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> For a long-term solution, the best thing to do would be to help improve Mexico's economy.

Right. It won't be easy, but it is a lot more likely to happen than, for example, the establishment of a good democratic government in Iraq. There are drug dealers in Mexico, and corrupt officials, but we have the same problems here to some extent.

Mexico has a great work force, and good people, but there is too much of a gap between the haves and have nots. If we spent half as much money helping our next door neighbors as we have spent on places halfway around the world, Mexico could be a better place. And we would be better off with a good productive neighbor to our south, like the one we have to our north.

Mexico has the potential for a great tourist industry. So far, just a few beach towns have been developed in that direction, but the country is rich in historical sites and has some beautiful areas inland. Mexico City, could be the Rome of the Americas if pollution and slums were cleaned up. Things like that go away as the standard of living improves.

U.S. money could do a lot for Mexican infra stucture. They need highways and improved public transportation. We did it for Iraq and they just kept blowing things up. Mexico would not do that.
Howard