| | |  Editorials | Opinions | May 2009 
Mexico: The Best of Times, the Worst of Times
 George Puckett - mexico-myspace.com
 |  | First, the economic melt down in the US, next the drug wars exploded into the headlines, and now the most devastating blow of all, the swine flu... |  | | |
Years ago when I lived in Mexico I experienced a series of minor mishaps. First my computer monitor died; next the computer was invaded by a virus and finally, car trouble. All of these things happened within a few days. It seemed that things kept getting worse.
Seeking sympathy, I called a cousin in the states and related my problems to him. After listening he said, "Man, what did you do to piss God off?" It wasn't the response I anticipated or desired. Fortunately, I didn't feel that God had a personal vendetta against me.
Mexico seems to be having a multitude of problems, all of which have a direct economic impact on the entire country.
First, the economic melt down in the US had a huge impact on the Mexican economy. Real Estate developments all over the country suffered and many ambitious construction projects folded. Not only that, the resale values of residential properties were also impacted because mortgage money dried up and refinancing of property in the US disappeared with the plunging Real Estate values. This refinancing was a prime source of funds for the purchase of property in Mexico.
Because of layoffs in the US thousands of Mexican workers lost jobs. The consequence of this was fewer dollars being sent to families from workers in the US. Remittances from abroad are second only to oil revenues for the Mexican economy. Believe it or not, tourism is third.
Next the drug wars exploded into the headlines. Bullets were flying and people were dying. However, the body count was, for the most part, south of the border. It was close to the US but still contained in Mexico. Although a lot of tourists were convinced that the resort areas of Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, Cancun, Acapulco and others were not impacted, the collateral damage to tourism was tremendous.
Now for the most devastating blow of all, a case of the swine flu was discovered in Mexico. Now the drug wars are all but forgotten, by the American Media.
I read where this flu bug had begun in Mexico and a few days later that it had its genesis in California. I read where there were one or two deaths and then there were fifty and then down to seven. It is the same with the number of cases in the USA, Canada and Mexico. The actual number varies, depending on the news source.
The virus does not stop at the International Border of any country. No troops with AK-47s or tanks or flame throwers can prevent it from crossing the border. No passport is necessary. It piggy backs (no pun intended) on people with passports or visas.
Americans not traveling to Mexico really matter very little. Incidents of the flu have been found as far from Mexico as New York City and points in between. People might as well take advantage of the "fire sale fares" and take that trip they've been longing to take. Perhaps we should be running away from the US and not staying away from Mexico.
I just saw a news flash on TV. There have been no reported cases of the swine flu in pigs, only in humans. Where did this swine flu come from if not from swine?
"It was the best of times. It was the worst of times. It was the age of wisdom; it was the age of foolishness;" the 9th year of the New Millennium.
It is said an Eastern monarch once charged his wise men to invent him a sentence, to be ever in view, and which should be true and appropriate in all times and situations. They presented him the words: "And this, too, shall pass away."
George Puckett is the Founder of Mexico-My Space. Visit his website at Mexico-MySpace.com.
Should you be afraid to travel to Puerto Vallarta? Health Care Resources Puerto Vallarta's Pamela Thompson has the latest news and health reports from around Banderas Bay. (Click HERE for local swine flu updates) |
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