"General Public" and a strike. HELP!!!

As a part of the general public and not a trucker, I really prayed as many others in the general public that the Trucking Industry would come together and form a major strike, bring our country to a complete standstill and generally bring some relief to all of us. At work we talk about it all the time. “A strike by the truckers will hurt short term (1-2 weeks if needed) but long term it will bring about relief to everyone”. We had made plans to also support the truckers on strike by staying home from work (even our boss agreed).

I have been reading everyone’s post and their individual opinions. After reading all of the post I have realized a strike is not going to happen. Everyone has their own opinion as to what has caused the high prices, thrown blame, pointed fingers, tried to analyze other options, argued, debated , etc… I read about cheap freight, not enough company drivers, not enough owner operators, no back up from unions, etc…. I read why you should do this or that such as boycott other states one by one, etc….I read questions about what the general public will think and how they will respond (I responded). I read some post how they are making money and want no part of this (Have to wonder if those individuals have families?). While all the chatter is going on gas prices continued to jump another 10 cent per gallon (last night). We are now at $3.49 a gallon just for regular gas in my area. How much more are you paying at the pumps?

As I stated before on this site, I work for a non-profit agency and volunteer for another non-profit agency. Our mission in both is to help the poor, elderly, single parents and the handicap. Due to the cost jump in shipping, senior citizens medicines have gone sky high, single parents and the elderly on fixed incomes can no longer afford to even buy groceries. People are missing work due to they can’t afford gas to go in their cars to get to work. Families are juggling with the question "Do I buy groceries or put gas in my car one more time to get to work just to but more gas and less food".


The government has finally admitted we are in a recession. WOW, no surprise there (the general public already knew this fact) to those of us who are just trying to get by only to get hit even more every day by high gas prices.

You the Trucking Industry are the only ones that can help. You have the public’s respect and approval. You can make a difference for all of us. Many of us are waiting for you to strike and we made plans to join you. For the truckers that are being hit really bad, so are their families at home. To those of you that are making money right now, look around you and listen to everyone. This affects all of us not just a select few. If it does not affect you directly, trust me it is affecting your wives and girlfriends, your moms, dads, sisters and brothers. If the truckers do not strike our country is still going to be brought to a standstill, only it will be due to the cost of gas and the trickling affect it has on everything else in our lives, including your very livelihood.

We can take our country back but it takes all of us supporting each other. The “general public” is ready. Are you?

 

To answer your post, I rely on my car to get me to and from work. It is a 95’ Geo Prism and I am getting 36 miles to a gallon.

We might have been one of the richest countries in the world (key word have been) but that is not necessarily the case now. If you check out the latest statistics you will find that we are losing ground in that area. There are a few countries that are higher on gas than us but just as many that have way lower prices per gallon.

I am happy for you and your family and that you are making money while out on the road. Unlike you, I do care about not just myself but others in worse need. Sit in my chair on a daily basis and talk to the new homeless with children that lost their jobs and their homes for no other reason than inflation. Listen to a single mom or single dad that can’t put food on the table any longer due to the high price of groceries (high cost of gas = high cost of groceries), the same single parents are uncertain on a daily basis if they should put gas in their car to go to work or buy food for their kids and lose the job because they can’t afford to get gas (vicious circle). Talk to an elderly or handicap person on a fixed income, ask them what is hurting them the most, they can’t afford their medicines any more, they can't afford to put food on the table.


As far as a proposed fix, I have no fool proof answers just like everyone else. But what I do believe in is our Trucking Industry. Our country revolves around the trucking industry. It is the only industry that can bring our country to a standstill. It is the only industry that can make a difference right now and force the government to open up not only the millions of fuel in reserve tanks but reopen the drilling on our own shores that was shut by Congress due to supposedly supply and demand and better to import oil than open our own resources….. Geeze. The Oil Company’s claim they made billions in net profit, yet used “some” of that for research…. It doesn’t take a brain surgeon to figure out “net” profit is money in the pocket or bank, “net” means final figures, clear income….

I really am not looking for an argument with you or anyone else that is making a profit.
However, this isn’t about YOU, this is about US.
This is about every person in this country willing to sacrifice and make a difference, not just for themselves but for others.

[FONT=&quot]This is one old gal that believes in our freedoms in every way shape and form. That includes standing up and fighting for what I believe in. I believe in our Truckers and that they can make a difference especially with people like me the general public in their corner! [/FONT]

 

gearjammer,
I believe in you and everyone else that is working so hard to bring about change. I know it takes time. I also realize what you are up against as proven by one of the reply post to this thread. In my area I plan to notify the local news as soon as you set a date, the more coverage the better. I am also on a letter writing campaign to our local paper.
I might be just a little speck of sand in the USA but I have a loud voice when there is an injustice happening and as long as I can join others to make a difference, you can betcha together we make a bigger piece of sand that can stretch from coast to coast.

 

Yoda,

I am so happy that people like you and iowabmw were not around during the Boston Tea Party. You would have been the ones sitting on the side lines going "yep, everything is ok in my world why get involved". You let everyone else fight your battles and then reap the benefits of that effort. You seem to have no idea what FREEDOM means.

I am not trying to bring down the economy, start a dictatorship or anything else of the sort. That was a stupid answer to my post. As far as a pox on my family, I firmly believe that what you send out comes right back at you X3. So Good Luck!

I quote you as saying "To justify a strike to Americans who do not want to see this country dissolve into food riots anarchy, and armed insurrection, you have to advance a SOLUTION that needs a strike to make it happen..

Did you not just say we need a solution for a strike? I think you have that backwards. A strike is a solution to a huge ongoing problem. Unions strike all the time. Dissatisfied employees across the country go on strike to bring about changes. This is a strike to bring about changes in our government, way past due. We are the people of this country that make up our government. It's time to take our country back from the corruption that has brought us to this very day. You said "the strategic reserve is for USE IN CASE OF EMBARGO OR WAR". DidI miss the newscast that says we are now out of Iraq and Afghanistan? Geezz, we now have 12 permanent military bases in Iraq. We have soldiers dying there. Are they back home? Would you care to ask any of them if we are at war with Iraq?

As far as food shortages, better wake up and smell the roses my friend. It is happening right now. Listen to your nightly news, read a paper.

I again quote you under your signature on your profile "Courtesy and Courage, Sincerity and Self-control, Honor and Loyalty...a Code to Live By!". Courtesy is something that unfortunately your very remark to me about a pox on my house is something you lack, that is not a courageous remark but a coward's answer. It takes Courage to step out of your box to make a difference. Sincerity is believing from your heart, I believe in this industry and always have. Self-control, I admit right now at this moment my sincerity is lacking otherwise I would not even respond to your post. Then there is Honor and Loyalty. There is Honor and Loyalty in standing with your fellow truckers and others across this country trying to make changes, not only in your profession but to so many others who are in desperate shape right now due to the rising cost of fuel and food. Our country is coming to shortages and a standstill but the oil companies are still pocketing billions.

As far as the above quote on your profile, Mean what you say and say what you mean! Otherwise leave things to the courageous, sincere, men and women of this country willing to stand up for what they believe in with honor and loyalty!

 

Gearjammer,

Thank you! And Amen brother!

You have it right. There are food shortages happening right now. More people are becoming homeless because they can't even pay their bills, put gas in their cars and buy food.
To anyone not watching the news right now (YODA), Pay Attention! America is in serious trouble.............last night's news alone talked about rationing rice. Rice rationing here in AMERICA. Already have bread and milk rationing. Gas rationing is coming soon.