Message-ID: <330BFF0C.3346@uniontel.net> Date: Wed, 19 Feb 1997 23:36:44 -0800 From: David Johnson <mailto:pinefarm@UNIONTEL.NET> Subject: Mexican vacation To: mailto:DEVEL-L@AMERICAN.EDU
Along with the graciouness of the Mexican people, I was struck by
the level and depth of corruption in Mexican society.
It is just taken for granted that ALL official transactions in
Mexico involve payoffs and bribes. Everyone I talked to who lived there
had paid bribes. These were mainly to officials to obtain visa extensions
and to traffic police.
The bribes to the police were whatever the individual could
negotiate. Often they were as little as 4 or 5 dollars, depending on the
offense but, you always have to pay, the only question is how much.
Its hard to see how any country can hope to take its place
alongside developed countries when this atmosphere is taken for granted.
It seems strange since Mexico adheres to the international rules
when it comes to copyright and patent protection but, they can't seem to
stamp out day to day corruption.
The Mexicans I talked to about this simply shrugged and agreed
that it was a disgrace but, they really didn't seem all that concerned
about it. Its just the way things are in Mexico.
Dave Johnson