For decades, America’s long-haul truck drivers (LHTDs) have been the backbone of our economy, delivering goods across the nation. Yet, history shows they’ve faced systemic barriers designed to limit their success. From 1935 to 1980, the railroad industry wielded monopolistic control over trucking through restrictive rate-making, as enabled by the Motor Carrier Act and Reed-Bulwinkle Act. These policies fixed rates to favor railroads, stifled competition, and kept truckers and entire regions, in economic bondage. Today, truckers face a new threat: automation, which risks displacing millions of jobs and destabilizing our economy. The American Dream Rail (ADR) Legacy Project is here to break this cycle, empowering LHTDs and building a sustainable, high-speed rail network that restores the American Dream for all.
A History of Exploitation: Lessons From Rate-Making
In 1935, the Motor Carrier Act gave railroads, through the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC), the power to dictate trucking rates, working conditions, and more. F.E. Williamson, president of the New York Central Railroad, openly stated this act would regulate truckers, not railroads, to ensure railroad profits. By 1948, the Reed-Bulwinkle Act deepened this control, granting railroads antitrust immunity to fix rates through “rate conferences,” a system critics like C.W. Harder called the “soul of communism.”
This monopolistic grip didn’t just harm truckers; it stifled innovation and economic growth, particularly in the South and West, where a 39% economic differential kept communities in “economic bondage,” as Senator Burton K. Wheeler warned.
Assistant Attorney General Wendell Berge called it a “dangerous monopoly” that blocked new industries and undermined free enterprise. The railroads’ actions, backed by powerful financial interests, prioritized profits over people, leaving truckers and regions struggling to compete.
The Modern Parallel: Automation’s Threat to Truckers
Today, LHTDs face a new challenge: automation. Self-driving trucks threaten to displace millions of jobs, reducing consumption and risking economic collapse, what we call the automation paradox. Just as railroads once controlled rates to suppress truckers, automation could marginalize these vital workers, deepening economic inequality. The ADR Legacy Project recognizes this crisis as a continuation of historical exploitation, where powerful systems prioritize profit over people.
The American Dream Rail: A Vision For Empowerment
The American Dream Rail Legacy Project offers a bold solution: a high-speed, sustainable rail network that connects America, reduces reliance on long-haul trucking, and creates new opportunities for displaced workers.
Our nine-point MAGA Legacy Plan, aligned with President Trump’s vision for a united, prosperous America, prioritizes:
Sustainability: Using eco-friendly technologies to lower emissions and costs.
Citizen Enrichment: Redistributing wealth to empower truckers and communities.
Job Creation: Retraining LHTDs for roles in the rail sector, ensuring economic security.
Infrastructure Modernization: Building a state-of-the-art rail system to rival global leaders like Japan’s Shinkansen.
Unlike the monopolistic railroads of the past, American Dream Rail’s rail system is designed for fairness, fostering competition and opportunity across all regions. By connecting urban and rural communities, we aim to correct the regional disparities highlighted by critics like Wheeler, ensuring no part of America is left behind.
The Future Is Now: Join The Movement
From the railroad monopolies of the 1930s to the automation challenges of today, truckers have faced systemic barriers to their success. The history of rate-making teaches us that systemic change requires collective action. Truckers, workers, and patriots fought against railroad monopolies in the 20th century, and today, we must unite to protect LHTDs, both today and from the threats of tomorrow. The ADR Legacy Project is more than a rail system—it’s a movement to restore the American Dream.
Join us in supporting this transformative vision. Sign our petition, share your story, and stand together with like-minded people to build a transportation system that honors hard-workers, strengthens communities, and builds a stronger, more connected America. Together, we can move beyond the monopolies of the past and toward a future where every American thrives. Let’s learn from history and act now to ensure a future where no worker is left behind.
