Another excellent piece, Diane, and another good reason to vote for Nikki Haley.
However, it is hard to imagine how any Mexican politician would agree to allow any armed U.S. forces to go about liquidating Mexican cartels. There are plenty of politicians who would benefit by invoking Mexican nationalism against the U.S. and - together with cartels and their huge popular and financial support - start "returning fire" until most of the remaining 60% becomes largely ungovernable. The situation has grown beyond simple military force and may even - with prodding from our more distant enemies trigger a war between the U.S. and Mexico in which the U.S. can not win.
There must be an overriding, long-term strategy building support within Mexico itself for joint U.S.-Mexican forces declaring war on the cartels as the key to true Mexican "independence". There must be stroking of populist sentiment against either "gringo" control or internal (oligarchic/cartel) control of Mexico.....a true war of liberation in which the U.S. is on the side of the Mexican people and those Mexican politicians who are committed to the rule of law. Simply giving money to Mexico will not work because of the extent of infiltration by cartels and the inability of the government itself to organize nationwide popular support for such an effort. The U.S. must become the secure sanctuary from which both Mexican and U.S. personnel work together to create and implement a multi-faceted strategy encompassing all of Mexico.
We enjoy the presence of a large Mexican community here in the U.S. Those are the personnel we should be recruiting for purpose of propaganda, representation, military training, grass-root support from people back home, etc.......somewhat similar to the early U.S. efforts in Cuba but without premature embarking on raids. Also - because of the enormous profits Mexican businessmen and influential families derive from legitimate trade and commerce with the U.S., - we have powerful leverage in enlisting their support to fund the right politicians, enlist their employees, and make the whole undertaking take on the appearance of a national crusade......for human dignity. It is only when the cartels run up against powerful, unified, and "take no prisoner" native forces will we succeed in establishing as good and close ties with Mexico as we do with Canada and succeed in permanently pulling out the cartels by their roots.
To disempower the drug cartels we have to destroy the profitability of drug smuggling. To do that, the US must legalize the drugs to eliminate the "sin"-surcharge, take over their manufacture to insure safety through quality control, destigmatize treatment and make it readily available. These steps must come before any military-like action is taken because they would weaken the cartels by making their "business" model inefficient and unnecessary. Such steps might avoid the tragedy and rekindling of "bad blood" that invading Mexico would produce by using cooperation to replace the need for unilateral military action.
For over 50 years the War on Drugs has been a disastrous failure. Criminalization and prohibition have never succeeded in eliminating socially undesirable behaviors that provide individuals with easily obtained thrills or pleasure (even though those fall off quickly with drugs and are replaced with the need to avoid the pain and suffering of addiction and withdrawal). We cannot eliminate the likelihood of wasted lives and souls lost to drug use, but the problem is much worse after 50+ years of fighting a war on drugs.
Once again the jeopardy in human safety is criminal elements. Mexico tries but until it cuts the head of the snake of 'drugs' - there is NO solution. Many of my friends have vacationed in Mexico (rather than AZ) becuz of lower cost but - they say they are safe - I say its a crap shoot. Where is safe when you have cartels the depth of those in Mexico ? And as you said, embedded in all the institutions - even police. Not sure there will be a solution to this drug situation in my life time.
It is a good article and I would vote for Haley, but the solutions to the illegal drug problem can (imo) be solved only at the individual level. As long as many people have an inclination toward a drug or alcohol high and the willingness to disregard the risk of a fatal overdose I don't see anything other than widespread premature fatalities. And I lose no sleep for those who choose to ruin and shorten their lives.
Great summary. Legalizing the drugs in the US is the best way to disarm the cartels. But what is driving the huge demand for these drugs in the US in the first place?
Truly an amazing article, thank you. I fail to understand why there's a significant amount of drugs being smuggled and consumed in the US. Is it because they are willing to pay a high price? Mexico and the US are at risk when you consider these cartels and the flood of immigrants/asylum seekers coming through the border.
Another excellent piece, Diane, and another good reason to vote for Nikki Haley.
However, it is hard to imagine how any Mexican politician would agree to allow any armed U.S. forces to go about liquidating Mexican cartels. There are plenty of politicians who would benefit by invoking Mexican nationalism against the U.S. and - together with cartels and their huge popular and financial support - start "returning fire" until most of the remaining 60% becomes largely ungovernable. The situation has grown beyond simple military force and may even - with prodding from our more distant enemies trigger a war between the U.S. and Mexico in which the U.S. can not win.
There must be an overriding, long-term strategy building support within Mexico itself for joint U.S.-Mexican forces declaring war on the cartels as the key to true Mexican "independence". There must be stroking of populist sentiment against either "gringo" control or internal (oligarchic/cartel) control of Mexico.....a true war of liberation in which the U.S. is on the side of the Mexican people and those Mexican politicians who are committed to the rule of law. Simply giving money to Mexico will not work because of the extent of infiltration by cartels and the inability of the government itself to organize nationwide popular support for such an effort. The U.S. must become the secure sanctuary from which both Mexican and U.S. personnel work together to create and implement a multi-faceted strategy encompassing all of Mexico.
We enjoy the presence of a large Mexican community here in the U.S. Those are the personnel we should be recruiting for purpose of propaganda, representation, military training, grass-root support from people back home, etc.......somewhat similar to the early U.S. efforts in Cuba but without premature embarking on raids. Also - because of the enormous profits Mexican businessmen and influential families derive from legitimate trade and commerce with the U.S., - we have powerful leverage in enlisting their support to fund the right politicians, enlist their employees, and make the whole undertaking take on the appearance of a national crusade......for human dignity. It is only when the cartels run up against powerful, unified, and "take no prisoner" native forces will we succeed in establishing as good and close ties with Mexico as we do with Canada and succeed in permanently pulling out the cartels by their roots.
To disempower the drug cartels we have to destroy the profitability of drug smuggling. To do that, the US must legalize the drugs to eliminate the "sin"-surcharge, take over their manufacture to insure safety through quality control, destigmatize treatment and make it readily available. These steps must come before any military-like action is taken because they would weaken the cartels by making their "business" model inefficient and unnecessary. Such steps might avoid the tragedy and rekindling of "bad blood" that invading Mexico would produce by using cooperation to replace the need for unilateral military action.
For over 50 years the War on Drugs has been a disastrous failure. Criminalization and prohibition have never succeeded in eliminating socially undesirable behaviors that provide individuals with easily obtained thrills or pleasure (even though those fall off quickly with drugs and are replaced with the need to avoid the pain and suffering of addiction and withdrawal). We cannot eliminate the likelihood of wasted lives and souls lost to drug use, but the problem is much worse after 50+ years of fighting a war on drugs.
Once again the jeopardy in human safety is criminal elements. Mexico tries but until it cuts the head of the snake of 'drugs' - there is NO solution. Many of my friends have vacationed in Mexico (rather than AZ) becuz of lower cost but - they say they are safe - I say its a crap shoot. Where is safe when you have cartels the depth of those in Mexico ? And as you said, embedded in all the institutions - even police. Not sure there will be a solution to this drug situation in my life time.
Great piece. Five likes? What is wrong with people. You’re a national treasure. But so many people can’t read more than 75 words before ADD spin off.
YOU ARE SO RIGHT!
It is a good article and I would vote for Haley, but the solutions to the illegal drug problem can (imo) be solved only at the individual level. As long as many people have an inclination toward a drug or alcohol high and the willingness to disregard the risk of a fatal overdose I don't see anything other than widespread premature fatalities. And I lose no sleep for those who choose to ruin and shorten their lives.
Great summary. Legalizing the drugs in the US is the best way to disarm the cartels. But what is driving the huge demand for these drugs in the US in the first place?
Excellent as always
Very good article. Interesting what Musk is doing in Mexico with Tesla. https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/elon-musk-s-big-tesla-factory-in-mexico-taps-chinese-suppliers-stoking-dc-fears-1.2034657
Truly an amazing article, thank you. I fail to understand why there's a significant amount of drugs being smuggled and consumed in the US. Is it because they are willing to pay a high price? Mexico and the US are at risk when you consider these cartels and the flood of immigrants/asylum seekers coming through the border.