Americans hope Calderon will foster strengthened ties with Mexico

The Dallas Morning News ^ | Fri, Dec. 01, 2006 | Laurence Iliff and Alfredo Corchado

[A. Pole]

MEXICO CITY - The inauguration of President Felipe Calderon provides new opportunities, not just for a country struggling with crime and poverty, but also for Texas leaders and businesses hoping to expand trade and make new political connections.

Among the many U.S. dignitaries who came to see the transition of power were Dallas Mayor Laura Miller, Texas Gov. Rick Perry, and former President George Bush. Their presence underscored the importance of the relationship between the two countries, but also the challenges ahead as the two nations grapple with rising crime along the border, illegal immigration and the prospect of a border wall - a plan that has generated bad will among Mexicans, including Calderon.

Perry said the incoming Calderon administration offers a chance to start anew.

"I think we've got an opportunity in front of us to temper the language about immigration. We need to clearly continue to work to secure the border, from those who are criminals who would do harm to the citizens of our respective states," Perry said. "I hope we see less political rhetoric and more political action."

Rob Allyn, president of the Dallas-based public relations firm Allyn & Company, led a delegation of some 40 Texas companies. Allyn had a consulting contract with the outgoing Mexican administration.

Among the Texas business representatives were the former chief executive of Dallas-based 7-Eleven Inc., Jim Keyes, and executives from Mary Kay Inc. and Hunt Oil Co.

Allyn said no one in the delegation was taken aback by the opposition protests or the heavy police presence, given the United States' own political turmoil during the 2000 presidential race.

"The Texans and the Mexicans who were present basically viewed it as political street theater; there was no apprehension or fear," said Allyn. "The most important result for the Texans was an orderly transfer of power."

That, he said, will continue to make Mexico a great place for U.S. investment. He pointed out that Texas' biggest trading partner is Mexico, and vice-versa.

Mexico's economy is expanding strongly this year, he noted. "People are doing so well in Mexico right now, and there is huge investor interest from the U.S. right now and especially from Texas."

Perry agreed, pointing to the high-level official U.S. delegation - including former President Bush, U.S. Ambassador Tony Garza, and two Cabinet officials, Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez and Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez. Mr. Perry said their participation sent a "powerful message."

Also among the dignitaries was California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

"Having the nation's two largest state governors here, neighborly states with Mexico, I think speaks volumes about the future of Mexico," Perry said. "They are our No. 1 trading partners. We are married to each other figuratively and literally. . . We are inextricably intertwined, economically and otherwise."

[A. Pole]

"We are married to each other figuratively and literally. . . We are inextricably intertwined, economically and otherwise."

[TheCrusader]

"Their presence underscored the importance of the relationship between the two countries, but also the challenges ahead as the two nations grapple with rising crime along the border"

Somehow I just don't see Bush "grappling" with the border issues, I see him snoozing and counting illegal Mexicans instead of sheep. I see him literally fostering illegal immigration, 'grappling' only with amnesty for the invaders, while arrogantly ignoring the high crime rate these illegals bring to the U.S. with them.

[Clintonfatigued]

Calderon's narrow victory shows that Mexico is politically divided, in some ways parellel to our own nation's division, although not identical. Calderon swept most of northern Meixco, even running well in neighborhoods historically supportive of left-leaning parties. But he was badly defeated in the southern part of the nation, to the point of polling less-than-expected in affluent areas thought to be supportive of him.

[BW2221]

"The inauguration of President Felipe Calderon provides new opportunities, not just for a country struggling with crime and poverty ..."

The Mexicans are well on their way to solving these problems (crime and poverty) by exporting them to the United States.

[Old Professer]

I thought we already had trade; they send us their human garbage, we send them a piece of their paychecks.

[WilliamofCarmichael]

If he keeps the National Council for Mexican Communities Abroad, Vicente Fox's department for governing Mexicans in America -- including attempts to govern American citizens of Mexican ancestry -- then he can pound salt!

BTW, we are America. The United States of America has always been America.

A corrupt, government-created cesspool can never be America.

America is about (LEGAL!) immigration, Mexicorruption compels its citizens to leave, to get out!

[CAWats]

including attempts to govern American citizens of Mexican ancestry --

When I saw that statement I was astonished to say the least. Those Mexican dirtbags better not even think of governing me! (Can you say armed to the teeth?)

[WilliamofCarmichael]

I am replying only because I wish to support my reply above.

I understand that you did not question it. Because others may question it I submit these as just a couple of sources in many.

http://www.indiana.edu/~jah/mexico/rfigueroa.html

Here one will find that "recent constitutional reforms . . . provide that Mexican nationality is not lost as a result of obtaining a second nationality . . . When two countries share large groups of population, both governments share the responsibility for them." [end]

http://www.pbs.org/pov/pov2003/thesixthsection/special_mexican.html

One of the most effective means that Mexico maintains the loyalty of its citizens beyond borders (and attempts to attract Americans of Mexican heritage) is the home town association network in the U.S. [end]

http://www.zedillo.presidencia.gob.mx/welcome/PAGES/library/od_mexcommunities.html

"To date, the population of Mexican descent living in the United States represents 20% of the population of Mexico; it is estimated that, by the year 2050, this percentage will have grown to 39% . . . The Program for Mexican Communities Abroad has been carrying out, for seven years now, activities to promote greater closeness with our countrymen who reside abroad . . . ."

Fox continued this program and I believe is the one who created the National Council for Mexican Communities Abroad that coordinates the various Mexican government agencies and their agents residing in the U.S. The purpose is to teach and build loyalty to Mexican language, history, culture; and, to benefit Mexico as much as possible. [End]

As Heather MacDonald said, "Mexican leaders have . . . tasked their nation’s U.S. consulates with spreading Mexican culture into American schools and communities. . . Since 1990, Mexico has embarked on a series of initiatives to import Mexican culture into the U.S. Mexico’s five-year development plan in 1995 announced that the 'Mexican nation extends beyond . . . its border' -- into the United States. Accordingly, the government would 'strengthen solidarity programs with the Mexican communities abroad by emphasizing their Mexican roots, and supporting literacy programs in Spanish and the teaching of the history, values, and traditions of our country.'"

As noted above, it ain't just Mexican citizens living in the U.S. legally or ILLEGALLY -- they are after Amercians, too! To wit, official policy of the Mexican government: "Mexican nationality is not lost as a result of obtaining a second nationality."

[CAWats]

The Program for Mexican Communities Abroad has been carrying out, for seven years now, activities to promote greater closeness with our countrymen who reside abroad . . . ."

Americans (those born in the U.S.) of Mexican decent are not their "countrymen." By definition, only someone born in your country can be your countryman. Period.


To me the statement "the Mexican Nation extends beyond the territory contained within its borders"; does not mean that the country of Mexico extends beyond the borders.

It's sort of like the phrase "El Pueblo de Israel" does not refer to the nation of Israel but refers to the Church; also called The body of Christ.

Likewise I think the term "Mexican Nation" as used here refers to people from Mexico and in that sense - if there were Mexicans living in, say for the sake of argument, Croatia then "the Mexican Nation" would extend to Croatia.

As for the paragraph:

To date, the population of Mexican descent living in the United States represents 20% of the population of Mexico; it is estimated that, by the year 2050, this percentage will have grown to 39%.

who gives a rat's rear end? It's a lot of mumbo jumbo talk - the same crap I heard from the Chicano Student Union back in 1968-69 at Chabot College in Hayward CA.

I'm not going to worry about those A-holes.

[EDINVA]

It is hard to see how anything will be solved until Mexico within its borders is no longer a failed state, but actually has economic prosperity, not the illusion of it.

[Kimberly GG]

Did you read this in a previous artile...just thought I'd mention....

"And so the third-world conversion of America continues. A friend of mine in southern California recently watched her once predominantly white neighborhood become 85% mestizo. Crime has increased 700%, HIV 800%, and the school board recently removed all “white authors” from the reading list. Yes, they have actively been removing all white authors from the schools, and it is also commonplace for mestizos to demand the removal of all “European elements” from their liturgy."...

I believe that all you have described is part of the OBL plan for a North American Union. And I believe it is no mistake that Calderone was elect so that all that has been invested in this agenda, will continue to move forward. Just my opinion. I also believe that in order to advance this 'merger', President Bush will validate the presence of illegal aliens in this country by offering them as a solution to expanding our military, rather than a draft. It will been done to justify the need for aliens who will enlist to do the jobs American's won't. I believe that's what is coming down the pike. And I believe the anti-war, anti-drafters will buy into it as a solution, shifting the polls to the greater support of the illegal aliens, exactly as they intend. If this happens, it will be as if we are being told, accept the aliens, or I'll start a draft. It's much the same threat as made here, "in order to secure our borders, we MUST have comprehensive immigration reform". Does it feel like blackmail to you? JMO

[WilliamofCarmichael]

I think that you make an excellent (and scary) point.

If the military accepts ILLEGAL aliens then that will have the effect of "shifting the polls to the greater support of the illegal aliens, exactly as they intend". It would be a big "if" if the military had a choice.

The military has always welcomed LEGAL immigrants as far back as I can remember to when I enlisted in the late 1950s. It's a great tradition.

But ILLEGAL aliens? No! Let the immigrant demonstrate that he/she truly respects our Republic to reside here legally.

But I don't know how to stop the "cheap" labor connivery -- the Clinton pukes forced all kinds of PC stuff on our military. Only the Marines fought back to any extent.

The paragraph about the lady in southern California reminds me of why I refuse to listen to some clown "judge" that fills in for Bill O'Reilly's radio show. A caller described exactly the same conditions and the clown judge started calling her a racist-bigot and continued doing that for several minutes after he terminated her call.

[Kimberly GG]

Perhaps they will change things up a bit...perhaps they will fast track the process and give them citizenship upon joining? Then they will be 'legal'... I read that they will take convicted felons!! as long as they only have one conviction! And how in the world are they going to screen for 'illegal' terrorists? I thought it was much more difficult than that to enlist these days? But if it happens Americans will be relieved of a draft and will then back and support the pro-illegal movement. Clever, clever.