[Alkhin]

Wow - if this is true, then I can take heart that Mexico has something good in Calderon - especially if Calderon is a Free Enterprise advocate. And my first thought was that if Chavez hates him enough to be such an idiot and start insulting him, Calderon IS a good leader for Mexico.

I hope Calderon is with Mexico for a long time, long enough to lift restrictions for the small business man in Mexico. THAT is one of the things that needs to happen down there. Then maybe the flow northwards will lessen...

[StJacques]

". . . I hope Calderon is with Mexico for a long time, long enough to lift restrictions for the small business man in Mexico. . . ."

Calderon has launched a broad-based attack upon state monopolies in Mexico. I mentioned the oil monopoly (Pemex) above; he has also targeted the national electricity monopoly and is seeking to enhance competition in the telecommunications industry.

All of those taken together probably do less to encourage small business than the financial reforms he is pushing. Mexico made a lot of progress under Vicente Fox in creating transparency in its banking system, but they did not do very much to make capital available -- and "available" on a credit worthy basis -- to small businessmen around the country. Calderon is pushing for the expansion of what he has described as "retail" banking, which focuses upon spreading banking and financial services around Mexico so that they are accessible on a broad basis.