BajaNomad - rich and poor in mexico

rich and poor in mexico

mtgoat666 - 4-20-2011 at 11:25 AM

In wealthy Mexico City area, hard workers at street level
The richest man on the planet lives in Mexico, as do millions of people existing below the poverty line. Yet rich and poor repeatedly intersect, entangled in a routine of mutual sustenance.

By Tracy Wilkinson, Los Angeles Times
April 19, 2011, 5:32 p.m.
Reporting from Mexico City— Lomas de Chapultepec, a neighborhood of huge homes behind high stone and brick walls, wakes up each morning to the sound of sweeping.

As the dawn's dark fades to light, servants emerge from behind gates and, with witches' brooms, brush away the leaves and twigs and lavender jacaranda petals that have fallen overnight.

Maids in pastel uniforms, security guards, gardeners and chauffeurs — these are the public denizens of this super-rich enclave. The actual homeowners and permanent residents are rarely seen.

Of Mexico's many contradictions, one stands out. The richest man on the planet lives in Mexico, as do millions of people existing below the poverty line. Yet rich and poor repeatedly intersect, entangled in a routine of mutual survival, of class-based enabling.

The rich sustain their comfortable lives thanks in part to an endless supply of cheap support staff. That in turn guarantees employment — albeit substandard — for legions of working-class Mexicans.

A study issued this month by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development found that Mexicans work the longest days of people in any of the 30 countries studied by the global organization. Yet Mexicans remain among the developed world's poorest.

Mexicans dedicate about 10 hours a day (Mexican women work longer than men) to "paid and unpaid work." That's about an hour more on average than the Japanese; Belgians work the least, the OECD says.

David Martinez runs a food stand on a corner of a particularly lovely section of Lomas de Chapultepec. He and his father before him have been here more than 25 years.

Martinez sets up on the sidewalk under the shade of Lomas' Lebanon Street, against the bougainvillea-covered walls that conceal the houses. Next to him is the man who sells firewood out the back of a battered blue pickup, year-round.

The 33-year-old Martinez travels to Lomas, on the western edge of Mexico City, from his home on the eastern side. Two and a half hours each way: a five-hour daily commute: "It was six yesterday because of the rain," he said. His mother and sister-in-law start cooking every day at 3 a.m., and he heads for Lomas with the food at 5. Long hours to earn a handful of pesos.

"What else can I do?" he asks.

From late morning to late afternoon, Martinez family members dish out tortillas filled with rice, beans, chicken cutlets and hard-boiled eggs from steaming metal pots. They serve a steady clientele of people who work in the neighborhood; only rarely do the permanent residents partake.

"We get a little bit of everything as customers," he said. "There are office employees and construction workers. And a lot of bodyguards."

Some of the bodyguards eat at the Martinez food stand while their charges dine a block away at the Cafe O, known for its power breakfasts and Ladies Who Lunch.

Carlos Slim, the telecommunications tycoon ranked by Forbes as the world's richest man, has a house here in Lomas — at least the house he most often shows journalists. And Diego Fernandez de Cevallos, the powerbroker and kingmaker notoriously kidnapped last year, returned to his mansion on a Lomas corner after his release.

A half block from Martinez, Roberto Santana Santos, 60, is another neighborhood fixture. He repairs bicycles, having inherited the storefront business from his father, who started it 75 years ago. At the beginning, they repaired bikes for the milkman and the newspaper boy and all the other deliverymen who conducted their business on bicycles. But their operation evolved, and today it's the rich who bring their souped-up mountain bikes and other fancy rides to Santana for realignments, wheel adjustments and other repairs.

Slight and silver-haired, Santana has become something of a neighborhood historian. He remembers when parts of Lomas were fields and parkland, where the mansions now stand.

Santana puts in 12-hour days, before riding home five miles away, on his bike. Business is brisk, especially on Saturdays. Residents stop by, driving up in their SUVs, to pick up or leave off a bike. They exchange friendly greetings with Santana. Sometimes, they stop in for a soft drink, he says.

Out of Lomas, the intersection changes. "If they see me somewhere else, in a restaurant or at a theater," he said, "they pretend they don't know me."

DENNIS - 4-20-2011 at 11:40 AM

So....what's the point of this...article? Rich people have big houses and the less wealthy work for them?
Oh yeah....there's a bicycle shop down the street.

I wonder how long it took this scribe/detective to figure all this out.

mtgoat666 - 4-20-2011 at 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS
So....what's the point of this...article? Rich people have big houses and the less wealthy work for them?
Oh yeah....there's a bicycle shop down the street.

I wonder how long it took this scribe/detective to figure all this out.

dennis,
what is the point of anything? do you prefer to read only threads about Pompy's ramblings through Mulege's bars and Nomads pampering of the their dogs? Perhaps another thread about fishing, or another review of Baja Cactus by DK?

So what points do you prefer, Denny?

comitan - 4-20-2011 at 11:54 AM

Pompy's ramblings & Russ's pictures !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DENNIS - 4-20-2011 at 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mtgoat666
So what points do you prefer, Denny?

If you would post some hard core porn, it would be an answer to a lot of people's prayers, as in Adiós. :lol:

Jes kiddin'.

bajafam - 4-20-2011 at 12:29 PM

He prefers a thread where he can bash someone for anything/nothing.

BajaBlanca - 4-20-2011 at 12:35 PM

I enjoyed reading about Lomas de Chapultepec - when we were in Mexico City, we went thru the neighborhood probably - without noticing all these interesting characters...when we go back at the end of the year, I am going to look them up !!

and maybe ask the bicycle guy for some donations.

I never give up trying to get stuff for these kids - I am known for my stobbornness :spingrin:

monoloco - 4-20-2011 at 01:20 PM

I have to admit that this is more interesting than the beer thread.

Tbone - 4-20-2011 at 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mtgoat666

Quote:

I vote for Pomps Romps any day over goats latest statement of the obvious. or most anything else that's been posted here lately.

SteveD - 4-20-2011 at 01:50 PM

Although it's not the point of the story, having enormous wealth in Mexico is not that great concerning your personal freedoms. The super rich have to hide behind high walls and gates in exclusive communities with constant protection from bodyguards. Fear of being kidnaped keeps them prisoners in their own houses. I'm sure I'll be hearing from some of you that being rich is better than being poor, but for some of us having the freedom to go where you want when you want is very important. I've always felt even less restricted in Baja, one of the reasons for coming here all these years.

DENNIS - 4-20-2011 at 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajafam
He prefers a thread where he can bash someone for anything/nothing.

Hey there sweetie....glad to see you're still up to your snapper in coexistance.
Since you seem to have so much meaningless time on your hands, perhaps you should take up writing. Maybe a book....or an illustrated manual. Something like, "Whelping in Baja as an alternative to the Fideicomiso."
Automatic best seller....depending on graphic photos, of course.
We'll be looking for ya on Oprah. :cool:

bajafam - 4-20-2011 at 02:25 PM

Oh good. For a minute I thought you were ignoring me.
My day is complete, dear.
I'll mail you the first copy, signed of course. My mom will be thrilled that I am putting my writing degree to good use.
FWIW, the bajafam Mexico property IS in our son's name because it's his; and no fideo necessary. Thanks little dood! Not only did we save some cash by having you in Mexico, we saved thousands on the prop too!

Cypress - 4-20-2011 at 02:35 PM

Rich and poor in Mexico? Or anyplace else. This is a no brainer. Yep! I'd rather be rich than poor in Mexico or anyplace else in the world. So what's the point. Anybody got a solution?

DENNIS - 4-20-2011 at 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajafam
Oh good. For a minute I thought you were ignoring me.

I tried. You wouldn't allow it. Do you get off on this kind of stuff?
Anyway....since you have a card carrying member of the Mexican Party in your bag of tricks, perhaps you should enroll him in one of the Cartel Montessori Schools. Give him a cutting edge education....so to speak.
He'll be forever grateful.

bajafam - 4-20-2011 at 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS
Do you get off on this kind of stuff?

Funny I was going to ask you the same thing.

tiotomasbcs - 4-20-2011 at 03:02 PM

I found the article a reminder of how lucky I am, for many reasons! Now, break out the boxing gloves; Michelle no Belle vs Dennis the Menace. Such diversity. I preferred the Beer thread, Mono. but this has some degrading prospects!

Tio

mtgoat666 - 4-20-2011 at 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SteveD
Although it's not the point of the story, having enormous wealth in Mexico is not that great concerning your personal freedoms. The super rich have to hide behind high walls and gates in exclusive communities with constant protection from bodyguards. Fear of being kidnaped keeps them prisoners in their own houses. I'm sure I'll be hearing from some of you that being rich is better than being poor, but for some of us having the freedom to go where you want when you want is very important. I've always felt even less restricted in Baja, one of the reasons for coming here all these years.

money can't buy me love! but it can buy all the toys and sex a man could want!

i am amused when people say it is "horrible burden" or "confining" to be rich. hogwash!

El Jefe - 4-20-2011 at 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cypress
Rich and poor in Mexico? Or anyplace else. This is a no brainer. Yep! I'd rather be rich than poor in Mexico or anyplace else in the world. So what's the point. Anybody got a solution?

The solution is quite simple. Tax the hell out of the rich and redistribute it to the poor in the form of health care, food programs, old age benefits etc.

The USA is headed in the same direction as Mexico. A very rich minority controlling everything and a lower class brainwashed to believe that's just the way it is.

Revolution! Power to the people, right on!! Oh, just don't touch my retirement check.

DENNIS - 4-20-2011 at 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tiotomasbcs

Michelle

but this has some degrading prospects!

Tio

What's a Michelle? Is that French for Sweetie?? Must be.

Some degrading prospects????? Only Some????? OK....I'll kick it up a bit. Any job worth doing is worth doing well, ya know.

As for gloves....those of choice for my main event with Sweetie are pure Latex. I'll have to order a case.

I'm appointing you Quality Control Officer over all that transpires in the future, Tio. Your former "Some" evaluation is most upsetting. :lol:

Cypress - 4-20-2011 at 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by El Jefe

Quote:

The solution is quite simple. Tax the hell out of the rich and redistribute it to the poor in the form of health care, food programs, old age benefits etc.
Oh, just don't touch my retirement check.

David K - 4-20-2011 at 03:43 PM

Oh yah... and the rich will just sit around producing so that the lazy can get their money for doing nothing! That will last!

Seriously, I have never worked for a 'poor' person... I like rich people... they buy things, and hire the rest of us... so we can earn our income and be free... not have it stolen from them with oppresive taxes and handed to us (Robin Hood?)... to keep us loyal to the government for the handouts!

Chase away the rich to other places by doing that... and then where will the money come from??? No rich folks to hire poor and no rich folks to tax... what is left... nada...

Cypress - 4-20-2011 at 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
Oh yah... and the rich will just sit around producing so that the lazy can get their money for doing nothing! That will last!

Seriously, I have never worked for a 'poor' person... I like rich people... they buy things, and hire the rest of us... so we can earn our income and be free... not have it stolen from them with oppresive taxes and handed to us (Robin Hood?)... to keep us loyal to the government for the handouts!
Chase away the rich to other places by doing that... and then where will the money come from??? No rich folks to hire poor and no rich folks to tax... what is left... nada...

DENNIS - 4-20-2011 at 03:52 PM

Rich....Poor....who cares. They wouldn't even exist without each other. It's the natural order of things.
Skinny---Fat
Tall---Short
Smart---Stoopid
Sweetie---Sweetie
Early---Late
Repub---Demo
Capitalist---Commie
Wild---Tame

Well...you get the idea---or not.

bajafam - 4-20-2011 at 03:55 PM

DENNIS, I'm flattered.
I'm OOAK

shucks.

DENNIS - 4-20-2011 at 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajafam

I'm OOAK

You been hittin' the bottle again? You have to spika English if you want a meaningful dialog.

mtgoat666 - 4-20-2011 at 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS
Rich....Poor....who cares. They wouldn't even exist without each other. It's the natural order of things.
Skinny---Fat
Tall---Short
Smart---Stoopid
Sweetie---Sweetie
Early---Late
Repub---Demo
Capitalist---Commie
Wild---Tame

Well...you get the idea---or not.

i prefer rich, skinny, tall, demo, commie and wild.

Once Upon a Time; a story for your grandchildren

toneart - 4-20-2011 at 04:07 PM

No need to find a solution. The super-rich in the U.S. are being corralled as we speak. Soon they will be fully contained in their walled prisons. What if they called out for services and nobody responded?

Currency will be worthless.

Unlike Mexico, poor, middle class and lower wealthy Republican, Democrat, Tea Bagger sleepers, regardless of their ideology and how they voted, will wake up and realize that they/we are all in the "everyone else" category.

When the government, bank, corporate executive, union busting, deregulation-aided transfer of the wealth is completed (soon), the end game projection of greed will have been realized. This irony of ironies could be fun to watch.
:light:

mtgoat666 - 4-20-2011 at 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
I have never worked for a 'poor' person... I like rich people... they buy things, and hire the rest of us...

spoken like a good working class boy who knows his place, and most importantly knows to always use the servants entrance instead of the front door.

DENNIS - 4-20-2011 at 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mtgoat666
i prefer rich, skinny, tall, demo, commie and wild.

This is not a mix 'n match excercise. You have to get in your niche and stay there without being covetous. That breaks the 9th and 10th Commandments and you'll spend the rest of forever in Goat Hell. [Wait a minute. You might like that. :light:

]

DanO - 4-20-2011 at 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Originally posted by bajafam

I'm OOAK

You been hittin' the bottle again? You have to spika English if you want a meaningful dialog.

Acronym for One Of A Kind, I believe.

bajafam - 4-20-2011 at 04:31 PM

DENNIS ~ it means one of a kind.

monoloco - 4-20-2011 at 04:36 PM

http://www.zerohedge.com/article/guest-post-fundamental-inju...

bajafam - 4-20-2011 at 04:43 PM

.

DENNIS - 4-20-2011 at 04:45 PM

................................................STOP THAT........................................

DENNIS - 4-20-2011 at 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DanO
Acronym for One Of A Kind, I believe.

Very Valley Girl. Very Scarey.

Cypress - 4-20-2011 at 04:48 PM

Allow me to introduce myself. :lol:

bajafam - 4-20-2011 at 04:50 PM

SteveD - 4-20-2011 at 04:54 PM

I don't know how this got to be a "Rich vs. Poor" issue. I only wanted to point out that being super rich in Mexico has problems. However, I would like to try being rich in the South of France!

The Rich in the US are not the problem. US company CEO's, CFO's etc. are the problem. They pay themselves big salaries (screw the stockholders) without improving the companies they work for. In the last 20 years I have worked at three companys that were destroyied by the CEO's. One took only 3 years to bankrupt a company that had been in business for 35 years. (He got $3 million, we lost our jobs)

As for being rich enabling you to buy sex, Jack Parr once commented on rick person getting married for the seventh time: "You can't buy happieness but it looks like you can rent it!"

David K - 4-20-2011 at 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mtgoat666

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
I have never worked for a 'poor' person... I like rich people... they buy things, and hire the rest of us...

spoken like a good working class boy who knows his place, and most importantly knows to always use the servants entrance instead of the front door.

Unlike you, I don't expect my neighbors to pay for my life... I believe in the value of people to exchange freely their goods and services without government standing in the way or taking from those who produce to give to those who do not.

Government does not create wealth, it can only take it away.

The purpose of government is to only do those things which cannot be done better by private enterprise... When government oversteps its constitutional guidelines, then the free nation we grew up in is gone... this is what is happening now, and both political groups can share the blame... one for breaking the constitution and the other for allowing it to happen!

David K - 4-20-2011 at 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajafam

Wonderful... I can feel the love here on Nomad! :light:

bajafam - 4-20-2011 at 05:32 PM

Doesn't it just make you feel all warm and fuzzy? and rich! I feel, warm, fuzzy and rich because I know that DENNIS hearts Sweetie. Awwww...

bajamigo - 4-20-2011 at 05:34 PM

Quote:

And don't forget, they have to drive those awful bullet-proof Audi A-8's all the way to their custom tailors. Just breaks your heart.
:no:

mcfez - 4-20-2011 at 05:56 PM

A man was riding in the back of his limousine when he saw a man eating grass by the roadside. He ordered his driver to stop and he got out to investigate.

“Why are you eating grass?” he asked the man.

“I don't have any money for food,” the poor man replied.

“Oh, please come to my house!”

“But sir, I have a wife and four children…”

“Bring them along!” the rich man said.

They all climbed into the limo. Once underway, the poor fellow said, “Sir, you are too kind. Thank you for taking all of us in.”

The rich man replied, “No, you don't understand. The grass at my house is over three feet tall!”

tiotomasbcs - 4-20-2011 at 06:18 PM

McFez, that was DK, always extending the poor a helping hand! Party Hat on Sweetie! Not my kind of Party but I'll be glad to officiate! So far, Dennis is ahead, AAooAAKK, , OMG or Whatever! This is better than the Beer thread. I thot Dad said no Politics or Religion? :rolleyes:

Tio

DENNIS - 4-20-2011 at 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tiotomasbcs
AAooAAKK

OK....someone splain this one. You guys are all talking code.
Is Dano still here? He knows all this stuff.

monoloco - 4-20-2011 at 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tiotomasbcs
This is better than the Beer thread. Tio

See, you're coming around Tio!

bajafam - 4-20-2011 at 08:17 PM

they've got nothing on the forecasters in Arizona

toneart - 4-20-2011 at 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaeng
I prefer more articles about Mexican TV Meteorologists -- the finest forecasters in the world

mtgoat666 - 4-21-2011 at 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajafam
they've got nothing on the forecasters in Arizona

We are a BajaFam!
Michelle - Mama!, Lionel - Daddy!, Bobo - born in the USA!, Mister - born in Baja!

did you really name your children "bobo" and "mister?"

bobo was a gorilla at the seattle zoo when i was a kid. i think his stuffed body is still on display at UW nat hist museum.

DENNIS - 4-21-2011 at 07:55 AM

Since Mister is now a Mexican, perhaps a name change to Señor is in order. :lol:

grizzlyfsh95 - 4-21-2011 at 08:23 AM

Quote:

[Unlike Mexico, poor, middle class and lower wealthy Republican, Democrat, Tea Bagger sleepers, regardless of their ideology and how they voted, will wake up and realize that they/we are all in the "everyone else" category.

What exactly is a "Tea Bagger sleeper"? Possibly a gay insomniac? Porn stars in sleeping bags? You are just too clever. Enlighten us with your perspective and world view insight.

bajafam - 4-21-2011 at 08:26 AM

He isn't "NOW" a Mexican, he's been a Mexican since birth

but, he will be Senor when he reaches full maturity

goat, is your name really goat??

silly ~ it's a nickname. I have no idea where it came from, but I do know that bobo in Spanish means foolish, which I have translated loosely as silly and it fits her. Although since Mister has come along, she goes more by Sissy.

bajafam - 4-21-2011 at 08:30 AM

also NOT her actual name

toneart - 4-21-2011 at 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by grizzlyfsh95

Quote:

I don't know. I don't have enough enlightenment to pass around. You have added to my enlightenment though, with your possibilities. Thank you. That was very Zen of you.

But seriously, the "sleeper" was intended to apply to all the political parties, not just Tea Baggers. I just didn't construct that sentence very well.

Anyway, I think "Dennis hearts Sweetie" is much more interesting.

DENNIS - 4-21-2011 at 11:33 AM

Quote box alert. oooga ooooga...............I'm lost up there. :lol:

toneart - 4-21-2011 at 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote box alert. oooga ooooga...............I'm lost up there. :lol:

Yup! No quotes were used. Kinda confusing. If Enlightenment=Ejicashun, there is a lot more navel contemplation yet warranted. :rolleyes:

Don't waste your time on that, Dennis. You've got a more important ping pong game goin' on. :bounce:

DanO - 4-21-2011 at 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Originally posted by tiotomasbcs
AAooAAKK

OK....someone splain this one. You guys are all talking code.
Is Dano still here? He knows all this stuff.

Sorry, that one has me stumped.

tiotomasbcs - 4-21-2011 at 01:14 PM

I was just choking back the laughter, sorry! :lol:

I sense Bobo was just showing off her texting knowledge. AMF, remember that one?. I thot so. Tio..........The Rich and Poor now resumes programing. :tumble:

bajafam - 4-21-2011 at 03:11 PM

Bobo doesn't text Tio, she's 5.
Now, Sweetie, yeah, Sweetie texts and is hoping to have a new texting pal in DENNIS

Bajahowodd - 4-21-2011 at 04:22 PM

As I read the original article in the LA Times this AM, I was reminded of a quote from US Supreme Court Justice and overall legal scolar Louis Brandeis.

And, it is quite apparent that those in the US should take clear note:

"We can have democracy in this country, or we can have great wealth concentrated in the hands of a few, but we can't have both."
Louis D. Brandeis

norte - 4-21-2011 at 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS
Since Mister is now a Mexican, perhaps a name change to Señor is in order. :lol:

Dennis. Mister gives new meaning to term "anchor baby".

DENNIS - 4-21-2011 at 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by norte
Dennis. Mister gives new meaning to term "anchor baby".

Also serves to honor fly sprayers in a horse stall.

Know what you mean, Norte. Thanks.

DENNIS - 4-21-2011 at 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajafam

hoping to have a new texting pal in DENNIS

What? I don't text. If you want my phone number....ask for it.