George Putnam
Friday, Sept. 12, 2003

Louis Giovannini of Los Angeles, one of our regular listeners, writes in discussing at great length America's crude oil situation, noting that Saudi Arabia is one of our longstanding allies (America's biggest foreign supplier of oil, next to Canada) – and that it's about time we seek another source and stop buttering up the Saudis.

Louis suggests that we look to our neighbor to the south. The United States needs oil and Mexico is an oil-rich country. Why not tap into that source in exchange for all of the goodies Mexico takes from us. Is it necessary to recount the inequities we suffer at the hands of hoards of illegal aliens pouring across our southern border? The impact on our culture and economy threatens our continued existence.

It is estimated that Mexico's second-largest source of income is the $10 billion sent back to Mexico each year by Mexicans working in the U.S. Mexico's largest source of income comes from oil that ends up in Japan and elsewhere. Why not make an exchange – Mexican oil for all of the millions of dollars Mexico is costing us in uncounted services.

A possible way of equalizing the situation would be to exchange Pemex Oil for all of our services, such as health care and public schools, as a starting point.

The profit from the sale of Mexican oil could be deposited with the U.S. Federal Reserve in New York. A predetermined amount charged for social services could be deducted from each sale to the U.S. and deposited with our California treasury.

This could begin to pay for all of the social services used by Mexicans in the U.S. The remaining balance in this arrangement could be deposited with the Mexican treasury.

Now, this kind of arrangement is nothing new. Several years ago, during that country's last financial crisis, our U.S. Treasury loaned Mexico money on similar terms.

However reluctant the Mexican government may be, it should be persuaded that there is no choice but to agree to this arrangement. It's time to tell Vicente Fox and his corrupt government that there will be no more "freebies" for their nationals in California.

It's time to warn our neighbors to the south that if they don't get their act together, California and Congress will take appropriate and necessary measures. And while speaking bluntly, we also need to tell the Mexican government to put its own military along our common border to stop this illegal invasion. The invasion of our country and the alien burden belong to Mexico.

While Vicente Fox is supposedly in the midst of reorganizing his energy program, he might think about including export of oil to us. After all, he could benefit enormously from such an exchange. Faced with high unemployment and a resurgent opposition, Fox is pleading with Congress to pass long-sought reforms to jumpstart the economy.

As Mr. Giovannini proposes in his excellent plan, let's give it a try. Mexican oil in exchange for the free ride Mexicans are getting from us. Oil for services: It's time to play tit for tat ... or how do you say that in Spanish?

The legendary George Putnam is 89 years young and a veteran of 69 years as a reporter, broadcaster and commentator ... and is still going strong. George is part of the all-star line-up of Southern California's KPLS Radio – Hot Talk AM 830. Click here for George's complete bio

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