News Summary for September 7th, 2009

New taxes heading your way?

The private sector is proposing a complete restructuring of public finances to apply a 15 percent value-added-tax on food and medicines as well… Business leaders also called for the revenue tax to be eliminated and the single rate or IETU business tax to be kept. Coparmex head Ricardo González Sada said that before reforming the tax system the government should report on whether it has properly spent the current budget.

Rumors are that changes are due this week…

As he celebrated the upcoming independence bicentennial in 2010 and the revolution centennial President Felipe Calderón called on citizens to decide whether they are satisfied with today’s Mexico or whether they want a change. Speaking at the same event Interior Secretary Fernando Gómez Mont said that changes in the government should not be linked to personal interests. (Comment: Mmmm there are rumors that Gomez Mont could become the next Attorney General. Boy, I am sure he does not want that job… In fact who would want to be the next Attorney General?)

So what are you proposing Mr. Presidente?

And Manlio Fabio Beltrones called on Calderón to make good on his rousing speech given as part of his third state of the nation address… Beltrones said he hoped Calderón’s economic program will match the country’s problems. (Comment: What Beltrones is basically saying is: OK Mr. President put your money where your mouth is. You want reforms? Give us your proposals…So we can attack them, change them, and we the PRI get the credit… Je Je Je…)

Expect More of This.

Tabasco local deputy candidate José Francisco Fuentes Esperón was assassinated with his wife and two children… Tabasco GovernorAndrés Granier Melo said there would soon be results from investigations…(Comment: Unfortunately we will be seeing more of these type of political murders.)

Kidnapping Heaven.

Catholic church spokesmen in Chiapas charged that the Los Zetas hired gunmen’s group was planning to kidnap a group of Central American migrants seeking to make it to the United States. (Comment: Is there any doubts regarding the question as to whether Mexico is the number one kidnapping country in the world?)

Expect a Political Show in Morelos.

The PRI caucus and the opposition in the Morelos state legislature agreed on an impeachment trial for state governor Marco Antonio Adame…

It is coming.

Health Secretary José Ángel Córdova Villalobos said that the A H1N1 influenza outbreak is under control… He said health officials are readying for a new outbreak expected in the winter. (Comment: Are we really ready? Are you ready?)

Thirsty and mean.

The Mexico City government acknowledged the city’s 11 penitentiaries are severely overcrowded with excess population at 110-percent. (Comment: That’s all we need in Mexico City overcrowded prisons with no water.)