I haven't been giving any personal opinion about the
US elections for one simple reason... I don't care!!! I cannot vote, I’m not a US citizen and I'm
not living in the US... Why taking care about something I have no control
on anyway?
Anyway, in Mexico, now that the US elections are
getting close, it is news in the media. The funny thing is the opinion of
the "vox populi" and the one of the "intellectuals" which is
completely opposed…
The “vox populi” is pro Obama, arguing Mexicans (with voting rights in the USA)
will vote Obama and that he will end the war in Iraq. I can understand
the first point (although I think it's not a good argument), however I don't
understand the second one: what's the interest of Mexico if the USA is or is
not in war with Iraq?
The intellectuals tend to vote (if they could of course) for McCain.
Might be surprising, but they do, and have good arguments... They say
that Obama and the democrats, certainly with the recession, are protectionists
and will reduce commerce with Mexico. And that would be catastrophic for
Mexico... And the democrats have a point: in 1994, the USA had a trade
surplus with Mexico of USD 1,349 millions... In 2007, this became a trade
deficit with Mexico of USD 51,976 millions! In other words, Mexico has
been exporting for USD 166,500 to the US, while the US "only"
exported for USD 114,549 millions to Mexico… These figures are from the US
government, you can check them here: http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/balance/c2010.html.
If these figures would change (in disadvantage
for Mexico), unemployment, devaluations and poorness (and thus crime) would
increase in Mexico…
Also, they say (the intellectuals), there is a wrong
perception from the “vox pupuli” that Obama and the democrats are pro Mexicans and
pro immigration. And I do agree: on human
side, democrats might be pro Mexicans, but electorally, they can’t sell the
idea to Joe Six (afraid to lose his job) to legalize illegal’s… This is opposed to the republicans, who
represent the “the rich and business owners” in whose interest it is to have
cheap illegal Mexicans…
My point of view? Taking into account the interests of Mexico, and being an intellectual myself
;-) I would tend to vote McCain… However, if could vote, I would vote Obama for sure. I think the US needs a fresh wind of optimism
in order to reactivate the economy… And
I believe Obama is the best option… And that’s
in my interest too! Optimistic Americans
mean Americans travelling to Mexico… And
that my business, serving Americans in Mexico :-)
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