URGE URGE TO APPLY APPLY UNPLAN ANTICRISIS Urge implement a crisis plan: López Obrador
Mexico City
Wednesday October 8, 2008
Press Conference Mexico's legitimate president, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, to submit a letter public opinion
LETTER TO THE PUBLIC
14 months ago warned about the effects that would have the U.S. economic crisis in our country. Today, unfortunately, those predictions are being fulfilled. In a letter to the public, read a news conference here on August 22, 2007, argued inter alia that:
Since the 2006 presidential campaign, my team of economic advisers, Rogelio Ramirez de la O, Adolfo Hellmund and Mario Di Costanzo, warned me about the U.S. economic weakness and the impact it could have on our economy.
was clear to us that we should work from day to protect us from external shocks. Unfortunately, this turmoil has begun to manifest themselves today and illegitimate government, in a totally irresponsible manner, has not taken steps to address it.
must be said that the implementation of neoliberal policies made our economy highly exposed to external factors. This was and remains one of the reasons for proposing a change of economic model to strengthen the productive activities, the domestic market and creating jobs. However, by continuing the same policy and even deepen, our country has become more vulnerable. As a result, the burst the U.S. housing crisis and spreading international credit markets, our economy is heading for a stalemate with serious consequences for most Mexicans.
timely addition to explaining how the crisis was brewing in the United States made recommendations and we urge those responsible for the management of economic policy change in attitude and act with responsibility and urgency for the sake of national interest. However, the usurper government disregarded our warnings. To the extent that only a few days ago, both Calderon and Carstens, even said that if the United States gave pneumonia, we here just cause the flu.
Guided by neoliberal policy inertia, were unable to drive a program to revive the economy, create jobs, strengthen the field, build refineries, but instead decided to increase prices of petrol, diesel, gas and electricity. Held tax liens for large taxpayers and created the Single Rate Business Tax (flat tax) that hits small businesses and limiting the generation of jobs. They did nothing to achieve food self-sufficiency and continued with the approach of buying what we consume abroad. Prevented competition with the protection of monopolies that charge for goods and services at inflated prices and affect consumers and businesses. And instead of carrying out a plan austerity to free up funds for development, in two years the usurper government current expenditure has increased by 400 billion pesos, using an oil surplus.
Anyway, time is lost, it has ceased to use the opportunity of high oil prices unlikely to be re-submitted. And the most unfortunate is that we are now impacting the U.S. crisis with a very weak economy and the risk of a devaluation of our currency, as I began to speak out in recent days.
On Sunday 28 September, at the base of Mexico City, I returned to indicate the seriousness of this problem. Argued that This year economic growth in Mexico will be the lowest of all countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. In recent times there is loss of jobs. Wages and incomes are proving inadequate to the famine. Bad loans is growing. Banks have reduced their claims. Department stores are lowering their sales and construction industry is not growing.
For the effects of the recession in the United States is reducing the amount of remittances from Mexican workers abroad. Production is falling, are lower exports are declining occupancy levels in destinations tourism has been significantly reduced international lending for investment projects.
I argued that the decline in Pemex's production, caused by mismanagement and low oil prices, increasing the risk of growing deficit in the balance of payments. I explained that, without oil exports, the trade deficit in 2000 was 14 thousand 149 million dollars in 2007 to 53 000 and $ 92 million in 2008 projected to be 68 thousand 374 million dollars that is, grow about 15 billion dollars a year. It is important to note that 86 percent of this increase is due to increased foreign buying of food and petroleum products, mainly gasoline. And yet, the usurper government has refused to build new refineries and has not supported the Mexican rural producers to achieve self sufficiency. It seems as if expecting a large balance of payments crisis to act.
For all these reasons, I proposed to Congress implementing a crisis plan aimed at strengthening our domestic production to avoid higher unemployment and reduce the trade deficit. Specifically recommended:
- Cancel the price increases for gasoline, diesel, gas and electricity, to improve the competitiveness of industry give relief to consumers and reduce inflationary pressure.
- Increase the budget for the field, establishing price supports and subsidies to fertilizer and other inputs, in order to reduce food imports to avoid further price increases, improving the economy of farmers and producers and tempering migration.
- Construct three refineries to stop buying gasoline from abroad. And I argued that this decision would reduce imports of oil, which is about 50 percent of what we consume, there would be value added to crude oil, would create jobs and save foreign exchange.
- Carry out a program of public works to revive the economy and create jobs, in particular, that address the lack of public services and housing for the benefit of the poor in urban centers and border cities.
- Likewise, I proposed that consideration be given to spending on youth as a social investment that will be awarded scholarships to all students in the country as in the Federal District, for an increase in budget for public universities to resolve the problem of thousands of young people who are rejected under the pretext of not passing the entrance exam.
- To be granted a pension food to all adults over the country, equivalent to half the minimum wage, as is done in the Federal District. This support should be given from 65 years at least, in indigenous areas and in the poorest areas of rural and urban.
- delivered immediately former braceros' savings.
- To cancel the call Educational Alliance, and in particular not to allow the closure of colleges and seats are awarded to all graduates.
- immediately renounce the Secretaries of Interior and Public Security, and Attorney General of the Republic, for lack of integrity and be ineffective in combating insecurity and violence.
reiterate that the funding for this anti-crisis plan can be obtained if reduced by 200 billion pesos unnecessary government spending and used the 200 billion dollars of surplus to be received this year by high oil prices.
This Bag 400 billion pesos, to finance projects of high economic impact to improve the level of employment, competitiveness and adjust the social crisis and the climate of insecurity.
Our proposal, in essence, is to reduce the cost of government to society. I have always maintained that under no circumstances, except in a situation of economic stagnation, unemployment and poverty, civil servants may have the budget to get high salaries, allowances, benefits and amenities. On the contrary, that action must be channeled to the pressing needs of the people.
Specifically, the reduction of 200 billion pesos we propose can be achieved as follows:
1. That downward adjustment of heading 1509 to reduce by half the salaries from the illegitimate president to the deputy directors-general of the Executive Branch, which also reduce by half the perceptions of judges, magistrates and justices of the Supreme Court Justice of the Judiciary of the Federation of directors of the IFE and the Electoral Tribunal judges. Likewise, lower half the perceptions of federal deputies and senators. This adjustment would save 12 billion pesos.
2. Deleting the heading 1407 Individual Insurance separation, which is a special savings fund for the high bureaucracy and estimated for 2009 to 6 billion pesos.
3. To cancel the game 1406 Major Medical for private hospital care high bureaucracy, which amounts to 5 billion 050 million pesos.
4. The cancellation of pensions to former presidents of 310 million pesos a year.
5. The elimination of discretionary bonuses delivery end of the year for senior public officials including in Item 1 500, representing an expenditure of 11 thousand 207 million pesos.
6. That the items of "other current expenses" of the federal budget will remain unchanged at 2007 levels, plus inflation, which would yield a savings in the 2009 budget of 232 billion pesos. To this must be eliminated the purchase of vehicles for top officials, expenses, travel expenses of senior officials, the renovation of offices, office rental alternative senior public servants, first class tickets and clothing expenses. We also propose a drastic reduction of the advertising items, telephone services, cellular, photocopying and stationery, food officials, advisory services, grants, fuel, rental of property and trusts, among others.
This crisis plan, we insist, can be arranged in the legislature, where representatives of all political forces in the country and from there could be convened to the rest of society. In addition, the House of Representatives has the sole authority to approve the budget and most of our proposals depend on a reorientation of public spending. Today more than ever, it requires the recipient of the budget is the people and not the wealthy and the high bureaucracy.
Accordingly, I respectfully to recommend to legislators the Broad Progressive Front, which carried out all the actions necessary for the adoption of this anti-crisis plan.
Also, because 14 months ago, citizens do the following specific recommendations:
1. These are tough times so make an effort to adjust your spending to the basics.
2. If you live in Mexico and have no income, subscribe to the Unemployment Insurance Program and health care and free medications.
3. Esmérate in your work, because more competition and layoffs.
4. Save on consumption of electricity, water, gas, petrol and others.
5. If you need buying appliances checked prices in the consumer phone: 5568-8722.
6. You can always take advantage of discounts for cash payments in advance of water and property taxes.
7. Pay your utility bill, telephone, cable and other services, offices and banks not to save the collection of fees.
8. Do not pay your electric bill, water and phone if you get very high, to require clarification. Claim and defend your income.
9. Do not take undue charges on credit cards. Take care that the payments of your credits for purchase of cars in the bank does not contain unwarranted charges and always ask for clarification.
10. Do not hire because consumer credit Interest is very high and will rise more.
11. Do not hire variable rate loan, if you need to hire a fixed rate.
12. Do not hire dollar debts.
13. Even if you have no income but are recorded as a taxpayer, you must file your return to zero, to avoid unfair penalties.
14. Shop flea markets or with your dealers, because they and the Mexican farmers need your help.
15. Buy your products in bulk and, as far as possible, not industrial products.
16. Prepare your breakfast foods and your children to school not to eat junk food, not only for health but because they are more expensive.
17. Buy your bread at the bakery.
18. Make seasonal fruit water is healthier and cheer on the Mexican peasants. If you buy drinks industrialized, give preference to Boeing, which is a good quality product, produced by the Pascual Cooperative workers.
19. Buy trucks for agricultural products.
20. Buy Mexican coffee.
21. Buy your medicines in pharmacies or drugstores small national and supports colonies stores, neighborhoods and towns.
22. Eat Mexican products, buy your clothes at flea markets or markets such as the Federal District Mixcalco, Chinconcuac, State of Mexico or San Martín Texmelucan, Puebla, and shoes in Leon, San Mateo Atenco, Ticul and other production centers in the country. Artisans and small entrepreneurs need your help.
23. If you give work to painters, carpenters, blacksmiths, plumbers, landscapers and others.
24. If you travel for recreation or tourism, it is a domestic locations and gives preference to Mexican businesses.
25. Favors national inns and restaurants.
26. If you buy a car favors companies that manufacture in our country and support the employment of Mexican workers.
27. Say hello to the friends of your children at home for their meetings in order to have more security and spend less.
28. Drive carefully and tolerance.
29. Meet more with your loved ones extra time for communication and living with your children, values \u200b\u200bthe importance of reading, conversation and mutual support with family, friends and neighbors.
30. And keep in mind that happiness depends on being right with consciousness, with oneself and with others, not only reached with material goods.
If agreed a crisis plan in Congress as we propose, it is possible to confront the feeling of frustration and uncertainty that prevails and create a safe environment, encouragement and hope to the people of Mexico. It is also essential that we all act with greater humility, tolerance, generosity and respect.
