Job Discussion Forums

[periodista-masajista]

Hello folks. I'm very interested in what Dave's forum participants have to say about the upcoming elections in Mexico. Political discussion can be a bit contentious of course, but since this board is pretty closely moderated and posters are generally quite respectful of one another, I'm hoping that some informative discussion could occur without too much sangre being shed.

I have an ulterior motive. Not only am I interested just because I love Mexico, but also because I'm a journalist and I want to learn more for professional purposes. I'm not a political reporter...right now I'm an editor for a mid-sized daily newspaper in Texas. But my Spanish reading comprehension is inadequate for easy news-gathering from Spanish-language websites and political news in English about Mexico is pretty sparse.

To get things rolling, here's a blog post about the Mexican elections I made back in August. Any thoughts? Please feel free to be candid if you think something is incorrect, misleading or incomplete. This topic is far from a professional speciality of mine...mainly just a matter of personal interest at the moment.

http://amarillo.com/blog-post/mark-haslett/2011-08-16/haslett-mexico-force-past-eyes-future

Hopefully other posters will appreciate a thread devoted to this topic since it's obviously a big deal. I understand that foreigners are forbidden from particpating in Mexican politics, but hopefully people will feel comfortable offering their opinions, inisghts and questions in this format.

[Phil_K]

Apart from the absence of accents (Calder�n) and tildas (Pe�a Nieto) - pendantic maybe, but I think it can jar with those who know Spanish - a pretty clear and precise summing up of the situation.

I take issue with Cordero as PAN candidate . I, and the polls, don't think he has a cat-in-hell's chance, and would say it's between Creel and Josefina V�zquez Mota.

Due to a lack of time today, I can't really add anything, but will be delighted to join the debate during the week, as this is one of my favourite topics!

[Guy Courchesne]

As much as I dislike the PRD, I would like to see Ebrard winning the presidency if he could lead through a fractured congress. It's rather chilling to think that Nieto is the frontrunner at the moment. Mexico has come so far since throwing off the shackles of the PRI, it would be a shame to roll back a century.

[Phil_K]

[Guy Courchesne]

I think Ebrard has done very well in DF in bringing the right programs online and infrastructure improvements. AMLO was a slick populist whereas Ebrard is a consensus builder. That doesn't necessarily scale up to the national level of course, but I'd like to see him try.

I have yet to hear much out of Ebrard on foreign policy on major national issues, so I could change my mind quickly if slips into an AMLO-like campaign.

[BadBeagleBad]

[globalcitizen1968]

[Phil_K]

I have to agree with BBB. Ebrard would be a disaster. The infrastructure changes amount to a few Metrob�s routes and roads, which, it is said, (admittedly I have no proof), were built using companies where Ebrard has a financial interest. The real infrastructure changes necessary are in the systems of policing and justice.

Another example of Ebrard's "good work" is the lack of funds for Panista delegations, such as mine (Benito Ju�rez). Hardly the act of an aspiring democratic president!

Another - the permission given to demonstrators to occupy Z�calo, right in front of the city government offices and in the heart of the tourist zone. A great image of Mexico!

One thing that can be said in AMLO's favour is that he has a project, something lacking in current, and past, aspirants. Of course, no way am I advocating AMLO for president, but where is the candidate that actually addresses the real problems that Mexico faces?

In my humble opinion, the recovery starts with three things.

1) A restructuring of the police into a single national force, where a policeman is a policeman and is responible for crime prevention, investigation, traffic, etc. Not workable? It works in the UK!

2) A policy of zero tolerance. This starts with the very basics. What many people fail to grasp is the oak tree from acorns principle, where even the smallest crime is punished, thereby creating a culture of respect for the law, and the law-enforcers, which can only grow.

That means not relocating ambulantes, but banning them from doing their activities, and in the case of re-offending, jailing them.

That means recognizing the right of a motorist who knocks over a cyclist or pedestrian, when the cyclist or pedestrian is clearly the one to blame.

That means the power of citizens' arrest.

3) Make government and police accountable, giving the citizen the means to easily report and follow up any irregularities, without being inconvenienced in his daily life.

Just a few ideas to chew over. I could write a manifesto! But where is the candidate that can think radically, rather than spout the same old platitudes?

If you want to put me on the spot, and I were eligible to vote, I'd have to go with the PAN, for continuity, and preferably, V�zquez Mota, but I know I'd be looking forward to more of the same.