The Mexico Connection

OK, I am really amped up about a particularly virulent dimension of the Swine Flu situation throttling the globe right now.

This is having to do with Mexico. “Everyone” is blaming Mexico for being ground zero of the outbreak. The US is not only the most vocal, one of the House Democrats from New York actually advocates shutting the border! Uh, first immigration, then the drug violence (which, ahem, is largely due to the ease of guns and artillery purchased in the US, to say nothing about the huge market for drugs in the US), and now disease are the reasons to slam the border door closed.

People, people, people! Will quarantining an entire country actually make a difference? This is clear evidence of fear running so amok that common decency, neighborly care and frankly logical thinking has disappeared.

I had lunch with a friend of mine today who had heard a Mexican government official say that Mexico is very embarrassed  that this purported epidemic is being blamed on Mexico.

Again, people! Doesnt this make you want to HELP not blame? It sure does me.

I cant possibly discourse on how the World Health Organization can determine where a disease actually “starts” (and I am not sure that WHO has actually proclaimed that Mexico is the place), but I do know that hammering on individuals or an entire country ferhevvinssake gets in the way (i.e. closes the mind) of figuring out ways to help.

There needs to be a complete transformation of thinking about Mexico, and now is the time to start.

Enough with the immigration issues: anyone who works in the US and gets a paycheck PAYS TAXES. Which is more than can be said for the thousands of Americans who own property in Mexico and make money from vacation rentals (this is a lot of money and many Americans are not paying taxes here. Hint: the Mexican government has figured this out!)

Stop with the cluck-clucking about the drug violence as if this is some “phenomenon” unique to Mexico. The Mexican government is taking on a HUGE and courageous endeavor to eradicate the long-standing drug industry that has become so gynormous because the market demand for illegal drugs in the US is so huge. Not only that, the drug cartels’ demand for armament to enforce its power comes from…wait for it….the huge supply in the US! Even President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton have admitted that Mexico’s drug violence problem is largely due to the US’ insatiable demand for drugs AND gunpower. (Errr, who’s got the problem here???)

Offer a hand to help our southern neighbor in its time of crisis. This is NOT the time to withdraw behind closed doors and masks. This IS the time to help. If you pray for care, support and ideas, as I do, then PRAY. At the very least, help to change people’s thoughts about blaming Mexico and think about Mexicans as next-door neighbors who desperately need help, not derision and blame.

Each person who begins to connect with Mexico by offering a helping hand will make a difference, person by person, heart by heart. Be that person.

Abrazos y besos.