However, there is another 2012 election that will have a huge impact on border violence, illegal immigration and our very important trade relations with Mexico.
Alfredo Corchado is back with another very interesting article about Mexico, the violence and the upcoming elections:
"Mexico’s presidential election is still nearly six months away, and judging by the latest polls, it’s anyone’s race.
For many, the question is whether Mexicans will continue to embrace a multiparty democracy, with all its uncertainties, or return to the PRI, which represented strong government during its 71-year rule but also was seen as corrupt.
“What this election shows is that the parties that once opposed the PRI failed at delivering the promises of democracy to voters,” said Sergio Silva-Castañeda, who teaches Mexican history at Harvard University.
“This leaves the door wide open for the possible return of the PRI, though it’s still too early to predict the outcome.”"
We understand Mexico's frustration, anger and hopelessness.
Mexico has lost over 40,000 people in this war against cartels. In relative terms, that's like 120,000 in the US. The deaths include cartel members but sadly also innocent men, women and children who were in the wrong place when the bullets started flying.
Like our "war on terror", it is very difficult to measure success. At the same time, the Mexican military has captured cartel heads and destroyed many of their networks.
Mexicans are also frustrated with Pres BO, or "Mr Hope and Change".
Mexicans are still trying to figure out how the Obama administration put 2,000 guns in the hands of Mexican cartels.
Also, Pres BO did not fight irresponsible efforts by the Dem left, and specifically Sen Leahy of Vermont, to withholds Merida Plan funds because of "human rights violations" by the Mexican military.
How can you violate the "human rights" of people who cut off heads? Shouldn't we show a little more sympathy for the Mexican soldier fighting these terrorists?
Furthermore, the Obama administration has zero interest in protecting the border or focusing on people with AK-47s terrorizing ranchers every night.
Down in Mexico, voters have a choice in 2012.
They can fall for the nonsense that you can "cut a deal with the cartels" and bring back the "good old days" when there was no war; or,
They can continue to support the campaign to put down cartels.
I don't know who will win. I just hope that Mexicans understand that there is no going back because there is no way that you can coexist with cartels.
Up here, we have a choice too. We can elect a president who understands the seriousness of border security, a sensible plan of "work visas" that will allow Mexicans to come and work legally in the US and an expansion of The Merida Plan that Pres Bush & Pres Calderon agreed to in 2007.
Last, but not least, Mexicans should look at Colombia. It took a huge effort but things are a lot better today.
We discussed this on Sunday night with Bill Katz:
Listen to internet radio with Silvio Canto Jr on Blog Talk Radio
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