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Politics : About that Cuban boy, Elian -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: X Y Zebra who wrote (7145)	6/8/2000 1:33:00 PM
From: X Y Zebra	Respond to of 9127

More on the Narco-Democracy: home.earthlink.net Conclusion It is clear that all three of the factors mentioned above are having an effect on the current hardships being experienced by the Mexican government. Many would argue that drug trafficking is the most important of these variables, and that if it were eliminated, the others also would disappear. Others may counter that an economic and political environment so susceptible to corruption is a much more serious problem. There is considerable overlap among the factors affecting each variable. In some respects, we are making distinctions that do not necessarily exist when we discuss the problems related to drug trafficking as separate from those associated with corruption in politics or political in-fighting. In many cases, they are one and the same. However, in order to explain the whole picture, we must make some sort of distinction at least for academic or discussion purposes. But what we should keep in mind is that participants in drug trafficking and political corruption share many of the same goals, such as individual enrichment through the exploitation of the general public. They also practice many of the same tactics to achieve these goals, with violence being first and foremost among them. Recent emphasis that the Mexican government has placed on the problems of drugs and corruption is certainly a step in the right direction. Increasing cooperation and trust between the U.S. and Mexican intelligence and law enforcement communities also is expected to produce some positive results. But corruption has become so embedded in the Mexican system that it is foolhardy to think that it can be eliminated or even significantly reduced. The best that can be hoped for is that a dent can be made in these problems. Corruption has existed in Mexico, in one form or another, for decades. However, by adding drug profits into the mix, the benefits of corruption are intensified to such an extent that those in charge become extremely wealthy, not by actually doing anything, but simply for not doing, or overlooking criminal activity. Many of those on the lower levels of authority, all the way down to "cop on the beat", have come to depend on their corruption stipend to make ends meet, as salaries for public servants have not even come close to keeping pace with inflation. () Finally, when the current political intrigue is laid on top of everything else, it is easy to see a country in turmoil. Even with a stable political situation, attacking crime, drug trafficking, and corruption would be a monumental task. But with so much behind-the-scenes maneuvering, political in-fighting, and unresolved conspiracy theories, addressing such systematic problems is seen by many as futile. End of Article () This is where "legalization" becomes a "common sense" thing to do, thus eliminating such profit motive, particularly at the lower levels, and a tax source on the top distributors/manufacturers.