President Calderón: 'Never again another crisis'

At a ceremony celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Syndicalism Banking of Mexico, President Calderón assured those in attendance that the Mexican economy is so stable now that, under his careful guidance, never again will it plunge into a state of crisis, as it did in 1982, 1987 and again in 1994. He explained, however, that in addition to simply believing in the strength of the national economy, Mexicans have to work with their government by giving it the benefit of the doubt and by trusting that the recently passed Tax Reform will bring the promised income to the state. I hate to say it Fecal (more common reference to Calderón), but I think that might be too much to ask.

Edward Sojo, Secretary of the Economy, announced that prices of the most basic foods are now under control and that in relation to the rest of the world, Mexico hasn't been all that shaken by the recent disruption to the international economy. That might be true, but so is the fact, as unions around the country pointed out yesterday, that in the last ten months the cost of the 'basic basket' has risen by 42%. Obviously, when prices are rising so dramatically on basic necessities, the poor are going to be most drastically affected. Without raising the minimum wage, right now stuck at just above $5 a day, these people aren't going to have the means of acquiring the most fundamental goods such as water and bread.

In his insistence that the key to economic stability is to give the state enough money to strengthen the nation's infrastructure, he seems to be leaving out an important piece: the 'human' infrastructure, or the poor and the vital services they provide to the country. If he really wants the people to work with him he'll need to be willing to work with them as well. Imagine that!