MEXICO. THE FAILED OR FAILING NATION STATE
Does anyone read Asia Times? Well, Asia does, and that means China. Does AT typically address issues in Mexico? Not really. So, was it unusual for this site to publish a story about Mexico becoming a "failed state"? Yes, but it took a severe event to make that story worthy of the editor's approval. What was that event, you ask? Why, of course, the battle of Culiacan, that's what I call that event now. Is it Mexico's Fort Sumter? If you read the story by Manuel Suarez-Mier, it just might be. The fall of every nation-state doesn't take place at the apex of the nation's health. It almost always happens after a prolonged illness, an illness that impacts every aspect of the nation's society. If we are to trust Manuel's descriptions, and I do, then the picture he paints of such an illness is obvious. Is Mexico a failing / failed state? Let's take a look at what Manuel had to say.
Embraces and not bullets:
Do the Mexican terrorist cartels exist because of poverty and income inequality? No. they exist because of decades of corrupt and ineffective government. Ineffective. Does that world apply to AMLO as well? Manuel nails this issue right on the head. The murder rate in Mexico will reach an all-time high this year. That's a year that has been completely under AMLO's leadership.
Anti-systemic forces:
How many times have I said, " The US's number one trading partner is controlled by terrorist cartels"? Manuel's opinion, a person who has covered Mexico for some time now, seems to fit like a hand in a glove with my statement. His point is as clear as mine. Mexico is not controlled by AMLO or his government. He might as well be inside a castle in Mexico City, talking to the Queen of England. They both have the same control over the countries they rule.
Native Mexicans:
Now, here is a point Manuel makes that brings up an issue I've talked about in the past.
In the 90s, who did AMLO work with? Zapatistas? If that was your guess, good for you! " Native Mexicans. What is that anyway? Are there transient Mexicans in Mexico? The word, "Native". What an agenda loaded buss word. Anyway, AMLO was not "home" when the events in Culiacan took place. Okay, not that unusual. The fact he initially came out and stated he concurred with the release of Chapo's kid made it look like, he was at least active in the issue. Here's the problem, once he realized just how bad this event was going to be, publicly, he changed his story. Okay, not that unusual for a politician, but at a time when a fragile Mexico doesn't need weak leadership, that was a damaging stance. Off playing with the " Natives", oh ya, "Natives" that have a history of violent revolutions in Mexico. He didn't "know", but, like Manuel states, nobody got fired?
The Mexican Teachers Union:
Wow. Manuel went for the jugular with this part of the story. I won't go into what I know about this group, the Teacher's Union, given I signed my "life letter" and unlike many politicians in DC, I know what it means to violate that letter. Trotskyite? You bet, and then some. What fact of revolution does AMLO understand all too well? How about the reality that most revolutions start on University grounds? Is AMLO covering his bets in case the country totally falls apart? I have an even more dire question. what if AMLO is secretly pushing Mexico into "Revolution". Zapatistas and a Trotsky based union, the most powerful union in Mexico. That sounds like planning to me, and I know a thing or two about planning. Oh, by the way; comparing the Teacher Universities to madrassas, that was brilliant! Well done Manuel!
PEMEX:
Although Manuel touches on the issues of healthcare in Mexico, or should I say the lact of healthcare, the section on PEMEX is right on the mark. Is PEMEX now controlled by an old "buddy" of AMLO? You bet. Is PEMEX in real trouble? More than most realize. Is PEMEX vital to the Mexican economy? Draining the profits off of PEMEX has been the life's blood of Mexico's economy for decades.
If the PEMEX story was not enough, the point Manuel makes about Mexico's electric monopoly is dead-on; dead-on as in the guy is a murder. I wonder if this guy has had a lot of suicides around him? I know, this story is amazing! Let's keep pushing.
Banks:
AMLO doesn't mess much with the investment, macroeconomic side of Mexico, well, not much. I wonder why? When was the last time you read about a bank robbery in Mexico? Why is it the terrorist cartels drain funds off of everything they see in Mexico, but they don't mess with the banks? Are they off limits? Just who controls the BILLIONS of dollars the drug industry generates? What makes the banks so untouchable, not only the terrorist cartels won't touch them, AMLO won't as well? How can you be a true revolutionary leader if you take a knee to the banks? Did someone tell AMLO to leave the banking industry alone? Hey, what about that "rumor" AMLO is controlled by one of the more powerful cartels? What does a revolution need? Yep, it needs someone to push the people into revolt. Banks in Mexico. What an interesting topic! AMLO can't "touch" them, but he can make the nation go bankrupt, and that is what every good revolution needs, people, losing what little they have.
I enjoyed this article by Manuel Suarez Mier, but I can assure you, AMLO did not. Asia Times has a sound reputation in the world economic arena and painting a picture of Mexico as a failing or failed nation does not go over well in Mexico City. A failing Mexico. AMLO should be upset, but...................is he? :)
