Stephanie Jackter
Senior Nomad
Posts: 566
Registered: 11-3-2002
Location: Arizona
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Mordidita for the rich = 1/3 of income for poor
Survey finds corruption decreasing a bit in Mexico
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By Ioan Grillo
ASSOCIATED PRESS
1:56 p.m. November 25, 2003
MEXICO CITY ? Corruption has decreased in Mexican society but is still a major national problem, according to a survey released on Tuesday.
Researchers estimated that Mexican paid out a billion dollars in bribes in the last year.
The report by the nongovernment organization Transparency International surveyed Mexicans on 38 sorts of bribes, ranging from motorists paying
policemen after running red lights to households bribing garbage collectors to collect their trash.
It found that bribes were paid in 8.5 percent of such cases in the last twelve months, a drop of 2 percentage points from a similar survey carried out
in 2001.
"The results are encouraging," said Eduardo Bohorquez, Transparency's national director. "It shows there is nothing in Mexicans' genetic code or in
Mexican culture that means corruption is inherent and cannot be reduced."
Mexican President Vicente Fox, who ended seven decades of one-party rule when he came to power in 2000, has vowed to stamp out corruption.
However, Transparency International representatives said the decrease in bribes probably was not due to government policy.
"There are many other factors, such as a slowdown in the economy and more mechanized transactions that reduce the number of bribes," said Transparency
technical adviser Roy Campos.
The new survey of more than 14,000 Mexicans nationwide found the average amount of a bribe, known in Mexico as a "bite," was 107 pesos (US$9.43).
Mexicans paid an average of 7 percent of their incomes in bribes, but minimum-wage earners paid out 29.5 percent of their earnings, according to the
report.
"Corruption is like a tax. And for the poorest members of society it is a very big tax," said Campos.
While bribes seem to be declining, Mexicans' perception of corruption is not, said Bohorquez. In an international survey on perceived corruption
released annually by Transparency, Mexico has scored the same for the last two years running, finishing in 58th place out of 102 countries ? a rating
similar to that of Colombia.
"Things haven't changed much at all," said Mexico City taxi driver Hector Ceron, who recently paid a "bite" to a police officer for illegal parking.
"There is still corruption and there always has been. It's just a bit more discreet these days."
When the goin' gets tough, the wierd turn pro
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Skeet/Loreto
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4709
Registered: 9-2-2003
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Stephanie: Do you think if might be possible that the decrease is due to, the decrease in Tourism?
Skeet/Loreto
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Phil S
Super Nomad
Posts: 1205
Registered: 10-28-2003
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Mood: After 34 years. Still in love w/ my wife
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Less Bribery/less tourists
Skeet. I could agree with you here. In the past eleven years that I've been coming down, I've noticed a gradual decline in road traffic in the twice
a year trips that I make on Hwy 1. Nov -Apr. I think you've got a good insite on that. The economy I'm sure is playing a huge part in it. Costs of
gas, insurance, rooms, food,etc. in the Baja has gone up considerably. Possibly less noticeable by those that camp and I'm sure those outnumber the
hotel/motel/ resident travelors. However with the exchange rate now being approx 11:1 is an excellant time to come down either for the winter or at
least extended weekends. Come on down. The Baja needs your money.!!!!!
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