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To: marcos who wrote (10621)	11/18/2001 2:02:05 PM
From: X Y Zebra	Respond to of 12810

You make a compelling case and for the most part I agree with you. Yes, the low-level mordida system actually is a very efficient way of getting things accomplished and in a way, it can be considered a perverse form of democracy, as it is open to all -g- I loved your expression "honest corruption” LOL (you did not actually say it so, but came very close.) You are right it greases the wheels of burro-cracy, which by design it is made to slow things down. The problem is that when you get used to this and then more important processes come into play, then such system breaks down. Yes, It is true that in the low level it provides what you called a more decent wage level... But once again, the problem is more complicated since for starters, there should be a system that at least provides a better wage and efficiency so as to not make what you describe more efficient. It has always been my belief that in the past it worked better because populations were not exploding out of control, life was easier for all... today it is a jungle out there and getting worse. Increasingly I see the corruption you describe in the US and other "first world" countries. Recently I was talking to a friend of mine, he is from Belgium, lives in the US and he is well acquainted with the way Mexico does things... He was telling me that in Belgium things were getting more and more to be like Mexico in many instances (particularly he said, cheating about taxes). This I have no experience with, simply repeating what he told me. While I understand what you are saying about the human aspect that the low level corruption addresses and in an imperfect way seems to solve certain problems, it leaves the door open to what eventually becomes the outrageous level of corruption that the Raúles of this world reach. I mean... these people have well over 500 million dollars and more... and what do they do with the $$$ do they become productive? Or is it simply money stashed away in a bank? From that perspective, perhaps the old robber baron idea seems more appealing as those guys were workaholics and in many instances allocated capital efficiently and provided jobs for many. Then again, that worked because it was a different time. Our needs as a society are very different now and besides people are more educated now. I confess I am not familiar with the problem you mention in reference to BC. I thought that the NAFTA agreement would have covered that in detail. In fact, I had the impression that NAFTA, in time would eliminate all barriers and borders from all three countries and make it all one market block. I would even think that making the entire American Continent would be an ideal market place. In spite of the obvious differences between güeritos of the northern latitudes and morenitos of the southern ones -g- we are more homogeneous than the Europeans and yet they seem to be trying harder than we are in attempting to integrate the entire region... Of course, they have the French to deal with, but we have the Argentineans -gggg- just kidding I love the Ché's As for your nomination.... you are right... Napoleon said it we deserve the government we allow to exist. Lastly, I insist one more time, unless we control the growth of our respective populations, more and more things will be getting out of control... Only education can give you a fighting chance... unless we decide we should simply surrender to a Mad Max style world. More and more it seems that we are headed to that direction as more and more we accept the strangest and weirdest things as the "standard". The idea of a small cottage by a lake, say in Nicaragua or Costa Rica and enjoying the simpler things in life are starting to become somehow more appealing than living under the continuous barrage of the of bizarro style world news... -g Not to mention the actual threat of real and present danger. Hmmm I wonder what Cuba will be like after Castro... Viva la vida loca I suppose.... -g