Roads

iguana07 wrote:
QTLA
I get your point! I am realistic on Mexico I just tell it as I see it

Just as you are sensitive about me throwing the U.S. under the bus every chance I get. I am realistic about the U.S.

Facts are facts. It's a great country, just like all the other 197. Same planet, beautiful geography but humans seem to screw it all up.

Sometimes, Iguana07, it's important to be sensitive to others who may not live in the same country as you do. Unfortunately, these conversations have sent away many Mexican rvers who in the past had lots to offer us. We could have learned a lot from them. Never to return. Too much rah rah rah for the good ole U.S. of A. and little good to say about Mexico other than it was cheap and warm.

You know what, people around the world get tired of hearing it. Especially when it just doesn't ring true anymore. Current elections, case in point.

A couple of years ago I was ticketed on the NY Thruway - 81 in a 65, Traffic was moving right along with me. I called to find out how much I had to pay - with the fine and all the surcharges it was going to be about $750. The clerk suggested I get a lawyer - which I reluctantly did. The lawyer got the speeding ticket reduced to a parking ticket - all told including the legal fees it was $500.
What's worse - curbside settlement or legalized extortion?

It's just that the forum is RVing in Mexico. You almost always respond to posts with negatives about US.

I can't speak for Chris but here is my take on this. People post negative things about Mexico in a way that suggest they do not seem to think any of these things ever happen in the Us. Some say they will not go to Mexico because of these negative things and this seems to say they are safe in the US because these things do not happen in the US. I post stuff that happens in the US merely to point out that bad things can happen anywhere and posting as though this can only happen in Mexico is simply unrealistic. It is not about being negative toward the US. But there is no denying we have our fair share of problems NOB as well. Maybe we are comparing apples to oranges - I don't know. But why participate in a forum about Mexico that is for people who have an interest in visiting Mexico and then say there is a good chance bad things will happen. Maybe they will. Maybe they will in the US as well. I don't know about you but I sure have seen my fair share of police speed traps in the US. And we hear of corruption in the US. So if we are going to say Mexico is corrupt how about we say we have certainly all seen corruption in the US. Maybe not exactly the same - a cop in Mexico gets you for $20 and a city manager in the US gets taxpayers for $$$ millions. Who is the bigger crook?

But are you living in a bubble?

Perhaps I am. I have no idea. All I know is we have never ever even been remotely asked for any kind of mordida. I am not saying it does not happen. We travel all over Mexico - 29 states so far - and we move around a lot and are out on the road a lot so not sitting in one place - in other words we do get a lot of exposure. We spend about 4 months each winter for the past 10 years in Mexico. Prior to that our exposure was more limited as we still had to go to work and only got to Mexico on some vacations. I was in my mid-20s in 1971 when I converted a 1964 GMC panel truck so I could more or less live in it and I spent a couple months in Mexico - as well as about 6 more months traveling the US - between jobs - out of the Navy. I do not claim to be an authority and do not claim that things do not happen. I merely state personal experience. We have encountered police - asking directions mostly - but pulled over once for red light infraction in Patzcuaro but let go immediately when they realized we were tourists - no request for one single centavo.

QTLA
I get your point! It's just that the forum is RVing in Mexico. You almost always respond to posts with negatives about US. Not sure why but you must be sensitive about things posted about Mexico.
I enjoy my visits to Mexico or I wouldn't be on this forum I am realistic on Mexico I just tell it as I see it
Brian
I agree corruption everywhere. But are you living in a bubble? I and my travel companions have experienced mordidas including lots of my Rv friends in Mexico
You like googling so Google mordidas in Mexico
1971. Well how about 1951 as a two year old traveling to Mexico City to visit my aunt. I will admit I wasn't driving and don't remember going
But I still have family in Mexico and I know what they say about many issues.

Quick search (Google) indicates TX is number one in the US for corruption with CA being number 2 . . .

http://uscommonsense.org/research/depth-look-public-corruption-california/

A couple of the major cases in CA. . . .

City of Bell
http://www.latimes.com/local/bell/la-me-bell-scandal-a-times-investigation-20160211-storygallery.html

City of Beaummont
http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-beaumont-corruption-20160517-snap-story.html

Fun stuff?

We point the finger at little guys who get away with a few dollars (we have never been asked for or paid one single dime to police in Mexico and I have been driving there since 1971) but somehow we forget about the ones who get away with millions. Just look at some of our leaders today and some hoping to get elected.

iguana07 wrote:
Just to keep my point alive. I read nothing about current Big Well Texas sheriff corruption. It was the city counsel members and had to do with a casino. All your sites refer to past incidents from 2004 to 2013. Yes it happens but when you specify one department you need yo back it up. Especially when you use the word STILL. At least these guys are getting arrested in the states for it. How often do you think the Mexican traffic cops are arrested for mordidas?

It is obvious that you are unfamiliar with what happens in Mexico. Yes, corruption exists but its the people who are corrupt. People make up the government, pay bribes to policeman, teachers, business, as well as local, state and federal government. That said, "you" can do a search for all the Mexican government officials both local/state and federal that are in prison for their deeds.

As for my references, does it really matter if they are two or three years old? Do you think that those places have been cleansed of corruption? Do you think that all the things that happen are reported? Of course not. Americans don't like to hear about, much less talk about, the bad side. But we all love to stick it to Mexico.

Dimmit County (Big Wells) has a certain fame with Mexicans who drive up the I-35. "Sorry, today is Sunday and the office is closed. You can just pay me." Right, the money is taken directly to the office on Monday.

I think you've missed my point though. But then again, you always have. Borders don't mean squat. Crime and culture don't stop there.

Thanks all for your valuable info. Perifico it is.

Just to keep my point alive. I read nothing about current Big Well Texas sheriff corruption. It was the city counsel members and had to do with a casino. All your sites refer to past incidents from 2004 to 2013. Yes it happens but when you specify one department you need yo back it up. Especially when you use the word STILL. At least these guys are getting arrested in the states for it. How often do you think the Mexican traffic cops are arrested for mordidas?

iguana07 wrote:
Remember Big Wells, Tx where the sheriff's department accepted and still does, mordida.

I can say for once I agree with you it's our responsibility to know the laws. It would be the same in U.S.

But there you go again with saying that the Tx Sheriffs are STILL accepting bribes without any proof!

People must live in a bubble. The news is everywhere. Corruption is a human trait just like lying and cheating. No one is exempt because of a border or a country name. There is a list of over 80 U.S. governors, mayors, sheriffs, and other officials charged and sentenced in U.S. prisons for corruption. Another good story is Crystal City, Tx where all but one of the city government employees ended up sentenced for corruption. That happened this Spring while I was working in the area. I'm not shocked.

SAPD cops allegedly received bribes from San Antonio trucking company Texas Chrome Transport Inc.

America's Dirtiest Cops: Cash, Cocaine and Corruption on the Texas Border

Three Cops Accused of Taking Bribes Found Guilty

Starr County, Texas, Sheriff’s Deputy Arrested and Detained on Bribery, Extortion and Drug Charges

Border agency report reveals internal struggles with corruption

Jan 29, 2013