Since late November, the Mexican government, via its Consulate Offices in the U.S., has planted the exact same Op-ed, give or take a comma or two, into at least 17 major U.S. dailies.
Here is the line-up:
These editorials were clearly written by the same person and distributed to the Consulate offices for submission to the local paper. The wording is changed here and there. But the message is the same.
According to these Op-eds, and using all of their euphemisms, George W. Bush and Vicente Fox were working closely on a joint initiative recognizing that migratory reform is essential to the mutual benefit of both countries. OK, the tragedy of 9/11 derailed those important bilateral talks. But now let's get back to the pressing business of what's important to Mexico.
Continuing, the Op-eds insist that regularizing the status of Mexican workers is a key component for U.S. national security. If only Mexicans could have their status adjusted, then the U.S. authorities will know exactly who is where. Terrorists will have no place to hide.
The Op-eds further opine that legalization is the only fair, just and humane thing for the U.S. to do. After all, our economy is dependent on the hard work of Mexicans who come north to make a better life for their families, undocumented workers must be allowed to come out of the shadows, etc. etc.
Finally, at least one Op-Ed notes, we have the word of the Cato Institute that
"legalization of Mexican migration would drain a large part of the underground swamp that facilitates illegal immigration."
[PDF of Cato report] (No elaboration provided.)
The bad news for Mexico's masters, the overwhelming percentage of American newspaper readers recognizes drivel when they read it. According to a new Center for Immigration Studies report titled "Elite Vs. Public Opinion: An Examination of Divergent Views on Immigration" by Roy Beck, Executive Director of NumbersUSA Education and Research Foundation and Dr. Steven Camarota, C.I.S. Director of Research, 60% of the public view immigration as "a critical threat to the interests of the U.S." - as opposed to only 14% of the elites.
The good news for Mexico is that the "elites." as defined by the report, include politicians and journalists. That means you'll be reading more Op-Eds as Mexico continues to apply heavy pressure for its multiple agendas.
And you'll be witness to the endless gullibility of President Bush when it comes to matters Mexican.
The latest is the "preliminary talks" to add tens of thousands of Mexicans onto our social security rolls and thereby add hundreds of millions of dollars in payouts. Never mind that social security is teetering on the brink. Hey, Mexico can't get an official amnesty so it wants this as recompense. Let the talks begin!
The Bush-Fox relationship reminds me of a romance gone sour. Amnesty and pandering to Mexico may have looked lucrative to Bush at one time. Now things are different. The U.S. is in no position economically or politically to cave in to every Mexican demand. What Bush should say to Fox is "Buzz off. We're not giving you jack."
Otherwise, the heat will stay on - because Mexico is in deep trouble.
Over the last two years dozens of Mexican factories have shut down and moved to China. Mexican exports to the U.S. fell by 3.4% last year. Now, while Mexico is still wringing its hands over losing out in the American consumer market to China, an even harsher blow is about to strike. Under the terms of the North American Free Trade Agreement, on January 1, tariffs on almost all agricultural imports from the U.S. will end. The New York Times reports ("NAFTA To Open Floodgates, Engulfing Rural Mexico," by Ginger Thompson, December 19, 2002) that the pending deadline has millions of small farmers considering giving up their plots and heading north.
If millions of impoverished farmers are indeed headed to the U.S., now would be an excellent time for Bush to make clear that Mexico's problems are Mexico's.
We have plenty of our own.
Joe Guzzardi [email him], an instructor in English at the Lodi Adult School, has been writing a weekly newspaper column since 1988. This column is exclusive to VDARE.COM.
