Perspective: Get Involved, Because We Can
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As a kid who grew up witnessing the grit, hustle and compassion required of my parents to survive (and occasionally thrive) in a trucking business, I often get emotional reflecting on my term as chair of American Trucking Associations.
I’ve played a “Nothing Without Trucking” or “Trucking Moves America Forward” video before a presentation 100 times, and I’ve gotten choked up every time. I’m grateful for the opportunity you afforded me to learn from you, and serve you.
Whereas some elements in the industry drive a race to the bottom determined by the lowest common denominator, ATA represents companies that approach trucking as a profession, led by skilled workers, applied technology, innovative solutions and clean, safe equipment. Our members are safer, better informed and more profitable.
I have great appreciation for the roles that 8 million American trucking professionals play in our nation. From the forklift operator to the mechanic, from the software developer to the operations manager, from the finance director to the over-the-road professional driver — we are essential. We do important work with a sense of purpose. And we create a pathway to the middle and upper-middle class without hundreds of thousands of dollars in college tuition. We should be proud, and I felt that pride when representing you at the White House, Congress, the European Union, the United Nations and dozens of industry events over the past year.
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Boyle
Regardless of economic cycles or political majorities, we need a vibrant ecosystem of collaborative shippers, informed regulators, viable suppliers and successful motor carriers. ATA is the platform for achieving that goal, and I can attest that Chris Spear and the ATA staff representing us are talented and passionate.
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Many Americans are disenchanted with the political environment, a sentiment I can appreciate. Negative campaigning and legislative grandstanding get old for people like us who are “doers” used to working shoulder to shoulder alongside teammates with various backgrounds and political opinions.
It’s helpful sometimes to put our political environment into context. Of the roughly 8 billion people on Earth, 71% of them live under an autocratic regime — they either have no voting rights whatsoever or are not afforded freedom of association — so their elections are not free and fair. Only 13% of the world’s population live in a “liberal democracy” — free and fair elections, individual legal equality and checks and balances on the executive branch’s power. Only 13%!
Our country has many warts, and people might ask, “Why? Why should I be involved in government? Why should I advocate for our industry? Why should I do an ATA Call on Washington? Why should I even vote?”
Why, my friends? Because we can.
Andrew Boyle is co-president of Massachusetts-based Boyle Transportation.
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