Skip to content
Search AI Powered
Please enter at least 3 characters.

Latest Stories

outbound

can't find the outrage? Let's stoke the fire

As both consumers and folks who rely on freight transportation, we're all aware of skyrocketing fuel prices. But you have to ask, why are we even in this predicament?

In what's developing into a tradition, my thoughts have again wandered this spring to matters that aren't strictly related to logistics but nonetheless touch all our lives (at least if we're U.S. citizens). Let's start with taxes. Boy, what a mess.

Like many of you, I spent the first decades of my career working for someone else. My taxes were deducted from each paycheck and handed over to Uncle Sam before I could ever miss the money. Before long, I had stopped noticing how deep my "uncle" was reaching into my pocket.


But now that I work for myself, it's impossible not to notice. As a partner in an LLC (limited liability corporation), I'm required to estimate my taxes and send a payment to the IRS every three months. That means instead of enduring a little blood-letting with each paycheck, I basically just open a vein each quarter.

Now that I have to write the IRS a check for several thousand dollars every three months, I can't avoid noticing the size of the tax burden. And, candidly, it is outrageous. But (and excuse the modern-day cliché) where's the outrage? Why are we so willing to hand over 30, 40, even 50 percent of our hard-earned dollars without complaint?

I suspect most of us are unaware of what's happening. And I have a modest proposal for bringing this outrage to the public's attention: Stop automatic withholding. Just eliminate it altogether. Instead, make every American pay his or her fine (er, income taxes) on a quarterly basis. I'd bet nothing would get the public's attention faster than having to write quarterly checks to the government for amounts that are double, triple or quadruple the size of their monthly mortgage payment. Put a system like that in place, and the outrage is sure to boil over sooner rather than later.

And another thing ...
As I sit here fuming over my quarterly tax payments, I'm reminded of another cause for outrage. And in this case, it's our own fault.

As both consumers and folks who rely on freight transportation, we're all aware of skyrocketing fuel prices. The increases have been (sorry) outrageous. But you have to ask, why are we even in this predicament?

Well, we know why. The talking heads on the Sunday morning news programs tell us that the shortages are due to problems in Iran, in Venezuela, and even here in the United States (largely because of hurricane-related damage to drilling platforms in the Gulf of Mexico).

But this isn't the first time we've found ourselves in this dilemma. Gas shortages date back to the early 1970s. Some of us certainly remember waiting in gas lines for hours. So why haven't we found ways to insulate ourselves from supply fluctuations by now?

It's not that it can't be done. In fact, the folks in Brazil have done it. While Americans simply reverted to their old ways once the spot shortages of the '70s had eased, Brazil got on the stick and put in place a long-term solution. It took 30 years to get there, but as of the beginning of this year, Brazil has declared itself energy independent. Using alternative fuels, most notably ethanol, the nation is able to meet all of its energy needs without having to import oil from anyone.

Think how different our lives would be if we could make foreign policy decisions without weighing the implication to our all-important fossil fuel feeds. Our representatives in Washington should take a closer look at what's been done in Brazil.

Perhaps they need to hear more from us about this issue (and the quarterly tax idea).What do you say, folks, time to spark a little outrage? I think we're long overdue.

The Latest

More Stories

chart of cybersecurity ratings by sector

Only 6% of Fortune 500 companies scored an A for cyber defense

Despite the growing threat of cyberattacks, most organizations haven’t raised their security standards accordingly, as an assessment from CyberNews shows that 84% of analyzed Fortune 500 companies scored a D or worse for their cybersecurity efforts.

Put another way, only 6% of Fortune 500 companies scored an A for their cybersecurity efforts, as companies worldwide hustle to defend against threats caused by the increasing sophistication of cyberattacks, coupled with the expanding attack surface due to cloud adoption, remote work, and complex supply chains.

Keep ReadingShow less

Featured

chart of HR practices

Workplace report finds 5 trends sweeping the global labor pool

Waves of change are expected to wash over workplaces in the new year, highlighted by companies’ needs to balance the influx of artificial intelligence (AI) with the skills, capabilities, and perspectives that are uniquely human, according to a study from Top Employers Institute.

According to the Amsterdam-based human resources (HR) consulting firm, 2025 will be the year that the balance between individual and group well-being will evolve, blending personal empowerment with collective goals. The focus will be on creating environments where individual contributions enhance the overall strength of teams and organizations, and where traditional boundaries are softened to allow for greater collaboration and inclusion.

Keep ReadingShow less
Transportation leaders to meet January 5-9

Transportation leaders to meet January 5-9

Transportation leaders, policymakers, administrators, and researchers from government, industry, and academia will gather January 5-9, 2025, in Washington, D.C., for the 104th annual meeting of the Transportation Research Board (TRB), sponsored by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

The meeting’s program covers all modes of transportation and features hundreds of sessions and workshops on various transportation-related topics. The theme for this year’s conference is how innovations in technology, business, and processes help support transportation’s role in a thriving society, according to TRB.

Keep ReadingShow less
2024 International Foodservice Distributor Association’s (IFDA) National Championship

2024 International Foodservice Distributor Association’s (IFDA) National Championship

Truckers, warehouse workers get some love

It’s probably safe to say that no one chooses a career in logistics for the glory. But even those accustomed to toiling in obscurity appreciate a little recognition now and then—particularly when it comes from the people they love best: their kids.

That familial love was on full display at the 2024 International Foodservice Distributor Association’s (IFDA) National Championship, which brings together foodservice distribution professionals to demonstrate their expertise in driving, warehouse operations, safety, and operational efficiency. For the eighth year, the event included a Kids Essay Contest, where children of participants were encouraged to share why they are proud of their parents or guardians and the work they do.

Keep ReadingShow less
zebox office photo

Tech incubator Zebox lists top 10 logistics startups

The logistics tech firm incubator Zebox, a unit of supply chain giant CMA CGM Group, plans to show off 10 of its top startup businesses at the annual technology trade show CES in January, the French company said today.

Founded in 2018, Zebox calls itself an international innovation accelerator expert in the fields of maritime industry, logistics & media. The Marseille, France-based unit is supported by major companies in the sector, such as BNSF Railway, Blume Global, Trac Intermodal, Vinci, CEVA Logistics, Transdev and Port of Virginia.

Keep ReadingShow less