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Truckers Haul Gas Gripes to Washington

By BRETT ZONGKER,

Posted: 2008-04-28 18:55:27

WASHINGTON (April 28) - Dave Gares, an independent truck driver since 1974 who hauls mostly soft drinks these days, never dreamed he'd be paying more than $4 per gallon for diesel.

Photo Gallery

Jacquelyn Martin, AP

Rally Rolls Into Washington

1 of 3

Hundreds of big rigs pulled into Washington on Monday for a protest at the Capitol over the rising price of gas and diesel fuel.
Also See: Fuel at New Highs | Big Oil Rated on Secrecy

It takes 220 gallons to fill up his tractor-trailer rig, which gets a little over six miles per gallon on the road. It costs Gares up to $1,400 to fill up, with the added cost of fuel additives to boost his truck's mileage. He said he has to absorb the increases to stay competitive.

"You can't charge it back to the shipper, so it comes out of your own wallet," said Gares of Lebanon, Pa., one of more than 100 truckers who drove to Washington on Monday to demand changes from Congress. "Now you have to start looking at how to cut back."

Horns blaring in a deafening fanfare, the convoy of truck drivers was impossible to ignore as the group rode into the nation's capital. Members of Truckers and Citizens United circled the National Mall before parking their tractors and dump trucks at RFK Stadium. From there, about 100 protesters marched and took shuttles to the Capitol for an afternoon rally under a downpour of rain.

The national average price of a gallon of regular gasoline is a record $3.603, according to the latest survey of stations by AAA and the Oil Price Information Service. The price for diesel - used to transport most food, industrial and commercial goods - is an unprecendented $4.18 a gallon.

"The high price for oil is hurting our economy," organizer Mark Kirsch said. "This isn't just about truckers, this is about United States citizens overall."

To bring relief, they are urging Congress to stop subsidizing big oil companies, to release oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserves, and stop exporting oil from Alaska, among other things.

Many of the truckers drove to Washington from Harrisburg, Pa., and other areas as far north as Maine. One passenger circling the city's monuments and government agencies held a sign that read "Enough is Enough," and a driver used a bullhorn to yell at Congress as he passed by.

Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., who met with members of Truckers and Citizens United in the afternoon, said it's clear the truckers are suffering.

"It's particularly heartbreaking to hear their stories, because not only is there an economic slow down, which means they are hauling less," but a surge in diesel prices adds more burdens, he said.

Truck drivers are planning a similar protest Thursday in New York City and another unspecified event May 5. Organizers said Wall Street is responsible for driving up prices with no regulation from Congress.

William Lockridge of the Washington Metropolitan Area Truckers Association said independent truckers are barely breaking even. "If the truck stops, the economy stops," he said. "We need help, and we need it now."

Nathan and Tara Horn of Normal, Ill., said they were visiting museums and other sites, but came to the Capitol to see the truckers' protest.

"Just knowing the influence that our citizens have to talk to our congressmen and senators ... This is awesome," said Nathan Horn, stopping to watch the trucks pass in the rain.

Tara Horn said she works at a food bank where more people are seeking assistance because of rising food prices. The price of fuel has made transporting goods across the U.S. more expensive.

Traffic was not significantly affected by the convoy of vehicles, though a few truckers drove through red lights as they honked their horns.

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

2008-04-28 14:04:47

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615 comments

Davisonjr7 08:59:25 AM Apr 30 2008

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This country has forgot who God is and what he can do. The reason why we don't bring home the troops is that we wouldnt be able to have enought tax money to run the country. The National Guard is made up of people that had to leave their job to server their country. Making room for others to be employed to maintain tax base. Sending troops back to the war 3 and 4 times is a show of incapability to render a plan to stop the action. As American we set back and allow the cost of gas to go way beyon what we can afford. We have got a yellow streak down our back a mile long. What does it take to stand up and say, NO MORE. God will have us on our knees I'am already praying for help. I'am 68 and I can't believe what is happening to this Country. The biggest disappointment to me is the little girls and how they act in public. To seat in a restrant and see these little girls arise so much hell in a restrant you would think your eating a Hells KIitchen. The only way for change is to PRAY. LOVE BI

Rmetzger53 08:46:52 AM Apr 29 2008

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A trucker can get 4-5 mpg pulling 80,000 pounds across the US and living out of his on-board sleeper compartment. An SUV can get 11-15 mpg hauling a 100 pound soccer mom from her 4,000 sq ft McMansion to the corner grocery store. Think about it. In the words of the old Pogo cartoon strip, "We have met the enemy and he is us." (But most of us don't want to admit it.)

PAGESRACING5 08:44:51 AM Apr 29 2008

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LETS JUST KEEP HELPING THE REST OF THE WORLD, WHILE WE STARVE AND BECOME THE NEW THIRD WORLD.....

DELMERI8 07:30:01 AM Apr 29 2008

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It should read the ARABS have used a great country and have a great country now!

Johnclrdsprn 02:45:37 AM Apr 29 2008

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Don't you guys get it? You are not worth their time! Once a long time ago, they would have understood, but they don't care what you think or feel. You see, they don't fear you. A famous American once said, " a government that fears it's people is freedom, yet a people that fears it's government is tyranny". get it, you are not important. You offer no political advantage...The new America,government for the few, by the many!!

Mspolletjr 08:21:51 PM Apr 28 2008

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WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY !!!! MOST ELECTED SLOP HOGS IN WASHINGTON UP THEIR EARS IN BIG OIL MONEY !!! BETTER IF YOU JUST TAKE YOUR TRUCKS AND GO HOME !!!!!