This post was written by the driver of the Energy Express, Tom. We were pleasantly surprised when he came to pick us up from the hotel and had written this story of a man named Tim he met at a local truck stop.
The Energy Express is nearing 3000 miles. During that time many visits have been made to the Flying J, a national chain of travel plazas, to fuel up, service the rest room and make sure everything is running smoothly. Flying J truck stops all have dedicated fuel islands for RVs and buses and have the necessary water and dump stations to keep the Energy Express fresh and comfortable.
Today I had the pleasure of speaking with Tim from Lorain, Ohio. That’s Tim standing proudly next to the tractor trailer he owns and drives. We were at the truck wash, Tim getting his 18 wheeler shined up and me keeping the Energy Express looking sharp. Tim is a friendly, easy going guy who obviously takes pride in his work and equipment. We talked about the places we have both been, some of the crazy things we’ve seen on the road, and just shot the breeze.
We got around to talking about the Energy Express and Tim made it clear that as an owner operator, he does not need any more taxes or expenses levied against him as he works hard to make a living. He told me that with the poor economy, shipping rates are lower, there is less work, and he has to work harder to try and make the same money he used to. An additional tax will chip away at his income even more.
Tim and his fellow truck drivers, both company employed and self-employed owner operators are indeed working longer and harder as well as being away from home for long periods of time just trying to make a living. As Tim and every other truck driver I talk to remind me, and this much is true, if you own it, it came on a truck. Tim says a new tax is something he and the other drivers who work hard hauling durable goods across the country do not need.
No matter what your politics, it is hard to argue with common sense.
Seems like we are fighting at every level to keep the American Way of Life… Keep up the work and I hope we are successful. By the way, how many more vacations is our president going to take? We have some serious problems and he needs to stay at work! People keep telling me that he is just a “figure head” and that certain people are running the country. God BLESS AMERICA.
Tim voices the opinion of many. what disconcerts me most is that the Cap and Tax bill is the beginning of social engineering of our businesses and economy thru the Federal Government. Yes, the Fed, thru our Green Czar Van Jones, is catering to win businesses to the GREEN JOBS of the future. I have no problem with the pursuit of green jobs thru our capitalist system, but I do have a problem with an artifical FEderal/Green Jobs agenda that punishes businesses in order to promote green jobs with the specifc hidden purpose of providing social justice. I have read extensively about the radical goals of VAn Jones, and his method of accomplishing his goals. He will win over people and businesses by selling the ideal of a safer, cleaner environment,and more jobs, which everyone wants. The Energy Express must beat JOnes at his own game. Emphasize the comprehensive approach which pushes for using all our own abundant resources towards a clean environment, national security, and the creation of new jobs. Chart clearly how this can be done,comparing our way with Jone’s way in jobs and dollars. Put up diagrams, utubes, whatever it takes to get the msg out. The Green Czar is very organized, has $500 million at his disposal, and the backing of large organizations. We must use Experts in the field of finance, energy,and capitalism who can defend and clarify the soundness of a free market approach which includes environmental goals, but not at the expense of our economy, security and principles of freedom.
Michele
I applaud your efforts to spread the message of the importance of utilizing our own nation’s inexpensive and vast energy resources to help minimize our dependence on foreign energy. Please continue your invaluable mission. Thank you for all your hard work.
I YouTube video on Cap & Trade for Baseball teams makes the point nicely.
I support your tour strongly and am worried about the takeover of our beloved country by Obama and his Statist friends.
The left is depending on our weakening so do not weaken!
I attended two Town Halls in Florida and saw a great deal of passion against the takeover of our beloved country. Let’s keep up the pressure until we dump Obama and the lousy congress. We need 2 Term Limits-Max!
First, I applaud you all for taking this most important message to the people of this nation on the road. Standing on the ground face to face is the only way to inform and educate people on common sense issues. We need to ensure the people of this nation get the true story,and thanks to you that is being done. Its good to see the proponents of “Big Government” controling and taxing the people of this nation are now being held accountable by the people. These liberal socialist want-a-be dictators have sat under our tent too long. Enough is enough!!
Tell your “Great American” driver, Tom, who I’ve known all my life, to keep the bus moving to get the message out to the people. But don’t drive like a wild man and keep the throttle down. Bubba Birch