In Mexican News Today

I try to pay attention to the daily newspaper and radio.  A few of the headlines and stories that caught my attention from the Mexican news today: 

• Money From Remittances Has Fallen 36% Since This Time Last Year.   Money sent by Mexicans living in the U.S. to their families in Mexico (remittances) is the 2^nd largest source of income for Mexico—petroleum sales is first and tourism is third.  The Bank of Mexico says this is the largest decrease in history.  Experts here say that the pullback in the construction industry in the U.S. has hit Mexican workers in the U.S. 20.9% were employed in 2008.  Estimates say that 13 of every 100 Mexican migrants living in the U.S. are presently unemployed.  

• For the 2^nd time in 12 days, a key witness in a huge case against massive police corruption was assassinated yesterday in a Starbucks in Colonia del Valle in Mexico City.  (This is very near to the Sunset House).  He was supposedly in a witness protection plan. 

• President Felipe Calderon is finishing the first half of his 6-year presidential term this week.  There is lots of talk about his accomplishments, failures and challenges as President of Mexico.  A few of the lists that caught my attention:

• Key Priorities of President Calderon’s 1^st three years in office:

1. The war on drug cartels
2. Energy reform
3. Trying to offset declining oil revenues with a tax reform
4. A national infrastructure plan

• Great Problems Faced by President Calderon in his 1^st three years in Office: 

1. The world economic crisis
2. The H1N1 influenza outbreak with its effect on Mexico
3. The drop in revenue for Mexico as a result of health concerns—tourism has been hard hit
4. The 2009 drought in Mexico

• Main Accomplishments of President Calderon in his 1^st three years in Office

1. The criminal law reform in Mexico
2. The pension reform for public servants
3. Elimination of a corrupt public utility company in central Mexico
4. His decision to combat organized crime head on is considered courageous by most everyone
5. Educational equality reform
6. The tax and energy reforms (though limited) are being considered accomplishments

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