WHAT MEXICO CAN ACCOMPLISH FOR THE U.S.

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1. Dave T
   

   Yes I agree we must decrease our US consumption of illegal drugs. Education, jobs and safety must be parts of the equation to rebuilding in Mexico and in our tough US neighborhoods. Without these, this cancer of gangs and drugs will continue to metastasize even more. We must keep healthy cells or people from becoming "infected" by this cancer of gangs and drugs.
   NYC worked on a "broken window" theory; where they got rid of decaying buildings and rebuilt something better in its place. This actually decreased the crime rate. I once read about a former drug user and he said 3 things finally got him to quit using drugs. They were he changed the neighborhood, the people and the things that reminded him of the drugs. Perhaps this confirms this "broken window" theory. We must create a new Marshall Plans on both sides of our Southern border rebuilding old decaying neighborhoods. This could help the healthy cells or people stay healthy. These plans could be voted on by passing a bond issue. Paid back by new rents, oil revenues, and minerals incomes and by other means.
   They say the number one ingredient to rebuild decaying neighborhoods is that food and drinks are part of the design. It would include restaurants, bars, and coffee shops. However, just like the chicken and the egg, these businesses cannot be set up unless there are people and it is safe. At the same time, people will not migrate to parts of towns unless businesses (jobs) are already established, there are people and it is safe. Nobody likes to visit parts of towns with no one around and it is not safe. How do you get rid of a cancer (gangs) without destroying the good cells? Just like giving someone chemo; I believe destroying this massive cancer of hate cannot be done overnight. You must keep the good cells as healthy as it can be (Jobs, increased standard of living, safety) during this process. Can we learn other things from cancer care and apply it to our foreign policy with Mexico? It may be something to think about.
   Can creative ways be developed to reach people through today's Internet? Today it is through these means that the youth communicate. We now have new technologies; they include smart phones, YouTube, social medias, twitter and texting. Could they distribute thousands of these phones to connect to people? Then these phones would be utilized to connect people to educational videos and text messages. These messages would provide new economic opportunities to rebuild their neighborhoods. These phones can provide new jobs training programs, as well.
   Can new Marshall Plans be developed on both sides of our Southern border? Will these concepts lower the US demand for drugs? I have no clue. However it may be worth a try.

   November 29, 2012 at 4:12 pm |