Arrested Development - Ex-Pats Mexico

Might be good news, you know.

Roni:

When I used the word, distressing, I meant that I was distressed to find out that there was this much apparent corruption in Michoacan! For us, the State of Michoacan is a fairly recent discovery (just last August). We were really impressed with the area and had some very enjoyable times in Patzcuaro and Santa Clara del Cobre. Just last week, I read where someone tossed a headless body on the main square in Patzcuaro. From our point of view, Michoacan is a beautiful State!

Well, Pedro, Capone did nice things for the people of the neighborhoods he frequented. You might have something there. I suppose that would be called a mixed blessing, eh? Lizzy

Follow-up story:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30990008//

This political corruption thing has always been a difficult issue, not only in Mexico, but also the rest of Latin America. It is difficult to explain - pork barreling on steroids comes close. Its tough to be a politician in Mexico. It requires dedication, sense of purpose and dumb luck. Then, once in power, and only getting in power with the right connections, you are right in the frontlines of the 'unofficial' economy. This is not just laundering drug money, but cash from a wide variety of legal and semi-legal activities. Now here's the odd thing - it is considered acceptable, or the 'right thing to do' if the politician channels some or most of that money to his local constituents. Sort of an unofficial tax scheme. It reminds of the many people who upon buying a lottery ticket declare "dear God, you know if I win I'm going to donate to charity" - as if this will somehow give them an added advantage!

There are many examples of this all over Mexico. In Jalisco there is a large, modern educational facility, built in in the middle of nowhere in the 1980's, which sits abandoned and vandalised. The switch of parties killed the operative funding.

Let us not kid ourselves, the definitions may just be different but the same thing goes on in the excited states and other countries in all parts of the world!

The difference would be between a "Birth Certificate" in some places. (anglos perhaps?)
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and a "pedigree linage of ancestors" in other places.
(Latinos perhaps?)
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But then there are others (Asians plus?)

Who was that famous Texan politician who claimed "Yes, I am a crook - but you KNOW I'm a crook, and you will be watching my every move". Or in other words - don't send an honest man (or person ) to do a crook's jobs.