Mexican president lashes out at U.S. candidates... PR Campaign to follow

[Maikeru-sama]

Mexican president lashes out at U.S. candidates
Government to finance public relations push to change American opinions

MEXICO CITY - Mexican President Felipe Calderón has forcefully inserted himself into the U.S. presidential campaign, denouncing the candidates for demonizing Mexican immigrants and announcing that the government would finance a public relations campaign aimed at reversing Americans’ negative perceptions.

At a conference Wednesday of the Advisory Council of the Institute of Mexicans Abroad, the government’s immigrant assistance agency, Calderón lashed out at the “increasing harassment” and “persecution” of Mexicans in the United States, those there legally as well as illegally.

“My duty is to make an appeal, respectfully but firmly, to the candidates of the various political parties in the United States to stop making Mexicans symbolic hostages in their speeches and their strategies,” Calderón said.

Although he did not single out any candidate by name, Calderón made his comments on the same day Rep. Tom Tancredo of Colorado, a Republican who has made immigration reform the centerpiece of his presidential campaign, released an incendiary ad linking immigrants to terrorism and violence in the streets.

Mexican politicians regularly criticize U.S. immigration policies, but it is highly unusual for the president of the republic to directly address the U.S. political process. But Calderón said the situation had become intolerable.

“We are respectful of the internal processes and decisions of the Americans,” he said, “but we also demand respect for Mexico and for Mexicans.”

Government promises programs to aid immigrants
Calderón coupled his criticisms with several broad-ranging initiatives to better the lives of Mexicans in the United States, who are an important constituency in Mexican politics.

The government estimates that there are 11 million Mexicans in the United States, about 6 million of them illegally. It calculates that they sent back to Mexico more than $23 billion in remittances to help support their families last year.

“Remittances from the United States are a major source of income for our country, at present the second largest after oil exports,” said Maria Rosa Márquez Cabrera, the secretary of rural development.

The government announced that it would sharply lower the banking fees that are charged for remittances to immigrants’ relatives in Mexico City, the capital, to as little as $3 for a $500 transfer. No transfer would cost more than $10 under the program, which is a partnership with the national banking corporation Grupo Financiero Banorte.

It also said it would back a proposal by the immigrants agency to organize a coalition of Mexican activists inside the United States to respond to political attacks on immigrants. The coalition would be called la Liga contra la Discriminación de los Mexicanos en Estados Unidos, or the League Against Discrimination of Mexicans in the United States.

PR campaign targeted at the U.S. public
But the most unusual initiative would budget an undisclosed amount for a campaign inside the United States to “win the battle of public opinion” by highlighting inspirational “success stories” of Mexican immigrants who had prospered in American society.

Calderón did not disclose details of the new campaign, but he said it would help the U.S. public recognize “the irreplaceable contribution of Mexicans to the United States, to its economy and its society.”

A particular target will be the U.S. news media, where he said he would seek an “objective dialogue” on immigration.

“Strategies of simple confrontation and rudeness aggravate an anti-Mexican feeling,” Calderón said, amplifying “the worse phobias even more.”

Copyright © 2007 Telemundo and MSNBC.com

Link (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21822322/)

[Maikeru-sama]

The government estimates that there are 11 million Mexicans in the United States, about 6 million of them illegally. It calculates that they sent back to Mexico more than $23 billion in remittances to help support their families last year.


It is extremely interesting that he and former President Vicente Fox will not address that issue.

Until this particular issue is addressed a PR Blitz is going to fall on deaf ears.

[Doomsday101]

I really don't care how he feels. This issue has nothing to do with the Mexican Government, the US like any country has the right to protect its boarders and stop illegal immigration from taking place. If you are here illegally you are breaking the law and should be sent back to the country of your origin. If you want to become a US citizen then there are procedures you must follow. For those who follow the rules and regulations of becoming a US citizen I gladly welcome them to this country for illegal? Go back home!!! If the Mexican Government wants to do something to help the situation fix your own damn economic system and cut out the corruptions that has been taking place for many years

[iceberg]

It is extremely interesting that he and former President Vicente Fox will not address that issue.

Until this particular issue is addressed a PR Blitz is going to fall on deaf ears.

that was the part i thought of when i read your post, mick. good find and thank you for posting that.

they are a problem. period. if he wants to help fix it, provide opportunity within your country so they won't run away.

[BrAinPaiNt]

I think we are more lax in enforcing our illegal immigrates than mexico is.

[Maikeru-sama]

Pretty sad when Americans start joking about moving to Mexico and becoming Mexican Citizens, so they can come back to America Illegally and get better benefits.

Exaggeration...yes...but it just goes to show you how cynical and beaten down Americans are about this issue.

I live in Irving and we are at the forefront of this.

controversy surrounding the Police Department's use of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement program (http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/DN-irvimmigration_07met.ART.North.Edition1.424c966.ht ml)

- Mike G.

[jterrell]

This si the part that drives me nuts.

It calculates that they sent back to Mexico more than $23 billion in remittances to help support their families last year.

23 billion dollars we are seeing flow from American bank accounts into Mexico.
Pretty soon they'll be asking them to send that money in pesos because dollar is declining form all this hemorrhaging of dollars out of the country.

If we are going to fully subsidize Mexico we should just make them a vassal and make them pay us taxes.

[StanleySpadowski]

If we are going to fully subsidize Mexico we should just make them a vassal and make them pay us taxes.


Unfortunately, I think this may ultimately be the only answer.

If Mexico ended corruption, most of their problems would be solved. The only way to end that corruption is either a revolution or the US stepping in a straightening them out.

[burmafrd]

Mexico has always been corrupt- top to bottom and in all areas. Its part of the culture. No way to change that. Frankly, I would build that wall, barbed wire it, and lay land mines. Then have roving patrols with MG's mounted on the vehicles like the Rat Patrol and shoot anyone trying to cross. Screw what the rest of the world thinks.

[arglebargle]

Unfortunately, I think this may ultimately be the only answer.

If Mexico ended corruption, most of their problems would be solved. The only way to end that corruption is either a revolution or the US stepping in a straightening them out.

Because, of course, we never have any problems with corruption here.....

And I have some Enron and Tycho stock I can sell you cheap, guaranteed to go up!

[arglebargle]

Mexico has always been corrupt- top to bottom and in all areas. Its part of the culture. No way to change that. Frankly, I would build that wall, barbed wire it, and lay land mines. Then have roving patrols with MG's mounted on the vehicles like the Rat Patrol and shoot anyone trying to cross. Screw what the rest of the world thinks.

While we are at it, let's suspend the Constitution for 5 years, round up all the undesireables and put them into camps while we figure out how to get rid of them efficiently.

[trickblue]

Mexico has always been corrupt- top to bottom and in all areas. Its part of the culture. No way to change that. Frankly, I would build that wall, barbed wire it, and lay land mines. Then have roving patrols with MG's mounted on the vehicles like the Rat Patrol and shoot anyone trying to cross. Screw what the rest of the world thinks.

While we are at it, let's suspend the Constitution for 5 years, round up all the undesireables and put them into camps while we figure out how to get rid of them efficiently.

What does his post have to do with your response?

Am I missing something?

[iceberg]

What does his post have to do with your response?

Am I missing something?

well, they're both extremes of their own path...

the extremes have their role but they usually compromise a small % of the problem. but also usually the most vocal.

i can't think of too many walls in history that in the end were a good thing. it's a "head in the sand" move hoping to force someone else to deal with the root of the problem. put on a band aide, or treat the wound properly?

[Maikeru-sama]

Building a wall is a huge mistake.

Several articles have been written in the last several months indicating that U.S. Toursim is on the decline and billions of dollars are being forefeited. The main reason cited is that foreigners have a perception that Americans are paranoid after 9-11 and this has resulted in alot uncomfortable moments at airports and other entry points and people decide it is not worth it. With the dollar sinking in value, this should not be happening. The last thing we need is to start barricading ourselves behind a wall and isolating our 2nd largest trading partner.

Why continue to waste taxpayers money by building a huge wall, a moat, barbwire and gawd knows what else when you can just increase the number of Boarder Agent, start enforcing the law and start hitting Mexico where it hurts, in its wallet.

The sad part about it is that Americans talk a good game when it comes to immigration but look who they have made the front-runners, Ghouliani and one of the biggest liars ever, Hillary Clinton. Two individuals who could care less about immigration reform.

Heck, here in Texas, the govenor (AKA Governor Good Hair) everyone seemingly voted for, not once but twice recently took a trip to Mexico, sucked up to their Government and blasted the U.S. congress for not passing the bill that would legalize millions of illegals.

This article first appeared in the Houston Chronicle:

Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle Mexico City Bureau
MEXICO CITY — Leading a large delegation of Texas executives trying to drum up business in Mexico, Gov. Rick Perry on Tuesday criticized the U.S. Congress for failing to pass an immigration bill that would legalize millions of workers.
"I don't think this is that difficult an issue if Congress would have the maturity to sit down and really discuss it and cut out all the mean rhetoric," Perry said during a break in the third day of meetings with Mexican officials and business executives.
"We need those individuals to continue to grow our economy," he said of Texas' undocumented workers, most of whom hail from Mexico. "The vast, vast majority of those individuals want to come and work and take care of their families."
Perry made the remarks in Mexico City, where immigration is nearly as big a hot-button issue as it is in Washington. He spoke at a press conference shortly before meeting with President Felipe Calderon who, like past Mexican presidents, has lobbied for changes in U.S. immigration law that would include a guest-worker program.
Perry's statements seemed to put him at odds with many in the Republican Party's base who regarded the immigration overhaul bill that collapsed in the Senate in June as nothing more than an amnesty for illegal immigrants.

CONT'D (http://reagangahagan.blogspot.com/2007/08/in-mexico-texas-governor-rick-perry.html)

[burmafrd]

Do you realize how many agents we would need to really police the border? And how much that would cost every year? A wall is a lot cheaper and probably in the end work better. I really do not care what the rest of the world thinks- this is OUR border and we need to protect it. Ice- the problem here is in MEXICO and outside of invasion what else can we do except close the border?

[burmafrd]

that immigration bill was an amnesty bill in all but name. We tried that in the 80's and how well did it work? YOU WILL NEVER EVER get a positive result by rewarding people for BREAKING THE LAW.

[Seven]

Pretty sad when Americans start joking about moving to Mexico and becoming Mexican Citizens, so they can come back to America Illegally and get better benefits.

Exaggeration...yes....

I live in Irving and we are at the forefront of this.

controversy surrounding the Police Department's use of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement program (http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/DN-irvimmigration_07met.ART.North.Edition1.424c966.ht ml)

- Mike G.

Not really an exagerration, Mick. I know for a bonefied fact that public school programs, here in AZ, are catered to the immigrants. I pay out the nose for the lunch program and the after school program where they pay nothing.
My sons friend, a mexican, scoffed at the fact we paid for lunch and such when he got it for free.

Furthermore, they don't want to be recognized as Americans. They want to be recognized as Mexicans changing America. Period.

[iceberg]

Do you realize how many agents we would need to really police the border? And how much that would cost every year? A wall is a lot cheaper and probably in the end work better. I really do not care what the rest of the world thinks- this is OUR border and we need to protect it. Ice- the problem here is in MEXICO and outside of invasion what else can we do except close the border?

fine. then name me a wall that over time accomplished it's goal completely.

hadrens wall?
great wall of china?
berlin wall?

a wall is a band aid, nothing more. the problem will still exist we only hope we make it harder to make the choice to come to america, not solve the problem itself.

how many have come through on trucks? do we build a wall on the gulf and stop people from taking a boat now?

suddenly the words written on the statue of liberty don't mean the same anymore, do they?

[burmafrd]

OK, iceberg- WHAT IS THE ANSWER? We lay down and let millions just walk in? You are so quick with platitudes that mean nothing. The PROBLEM is in MEXICO NOT HERE? Or can't you figure that out?

[iceberg]

OK, iceberg- WHAT IS THE ANSWER? We lay down and let millions just walk in? You are so quick with platitudes that mean nothing. The PROBLEM is in MEXICO NOT HERE? Or can't you figure that out?

there sure are some defensive people out there that if you disagree they make it personal and start the insult fest.

if my "platitudes" mean nothing than your "solution" means even less. you come at me all pissed off and accusatory, but you didn't answer my question, did you?

when has a wall worked over the long haul?

i just have to wonder how come some people in here can't simply put the anger-boner down and just talk openly. this "my way or the highway" crap never gets a collective anywhere.

so i'll ask again - when has a wall like this done it's job over the long haul?

if you can't answer the question that's one thing, but back down a bit from making it personal. it's not. also understand i'm doing some wall research myself cause i don't know the answers to that question myself. some brief research over hadrians wall shows it had mixed purposes initially, not jut to keep out the picts.

[Jarv]

I'm all for a wall, it has help tremdiously in CA.

[Rack Bauer]

Unfortunately, I think this may ultimately be the only answer.

If Mexico ended corruption, most of their problems would be solved. The only way to end that corruption is either a revolution or the US stepping in a straightening them out.

:hammer:


Living on the border of mexico I've experienced this corruption first hand, on more then one occasion.

And here in Laredo (more specifically Nuevo Laredo, Mexico) there has been a drug cartel war going on for a few years now. The moronic mayor or Laredo won't admit to it (probably the mayor is also a corrupt POS). The corruption in mexico is spilling over to the US side. The chief of Police here just got indicted on embezelment (sp?) charges, so he put in for immediate retirement.

AND HE STILL GOT HIS PENSION. IMO, if a policemen and been found guilty of a crime they should automatically forfeit their pension. After all, they get their pension for FIGHTING crime, not COMMITTING it. If you do the OPPOSITE of what your job entails, should you be rewarded for it?


And it's not just corruption. The local "politics" around here is freakin' BS too. I recently got removed from consideration from the local fire department (a week before the fire academy was to start) for a BS reason. I found out the only other white guy who was in the running for the job also was removed from consideration... and he is a paramedic! Who the hell is more qualified to be a firemen then a freakin' paramedic?

Turns out they needed to cut a few people so that one of the chief's son could be moved up the list. And who gets the axe? The only two white people on the list. With there being over 95% hispanics here, I've experienced racism my whole life. It still pissed me off though.


Something will have to be done about mexico and the corruption there eventually. And hopefuly SOON.

[jterrell]

I'm all for a wall, it has help tremdiously in CA.

The wall certainly can't hurt but is only part of the solution not the entire one.

[jterrell]

OK, iceberg- WHAT IS THE ANSWER? We lay down and let millions just walk in? You are so quick with platitudes that mean nothing. The PROBLEM is in MEXICO NOT HERE? Or can't you figure that out?

The answer is comprehensive immigration reform.

A path to legalization that puts immigrants in line behind those who have lawfully obeyed but also does not send parents back to Mexico while their US citizen children remain here. A path that requires paying back taxes and learning English.

And also turning up the screws on Mexico to do more than handout maps to the border and the best spots to cross. Their policy is clear. They want Mexican citizens to come her, work and send the money back.

I think a wall may well have to be part of the solution.

[Jarv]

I think we are more lax in enforcing our illegal immigrates than mexico is.

That is true, along with the fact that their immigration laws themselves are much tougher.

To be honest, I believe our immigration laws are just fine and just need to be enforced. Millions of Italian and Irish immigrated to the US and acclamated to our laws and did well for themselves, I'm all for Mexicans doing the same. You want to come here and make a better life for yourself, I'm all for it, as a matter of fact I'll retract my previous statement and say lets and lets increase the numbers allowed.

Just do it leagally on their way to becomming US citizens. Nothing comes easy or quick that is worth anything. We should go out of our way to help them become citizens if they follow the rules, if not, adios amigos is my answer.

[iceberg]

The answer is comprehensive immigration reform.

A path to legalization that puts immigrants in line behind those who have lawfully obeyed but also does not send parents back to Mexico while their US citizen children remain here. A path that requires paying back taxes and learning English.

And also turning up the screws on Mexico to do more than handout maps to the border and the best spots to cross. Their policy is clear. They want Mexican citizens to come her, work and send the money back.

I think a wall may well have to be part of the solution.

this would be something i'd want to explore. my ? is why is it such a huge issue? have they not been coming over for quite some time? if this is a long term problem then a short term answer just isn't going to help to me.

immigration reform should start by looking at the root of the problem and buiding a solution around that. not put up a wall and ignore it.

[iceberg]

OK, iceberg- WHAT IS THE ANSWER? We lay down and let millions just walk in? You are so quick with platitudes that mean nothing. The PROBLEM is in MEXICO NOT HERE? Or can't you figure that out?

did some research and it's all just initial but interesting.

there are not many "current" walls active and in place today that i've seen. most walls were built for defense and yes, to keep people out. today many of those walls are in ruin or are landmarks now, not walls. so why?

i would think that over time the root problem is resolved or cultures just died out, abating the need for the wall any longer. or both. so if we built one, how long would we need it? how much to build? how much to maintain?

what are the "opportunity costs" of building this wall vs. options? have we even tried to look at options or are people content to build a wall and hope it's enough?

and burm, if the problem is in mexico, shouldn't trying to resolve it there be one option we consider?

[Rack Bauer]

Their policy is clear. They want Mexican citizens to come her, work and send the money back.


:hammer:

[jterrell]

this would be something i'd want to explore. my ? is why is it such a huge issue? have they not been coming over for quite some time? if this is a long term problem then a short term answer just isn't going to help to me.

immigration reform should start by looking at the root of the problem and buiding a solution around that. not put up a wall and ignore it.

I think the issue is the accumulation of immigrants.
It's become a nightmare for the schools systems.
Our school system, Lewsiville ISD hasn't had it too bad but in Dallas/IRving et al the schools cater to English as second Language kids in an effort to keep funding.

My sister happens ot be a teacher in Irving and it is very hard to get funding for things that do not raise test scores in some manner but narrowly doesn't raise test scores of those failing or near failing. An administrator with a proven plan to raise test scores for the children of illegal immigrants can write his own ticket in education.