Complaint Review: California Air Resources Board (CARB)

Torture is used...here in the United States of America on a daily basis in the state of California. Yes, we're not talking about some third world country, we're talking about the good 'ol US of A!

In California, they have this little n**i group called the Air Resources Board, that makes up their own laws without the legislature! Yes, they can enact their own laws and even get law enforcement to heavily fine violators of their made up laws that NO elected official has brought before the legislature for vote. Just the existence of such a group of unregulated and out of control enviro-nuts should make anyone uneasy! Laws...without legislative approval or passage. Yup, bypass the law making process...and just give blanket "authority" to this group to make up their own laws.

Why am I saying these things? For one, I'm a professional truck driver that keeps the economy and the american market moving. I, along with millions of truck drivers, bring the items that you, the consumer, wish to purchase from your local store shelves. Without us, you'd have to travel some distance, usually out of state, to obtain your daily mocha, toilet paper, food, clothes, computer, cell phone, bagel, shoes, underwear, newspaper, DVD, beer, tampons, bras, makeup, soda, water, suit, skirt, jeans, socks, plants, pet food, toys, furniture, and even the toilet itself. Get the picture? Several of us have STOPPED picking up or delivering in California because of CARB. You see, they don't want our trucks to idle in 100 degree temps, even when we're trying to get the needed rest to continue on to your local store. They want us drive tired, have little sleep and probably send an 18 wheeler into your loved one's on their way home from school, shopping, dinner, etc.

The "options" that they give us are either expensive and out of reach, or are un-available at several California locations. So, why do I say torture? Simple, when a driver is trying to sleep in a metal box, especially during the heat of the day, that 100 degrees outside can turn into 160 inside quite quickly. It's similar to the torture that's endured on the human body when being placed inside a metal box in the hot sun, with no air conditioning to cool the body. They used to use this as a form of human torture in POW camps and even in some prisons here in the U.S. too in the past. However, in today's times...why is torture like this allowed to happen in California? What happens if we idle the truck to run the air more than 5 mins? FINES that start at $300 and go to $1000! So, we're forced to endure the torture, especially those who don't have them money, like those drivers who are out there to support their families...who keep moving on down the highway no matter what the conditions are. Sleep or no sleep...is that loved one of YOURS next to a tired truck driver who's just been tortured? You'd better hope not.

I've spoken with the Ombudsman and one of the "drafters" of the "law" from the California Air Resources Board. Even with the understanding that they are torturing people, they really don't care and even go so far as to blame the trucking companies for not providing $6000 auxiliary power units on ALL of their trucks in their fleet. They say there are "programs" to help with the costs for those who can't afford them, but with the credit and money that trucking companies have, they don't qualify and have to pay full price themselves. That's not fair, and yes, while pollution is a big problem, they refuse to shut down their production plants in California (it's their economy), the oil facilities and the paper mills that pollute California to no end. The trucks are NOT the problem. They should have given more time (10 years is about right for government standards) to implement a program that the legislature adopts...but wait! The legislature and your elected officials have nothing to do with the creation or implementation of these laws! They are bypassed, and so are you!

Presidential candidates McCain / Palin and Obama / Biden...are you going to allow this torture to continue, and, formally....what are your views? DO YOU SUPPORT TORTURE in the United States or don't you? Speak up, let's hear what you have to say! NO MORE TORTURE IN THE USA!

Oh, and if there's a dog in the truck, the truck can idle with the air for the dog! Yup, the dog has more rights and protections from being tortured than you do! Go figure! McCain and Palin, Obama and Biden...America's infrastrucure, namely the drivers that keep this country moving, want to hear what you have to say. We are the American Truckers Against California Cruelty. We are starting to get the truth out to the people...no more torture, no more tired drivers next to your loved ones and no more allowing non-legislative law groups like the CARB.

David
Beaverton, Oregon
U.S.A.