Posted on 09/06/2001 10:41:31 PM PDT by Brian_Baldwin
Why I Love Vicente FoxI am very glad that President Vicente Fox addressed our U.S. Representatives today, because, though I already had an impression, albeit but a motif, of his dignified persona and was positive about his election and the administration he has brought his nation which he is trying to build as the new Mexico, now having heard him address our American representatives, as well as address both the citizens of the USA and Mexico, now I have a very accepting, and very positive opinion about him. I have come to understand him better, and why he is so important to the world and to the new Mexico. It became more clear to me now why it is very important that we do what we can to assist his chances of remaining in power in Mexico. Let us remember some of the past governments of Mexico, and then, consider, let us now look at him, this very handsome man, and consider that as difficult it would be to actually achieve the changes and hopes he has for Mexico, he is a true patriot of his nation and he has words that seem to want to reach out, to find some way to make these things come true.
I understand fully well, that when Fox addressed our Representatives, and spoke in both Spanish and English, that he was addressing his own people back in Mexico, and that he was trying to use the opportunity to firm up his administration and the chances of remaining in power in Mexico, which could be difficult due to the fact that the 6 percent growth will very likely not be sustained due to the down trend of the US economy. He is called opportunist for doing so. For this he was criticized, but I do not criticize him for using the opportunity in such a manner, because I appreciate more how very, very important the momentum of this change is, with such an historical figure as him, to really uplift the true spirit of Mexico, a spirit which will lift Mexico above some of it's most difficult problems and inspire the ethos of it's past achievements. It is not easy for me to disagree with some of those who I support who vocally abused him for addressing our representative in Spanish, but again, I do not criticize Vicente Fox for using this opportunity to uplift his administration before his own people, because it is very, very important that his administration remain in power and be successful in it's dreams. And so, by using this opportunity to uplift his administration before his own people, if he find success by doing so, all the better. I am sorry if this may upset some for my saying so, but I think I understand how very important is this man having now listened to him respectfully, and I think this was a great moment for our nation as well. While I remain absolutely opposed to any amnesty program, and remain rightfully suspicious of any 'migrant' workers program which in the forms it has been presented to date would in no way, despite the rhetoric, ever be regulated nor even possible to administer or regulate, I will say at risk of angering those who I support, those who I count myself aligned with and to whom I consider my allegiance to, the following. And that is, even beyond what I have already made comment on regarding why I now understand why it is so very important that Vicente Fox be seen as successful to his own people, and remain an administration in office for years to come in Mexico, I think I now understand what he means about trust.
My Spanish is very poor, but of the little that I could understand, there was no question that he is going to try to bring an end to corruption, to turn around the poverty and inequality, and the way he wants to do this is through spirit. Spirit probably sells for next to nothing on the gold exchange, and when you try to put spirit down in ink on the paperwork of a government plan, that's a pretty hard thing to do. When you have little other options, or even when you have all the best options, spirit is a way, and it is a proven way. I want Mr. Fox to achieve, I respect his dignity, and I truly hope that he can keep this spirit, grow this spirit, for Mexico.
I am a far right wing nationalist. More are coming to this fold, I am not alone, and we are growing day by day in America. The betrayals by Bush, betrayals to what so many thought he stood for when he campaigned, add more and more common Americans to what is now becoming the 'nationalist' fold every day, and perhaps our disappointments in Bush, what we see as the betrayals, perhaps it is all our own fault in that we were mistaken and put some of our own ideations and collective hopes for many conservative agendas and drapped them over Bush, clothed him into something he is not. Perhaps he is, in fact, a compassionate conservative, and his compassion is something that makes him do things we just don't like. Whatever the reason is, and whether it is the fault of the people themselves or political leaders, I don't care, it isn’t going to change my increasingly vocal and political rhetoric and what is happening in America with a growing sense of, and desire for, 'self-rule' from the liberal and elite establishment by the workers and common people that goes beyond a party such as the Democratic or Republican party. Nor will any of this, even the admirable address of Mr. Fox change any of that.
But, I hope I can say that I count myself a friend of Vicente Fox. I truly hope so.
And, I want to say something that is rather too personal, and perhaps not appropriate to this discussion. And that is, I love the farmers, and especially I have a fondness for the fields that are the vineyards of the world, which grow the wine grapes, and I love to walk in those vineyards, I even grow them myself, and I love to take those wine grapes, though made for the drink, but take them raw by the hand and eat them and crush them and drink the grape juice. I love the people who work the grapes, who pick the grapes. Of course, that means I love many Mexican migrants who are part of that dirt, and those fields, and those grapes. The benefits of mechanical harvest are wonderful - that doesn't change how I love many so-called migrants. Vicente Fox said that migrants have enriched the cultural life of the land. Of course, not all migrants have, and in many states illegal aliens make up as much as 30 percent of those in our prisons, and cost our society and taxpayers excessive expense, and I would argue that in some cases the costs to society far out way the benefits. That doesn't change a damn thing about the truth in how the cultural life, a culture which I count myself as part of, has become something I love and something which Mexicans who have come here have enriched.
When I pick up something that I may buy, let us say a simple straw hat, and I look at the label - if it says "Made in China", well, honestly, I am repulsed. I put it down. I know very well that the oligarchs in our nation, or for that matter in many so-called industrial nations, have located their factories elsewhere, be in Central or South America, Sri Lanka, Timbuktu. So even if the label says 'Sri Lanka', perhaps American workers have been displaced, perhaps the workers in Sri Lanka are being used by the industrialists - but, if it says "Made in China", I think of my money going to a Red Chinese missile. If it says "Made in Mexico", I understand the issues regarding global trade, and I would prefer "Made in America". But it makes me feel good to see it say "Made in Mexico"- why? Because it didn't say "Made in China", that's why. Understand? Ok, perhaps you don't understand. Perhaps you do.
Democracy and tolerance. That is what Vicente said. He said he wants to bring this as a future legacy for Mexico. I believe he does. But he knows that because of economics, the old regime could return to Mexico. He knows this is up to the people of Mexico to give time, to bring the hope, that he can help bring spirit, but it is still the people who could also bring back the old regime. And the way, the only way this is going to fall apart is if Mexico and America can't understand each other, and we have to trust. So, I am starting to understand now, and I think I can learn to trust.
Every few days, our neighborhood is visited by more than one ice cream vendor. Three come by motor vehicle. One comes by foot, pushing a cart, and ringing a bell. The one who comes by foot is a Mexican who knows some English, at least we can communicate. We always buy from him. Why? Because we feel sorry for him? No. Because he is like so many 'village' people from Mexico - good, a good man. We buy from him, and the ice cream is always the best. And he never cheats by charging the higher price the others may - never.
There is a lady by the roadside, she sells statues. Beautiful things - Roman gods, Virgin Mary or saints, chickens and other farm animals in plaster, a bird bath or a painted donkey. Beautiful things - we always buy from her, the best things, the best price, the things that over time you cherish and become part of your culture. She is a Mexican. And, yes, she takes checks. When the checks are cashed, the account always shows the same amount that I wrote them for. Every time.
Circumstances could change in Mexico. The old regime could come back. Circumstances could change in the world. Mexico could become more prosperous - maybe about the time we are about to fight a war with China. Maybe we could use Mexico and the armies of Mexico as our fighting allies - they never have been so in the past, but that doesn't mean things can change. And they do change.
I welcome those who legally immigrate. I also welcome what Mexicans have brought to our culture, because whatever that culture is, I live in that culture and I like it. And, I wish President Vicente Fox the best, I wish him victory for his goals and his people. I wish the best relations, even more today because of him, between America and Mexico. And I think trade with Canada and Mexico are much more important than trade with China. Much more important. I think prosperity for the people and the government of Mexico is much more important than the prosperity of the Red Chinese military.
The direct family of Vicente Fox is from America, and his fathers business was here in America. And Vicente Fox went to school in America. There is no anger in Vicente Fox when he talks about America. There is a reason for this. I get angry a lot. I can literally eat the anger. But one can only eat so much food as one can digest. There is a limit.
Thats right, you gotta make sure that Mexican isn't stealing from you. Make sure you check every time too. She might slip one by you, if you don't pay attention.
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