Comment
How many of us don't speak, then complain because our voices are not being heard? People make comments on articles by Overdrive, Land Line, and other magazines. We debate with each other. It seems as if we have this great group think mentality. Readers make comments to each other. They comment to people who agree with them. Then they don't comment to the decision makers. It seems as if they would rather complain on face book than actually make a difference.
Make a difference. Contact your representatives. Write to the FMCSA and MCSAC. For now, I will concentrate on writing to the FMCSA. Writing to MCSAC is almost exactly the same. It is easy. Go to www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions. The site will guide you to comment on the issue that you want to comment on. If you like the Collins Amendment, tell the FMCSA. You want or don't want a 30 minute break, tell the FMCSA. Going back and forth on face book can be entertaining. Sometimes it is mind numbing. It is also not reaching the decision makers.
Check out the www.truthabouttrucking.com website. They have an outstanding instruction guide on making comments at http://t.co/XiwyZQgH15 read it. Make your argument more intelligent than emotional. It is a good idea to write it out beforehand. Read it back to yourself. Have someone else read it. Repeat as necessary. You don't think that the genius of my blogs just comes out and what you are seeing is a first draft – do you? Please say no. I write it. Read it. Change it. Let it sit for awhile. Read it. Change it. Then my editor (wife) reads it.
She spots grammatical errors. I change it. We edit it, as often as it takes. She is familiar with the trucking industry because she is married to a trucker. She does not know as much about the industry as I do. I don't know as much about her job either. I try to write my blogs so that she understands the issue. Remember the decision makers have unfortunately never driven a truck.
The OOIDA website is informative. Read the information and get educated. Remember that OOIDA is about advocacy and accuracy. There is nothing wrong with that. You don't have to agree with them. It is smart to learn from them. Decide for yourself. While you're there, consider joining OOIDA.
Pretend that you're writing to your grandmother. Do not get 
offensive. Pretend that she is a retired English teacher. Don't use slang. Structure your sentences. The shorter the sentence, the easier it reads. Clearly state your position. Use real life examples that have happened to you. Cite reliable statistics that support your position.
Let your voice be heard. Make comments to the decision makers. Make your opinions matter. Voting is a responsibility. Let them know that you take that responsibility seriously and that you vote. Let them know that you are contacting your congressional representatives as well. You have the right to be heard. Use it.