Resolution and Independence??
We poets in our youth begin in gladness,
Thereof, in the end, comes despondency and madness
(William Wordsworth)
Substitute “politicians” for “poets” and thanks for Florida Republican House of Representatives Member María Elvira Salazar (formerly a Telemundo reporter) and Arizona Democrat Greg Stanton, I can start to make sense of the impact the fourth transformation is having on Mexican politics and culture.
Reading through the “Wherases” of the so-far unnumbered resolution (“Raising concern about the proposed constitutional reforms in Mexico”) is a handy introduction to the most far-reaching of the reforms underway. Not that it outright calls for anything other than “raise concern”, “express deep concern” (which I guess just means raising that concern even more), and “underscores” that “several aspects of the reform package undermine United States-Mexico joint efforts…” in issues important to the United States. Which — just maybe — is what the Mexican voters want.
The first “Whereas” assumes the Mexicans voted as they did with an eye to “strengthening bilateral and regional cooperation”. Followed by three having nothing to d with voting, but with (wait for it) the volume of cross border trade and investment. Basically, admitting that the rationale for their “concern” has nothing really to do with “justice” in the abstract sense, but what’s best for “just US”.
The rest of the “whereases” (there were ten in all) rehash the usual arguments… that several foreign bodies have questioned the reforms and that it opens the door to “corruption” … as if corruption doesn’t exist in the present system, nor that it isn’t found in judiciarty systems everywhere .
Of course, this resolution was submitted before the Mexican Senate had met, and the bill passed by the states. It’s part of the constitution for better or worse, and while the US House of Representatives may be “concerned”, really none of their business.
As it is, I don’t see much in the way of problems, or at least nothing worse than the justice system now. The President will no longer be submitting his or her choices to the Senate … and if the Senate turns them down, the President just appointing whomever they want (as in the present system), and there aren’t going to be partisan elections for judicial seats (as is common in several US states), nor do those US House members show any particular knowledge of, nor interest in, what have been the driving issues behind the change … the independence of the judiciarty when it comes to setting their own salaries, benefits and ridiculous perks… and, in judging themselves when it comes to misbehavior (Clarence Thomas, are you listening?):
AND…. of course, the US house members forget the most basic thing of all… Mexico is an independent country, and the concerns of foreign politicians are irrelevant.