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Mexico shouldn't be poor, and here's why


Jul. 2, 2005 12:00 AM

Advocates for illegal immigration say extreme poverty, low pay and unemployment in resource-rich Mexico are reasons to let illegal aliens break our laws.

This is baseless idiocy. Resource-poor Japan demonstrates that Mexico's poverty is caused by corrupt leaders.

Proving that national prosperity isn't luck, there are many other prosperous, resource-poor nations in the world.

First up is South Korea. In 1970, the U.S. was providing South Korea with major foreign aid assistance. This country was still mired in the doldrums brought on by devastation of the Korean War (1950-1953). By the late 1970s, South Korea had a thriving domestic automobile industry and started exporting cars to America in the late 1980s.

Their initial automobile exports were unsuccessful, but Koreans remained undaunted. They went home and returned to our shores 10 years later with far better products that have brought them success.

Now, South Korea is an international player in autos, semiconductors, electronics and shipbuilding.

Why hasn't Mexico done the same?

Next up is the tiny city-state of Singapore. In 1960, Singapore was notorious as the under-belly of Asia. Its numerous pleasure houses and legions of inexpensive "working girls" made it a world-favorite destination for those seeking physical gratification. Singapore was beset with, crime, greed and rampant corruption.

Then, along came Lee Kuan Kew, who took over as Singapore's leader in 1959. He implemented a strict (some say draconian) rule of law, stamping out the corruption and crime that had produced Singapore's sorry condition.

He introduced compulsory education with rigorous standards, and created a nation-wide free enterprise zone. By 1980, Singapore's highly educated population, lack of crime, and commercial success had earned it the unofficial title as the "Pearl of Asia."

Why hasn't Mexico followed this example?

Taiwan is next on the list. This island nation off southern China has a gross domestic product that until recently exceeded that of mainland China.

Also, there is Hong Kong, an island just off eastern China. This former British protectorate became so successful, even the Communist Chinese haven't been able to mess it up.

Small, successful, resource poor countries aren't restricted to Asia. In 1991, the Baltic states of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia gained freedom after 50 years under the Nazi and Communist yokes. Thirteen years later, these states were in both the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

All of these nations share the common thread for success: Implementing and enforcing the rule of law, eliminating corruption, a well-educated population, and free enterprise. Their leaders are concerned about their country and fellow citizens, not about lining their own pockets.

The path to being a prosperous nation is well-worn and well-known, putting success within any country's reach. Apologists for corrupt leaders do their people and the world no favors by making excuses for them and their crimes.