NO North American Union!

Sent by Patrick Dentinger | 2:11 PM ET | 10-08-2007

I'm a Mexican-American living in California. I love the U.S. as much as I love Mexico. The current so-called anti-immigrant movement throughout the U.S. has made any of us with olive complexion ("Mexicans") the target for many of those that perceive us as "invaders". My question to Vicente Fox and the NPR staff in general is: what's the best way to counter the current anti-immigrant (anti-"mexican") feelings in the U.S.?

Sent by Balam Hernandez | 2:22 PM ET | 10-08-2007

Vincente Fox and Calderon give empty rhetoric about 'building bridges'. If they want to build bridges with america, I say prove it! let americans own property in Mexico, let americans own businesses in Mexico. I guarantee in a decade, tehre will be a ton of new jobs in Mexico.

Sent by Mark Dranias | 2:38 PM ET | 10-08-2007

I am a Mexican living in Chicago. Why do Central Americans suffer so many abuses on the hands of Mexican Authorities, yet we demand 'fair' treatment for our fellow Mexicans. Should we not apply the same rules

Sent by Human Rights | 2:40 PM ET | 10-08-2007

President Fox has been very disingenuous regarding the economic difficulties facing his country. Very few people own nearly everything and almost nobody pays taxes so there is little infrastructure and security. Thus there is no opportunity for the millions who are not rich.

Roughly 10% of Mexico is in the United States! If the Mexican elite did not have the US as a pressure release valve on the pressure cooker they've created with their greedy, self-centered policies there would probably be a revolution. Or at least a strong enough threat of a revolution that real reforms could be made.

If there were something like 1 million Mexicans looking for work rather than 12 million+, the reception to them would be much more positive. It has nothing to do with skin color, and everything to do with stress on US infrastrucure (e.g. schools, housing, legal system, environment).

Sent by Nate | 2:41 PM ET | 10-08-2007

How can this man pretend to represent Mexico? he represents corruption at its worst. Democracy brought him to power but he destroyed it by aiding electoral fraude. People are dying of hunger, others are getting killed in Mexico. He seems to not be aware of this. And his wife? did he talk about all the corruption she and her sons are involved with?

Sent by Gabriela Pickett | 2:42 PM ET | 10-08-2007

the Human rights question (for Central Americans) came from Olga Franceschini --sorry.

Sent by Olga Franceschini | 2:42 PM ET | 10-08-2007

Though I am not a huge Vicente Fox fan, I must take issue with the kinds of questions that Neal frequently asks about the undocumented and their "illegal" actions.

I want to know when it comes to breaking laws, why is it that crossing of the border without visas is the only law breaking that matters? When have you asked about the employers who break the law, willingly and knowingly for the most part -- who in fact are fighting the reporting laws trying to be put into effect by Chertoff as we speak? Employers from the largest packing, construction and farming industry to the individuals who hire nannies, house cleaners and day laborers every day are ALSO breaking the law. This does not even include the worst offenders who help smuggle in workers from Mexico and Asian countries and then treat them as virtual slaves. Not only do they enjoy the protections of citizenship and due process, their law-breaking are also not being prosecuted in any way with very few exceptions. When the raids go down, the powers that be in cities and regions step in to PROTECT the economy, but not the American-born children of those hard-working folks who are being held in substandard lockdowns. Clear presentation of both sides of this issue, particularly the economic subsidy that employing undocumented and other low-wage workers provides for all of us who want cheap clothing, food and services. When will you discuss OUR role in the illegal acts? When will you expose the inconsistencies and fallacies that are expounded on your air waves, such as undocumented are living off of welfare (American-born children are not breaking the law by receiving aid) or that undocumented immigrants are the reason for our emergency room crisis? Better yet, when will you unpack the issue of why anti-immigration is on the rise now? Does it not strike you as more than just a coincidence that Americans of Latino descent are not the largest "minority" group with the highest reproductive rates in the country? FAIR is not afraid of undocumented immigrants, it is afraid of me, an educated third generation American who votes. How about some connecting of the dots?
I don't mean to take it all out on you, but it is not the first program I have heard on TOTN (as well as many other NPR programs) that does not dare to ask hard questions of the anti-immigration lobby. Please consider this email regardless of the obvious annoyed and frustrated tone.

Sent by Anna | 2:45 PM ET | 10-08-2007

I am sure that a way to stop the current anti-immigrants and anti-mexican feelings in the USA is by not sending more illegals to the s country and by improving living conditions in Mexico.
Now Mexico want North American Union, but cenrtantly that is only a one more way of Asian cheap labor to send their bad-quality products.
Yes, yes, yes, si, si, si..........Mexico has failed to Mexicas because even when we have a NAFTA agreement, we do not have the resources to learn the language English.
It is difficult as a professional to came to USA and not be taken as illegal. It is shameful that Vicente Fox has been a poppet of his wife Martha in Mexico and he is seen as man with a serious lack of leadership.
This Mr. can say anything but the true is seen very easily as soon as you see USA immigration.
About education , it is not true the things that he has said.
I am sure he is a dreamer and he is not in ground , so he is unable to bring true statements.

Sent by Maria | 2:50 PM ET | 10-08-2007

Vincente Fox is right when he says "Walls are not the answer". Mexicans break laws because, as a proverb has it, "for a hungry man, two plus two equals four loaves of bread". . .

It would help much more if the US would support entreprenurial efforts within Mexico. Just give ME one one-hundreth part of the money for the 1.8 billion dollar fence, and I'll create many, many jobs for Mexicans within their own country!!

Sent by Robert Rawdon | 2:53 PM ET | 10-08-2007

10% of Mexico has fled Mexico's economic policies. If Fox wants to build bridges with america there is a simple way to do that: Mexico should open its real estate market, guarantee foreigners property and contract rights, and loosen its labor laws to allow entrepreneurs to adapt. If you make trade possible and enforce the law, there are many ambitious americans and Mexican-americans that would love to put money into Mexico, create jobs, buy property, etc.

Sent by Mark Dranias | 2:55 PM ET | 10-08-2007

Coke USA v. Coke Rest of the world
the difference between corn syrup and sugar

Sent by George Pagel | 2:55 PM ET | 10-08-2007

This former Presifdent is very delusional about alot of things. He wants a NOrth American Union to help both countries but the only one its going to help is his country to legally allow Mexicans to work here; just like they now allow some Mexican truck drivers into this country as an experiment.

HIs country has much oil wealth but fails to use most of it to help the millions of people in poverty; thier infrastructure; create jobs; etc. They also fail to use it to stop all the illegal drugs coming into this country; the violence on the borders due to drugs and also the gangs and missing people (especially women / girls).

He is one of the worse presidents or prime ministers we have seen in many countries and that also includes Bush!!!

Nate and Mark are also correct.

Sent by jm fay | 3:11 PM ET | 10-08-2007

Please have Presidente Fox respond to the lack of freedom of expression under his presidency, that was promised during his campaign. One famous example is the Tigres del Norte song that was censured for criticizing his party (PAN).

Sent by Jason Lopez | 4:40 PM ET | 10-08-2007

Fox starts his "argument" with the story of his grandparents emigrating from the US to Mexico. I assume they didn't go there to demand social services. Three of my grandparents emigrated to America to find opportunity. They became citizens legally by getting in the que and going through the process (and learning English). They never demanded (or took) services even during the depression. Yes, the US was built in part through the efforts of it's immigrants. But that doesn't in any way justify illegal immigration which is the crux of the problem. Twelve million illegal immigrants are in the US demanding social services. Americans have a right to be outraged which appears to be sanctioned by the Mexican government. Building a wall, or taking other measures to prevent the influx of illegals, is not Xenophobia as he suggests, but rather one way to deal with the massive illegal immigration. One caller asked why Mexico didn't use it's substantial natural resources to pressure Bush into passing softer immigration laws. I ask why doesn't Mexico use it's substantial natural resources to better the lives of it's people so they don't have to illegally cross the border.

Sent by Mike | 9:20 PM ET | 10-08-2007

Anna,
Thank you for your comments. I would like more coverage of the employers who break the law by hiring illegal immigrants. I would like to see employers held responsible for providing living wages to their workers. Under-the-table wages would not be so attractive if living wage laws passed and enforced.

Sent by R Haverstick | 11:33 AM ET | 10-09-2007

Fox is awesome.

Sent by Alex | 12:51 PM ET | 10-09-2007

To the uninformed,
Please do more research on Mexican history, politics, economics, and illegal immigration statistics before you comment on NPR; don't let emotions cloud your judgment. Of the 10-12 million illegal immigrants, about half are of Mexican origin. The others come mostly from Central America, South America (including Brazil and Argentina), and Asia. Other Mexicans are legal immigrants and/or possess double citizenship.
Regarding Mexico's resources, they have been used to build infrastructure and provide jobs, but it is not enough! Those that know about world development, know the difference between Mexico and countries such as Sub Saharan Africa, all Central America (except Costa Rica), most of Asia (including China and India), South America (Except Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay. Mexico has a higher Human Development Index than any of the countries mentioned before, including some Eastern European countries. President Fox tried to pass several TAX and Energy reforms that would enable the economy to grow at a faster rate, but the incompetent Mexican opposition parties always blocked his bills in congress.
President Fox is a successful human being and some people resent this fact. How many can rise from truck delivery driver to President of Coca-Cola, and from farmer to President of Mexico?
His ideas are worth considering, like it or not Mexico and the USA will still be neighbors tomorrow and the day after tomorrow, and so forth.

Max Olguin

Sent by Maximiliano Olguin | 8:57 PM ET | 10-14-2007

Fox is just another corrupt ex president from Mexico. He was very nice when NPR asked him about the investigation that the mexican congress is doing on all his real estate. But he got all upset when telemundo asked him with the two books that came out on the subject.. He's just another corrupt politician... Mexico still has long ways to go when it comes to corruption.. at least in hidding it, like american politicians do..

Sent by Daniel de la Rosa | 8:07 PM ET | 10-17-2007

Have you seen the reaction of this guy when they interview him in Spanish with some uncomfortable questions in Telemundo?, this is the real Mr. Fox!
He is one of the worse presidents In Mexico history and now his Political Party (PAN) tries to perpetuate in power as the PRI did for almost 70 years.
You will see the performance of the actual president (Calderon) who steal the position

Sent by Joaquin San Juan | 10:50 AM ET | 10-18-2007