Mexico drug war result of NAFTA?

WorldNetDaily ^ | 6/14/2005

[worldclass]

NAFTA has driven many legitimate Mexican farmers out of business, and many have turned to drug cultivation. It's one of the unintended consequences of NAFTA," he says.

He is not alone. Ask many Mexican illegal aliens why they make the trek north and they will tell you about their inability to make it in their own country as small farmers – since NAFTA and the increase of duty-free U.S. products into the country.

[worldclass]

Other than the amnesty program, this is the first reason for the increase in illegals that makes some sense.

[Tulane]

i disagree...there was illegal immigration before NAFTA...and the Mexican economy was in shambles long before NAFTA.

[worldclass]

Illegal immigration and a shambles yes....but NAFTA, the assertion is, has made both worse for Mexico and the US.

[Bombardier]

NAFTA was a stupid idea and the way things tend to go in this world the people of the United States always pay, in one way or another, for our elected class' stupidity. In the case of the current Bush, CAFTA is even more brain-dead than NAFTA, so the problems NAFTA has visited upon us will be just that much worse.

What are the most frightening words you can ever expect to hear?

"I'm running for office and I have ideas to improve the world!"

Lord, spare us from people who think they have to make the world any more sickening than it already is.....

[worldclass]

Illegal immigration and a shambles yes....but NAFTA, the assertion is, has made both worse for Mexico and the US.

[Luke21]

NAFTA was stupid, but Enrique Camarena was murdered long before its passage.

[Tulane]

NAFTA has created opportunities for American businesses and hardships for others (that's the way free trade works). In my opinion the overall effect has been positive...cheaper goods means stronger economy.

Just my $.02.

[Misplaced Texan]

Maybe Willie Nelson should go to Mexico and do a FarmAid concert and pick up some free weed.

[ken21]

mexico denies the majority of its population opportunities of education and jobs--that's the major issue. unlike china, india, brazil, mexico cannot or will not industrialize.

mexico is controlled by a couple dozen billionaires, several thousands of manorial families, and professionals--all white, or light-skinned, europeans. there's a very small middle class. the balance of the population, dark-skinned, mixed-blood or indian are piss poor. 6th grade is the most that they can hope for, and there are few jobs because mexico lags developing countries.

yes, nafta displaced the mexican corn growers. mexico is predominantly mountainous, corn producing farms are small, and no, they could not compete against the 2,000-5,000 acre corn agribusinesses of illinois. si.

but corn is a small part of the picture. the major problemas were outlined above.

[Bombardier]

Opportunities to leave the US for dirt cheap labor in Mexico or elsewhere. As much as I believe in capitalism, I dislike the way so many American businesses still will screw their employees over in a New York minute. Explain to me how losing industrial jobs for lower paying service jobs is good again? How is it good for our economy to have to import so many manufactured goods....when raw materials are exported from the US? Reminds me a LOT of mercantilism, and some of the ways the British used to keep the Original Thirteen tied to them. I maintain if a lack of manufacturing capability was bad in the past, it's just as bad now....and NAFTA has done a LOT to further weaken our manufacturing base.

[monday]

"He is not alone. Ask many Mexican illegal aliens why they make the trek north and they will tell you about their inability to make it in their own country as small farmers – since NAFTA and the increase of duty-free U.S. products into the country."

This is total BS. Mexican farmers can grow produce at a fraction of the costs US growers can. I notice there is no byline on this story. Perhaps the writer doesn't want everyone to know he/she is such a lier.

[Nowhere Man]

ping

[Tulane]

That's not the whole story...many companies that move some types of production or services overseas (or down south) use the cost savings to invest or expand here...creating new jobs...maybe not the same types of jobs, but expansion is expansion. Manufacturing can be a good thing...but why should a job that millions of people around the world can and will do at a fraction of the inflated/overly regulated and unionized American cost stay here? That is not efficient, nor is it good for our economy...it makes everything else too expensive...

The current populism of some of our politicians, the demonization (is that a word?) of "outsourcing," is, in my humble opinion, exquisite bull manure.

Again, just my $.02.

[1rudeboy]

Explain to me how losing industrial jobs for lower paying service jobs is good again?

That would be truly awful (if it was truly happening).

[the gillman@blacklagoon.com]

http://www.cfr.org/pub7914/press_release/trinational_call_for_a_north_american_economic_and_security_community_by_2010.php

http://www.cfr.org/pub8104/press_release/task_force_urges_measures_to_strengthen_north_american_competitiveness_expand_trade_ensure_border_security.php

This explains a lot.

[joesnuffy]

Hey sounds just like the USA's new intended paradigm
We gotta bunch a wannabe Patrones in charge.

imo

[Reaganwuzthebest]

NAFTA has driven many legitimate Mexican farmers out of business, and many have turned to drug cultivation. It's one of the unintended consequences of NAFTA," he says.

The wonders of Free Trade. It makes you wonder why we're taking so long with CAFTA with all these glorious benefits to look forward to.

[Know your rights]

This is total BS. Mexican farmers can grow produce at a fraction of the costs US growers can.

Their PER-PERSON LABOR costs are much smaller, but that doesn't necessarily imply lower PER-OUTPUT TOTAL costs.

[Know your rights]

NAFTA has driven many legitimate Mexican farmers out of business, and many have turned to drug cultivation.

So take the profit advantage away from drugs ... legalize them!