Mexican politics and immigration to the U.S.

Re “Mexico Elite Sees Leftist as a Danger,” May 24

Regardless of whether you are for or against Mexican immigration, it is apparent that the despotic and nepotistic elite of Mexico (and their apologists) have an effect on immigration to the United States. Our immigrant parents knew that they would never excel or succeed in Mexico because merit and opportunity do not exist except for the well-connected, oppressive elite. Mexico’s millionaires and billionaires refuse to pay taxes or develop a social safety net for the working poor, peasants, elderly and indigenous populations. As long as Mexico’s elite pilfer all of the opportunities, the U.S. will continually need to confront economic and political immigrants from Mexico looking for a chance to succeed and excel. Let us hope that presidential candidate Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador will have the true desire to create change in the name of social justice for all Mexicans.

ALEXANDRO JOSe GRADILLA

Asst. Professor of Chicano Studies

Cal State Fullerton

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The broad support that propelled [Mexican presidential candidate] Felipe Calderon into the lead cannot be attributed to Starbucks-drinking “elites” in Beverly Hills-style compounds. It reflects growing voter awareness of Lopez Obrador’s inability to deal with a modern economy and his disastrous record as mayor of Mexico City, where his major populist successes were money giveaways, poorly conceived and managed public works projects and transforming legitimate discontent into class struggle. Lopez Obrador has shown that he would govern his country as he did his city -- with a 1970s caudillo [strongman] perspective that undermines the rule of law and opposes structural reforms that are essential to compete internationally and create the jobs needed to reduce income inequalities and Mexican emigration to the United States.

ARTURO SARUKHAN

International Affairs Coordinator

Felipe Calderon Campaign

Mexico City