Concluding Comments

At times, your post really began to gather some momentum. In January you were consistently posting - and the posts were beginning to develop a theme: corruption, the breakdown of law and order, the relationship with the US and Canada. But then you have only one post in Feb and none in March. Hence, you stopped trending, and seemed to simply forget about the blog.

You discussed some good issues, and did eventually respond to my question about the presidential system in your last post (the question was asked a month earlier), and did discuss the nature of Mexico at times, but I would've like to see you be more consistent, and try to get a deeper and broader understanding of the country and its politics. Your images in your posts were excellent, but I would have liked to see a little more effort and work put into the design.

Nonetheless, you successfully completed your first blog.

Well done.

Mexico, A Strong Presidential System

Presidential System:
In a presidential system, the president is popularly elected, either directly or indirectly, and holds office for a fixed term. The legislature cannot remove the president from office, except by impeachment (to accuse an official of offense). The president alone has the authority to make decisions and may ignore the positions championed by cabinet members. Therefore, presidential systems are known as one-person, non-collegial executives, whereas parliamentary systems have collective or collegial (power sharing) executives.
Quick Facts:
In a presidential government, the president and members of Congress are chosen in separate elections.
In a presidential system the Chief Executive cannot introduce legislation, although he is permitted to veto legislation.

Mexico’s Presidential System:
Mexico has a presidential system with strong and independent legislative, executive
and judicial branches. The president is elected by popular vote for a six-year term, unlike other Latin America systems.

Mexico is a federation integrated by 31 States and a Federal District. Each State elects its own governor and legislature; municipal authorities are chosen at the local level.

This shows that Mexico has a strong presidential system because the first example was that the president was elected by popular vote. Secondly, the President Felipe de Jesús Calderón Hinojosa controls most of the legislature. The state of Mexico is very non-collegial meaning that they don’t work together with one and other, it is mainly all revolved around the president and his arrangements.

A Flurry of Trending...Things heating up

Steve, Over the last 8 or 9 days, you've posted some ten articles. Well done! Before that you're were more sporadic. Remember, what you need to do is post regularly twice a week. The news is important, and it is beginning to give your readers a sense of what's going in Mexico - how dangerous it is for Canadians and tourists. But remember, too, my comments on your postings are the key to developing it further. Rather than simply commenting on news articles (largely describing them), you need to begin to show a deeper and broader understanding of the country. I'd asked you about the strong presidential system. What is that? Why does Mexico have one? Show me that you're exploring Mexican history and culture also, and what impact these things have on trade, elections, foreign relations...Onward and Upward.

Recent News - Mexico's Dark Path of Violence

This article conveys that ten 'alleged' drug cartel members have been killed in a shootout with Mexican soldiers in the north-eastern state of Tamaulipas, which borders the United States. It was said that the soldiers found a rocket launcher, some 20 grenades, two grenade launchers, 24 rifles and a handgun. This weaponry could have done mass damage to the country of Mexico or wherever their destination of attack was. This article shows that three different drug cartels are battling over turf in Mexico. If people haven't realized how dangerous Mexico is, this article will surely teach them.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5g1eZKAfHcxpH3mrTSsVhBEGcOiuA?docId=CNG.0974f2ca1c91adea909b6017dc4d554e.31

Mexico Travel Advice

I found this site interesting because I feel that more people need to see this. This site gives you travel advice especially if you’re thinking to go to Mexico. They state that "Criminals especially target SUVs and full-size pickup trucks for theft and carjacking along highways of the states of Nuevo León, Tamaulipas, Baja California, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, Sonora, and Sinaloa." This site basically cautions people wanting to migrate or visit Mexico. This is very educational because it can show people when and where to look out for themselves.

http://www.voyage.gc.ca/countries_pays/report_rapport-eng.asp?id=184000

Recent News-U.N. Urges Inquiry of Migrants’ Disappearance in Mexico

As time passes Mexico's reputation is becoming worsened. This article shows the United Nations taking interest in all of the missing migrants. This is not a good look for Mexico especially since the United Nations are making it obvious that there is a significant problem in this country. With all of the problems going on in Mexico most of its income from tourists are going to be put to a Holt for a while till this country isn't as noticed. In this article it was said Last fall, 72 migrants, mostly from Central America, were abducted and killed in north-eastern Mexico.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/22/world/americas/22mexico.html

Recent News - Canadian alleging rape in Mexico back in Toronto

This article is quite disturbing and worth a read. This is the story of an intoxicated spousal dispute taken to four police members who allegedly raped the women. They then took a 1,600-peso ($130 Cdn) fine. The couple also allege officers robbed them of hundreds of dollars and other valuables. Mexican authorities deny that Rutland was sexually assaulted and dispute the couple's version of events.

This is going to spark more turmoil between Canada and Mexico because the total amount of Canadians dying in Mexico is becoming quite large.

Canadian alleging rape in Mexico back in TorontoRead more: http://www.cbc.ca/politics/story/2011/01/18/mexico-alleged-rape-embassy.html#ixzz1BVdNVSWA

Recent News - Mexico: The House the US has Set on Fire

This is a very powerful article written in a different perspective frowning upon the United States behaviour towards Mexico. This article basically blames United States for Mexico's corruption. As stated in the article "Mexico is a house the US has set on fire, and then covered its doors and windows with bars, allowing the people inside to burn alive. Fuelled by easy access to weapons from their neighbors to the north, drug lords have infiltrated all sectors of society, and now Mexico is arguably the most dangerous country in North America and one of the most dangerous in the world." This article is mentions that citizens of Mexico are trying to escape and the United States are simply not letting them find freedom. This article is very informing it notes how the rich are becoming richer and the poor are being made poorer. The subject of poverty is discussed in this article as it too is a growing problem.

This article provides many solutions for Mexico's problems in which the USA can help.

http://www.opednews.com/articles/Mexico-The-House-the-US-h-by-Lara-Gardner-110118-653.html

Addition to Recent News Innocent Civilians are Being Killed

This article is the perfect example to my pervious article. This article is very recent and was only published 16 hours ago. The growing number of casualties from gang and drug related violence is becoming overwhelming. This article tells the story about two innocent bystanders who were killed by a shooting among the drug cartel members.

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2011/01/17/slain-drug-shootout-near-mexico-city/#

Addition to Recent News Migration Phenomena

This post is an addition to some of the places mentioned in the previous post.

People are willing to die for the drive to the United States simply because they fear death in their own country and feel they have no other alternatives. When a citizen in Mexico thinks about living in the United States the portrayal is that its a better way of life.

Mexico is becoming quite unappealing due to its organized crime and corruption.

Recent News-Migration Phenomena

This article was in recent news of Mexico. It discuses the impact of migration and the different means of transporting immigrants illegally. This article also mentions the fact that those who are denied access to U.S.A. are often left on the streets of Tijuana and are left with no where to go and no means of survival so they are lead to become prostitutes and peasant workers for Drug cartels.

http://www.banderasnews.com/1101/edat-tjstillsuffers.htm

Recent News-Innocent Civilians are Being Killed

As we all know drug related violence is a growing problem in Mexico.
In 2009, over 6,500 people were killed due to drug related crimes. The downside to this all is that innocent civillians are being killed.
In addition, many of the trafficking organizations have branched out into other criminal enterprises, including extortion, kidnapping and immigrant smuggling.
Organized Crime is said to be the cause of all of these problems. it is said that they have become so powerful over this nation that it was unseen.

this aritcle talks about United States effort to control the organized crime in Mexico.

http://www.banderasnews.com/1101/edat-perspectives1210.htm

Mexico Political System

Mexico is a Federal Representative Republic, officially named Estados Unidos Mexicanos (United Mexican States)

This is based on a presidential system set up by the Mexican 1917 Constitution. The system of government establishes three levels of government: The Federal Union, The State Governments and The Municipal Governments.

The Federal Government is constituted by three branches of government: the Legislature, the Executive and the Judiciary. The Legislature is a bicameral Congress of the Union, composed by a Chamber of Deputies and a Senate.The legislative branch of government is the law making branch, which holds the responsibility of when and where laws are necessary. This branch receives assistance from the Executive branch by its proposal of laws and at times by its rejection of laws passed by the legislative branch.

The Executive is basically the President of the United Mexican States, who is head of state, head of government and commander-in-chief of the armed forces. The executive branch of the government is the administrative branch, which charged with the administration of the government.

The Judiciary is composed by the Supreme Court of Justice, and other courts.

The President of Mexico, the governors of Mexico and the members of the Chambers of Senators and Deputies are elected by popular vote of the citizens of Mexico.

Mexico and the United States of America it is run quite similarly when comparing each goverment.