one another and thought that's exactly what the Big Dogs like to see. Hey Bandit, were you in Hendersonville on july 2nd around noon? I heard someone on ch.19 but its a popular handle.

No Rebel, It wasn't me. It must have been one of those cheap immitations out there. I think if I ever get that close to the Smokie Mtns. again, I'll never come back here......

[Greyfoxx]

Remember the meaning of the 4th of July.

Their are those in the world would rub you of your freedoms, who think freedom of expression is a fools game, that they have the right to censor your right to speak. Remember that "the truth is the enemy of the state". There are those who would never and will never allow your humanity to come before their own reach for personally profits, or their reach for power. Remember there are those who would force their own agenda down your throat, and if you resist they will destroy you, your families, your nation to reach their goals. Remember greed and the need for power is as much a dieses as alcoholism is a dieses, that for the diseased mind enough will never be enough. Remember Nazi Germany proved just want men and women are capable of when the grab for power becomes a single minded objective, and what can happen if you resist.

Remember million of Americans over the years have died because of a handful of diseased minds, not just in wars, but in the goose step of the corporate world. We must never give in to those who would take your freedom of speech, your freedom of movement, our freedoms to live in peace. We must all learn to fight back as one, to defy tyranny with our minds and if necessary with our bodies, or we will loss the ability to love, loss our ability to identify those freedoms that are guaranteed in our Constitution. Remember your life is worth nothing if you have no freedom to express your love for you family or your nation. Remember censorship is the first step to slavery.


Good luck to you all ......

[OTRboy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by two-timer (2xR) I read that most of you blame the government for the woes of the trucking community, and, you bombard our representatives with demands to "do something", and your perceived cures are numerous. Maybe, they should do nothing.

I agree with this completely. They should pretty much do nothing and keep their noses out of the industry.

The problem is, they already have their noses in it by subsidizing large companies, which makes it easier for them to be successful, and harder for the little guy to compete.

Maybe that is just the way the industry is going to become. Big companies, and soon to be, no independents.

I don't like that thought, but at the same time, I think anybody that shops at a place like WalMart, eats and national chain restaurants, shops at national chaing grocery stores, utilizes places like Kinkos rather than an small independent print shop, and any other situation where you got to the big guy because they are cheaper, rather than supporting the independent business owner has no business complaining about the independents struggling.

Seems to me the trucking industry is simply falling in line with every other tye of business in this country. And to add to that, I don't see it changing back to the way it used to be ever again.