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McCook Gazette
Letter to the Editor

Yes to free trade

Friday, October 3, 2008

Dear Editor,

We should all welcome political views from both sides of the table. But I think it very important when stressing these views especially in the open forum section of the newspaper that accurate information is communicated.

Recently President Bush did extend NAFTA's test pilot program allowing long-haul truckers from Mexico full access to U.S. highways. There was nothing illegal by doing this. Federal law allows pilot programs to last up to three years.

And please remember this program was part of the first step in opening the border to long haul truck traffic to both countries that is required under NAFTA, which was signed into law under President Clinton.

As of today only 26 Mexican carriers and 10 from the U.S. are in this program. All other Mexican carriers that are not in this program are confined to 25 miles beyond the border where goods they bring are picked up by U.S. truck drivers.

To date there have been no accidents or safety incidents involving Mexican carriers in this program and all carriers must comply with ALL applicable laws with no compromise to public safety.

Under NAFTA our total trade has more than doubled. From 306 billion in 1993 to almost 621 billion in 2002. For a better understanding of that just imagine a growth of 1.2 million dollars every minute.

**Kirt Matson,

McCook

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  • Mr Matson,

    Finally, another person with common sense and a perspective on the Mexican truck issue.

    I have researched this program from the day it was announced and I can assure you and everyone else that all of chaos and catastrophic things that will happen or nothing more than fear mongering by the opposition.

    If Mexico was to send each and everyone of it's licensed commercial drivers to the US, the number would be a paltry 250,000, a drop in the bucket compared to the over 11 million licensed CDL holders in the US. And then, who would operate the Mexican transportation system.

    The equipment used in the US and in Mexico for long haul operations? As good or better than what we have here.

    I doubt anyone will see a Mexican truck in Nebraska, and if you did, most would not recognize it from a US or Canadian carrier, (except they are governed much slower than ours)

    The Mexicans are operating where they have contracts and customers from Mexico. Servicing Mexican clients going and coming.

    They are not coming into this country and running amok as the opposition would have you believe.

    Business is business. Without regard to what country it is.

    Thanks for the common sense answer.

    More on my site at http://mexicotrucker.com if anyone is interested.

    -- Posted by pcorn54 on Fri, Oct 3, 2008, at 4:20 PM
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