Letter to Editor

From the Austin American-Statesman

We have become Mexico

Elements of the American right like to fret about the growing Hispanic influence in the United States. Presumably the fear is that we will become excessively Mexican.

It is ironic that their man in Washington, President Bush (really Dick Cheney/Karl Rove), has been largely successful in transforming the American political system into a copy of that of Mexico.

Today, we have a presidente that largely represents an entrenched oligarchy; displays public contempt for the rule of law; has stacked the courts, not with conservatives, but essentially monarchists; has filled the federal bureaucracy with cronies; and has persuaded the American people that he has personal and sole ownership of the American armed forces. To this we add a Congress full of either loyalists or a confused and timid opposition.

In short, we have become Mexico (actually, in fairness, the opposition in Mexico seems less timid and confused).

J. Saul Duran