As the Mexican election of 2 July comes to a grinding end, I will not make any projections. What we now have is the two leading parties (PAN and PRD), one from the right and one from the left, in a dead heat with plenty of vitriol to go around. Both parties are acting like vultures attempting to pick up votes from the carcass of the PRI (the old, deposed ruling party). What they are looking for is what we call in México, the "useful" vote. Why vote for a looser? Save your vote and vote for a possible winner with a "useful" vote.

     In the meantime, both of the top runners promise more jobs (what kind?) and more benefits for the poor. But neither offers a realistic plan on how to pay for it.

     What I am going to talk about now is Immigration, with a capital "I" that is the hot button issue in both countries.

     For a long time, I have been on record in saying that this illegal immigration problem can only be solved by a comprehensive approach, with BOTH counties involved. While there is much good to say about the present Senate bill that considers both border security and what to do with the vast numbers of illegals already in place, it does not really consider what the future will bring. Somehow, the continuing tide of fleeing Mexicans should be reduced. Regardless of how many and how high the walls are, we are looking at around 20% to 30% of the population of México wanting to go north. And with this kind of pressure, lots are going to make it. And get real, regardless of what president Bush says about "stopping catch and release now", it still is the same as before.

     The other side of the problem is México itself. México has to become a better country so that a significant portion of their population won't want to flee. That is an internal problem that the US cannot and should not get involved with. This is also a problem that can't be solved overnight, regardless what the politicians tout. But it has to come sooner than president Fox said recently that it would take "generations".

     Now, I am going to change position. Since the Senate bill in the US will certainly never make it through the House without drastic changes, why not consider something else? The House concentrates on enforcement and probably rounding up the illegals and transporting them back to the border in endless convoys of military 6 X 6 trucks as felons. Why not back off on the latter and simply concentrate on border security? Put the active military on the border if necessary (as México has on its Southern border) and concentrate on slowing the flow.

     Then, in a second phase, concentrate on assimilation of the "good" illegals into the US culture for the benefit of the US. They do make a valuable contribution in the US, you know.

     But now consider what happens in México. México uses the northern border as a "safety valve" to get rid of those that they can't provide for. And it makes lots of money in the process. By slowing this outward flow, this will create enormous internal pressure for México. In so doing, it will "encourage" México to start doing something realistic about improving the living standards in México.

     This must include a total overhaul of the Mexican "system" that denies protection for its citizens from the "impune" power structure. While just getting enough food for the table is the biggest thing driving people out of México, the corrupt political and legal system makes a big contribution. It isn't just the peasant class that's going north.

     This is not to say that the US can't make some realistic contributions to México if asked to in a diplomatic fashion; it can't just be jammed down México's throat.

     This will buy time in the US for assimilation (that is the key word) of the recent arrivals in the US.

     Keep in mind that México has more billionaires than Switzerland and is home to the third richest man on the planet. At the same time we have 40% of our population living on just over $2.00 USD per day. While Fox proudly says that he has decreased poverty in the last 6 years, the percentage is only in single digits. And the rich / poor spread is increasing, if you can believe it.

     The bottom line here is that no country should rely on just "getting rid" of their poverty class by forcing them out. But in reality, this is México's grand plan. They just don't admit it.

     Besides, the way things are going on migration; I will be getting lonely down here.

     I might have to hide in my basement when the "safety valve" is shut off for a while, but México just might become a better place for all in the process.
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Richard N. Baldwin T., a HispanicVista.com (http://www.hispanicvista.com/) contributing columnist, lives in Tlalnepantla, Edo de México. E-mail at: R1041643422@aol.com