Ruben Navarrette Jr.: 'Mexicrats'

San Diego Union-Tribune via SacBee ^ | 3/31/8 | Ruben Navarrette Jr.

[SmithL]

s a Mexican American, nothing tends to make me feel less Mexican and more American than spending time with an official of the Mexican government.

It's been my experience over many years of interviewing and writing about these "Mexicrats" that most come from the privileged class with life experiences far removed from those of average Mexicans and even further removed from the millions of Mexicans who head north in search of better lives.

As such, these officials hearken back to an earlier generation of dignitaries who couldn't have cared less about people like my grandfather who came to this country as a young boy. If there is a power struggle going on in Mexico between haves and have-nots, as many people suggest is the case, then I'm rooting for the latter.

And so, it's not often that I find a Mexican official who seems fair, reasonable and insightful. Maria de los Remedios Gomez Arnau, the newly installed Mexican consul general in San Diego, fits the bill.

A few weeks ago, Gomez met with the editorial board of The San Diego Union-Tribune. Topics of discussion included recent outbreaks of violence along the border, the drug war, trade and -- oh yes -- immigration. There was plenty of agreement, but also areas where we disagreed. In the end, people from different countries will see the world differently.

While stressing the "interconnection" of the United States and Mexico and the fact that there are two sides to every issue confronting the two countries, Gomez framed immigration as a global labor supply issue.

"We need to recognize," she said, "both that there are migrant workers needed here in the U.S. labor market while Mexico, and other countries that participate in the U.S. labor market, have the supply of those workers...

[ElPatriota]

...It's been my experience over many years of interviewing and writing about these "Mexicrats" that most come from the privileged class with life experiences far removed from those of average Mexicans and even further removed from the millions of Mexicans who head north in search of better lives....

What a SWEET deal for the Mexican oligarchy!... Mexico it is truly a beautiful country... great weather... two oceans washing its coasts... but BEST OF ALL... All the social problems of the poor is exported to the us!... isn't hat a great deal or what? :)

Even we have poor people... But think for a moment if we could send them all to Canada! :)... Would not that be lovely?

[HiJinx]

Supply and Demand Ping?