Thursday, April 10, 2008

April 28, 2008 D.C. Rally

Truckers And Citizens United

TRUCKERS AND CITIZENS UNITE
AGAINST HIGH FUEL PRICES

RALLY IN D.C.
April 28, 2008
Monday - Times To Be Announced
(all day rally is the goal)

WHERE
In Front Of OUR Government Capitol

Every American Citizen
able to attend is urged to participate.

We need to stand in solidarity.

A SHOW OF UNITY IS WHAT GETS OUR GOVERNMENT'S ATTENTION

***********************************

This DOES affect each and every one of us.

We are all digging deep in our pockets
for gas, groceries, $$ to buy heating oil, etc.

Americans united together will be heard,
this means we will make a difference.

LETS TAKE OUR COUNTRY BACK!!!

STAND UP, SPEAK OUT OR GO BROKE!!!

Monday, April 7, 2008

Voices Of American Citizens...

I (We) want to say Thank You all for your support in our efforts to get our government to listen to the will, and needs, of the American people. This is an issue that effects all of us, professional drivers and American citizens. Following is a few of the hundreds of emails y'all have been sending in...

(You have my support)
I am 1000% in support of any action the truckers take. I am a school teacher and commute on the Mass Pike 50 miles each way. The gas prices are killing me. I do not know how the truckers are surviving!!

I have been protesting the war since before it started.
Fighting to keep the constitution viable.
Working to get Bush et al impeached.
And now ready to help fight the oil company's monopoly and greed...along with the rest of the military industrial complex.

Keep up the great work to get our nation back to the people.

Linda Shapanka

(Message of support)
Dear American Driver,

I’m not a truck driver, but I’ve always had a sort of native respect for truck drivers – maybe because of times spent driving straight through to Florida from Michigan when I was growing up. Anyway, I just wanted to say that I support what you are doing with regard to trying to get the government to listen to truckers’ situations.

I’m guessing that a lot of other people support you too, and that we won’t mind too much being slowed down for a while, if it gets the government to readjust their priorities from rich oil company execs to everyday people.

Good luck,
Craig Greenman, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Humanities
Department of Humanities
Colby-Sawyer College


(SUPPORTING THE TRUCKERS!!!)
May God bless each and every one of the Independent Truckers who have decided to take this stand against the government and the oil companies. There is a lot to be said for people who do the right thing!!! AND WE ARE WITH YOU EVERY STEP OF THE WAY!!!!!! Keeping you in thought and prayer.

My dad was an independent trucker for most of his life and participated in a few strikes himself. He is no longer with us now, but as the daughter of a Independent Trucker, my heart will always be with you.

Your friend,
Ann-Marie

(Rise of the silver surfer, the righteous one) {easy now...(ss)}
Time to rise up americans!!!!

Time to show the world that we, the people, still rule our destiny. Time to show the ones that abused our system for too long, the financial and corporate speculators and profiteers, that enough is enough and we are reclaiming our GOD given rights of a decent life.

Please, shut down the country for a week, as a first example. Do not use your trucks to deliver anything and drive toward Washington DC. We, the people are behind you and you got the power to be effective for us all.

Thank you to consider,
Jerome.


Once again...We thank each and everyone of you. The more we hear from you out there, the more impowered we feel in this endeavor. It won't be an easy battle, but it is one we feel can be won. The injustice and wrongs being done to the professional driver must come to an end. And the ignoring of the American people's will, and needs, by our government must cease. We're all not asking for hand-outs or freebees...we're just asking for a little help and protection.

Safe Trails and God Bless,

www.theamericandriver.com/files/TruckersAndCitizensUnited.html

Sunday, April 6, 2008

Long Term Goals...

I feel the emotions of the moment have been overpowering our full statement of what needs to be done. We have been thrust into this position of leading and organizing, and I must apologize for the slow growth of the site's content. I am building and maintaining pages as fast as one man can...as well as handling important emails.

So you are aware of our long term goals, here are a few to mention...

1. Immediate stoppage to the subsidies being given to big oil.
2. Release of Strategic Emergency Reserves and the suspension of current deposits to the SEP.
3. Immediate stoppage of oil exports from our Alaskan reserves, and divert those exports to our countries supply.
4. A decrease in refined diesel exports.
5. A reduction in tax credits being given to big business.
6. Institute a regulatory board to regulate brokers...immediate action to require transparency in broker fees. (ensure passing to drivers full surcharge and fair transportation rates)
7. Institute a regulatory board to regulate insurance brokers.
8. Uniform IFTA Fuel Tax rates for ALL states.
9. Pass legislation protecting the professional driver against shippers, receivers and companies from delaying drivers (causing thousands of uncompensated hours)
[ professional drivers are not rolling warehouses ]
10. Uniform fines for violations for ALL states.

We welcome comments regarding these issues and would like to here from y'all. Either post your comment here, or feel free to email me at silversurfer@theamericandriver.com

Safe Trails and God Bless
SilverSurfer

www.theamericandriver.com/files/TruckersAndCitizensUnited.html

Saturday, April 5, 2008

April 12, 2008 Fuel Protest Convoy Rally...


TRUCKERS AND CITIZENS UNITED

TRUCKERS AND CITIZENS UNITE
AGAINST HIGH FUEL PRICES


MEETING TO BE HELD
April 12, 2008
Saturday 2pm (eastern)

WHERE
Gables Truck Stop (I-81 exit 77) Manada Hill Exit

Everyone Who Is Effected By High
Fuel Costs Is Urged To Participate
(This Includes: Gas, Heating Oils & Diesel Fuels)

***FOLLOW ME TO D.C.***
On 4/28/08 Rally In D.C.

***Pull The Plug On May 5, 2008***
They Will Listen Then!!!

**********************************************

This DOES affect each and every one of us.
We are all digging deep in our pockets for gas, groceries, $$ to buy heating oil, etc.
If enough people ban together and draw the attention from the right people we will be heard,this means we will make a difference.
Remember, the prices all trickle down to the consumer.
Even if you aren't in the trucking industry you are feeling the crunch.

LETS TAKE OUR COUNTRY BACK!!!
STAND UP, SPEAK OUT OR GO BROKE!!!




Pennsylvania Fuel Tax Rate...

It has been reported by the media about the amount of federal, and state, tax professional drivers pay at the pump...but they neglect to report on the actual charge professional drivers pay.

The first quarter of 2008 IFTA fule tax rate of 38.1 cents a gallon was the charge for Pennsylvania professional drivers. This is just ridiculous. Here's an example based on just 50,000 miles (and a lot of intrastate drivers will put that type of number down)...

50,000 miles divided by the number of miles per gallon
(this number is determined by the government agency in charge of collecting this tax)
For the purpose of this example, we'll use 5 miles per gallon.

50,000 miles divided by 5 mpg = 10,000 gallons
10,000 gallons times .381 = $3,810.00 owed
10,000 gallons times .14 (collected at the pump) = $1,400.00 payed
$3,810.00 minus $1,400.00 = $2,410.00 owed

The media has refused, in my opinion, to report accurate information regarding the issue at hand. The impression I got from the reports I read made it sound like the tax rate professional drivers pay are smaller than we're stating. Where's the fact that state taxes collected are not applied to IFTA fuel tax payments made at the pump and that the professional driver pays even more than what's collected at the pump. This, and many other inaccurate reporting, is supporting my belief that our media attempts to control what the American citizen is made aware of. A fine example of this is the fact that there is still shut-downs occurring, yet the news of these actions are dwindling in the news. It's time for ALL Amercans to contact their state representatives and speak out.
Go to our page
www.theamericandriver.com/files/TruckersAndCitizensUnited.html and select the link "Contact Elected Officials" for a website that lists your representatives contact information.

Safe Trails and God Bless,
Frederick (SilverSurfer) Schaffner

www.theamericandriver.com/files/TruckersAndCitizensUnited.html
www.thetruckersvoice.net/
www.overtimetruckers.com/
www.americantruckersatwar.com/
www.thetruckingindustry.net/strike.html

Thursday, April 3, 2008

A Start - Send Big Oil A Message...

Here's something Americans can do...and spread the word please...don't purchase anything from service stations with Exxon, Mobile and Shell fuel. This would include not buying anything from the convenience stores also. Send a message to big oil, and the retailers that contract with them, that Americans are no longer going to purchase their products.

Big oil has made billions upon billions of dollars in profits off the American citizen. Their latest boasting of profits was $123 billion dollars. On top of that they received $14 billion dollars of subsidies from our government, along with tax credits. That's right...OUR GOVERNMENT gave big oil $14 billion dollars of our tax dollars for free.

If Americans were to use our power as consumers and refuse to purchase Exxon, Mobile and Shell fuel, and refuse to purchase convenience store products from the stations that carry their fuel...a clear message would be sent we've had enough. Big oil would no longer have a customer for their product...ultimately forcing them out of the American marketplace, and the station owners would be forced to either purchase their fuel to sell to customers from other sources or go out of business. Let's see how they like struggling to make ends meet.

Safe Trails and God Bless,
Frederick (SilverSurfer) Schaffner


www.theamericandriver.com/files/TruckersAndCitizensUnited.html
www.uscattlehaulers.com
www.thetruckingindustry.net/stike.html
www.truckdriversunited.com/truck_stop_talk.htm
www.thetruckersvoice.net/

April 5, 2008 Rally (PA)

TRUCKERS AND CITIZENS UNITED

TRUCKERS AND CITIZENS UNITE
AGAINST HIGH FUEL PRICES

MEETING TO BE HELD
April 5, 2008
Saturday 2pm (eastern)

WHERE
Gables Truck Stop (I-81 exit 77) Manada Hill Exit

Everyone Who Is Effected By High

Fuel Costs Is Urged To Participate
(This Includes: Gas, Heating Oils & Diesel Fuels)

Details Will Be Discussed

On Next Course Of Action

**********************************************
This DOES affect each and every one of us.

We are all digging deep in our pockets for gas, groceries, $$ to buy heating oil, etc.

If enough people ban together and draw the attention from the right people we will be heard,
this means we will make a difference.

Remember, the prices all trickle down to the consumer.

Even if you aren't in the trucking industry you are feeling the crunch.

Come on out and listen,

I think you will learn something!


LETS TAKE OUR COUNTRY BACK!!!

STAND UP, SPEAK OUT OR GO BROKE!!!



Monday, March 31, 2008

"National Shut-Down" Information...

Professional drivers are asking American Citizens to participate with us in the "National Shut-Down"

This is an issue effecting all of us and we MUST take a stand NOW. Our government IS a major contributing factor in the outrageous price of fuel, and the struggle American citizens are experiencing making ends meet. We must take this action to get their attention. All other avenues has only fallen on deaf ears - our government is ignoring the will, and needs, of the American people.

In The Last Year
(63,000 Jobs Lost)
(2 Million American Citizens Lose Their Homes)
(28 Million American Citizens Projected To Be On Food Stamp Programs)

Our government officials are eating good dinners, are living in beautiful homes, are driving brand new vehicles and are collecting large salaries...on the American Citizen's dollar. It's time to take our country back.

STAND UP, SPEAK OUT OR GO BROKE!!!

www.theamericandriver.com/files/TruckersAndCitizensUnited.html
http://www.uscattlehaulers.com/
www.thetruckingindustry.net/strike.html
www.truckdriversunited.com/truck_stop_talk.htm
www.thetruckersvoice.net/

Protest Convoy

Well, today went great. Hundreds showed up and thousands sent their support via email to us. The state officials wouldn't come out and speak with the crowd, but Hillary Clinton did...as if we didn't see that coming. But the good that came from that is my brother, JB, was able to convey our concerns, and she was very receptive. If only the elected officials would have come out. Just more proof our government refuses to speak with the people.
Here's a copy of links from today...

Truckers Protest In Harrisburg
[ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fmb8QRkXCc ]

Convoy Of Truckers In Harrisburg - Part 1
[ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIMmFouYeOQ ]

WGAL-8 Convoy Pictures
[ http://www.wgal.com/slideshow/news/15751326/detail.html ]

Safe Trails and God Bless

www.theamericandriver.com/files/TruckersAndCitizensUnited.html
www.theamericandriver.com/files/wp/national_shut_down_flyer.html

STAND UP, SPEAK OUT OR GO BUST!!!

Sunday, March 30, 2008

Who Knew...

When my brother, Mike (JB), and I started The American Driver 2 yrs ago, our main purpose was to assist drivers without taking from them and try to bring back the unity that existed at one time amongst us. We started our endeavor with JB taking it to the drivers personally while he big strapped, and I began building the site.

Now, here we are in the middle of the most important issue American citizens have had to deal with in a long time. Our government and big business has put us in a position of struggling to make ends meet. ALL OF US! This is a very important time for American citizens, not just professional drivers. The professional driver is on the brink of losing everything. They're basically operating just to pay the fuel bill to get the job done. It won't be long before hundreds of thousands of professional drivers will be jobless, homeless and starving. If people think this won't effect them in a serious way...they're in for a rude awakening. The loss of our professional drivers will effect ALL of us in a serious way.

Big business and our government won't be stopping here with their destructive actions. Toll roads are planned, higher road taxes are planned, leasing of OUR roadways to foreign investors is planned, opening the borders are planned, more control over American citizens is planned (National ID), and the list goes on. This "National Shut-Down" is our last stand to begin taking our country back from the government that is no longer serving the needs, and will, of the American people. It may take additional shut-downs depending upon the actions following this shut-down. History shows that our government is very good at temporary fixes to calm the public, and then business as usual. We are asking ALL American citizens to participate in the coming shut-down to show strength and solidarity (this is our governments' #1 concern.)

Everywhere I look on the internet I'm reading "we need someone to represent us..." Well, several of us are already beginning the process of getting together and creating an association that won't cowar - such as ATA and OOIDA, when things get tough. Now I will concede to the anti-trust laws governing OOIDA, but why would a driver advocate association put themselves in that position to begin with? I haven't quite figured that one out yet. But none the less we will be brainstorming the optimal structure of an association which will never fail to assist in the needs of professional drivers, and American citizens...whether it's day to day assistance or organizing resistance necessary to maintain our way of life.

Man...going from starting a little 'ol website to help drivers out...to being part of spear-heading an association to tackle big issues confronting professional drivers, and American citizens, is huge. But as my bro said to me a couple of days ago, "This feels like it was meant to be." And I agree.

Who Knew...

Safe Trails and God Bless

"National Shut-Down" Information

Professional drivers are asking American citizens to participate in the "National Shut-Down"

This is an issue effecting all of us and we MUST take a stand NOW. Our government IS a major contributing factor in the outrageous price of fuel...

We must take this action to get their attention. All other avenues has only fallen on deaf ears - our government is ignoring the will, and needs, of the American people.

Safe Trails and God Bless

http://www.theamericandriver.com/files/TruckersAndCitizensUnited.html
http://www.uscattlehaulers.com
http://www.thetruckingindustry.net/strike.html
http://www.truckdriversunited.com/truck_stop_talk.htm
http://www.thetruckersvoice.net/