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sanquintinsince73
Super Nomad
Posts: 1495
Registered: 6-8-2010
Location: Los Angeles, CA
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| Quote: | Originally posted by gnukid
| Quote: | Originally posted by sanquintinsince73
gnukid, you are naive. Not one politician of funcionario that I know are poor. They all dip into the coffers to enrich themselves. You want to know
why bridges and roads have such a short lifespan in Mexico? When monies are allotted for new construction projects, money is always skimmed off of the
top and lesser grade building materials are purchased. There is a saying in Mexico that goes "Polito pobre, pobre politico pendejo". Translate that. I
applaud you nomads that care enough to help out your "hosts". |
Excellent comments by Santiago and Shari, and to Sanquintinsince, when I said "rich, poor," I meant the rich meet the poor. I am in no way naive about
who has the money.
Sanquintinsince why not speak to the issue more specifically? I guess no one is willing to, which is really the stumbling block, if we aren't talking
clearly about accounting and holding the politicians responsible directly we are always going to be in cycle of blaming ourselves and each other, the
victims. |
Thats just it, politicos are not held responsible. I remember Donaldo Colosio was assassinated in TJ because as part of his campaign he stated he was
going to "clean house" with all of the corruption. It is no secret that Carlos Salinas de Gortari had him assassinated. Vicente Fox came in and
aligned himself with the poor. Nothing changed except his net worth. Now Calderon is trying to rid the country of narcotraficantes but there is too
much money in play. Who knows if he is sincere in his endeavor. This is a culture of corruption that starts at a very young age. Just about everyone
is on the take or looking to make a fast buck. From the kid who shines your shoes to the guy serving you your drink at the cantina. We could sit back
and analyze this and figure out why, maybe the poverty or maybe because everyone else does it. Didn't mean to offend you on my previous post, gnukid.
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gnukid
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4411
Registered: 7-2-2006
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From reading the paper I understand that the looting of the coffers is part of a political game, consistent with the USA, with multiple goals, one is
to accuse the prior and interim elected staff of theft while failing to prosecute anyone and leaving the mass stressed and without services, next they
will force the sale of public lands which they have already done at fire sale prices, then they will usher in the next party as saviors, who in fact
represent the very same interests. As it is, there are hundreds of family members who make up the government, many claiming (false) opposition to
their brethren.
It's much like a two party US game, they play off one against the other (yet are related), you have a mostly poorly educated mass, fueled by splinter
media types who divide with cutout figures spouting inflammatory characterizations, blaming the current party to usher in the (false) opposition while
in fact the puppeteer corporate money changers (e.g. Goldman Sachs) remain the same.
To rise above the emotional level, one must take time to read and research at a deeper level while remaining clam and critical of shallow black and
white representations.
Certainly, to end this debacle, the people must have some educated consensus regarding their goals, their beliefs and their methods. People get the
government they demand.
[Edited on 9-9-2010 by gnukid]
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shari
Select Nomad
Posts: 13049
Registered: 3-10-2006
Location: bahia asuncion, baja sur
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Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
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things are tough all over baja sur...each municipality is suffering the same fate...when I talk about our municipal office I mean Asuncion...if
someone buys a lot here...some of the money stays here to help pay the bills.
some great dialogue here...you hit the nail on the head gnukid about people not willing to speak to the issue...hard to change until a paradigm shift
occurs and politicians and other officials are held accountable....cutural corruuption as mentioned starts with the very young and becomes the norm so
is very hard to alter but not impossible...change occurs little by little ...one person at a time...starting with you...then your family, neighbours
etc...chain effect....
I try to lightly address topics like these with our family & friends when and where it is appropriate to try to raise awareness to how other parts
of the world function.
we often find ourselves helping out those struggling but are usually paid back in kind....everybody gets fish!!!!
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windgrrl
Super Nomad
Posts: 1336
Registered: 9-2-2006
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Aren't the big mining projects (Vistagold, Boleo Project) contributing to the tax base?
Boleo Project:
http://www.bajamining.com/
When the way comes to an end, then change. Having changed, you pass through.
~ I-Ching
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mcfez
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8678
Registered: 12-2-2009
Location: aka BN yankeeirishman
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Smart thinking fishabductor. Very smart.
San Felipe has been hit very hard. Was there in May and it was a ghost town. More vacancies downtown that I have ever seen. And lots of folks looking
for work.
Same in Sacramento BTW. It's scary to see whats happening out there. It's getting worst it seems. We are getting many phones calls per day from guys
looking for work....many!
| Quote: | Originally posted by
The best way to help out the locals in my opinion is to go fishing, keep the catch (including the jacks and skipjacks) and when you return give the
fish to the locals, the fish WILL be used and enjoyed. You will make good friends, you will be part of the community. What many here view as a trash
fish is a fine dinner for families in need. |
[Edited on 9-9-2010 by mcfez]
Old people are like the old cars, made of some tough stuff. May show a little rust, but good as gold on the inside.
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C205Driver
Nomad
Posts: 266
Registered: 8-25-2008
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Mood: Life is Good
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. . .Thank you Sharri & Nudekid for being at the head of the class with insight & intelligence (w/o being offensive & negative as are many
of the "regulars" . . . GREAT viewpoints!!!
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monoloco
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6667
Registered: 7-13-2009
Location: Pescadero BCS
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It is standard operating procedure for the politicos to drain whatever is left in the coffers on their way out the door. The incoming ones do nothing
about it because they don't want to jeopardize their opportunity to do the same on their way out. The problem in Mexico as in the US is that most of
the people in politics are not there because of their desire to help people or do their civic duty, but to feed their immense egos and enrich
themselves and their patrons.
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Osprey
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3694
Registered: 5-23-2004
Location: Baja Ca. Sur
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Sometimes it can be embarrassing -- One year our outgoing Gov took our license plate money ($300,000). In Mexico prisoners don't make plates - Mexico
buys em from China. We went almost 3 years with paper plates -- anybody with metal ones got pulled over. Victimless crime? your call.
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El Jefe
Super Nomad
Posts: 1027
Registered: 10-27-2003
Location: South East Cape
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Getting educated seems to be a theme in some of these posts. Here's what this retired couple does. We volunteer with LIGAMAC, a charitable
organization that provides school supplies and uniforms assistance to worthy students in the San Jose del Cabo area. Many kids are forced to drop out
of school when their parents can't afford the cost of keeping them enrolled, especially the older siblings in middle school or high school. That's
were we step in with "vales" for uniforms and free backpacks loaded with supplies. We sponsor about 450 kids each year. Over 50 are now in university.
So maybe these educated kids will start asking the right questions one of these days. I hope so. And I feel good for being there to help.
No b-tchin\' in the Baja.
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El Jefe
Super Nomad
Posts: 1027
Registered: 10-27-2003
Location: South East Cape
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Check us out on ligamac.com
That's me in the photos somewhere as Santa. Education is our main program, but we also help out members of the community with specialized medical
emergencies and there is a food program that helps families with children for a limited period of time until they can get back on their feet.
Each year in March we throw a Jazz Festival which is our main source of revenue. With low overhead, the vast majority of funds go directly to those in
need. And yes, I am proud to be associated with these fine, caring, generous people.
No b-tchin\' in the Baja.
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Juanita
Junior Nomad
Posts: 96
Registered: 8-31-2006
Location: San Ignacio, Baja California Sur
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This thoughtful discussion prompted me to ask my housekeeper about the situation. For about two months some of the pueblo employees have gone unpaid.
She told me that those employees who belong to the union (los sindicatos) are being paid. They go on strike if not paid. About half the employees
are not in the union and their salaries are smaller. My estimate is that it would take about $4,000 dollars altogether to pay them one 15-day period
(quincena).
The current elected officials go out in March 2011. She said the officials in office before, although they were of the same party (PRD), managed to
meet the payrolls.
One factor contributing to dwindling tax revenue is a reaction to new taxes which were imposed late in 2009. I had been paying a 11% value added tax
and a 3% hospitality tax on gross income (room rents). Two new taxes were imposed, taking 16.5% more off the gross. They were structured so that if
you declared less gross than the prior year the tax was levied on your prior gross. The total tax thus reached an unrealistic level, while
simultaneously expenses were rising and income falling. I think this may have injured the willingness to declare income and pay taxes which was
slowly developing in Mexico and on which any tax system depends. With that extra tax income the government was able to stagger through last year, but
now has hit the wall.
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JESSE
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3370
Registered: 11-5-2002
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My only comment is, this is by far, the worst state and municipal goverment i have EVER seen in my entire life.
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
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Geez, Jesse, where have you been? I actually thought that this topic would be right in your wheelhouse.
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mcfez
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8678
Registered: 12-2-2009
Location: aka BN yankeeirishman
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San Felipe is...
Aside from the politics and all...
Things in SF are looking very bad. Part of a email I got today from the wify ..
"Those girls love it here. We hang out
at the beach every day and go to town, where we are the only tourists at
the moment. Yesterday the girls bought some T-shirts and the woman in the
store kissed the money and crossed herself. There is no business here.
It's dead, but the stores and restaurants are open. The new fancy Internet
cafe is the only busy place in town --
Wow :-(
Old people are like the old cars, made of some tough stuff. May show a little rust, but good as gold on the inside.
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gnukid
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4411
Registered: 7-2-2006
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The Mexican constitution basically states, that anyone can speak freely, foreigners may do so when they do so in a way which benefits the community,
state and country, but when you say something that could be proven to be harmful to the state then one could be requested to sit in an interview and
be questioned. In most cases nothing would happen, and there are very few cases where it was claimed that a foreigner who was in the country on a
valid passport should leave.
That said, people in Mexico or anywhere seem very unwilling to speak to issues which concern the community. Notice how few speak against the wars,
torture, rendition, nor the members of this board will speak directly to the issues affecting communities nor anyone else for that matter.
I asked a few people today about that, they said they are scared to be involved, so I would conclude fear is the primary obstacle.
I guess it is true that both countries have histories of reporters and others being murdered for speaking out critically about issues, such as
Lincoln, MLK, JFK, Colosio, ad inifinitum.
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bajabass
Super Nomad
Posts: 2016
Registered: 10-4-2006
Location: La Paz,BCS
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Mood: Want to fish!!!
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It happens everywhere, look at Arnie and California. Budget, what budget? I have no money, who needs a budget? 
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shari
Select Nomad
Posts: 13049
Registered: 3-10-2006
Location: bahia asuncion, baja sur
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Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
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my first few years living in baja, I was vocal about injustices...or inconsistancies and tried to address some of them...help...improve the "system"
etc...bad idea. One is branded a trouble maker and this stay with you a long long time and can make life difficult for you here...and one is not
welcome in some circles after that.
things were made up about me...bad things that werent true...rumours were started and stories grew out of proportion...and I suffered alot but hung in
there knowing in my heart I had done the right thing.
I have learned that it is not socially acceptable to discuss many issues...lots of taboos and one will be persecuted for telling the truth or exposing
a wrong...particularly if it involves a government agency or wealthy business person....so yup...this is why many folks will just not speak to
issues..not good for your health...mexican or gringo....sad but true.
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mike odell
Nomad
Posts: 267
Registered: 12-17-2002
Location: La Ribera BCS
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Some inflections on Politics here bouts, I can vote in the elections, and I will,
how will my vote affect me and mine? Worst case senerio, put stickers all over you car and truck, you party looses, feel the wrath of the winning
party, not good my friends, your guys win, your life is okie dokie, as is your business.
Will I vote for my ex wife. If she runs? You damn betcha!!
Politics is good, no matter, Change for the good of all. I love Mexico. and it's all good
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