Unrest in Mexico

Apparently democracy is much healthier and more alive in Mexico than it is here in the United States.

When the Mexican people believe, or strongly suspect, that a presidential election is stolen, they do not passively accept the outcome and just grouse about it over coffee with friends. They take action and make it known far and wide that an injustice has occurred, and they strive to set it right.

The supposed president-elect has not been given a moment’s rest since the elections back in July of this year. His swearing in has not quieted the angry citizens.

That is the kind of democracy in action that our nation’s founders made it clear we are obligated to as citizens to protect and serve.

We should learn from our friends to the south. They no doubt were not impressed with how we sheepishly accepted the electoral conduct in Florida in 2000 and Ohio in 2004.

Kent B. Comfort
Kansas City

Comments

[GCYL]

“The point I got was that people are still whining about nothing.”

I agree Engineer. It would be helpful if CRD would expound upon his whining.

[CRD]

Glad we agree.

[Engineer]

CRD
The point I got was that people are still whining about nothing. If the letter and your comments are something more than moaning over 2000 and 2004, you're right, I don't get the point.

[CRD]

Lloyd's missing the point yet again.

[Engineer]

There are sore losers and ungenerous winners, but some of you people need a new definition. Even the New York Times has admitted that President Bush won Florida in 2000. And that without counting the absentee votes from the Armed Services. There was also the effect of the Media calling the election before the poles in the panhandle closed, a highly Republican area.

[jack]

If you've read what I've wrote in the past, you know I am not a Bush fan. I am also not a fan of those that claim we should give up our individual liberties for the perception of temporarily improved safety.

That being said, we're still better off than most other places. Especially those like Mexico. I really don't want to see here what is going on there.

kate: Don't forget the armed insurection in Oaxaca.

[Kate]

Early in November Mexico’s Election Court and a political party headquarters were bombed. Late in November Mr. Obrador, who lost the election, had himself sworn in as “president” of a parallel government. When Mr. Calderon was sworn in, opponents blocked entrances to the legislature and bloodied noses. Is this really the kind of “democracy in action” we need to copy? Seems more like the actions of people who have lived under a corrupt system of government for so long that they have lost all faith in the rule of law.

[Sammy]

"...but we did kind of bend over and take it when presented with the questionable results in 2000 and 2004."

Huh?

[whispering_to_kc]

The healthy Mexican democracy is why millions of their citizens stream across the US/Mexican border each year, headed north in search of $7/hr jobs at Tyson Foods and Taco Bell.

[churd]

Yea people should realize how good they have it here. In some countries the president thinks he has the right to arrest the countries citizens without charging them with a crime, spy on their citizens with illegal wiretaps, torture prisoners of war, and do it all while believing they should have no oversight and not be questioned.

[CRD]

"I really wonder if the writer thinks these other countries are superior."

I doubt it, but we did kind of bend over and take it when presented with the questionable results in 2000 and 2004.

[jack]

I'm kind of ambivalent about this. Thomas Jefferson wrote that one of the purposes of the second amendment is that the government should forever be frightened by the possibility of the governed taking up arms against it.

At the same time, I see how other places are doing where this type of action is being taken and I don't want any of it.

Over all, we have it pretty good being Americans. Otherwise the kind of crap that is happening in Mexico and other countries would be happening here.

I really wonder if the writer thinks these other countries are superior.

[kcstar_is_one_sided]

"Apparently democracy is much healthier and more alive in Mexico than it is here in the United States."

Funny.

Will you ever give it up?