Posted on 09/22/2005 10:08:25 AM PDT by Land_of_Lincoln_John
If state Sen. Martin Sandoval succeeds in his next election Saturday, he will serve in Mexico City as well as Springfield.
Sandoval is running for a seat on an advisory council created by Mexico President Vicente Fox in 2002 to incorporate Mexicans living in the United States into his government's policymaking.
Sandoval would be the first elected official in the U.S. to serve on the advisory council. That raises the peculiar prospect of the Cicero Democrat offering policy advice in an official capacity to Mexican Cabinet members while creating laws in Illinois.
The possibility has some observers praising his vision while others blast his judgment, calling the potential moonlighting arrangement a conflict of interest.
As it turns out, no law or rule prohibits it, in Mexico or in Illinois. Mexican officials call it an honorary position.
Sandoval, who was born in the United States to Mexican immigrants, said he realizes that some might raise eyebrows at the thought of a man who swore an oath to uphold the U.S. Constitution influencing policy in Mexico City.
But he views the advisory council as a historic opportunity to demonstrate the undeniable links between Mexicans in the United States and those in their homeland.
"Like many other first generation Mexican-Americans, I want to be involved in shaping the future of America," Sandoval said. "But I am also a product of two countries. I think I am a natural."
Fox acknowledged those links when he campaigned here in 2000. As president, he formed an Institute for Mexicans Abroad to coordinate all Mexican Cabinet agencies that serve immigrants in the United States.
As part of the institute, Fox also created an advisory council of 115 U.S.-based representatives to float policy suggestions to the Mexican government.
30 running in Illinois election
(Excerpt) Read more at chicagotribune.com ...
Cant serve two masters amigo.
I'll keep this in mind in case the Chancellor of Germany ever comes up with something similar. I was born here; I've never been to Germany; and it's been way over a century since my great-grandparents got off the boat from Hanover and never looked back. But hey, I'm the product of two countries; I'm a natural.
I know our state constitution in California says you cannot be elected to office in two countries. Does our Federal or the IL state?
The Trib article says there is nothing in Illinois law that blocks the Cicero state senator's move.
"Sandoval would be the first elected official in the U.S. to serve on the advisory council. That raises the peculiar prospect of the Cicero Democrat offering policy advice in an official capacity to Mexican Cabinet members while creating laws in Illinois."
What part of 'Conflict of Interest' does Sandoval not understand????
This should be a wake up call to anyone who says "they're just here to work": they're also being used to form a political base for Mexico.
Hopefully Illinois could come up with a law that would prevent this. Perhaps they could even come up with a way to strip him of his office.
I'd suggest pushing this story every chance you get, since about 95% of Americans won't like this.
No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince or foreign State.
I always took it rather broadly to mean any level of official, under US jurisdiction; not just a Federal level official. Was I taught wron circa years ago; or has the "living document" 'evolved'?
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