Power Games: Comforting on the Shores of the Potomac
President Calderon delayed his first state visit to Washington, D.C., by 1,265 days. Many criticized him for this delay, because Mexican leaders usually have made the trip during their first year in office. Anyway, the fact is that Calderon finally went to the United States Capitol as head of the Mexican state, with all the pomp and circumstance involved in a visit of this kind. What purpose will this long-anticipated visit serve?
In the first place, it’s usually a good thing when a Mexican president visits Washington to meet, not only with his counterpart, but with the elite who work within what is called “the beltway” that loops around the U.S. capital. This includes President Obama, top officials, senators, representatives, members of the federal judiciary, correspondents from the mainstream media, lobbyists, ambassadors, and so on. All the “political fauna” who swarm the U.S. empire, that area on the banks of the Potomac River, bordering Maryland and Virginia, founded by the fathers of the country.
Many of these characters will cordially receive President Calderon. After all, he is the ruler of the nation’s southern neighbor. Additionally, the relationship between the two neighboring countries is good, especially economically, which is what matters most to Americans.
As we saw yesterday, from the beginning of the tour, Calderon was going to be pampered big time. And boy, does the president need this; he has had some dark days. A party candidate was killed in Tamaulipas; they kidnapped one of his historical leaders; and, even worse, he lost the mayorship of Merida, one of his electoral strongholds. I suppose evidence of warmth and friendship received in Washington will be great for Calderon. And beyond that, which always helps, the Mexican president will surely be able to unlock any other issue presently stuck in the bilateral agenda, in addition to sending a strong message against the despicable Arizona SB 1070 law.
All this may be ample justification for the state visit to Washington. We are convinced, however, that Mexico and the U.S. should deepen their economic integration — and we’ll be frustrated, because major announcements seem unlikely.
I don’t think there will be a signal from the two countries to seek a second, more effective stage of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). It’s not a good time for the U.S. to introduce this issue to the public agenda. After all, the Democratic Party (traditionally, the more protectionist trade party in that country) controls the executive branch and both houses of Congress. And that party runs the risk of losing the majority in the House of Representatives and the majority necessary to avoid filibuster in Senate midterm elections next November. At this time, political conditions don’t exist for posing an improved NAFTA. NAFTA, by the way, infuriates several unions that are part of the Democratic electoral base; they are angry about negative consequences NAFTA has had for various sectors of the U.S. economy.
And we won’t even mention immigration reform. Although it was one of Obama’s campaign promises, the majority of politicians in Washington see this issue as a kind of electoral kryptonite. Because they do not want to risk losing their jobs in November, the reform is now frozen. It’s no wonder that inside traders give its approval this year a probability of seven percent.
In the first place, it’s usually a good thing when a Mexican president visits Washington to meet, not only with his counterpart, but with the elite who work within what is called “the beltway” that loops around the U.S. capital. This includes President Obama, top officials, senators, representatives, members of the federal judiciary, correspondents from the mainstream media, lobbyists, ambassadors, and so on. All the “political fauna” who swarm the U.S. empire, that area on the banks of the Potomac River, bordering Maryland and Virginia, founded by the fathers of the country.
Many of these characters will cordially receive President Calderon. After all, he is the ruler of the nation’s southern neighbor. Additionally, the relationship between the two neighboring countries is good, especially economically, which is what matters most to Americans.
As we saw yesterday, from the beginning of the tour, Calderon was going to be pampered big time. And boy, does the president need this; he has had some dark days. A party candidate was killed in Tamaulipas; they kidnapped one of his historical leaders; and, even worse, he lost the mayorship of Merida, one of his electoral strongholds. I suppose evidence of warmth and friendship received in Washington will be great for Calderon. And beyond that, which always helps, the Mexican president will surely be able to unlock any other issue presently stuck in the bilateral agenda, in addition to sending a strong message against the despicable Arizona SB 1070 law.
All this may be ample justification for the state visit to Washington. We are convinced, however, that Mexico and the U.S. should deepen their economic integration — and we’ll be frustrated, because major announcements seem unlikely.
I don’t think there will be a signal from the two countries to seek a second, more effective stage of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). It’s not a good time for the U.S. to introduce this issue to the public agenda. After all, the Democratic Party (traditionally, the more protectionist trade party in that country) controls the executive branch and both houses of Congress. And that party runs the risk of losing the majority in the House of Representatives and the majority necessary to avoid filibuster in Senate midterm elections next November. At this time, political conditions don’t exist for posing an improved NAFTA. NAFTA, by the way, infuriates several unions that are part of the Democratic electoral base; they are angry about negative consequences NAFTA has had for various sectors of the U.S. economy.
And we won’t even mention immigration reform. Although it was one of Obama’s campaign promises, the majority of politicians in Washington see this issue as a kind of electoral kryptonite. Because they do not want to risk losing their jobs in November, the reform is now frozen. It’s no wonder that inside traders give its approval this year a probability of seven percent.
Thinly veiled article, calling for unregulated NAFTA provisions, & a nasty shot at Arizona for daring to try and protect it’s borders from invasion.
Obama is not trusted with “immigration reform” because the American people believe all he’ll do is grant amnesty (again) to all the illegals that violated our laws and invaded our country…it is also a given that the “reform” will simply eliminate the U.S. border, allowing unrestrained migration of anyone & everyone that wants to come to America, while the Mexican government does NOT reciprocate, still harassing & controlling American citizen that might want to invade…err, “immigrate”, to Mexico.
If you’re so hot on erasing our border…in the name of international humanitarianism, of course…then why doesn’t the U.S. simply annex Mexico?…most Americans see this as an eminently practical solution to the problem, most are in favor of it.
So lay down your arms & disband your military, accept American law & American courts, with all the rights & privileges thereof, and become one of our states, ok?
Unlike the illegals however, you’ll be required to learn English, in the new American school system.