To the editor: Gustavo Arellano extols the virtues of a country that actually had 37 candidates assassinated in this election cycle, a beautiful country that many Californians won't even drive into for fear of violence. (“What Mexico’s historic presidential elections can teach the United States,” column, June 4)
Claudia Sheinbaum, the candidate personally chosen by the outgoing president, won in Mexico. Good for her. Really.
But because some crazy people here in our country filled him with “dread” while he voted (without killing him), here's a question for Arellano: Of the many thousands of immigrants who passed through Mexico to reach this land, how many Of them said, “Hey, let's stay here in Mexico”?
Jeff Heister, Chatsworth
..
To the editor: I enjoy Arellano's columns, including his article praising Mexico for electing its first female president.
But wow, what a different interpretation it has of “Poor Mexico,” a phrase attributed to the Mexican dictator Porfirio Díaz.
I always thought the point of the entire comment – “Poor Mexico: So far from God, so close to the United States” – was that Mexico was far from God's help and close to an intimidating and arrogant neighbor to the north. In fact, Arellano's column lends itself to that opinion.
I congratulate the Mexican people for their progressive attitude towards gender equality in the presidential elections. Maybe one day that can happen here.
Susan Gustavson, Portland
