NationStates Jolt Archive

An interesting article from a not entirely credible source:

Quietly but systematically, the Bush Administration is advancing the plan to build a huge NAFTA Super Highway, four football-fields-wide, through the heart of the U.S. along Interstate 35, from the Mexican border at Laredo, Tex., to the Canadian border north of Duluth, Minn.

Once complete, the new road will allow containers from the Far East to enter the United States through the Mexican port of Lazaro Cardenas, bypassing the Longshoreman’s Union in the process. The Mexican trucks, without the involvement of the Teamsters Union, will drive on what will be the nation’s most modern highway straight into the heart of America. The Mexican trucks will cross border in FAST lanes, checked only electronically by the new “SENTRI” system. The first customs stop will be a Mexican customs office in Kansas City, their new Smart Port complex, a facility being built for Mexico at a cost of $3 million to the U.S. taxpayers in Kansas City...

A good reason Bush does not want to secure the border with Mexico may be that the administration is trying to create express lanes for Mexican trucks to bring containers with cheap Far East goods into the heart of the U.S., all without the involvement of any U.S. union workers on the docks or in the trucks.
Full article: http://www.humaneventsonline.com/article.php?id=15497

So what about this "NAFTA Superhighway"? Is this the best thing since sliced bread? Is it the worst thing since fluoridated water? Or is the author a moonbat conspiracy theorist?

Personally, I'm going with the moonbat option. But I'm a fan of conspiracy theories, and this author paints a good one.

Given 4 opinions, I'm voting myrth.

FOUR Football fields? What is that, 24 lanes? Overkill much?

Quietly? This has been going on for ages. It would speed up the movement of cargo from the Pacific to the Atlantic and also between NAFTA countries.

One of the biggest concerns is how to make sure that a container sealed at either side of the border stays sealed and doesn't include things other than those in the manifest. Mexico worries about contraband, weapons and money smuggling, you know?

The biggest obstacle, however, comes from the Teamsters that don't want to see Mexican truckers crossing into their turf. So far, they've successfully kept that part of the NAFTA treaty from being enforced.

Panama seems to be experiencing a lot of real estate investment and construction. Seems they want to become the new Miami.

It's cheaper to fly to Panama from Europe than it is to fly to Miami from Europe. And there are rarely hurricanes in Panama (as compared to Miami).

Two skyscrapers are currently going up in Panama - over 100 stories each of condos.

a 'SmartPort' facility to process the goods brought in on a highway 4 footballfields wide costing just $3 million. that's imaginative accounting.

Panama seems to be experiencing a lot of real estate investment and construction. Seems they want to become the new Miami.

It's cheaper to fly to Panama from Europe than it is to fly to Miami from Europe. And there are rarely hurricanes in Panama (as compared to Miami).

Two skyscrapers are currently going up in Panama - over 100 stories each of condos.
what does tha have to do with a NAFTA superhighway?

I think many americans will not like it, if cheaper Mexican transport gets in through that superhighway, people who drive trucks might lose jobs, among others

what does tha have to do with a NAFTA superhighway?

I think many americans will not like it, if cheaper Mexican transport gets in through that superhighway, people who drive trucks might lose jobs, among others

Like it or not, the rest of the Americas are going to move forward into the future. You have to ask if you want to do it together, or alone.

Together is a better idea.

what does tha have to do with a NAFTA superhighway?

I think many americans will not like it, if cheaper Mexican transport gets in through that superhighway, people who drive trucks might lose jobs, among others
Why? Goods still need to be transported from the port of entry to distribution centers. And it's not like truckers can't drive into Mexico to deliver US made products.

what does tha have to do with a NAFTA superhighway?

I think many americans will not like it, if cheaper Mexican transport gets in through that superhighway, people who drive trucks might lose jobs, among others
I am making the point that Central America is progressing economically - with or without the US.

In a big way.

So, your choice is to either be a part of it, or screw yourself by not being a part of it.

I have it from a very credible source* that it will have three jumps, seven loop-de-loops and a lava monster.

* Read, my imagination. ;)

I am making the point that Central America is progressing economically - with or without the US.

In a big way.

So, your choice is to either be a part of it, or screw yourself by not being a part of it.
How is it my choice?

I don't believe he meant you in particular Franberry. More you as a general term applying to the world in general and the US in particular.

It always seems the US is trying to play catch-up.

The Mexi-Canadian overpass (http://www.theonion.com/content/node/27842) has been completed since 2002. You're telling me it's taken you guys four years to be able to build an off-ramp? ;)

An interesting article from a not entirely credible source:


Full article: http://www.humaneventsonline.com/article.php?id=15497

So what about this "NAFTA Superhighway"? Is this the best thing since sliced bread? Is it the worst thing since fluoridated water? Or is the author a moonbat conspiracy theorist?

Personally, I'm going with the moonbat option. But I'm a fan of conspiracy theories, and this author paints a good one.
That doesn't make sense.

Frankly, it sounds like a good idea to me. Increasing trade, increasing wealth, we get our two biggest trading partners trading with each other as well - everybody wins.

As for the Teamsters, fuck 'em. If they weren't too racist and too stupid to extend the union into Mexico, they wouldn't be in this problem.