By Martin Arvizu

It seems that Mexico is finally, after so many setbacks in its history, taking a huge step forward. Not only to help itself financially and socially but also in freeing itself from the political pressures of the United States.

According to the story in Reuters by Miguel Angel Gutierrez, Mexico is once again trying to pass legislation to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of street drugs.

Under President Felipe Calderon’s plan, people would be allowed to posses up to two grams of marijuana or opium, one-half of a gram of cocaine, 50 milligrams of heroin or 40 milligrams of methamphetamine without facing legal repercussions.

Gutierrez reports that Sen. Alejandro Gonzalez, head of the Senate’s justice committee said, “What we want is to not treat an addict as a criminal, but rather a sick person and give them psychological and medical treatment.”

Although I seriously doubt that Mexico intends to treat and help addicts, this is far better plan than incarceration.

The story predicts that the problem will be the conservative nature of Mexicans and of course its northern neighbors, the United States.

Mexicans are very conservative, but not in the traditional American way. Yes they are religious and very family oriented. They believe that hard work pays off and they also believe that nothing in life is a given.

But Mexicans are also party animals. Mexicans love life to that point that that actually celebrate death. Mexicans believe in drinking and dancing and fiestas galore.

Trust me, an American conservative like Bill O’Reilly has nothing in common with conservatives in Mexico. This proposed legislation is a perfect example. Calderon is a known Mexican conservative and he is attempting to legalize the possession of small amounts of street drugs. Barrack Obama or Nancy Pelosi, some of our more popular liberals would not even attempt that type of legislation here in the United States. Some other liberal politician may eventually try, but it will not be for quite a while. I guess that it will be at least ten more years before someone has the bravery to do so.

Regardless, I hope Mexico continues and succeeds in its endeavor to pass this logical piece of legislation, despite what the United States will say about it.

Former President Vicente Fox, also a so called “conservative,” attempted to enact similar legislation in 2006 but it was scrapped after Washington objected and critics said it would create a market specifically aimed at “drug tourists.”

I guess Washington does not care if Americans drink themselves to death in Mexico, just so long as they do not partake in any illegal drug use. Just as Mexico should mind its own people in its own country, the United States should do the same.

Felipe Calderon has earned some respect from me with this brave and logical proposal. I cannot deny that I was disappointed when he won the election over Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador in July of 2006, but I seriously admire him for the moment being for taking his country’s future seriously and attempting to navigate away from the failed path that the United States has taken for so long in criminalizing drug use.

I expect the United States to verbally assault Mexico over their plan in the coming days, as they would like for everyone to think as they do and believe that drugs are evil and need to be eradicated, unless of course they are found to be legal by senators and congressmen who probably own stock in pharmaceuticals. They know that this law could seriously undermine that outdated stance not only domestically, but in the world as well.

So as all our readers know by now I am a Mexico basher. I believe Mexico should not be meddling in the immigration issue here in the United States as their record towards illegal immigrants in their country is nothing to brag about.

I have written about how Mexico’s treatment of their poor and the lack of opportunity it provides the working and middle classes are the main factor in the emigration out of the country.

But for tonight I have nothing but praise for Calderon and Mexico. It is an intelligent decision to begin the de-criminalization of drugs even if it is only for small quantities.

The criminalization of drugs has caused enough problems for Mexico and I hope and encourage Mexico to move forward with this legislation know matter what the United States does to thwart it.