Posted on 04/03/2006 12:16:03 PM PDT by Rockitz
Certainly there are many poor people in Mexico, since perhaps half the country lives in poverty. However, the nation as a whole is quite rich — see the documented facts listed below — and could well finance the sort of improvements in education and infrastructure that would better the living standards of all Mexicans. But the Mexican ultra-rich, like telecommunications magnate Carlos Slim shown here, don't like to tax themselves for investment the country badly needs for infrastructure and education, and it helps them greatly that the American taxpayer has been forced to support Mexicans living in the United States.
Interestingly, the Forbes list of billionaires published in 2006 showed Carlos Slim moving up to the number three spot among the world's richest men.
Every dollar spent in U.S. taxes for social services for illegal aliens frees up additional cash to be sent south as part of the annual remittances which provided $20 billion in 2005. According to the CNN news show Lou Dobbs Tonight (3/21/05), "Remittances, as they're called, are expected to become Mexico's primary source of income this year, surpassing the amount of money that Mexico makes on oil exports for the first time ever."
So when el Presidente Vicente Fox complains that the "dignity" of Mexicans living illegally in America requires that they receive free healthcare on the U.S. taxpayer's dime, he is really talking about increased remittances to keep their whole corrupt system afloat.
Consider these relevent facts:
• Mexico has the second-highest highest Gross Domestic Product in Latin America, after being #1 for several years over second-place Brazil.
• When measured in GDP per capita, Mexico ranks #1 as of 2005, ahead of Chile and Venezuela.
• According to Forbes magazine, a substantial proportion of Latin American billionaires, 10 out of 26, were Mexican as of 2005.
• Mexico raises less revenue through taxation than nearly any other Latin American country, just 12 percent which is one reason why the nation's wealth is not better utilized. By comparison, the United States takes in 25-28 percent of its gross domestic profit in taxes. Even Brazil taxes itself at twice the Mexican rate.
• Economist Gary Hufbauer of the Institute for International Economics has remarked, "It's up to Mexico to solve its problem, and basically the wealthy classes do not want to tax themselves, period. While I'm not usually an advocate for larger government, Mexico is a country where public investment, done wisely, could pay huge dividends."
• Mexico expert Prof. George Grayson of William and Mary College calls Mexico an "immensely wealthy nation."
• Mexico's economy is the world's tenth largest.
• When the ruling party needed a hefty sum for the 1994 election, Presidente Salinas leaned on a group of rich businessmen to write $25 million checks each at an infamous dinner party, where contributions totaled a staggering $750 million by evening's end. Compare that with the measly $150 million campaign chest in spring 2004 that President Bush had accumulated after three years in office.
• Freedom House notes the cost of corruption: "According a recent study by the Mexico chapter of Transparency International, some $2.3 billion-approximately 1 percent-of the country's economic production goes to officials in bribes, with the poorest families paying nearly 14 percent of their income in bribes."
• Ricas y Famosas — Rich and Famous is a book of photos that takes a peek at the hidden world of the Mexican ultra-rich. Photographer Daniela Rossell used her membership in the exclusive club to reveal the decadent lifestyles of blonde women in gold lamé. It is a shocking view of the most extreme ostentatious wealth among great poverty.
• Sure Things in Mexico: Death, Taxes and Evasion According the recent rankings released from the IMD International, the Switzerland-based International Institute for Management Development placed Mexico at 56 out of 60 economies examined, largely because of a dearth of investment in everything from infrastructure to education. Due to its pathetic tax collection, Mexico cannot even buy schoolbooks or pay its police enough to live on, much less invest in its future.
• Lou Dobbs Tonight Transcript (12/16/04) The CNN news show shines a light on Mexican wealth. Particularly noteworthy is Prof. Grayson's remark: "There is a small economic elite who live like maharajas, and there's a political elite that protects them. Our border provides an escape valve which really lets the Mexican political and economic elite off the hook in terms of providing opportunities for their own people."
• While US Focuses on Iraq, Mexico is Collapsing June, 2005, and the symptoms of Mexico's failure as a state are accumulating. The recent takeover of border city Nuevo Laredo by the Mexican army because of the breakdown in law and order was so obvious.
Interestingly, Defense chief Donald Rumsfeld is guided by a secret Pentagon report which identifies Mexico as a potential failed state in the making.
For more, read "Mexico's Rich Don't Like To Pay Taxes — They Think You Should."
PS. There are linked references at the site.
Good post.
Is there a list of all countries we send money to and the amounts?
already p.o.ed. Always looking for new reasons.
There's Carlos Slim, and then there's Tijeras Carlos Slim.
that $20 bill was in remittances. Mondy sent home to Mexico from the U.S. by mexicans in the U.S.
But yes, since we (taxpayers) pay for all their social services, mexicans can send their money home. In a round about way it is still foreign aid.
I wonder if just taking several polls of the Mexican citizens on the question "Would you like to see Mexico become 30 or so states of the U.S.?" would cause Vincente to ponder the course of his country.
what's even more rich is the campesinos who comes to the USA to eek it out have much love and pride for their corrupt failed country. They wave around the flag of the country that spit them out. What a crock.
So let me get this straight. When American politicians talk about taxing citizens as "investment" in "infrastructure", we're (rightly) mad as hornets. But when it's Mexico we're talking about, we're all in favor of socialism...
Nope, still doesn't make sense to me.
I got it now. :)
Mexicans do not pay taxes---period! They won't here, either. They will, however, collect everything allowed after "amnesty". Along with the millions of relatives they'll now be allowed to send for.
Why would we want to allow the creation of another divisive entitlement group with special rights in this country? They shouldn't even be talking about amnesty without offering a return to Constitutional govt.
How much did he or his surrogates make to US politicos last couple of elections?
Quid pro quo trail to follow?
This is not a conservative/socialist issue, this is a legal issue. The issue is whether they should be allowed to illegally export their poor to other countries? If they keep all of their citizens within their borders, they can tax themselves however they damn well please.
You obviously never been to Mexico.
Read somewhere that 13/17(?) families run Mexico, own most it etc etc .....Those stats seem 'hidden' nowadays...
I read somewhere that the 'record' for extended family that one anchor person was able to bring into the US stands at 150.
Comprende...??
politicians talk about taxing citizens as "investment" in "infrastructure...I personally do not mind paying taxes for roads, Armed forces or emergency services. I DO mind paying for education of someone else, welfare, health care for others, AIDs education, ACLU and other organizations, etc., etc., etc., and other countries' handouts. mexico can step up to the plate and tax their people for NEEDED projects, but they won't because we will do it for them.
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