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I am a conservative Repub (not many of us left) and I have been living in Mexico full time for 1.5 years. I bought a vacation home in Baja and started coming down 4 years ago. Lots of Americans living in Baja. We love the beautiful ocean and temp, and the slower pace. We moved here before the escalation in violence and the economy downslide. The violence has been isolated to TJ and the cartels. Most of us feel that if we don't get involved in drugs we should be OK. If the violence escalates against Americans there will be a full exodus. We Americans support the economy and Baja would collapse if we left. I have talked to educated Mexicans and they don't seem to think the Govt will collapse. They adapt to the slower economy and have always had problems with the political parties. Everything is run out of Mexico City. Very centralized and the 3 major parties fight for control of Mexico City. The Baja politicians are fighting the cartels the best they can. It is very hard to clean up the police force, since the Cartels pay more and get them their paychecks on time. The recent Washington DC money that will start this year could help collapse the cartels. Remember it took Columbia 20 years to get rid of the cartels and were only successful when the US got involved. The demand for drugs is heavy in the US. The US is not immune from it's own drug wars. I remember reading that last summer, 38 killings in Detroit in one weekend. It is easy to point fingers about Mexico corruption. Corruption is open here. In the USA it is called pork barrel and taxation. Taxes are low here and govt does not try to over regulate with stupid laws, like smoking in public places, etc. Unfortunately, we can't own guns to protect ourselves. I think the USA will collapse under socialism before Mexico. These people have seen it all before and will survive. Can you imagine what a major black out in LA would do? Or if the USA went without TV for a week. Many complex issues, but I love the people. They have a good attitude about life. I came here for the weather but have stayed for the Christian mission work that is needed here.