Commercial Drivers Are Latest Victims of Liberal Obama Administration.

Driving is by definition an exercise in multi-tasking. You have to operate the vehicle safely, obeying all traffic laws while reading street signs, traffic control devices, addresses, other drivers for clues as to what they are doing or are going to do, and watching out for pedestrians all at the same time. that's why Transportation Secretary, Ray Lahood's edict that specifically bans text messaging on cell phones while driving commercial motor vehicles or buses is silly.

There are varying degrees of excellence in any profession. There are "A" grade engineers and there are "C" grade ones. There is a large continuum between the "A" and "C" grades of every profession. There are even those among the population who for some reason, are passed along with even lower grades; those who border on failing with "D" and "F".

Even an "A" grade operator in any profession will occasionally have a bad day where his performance slips to a lower level. So for the government to say that it is against the law to multi-task while driving any kind of vehicle is an oxymoron.


So what is next? Should we ban smoking while driving? Should we ban playing the radio while driving? Should we ban looking at a map or atlas while driving? Should we ban eating cheeseburgers and fries while driving? Should we ban drinking a Coke while driving? Should we ban shaving or putting on makeup while driving? Should we ban talking on a cell phone hands free while driving? Should we ban talking with a passenger while driving? Should we ban singing along to the radio while driving? Should we ban disciplining unruly children while driving? Should we ban eating pistachios while driving? Should we ban reading a book or newspaper while driving? Should we ban conducting business with others while driving? Should we ban planning vacations or surprise birthday parties or family meals while driving? Should we ban thinking about what we will watch on television tonight while driving? This is still America isn't it? Should we ban being human while driving? I guess that we should all become little robots during the time that we are driving.



How in the world does Ray Lahood expect law enforcement to actually enforce this decree? Distracted driving is a problem that continues to grow as our lives become more and more complicated, especially with the advent of newer technologies. But I think that the emphasis here is misdirected. Instead of criminalizing "texting", we should be reinforcing the values of common sense in executing the multi-tasking required of driving any vehicle. 


I have made and sent politically satirical texts while driving big rigs on several occasions. But not while driving in heavy traffic. Not while driving during rush hour. Not while driving in the city. Not while driving on two lane roads. Not while driving in adverse weather conditions. Not while driving on unfamiliar roads. Certainly not while backing. Not while moving through any parking lots. There is a time and a place for everything, and common sense should guide us as to the proper times for each thing. That does not mean that one can never "text" safely while driving a commercial vehicle, nor does it mean that any commercial driver cannot text while "on duty".


This is a prime example of what a bloated, out of control, appointed bureaucracy that has become a de facto part of our government thinks about you and its attempts to subjugate you as they force their agenda upon you. These unelected and unaccountable officials view themselves as the preeminent purveyors of the civil society. They issue laws without open debate with or consent of the people. There is no checks or balances on their power. They answer to no one. This is the danger in the growth of the forth branch of our government. And under Obama, the growth of the bureaucracy has been massive. He has grown it more than all previous administrations combined. The only growth of our economy of late has been in government. There has been no growth in the private sector.

The result of all this massive governmental growth is continued invasive intrusion into your personal lives, and continued erosion of your liberties and freedoms. And so by edict of a bureaucrat you have lost your freedom to text while behind the wheel of commercial vehicles and buses. If Ray really had his way, he would have even banned talking on the cell phone (even hands free) for everyone who drives any vehicle. But that would never have flown with the public. So once again the Obama administration has sought to demonize and victimize yet another market segment; commercial drivers. This clown has to be a one term wonder folks. Let's make sure that happens please.