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Letter to the editor: Mexico's cheap gasoline

Friday, May 23, 2008 4:04 PM CDT

I spent this past winter in Baja, Mexico. The price of gas was $2.35 a gallon and diesel was $2.00 a gallon. The Mexican government owns and controls the oil and gas industries in Mexico, and it is called Pemex. All the gas stations are very modern and have full service. Individuals that run these stations own the franchise.

There will never be $4.25 a gallon gas in Mexico because the government realizes it would ruin their economy, destroy their tourist industry and cause a huge increase in crime.

Every service station in Mexico sells gas and diesel for the same price except stations within 12 miles of the U.S. border, where it is higher. I asked the people why fuel was higher in the border towns and their reply was that the U.S. government forced them to do this.

When you fill your vehicle up with $4.25 diesel and the people south of the border fill theirs up with $2.00 diesel, you have to remember n Mexico is totally corrupt!

Gary Willson

Reubens, Idaho

Comments »

Mexican wrote on Aug 11, 2008 10:07 PM:

" Ok, Thank you for the help you say USA gives us. But our country of Mexico has natural resources that foreigners have been exploiting.

Also we would have had a democracy a long time ago when Francisco Madero was president but he was assassinated with the conspiration of Henry Lane Wilson.

Madero is known as "The Champion of Democracy In Mexico" because he was against dictators and corruption.

USA and Mexico has differences. USA is english, we are spanish. USA is protestant we are catholic. Ironic that in 1927 anti-catholic laws were passed in Mexico that led to catholic persecution. But who caused that?

Why is it that american males beat up mexicans living in the USA for interacting with white american females. Americans interact with women of other nationalities and no one threatens violence to americans right?

We mexicans also have a lot of nice looking women and we don't get violent when americans hit on ours. So why did three teenagers murder a mexican for being with an american girl?? Why did two teenagers beat up Daniel a mexican-american in Houston a while ago for kissing the guys sister?

Seems americans are unfair when it comes to interracial dating. Because they seem to be the ones that only want to have the right to date who they want but they get violent when others date their women.

Anyway, thank you again for the help in tourism, dollars and so on. "

To Pimp Sleazy wrote on Aug 11, 2008 2:37 AM:

" Thank you for the post....you are exactly correct. The US could never hurt Mexico as bad as Mexican politicians hurt Mexico -- but they want to blame everything on us put of convenience.

Instead of thanking the US for providing the 4 pillars of their economy (tourist dollars, drug dollars, petro dollars, and dollars flowing south from illegals), why are they thanking us? If it wasn't for the US, Mexico would be Guatamala...

A simple "thank you" would suffice... "

mary wrote on Aug 8, 2008 6:29 PM:

" Attitudes like yours is why the rest of the world dilikes Americans. We think that we are the world police who can go into other countries, ie Iraq, and fix things. Maybe we should take example from Mexico who is a neutral country instead of spending billions and billions of dollars on our military. Spend the money on childrens health care or help the elderly with medication cost. Mexico has a great healthcare system. If the demand was not so high in the US the drugs would not be sent here. Please before we place blame on someone else, we need to look at our own country! "

Pimp Sleazy wrote on Aug 6, 2008 10:54 PM:

" I just want to know exactly how America has messed over Mexico so bad that Mexico "hates us." Is it because we don't like Mexicans sneaking poison into our country and selling it to our kids? Is that the pinnacle of human evolution then: the noble Mexican? Mexico, like most of the world, is led by corrupt politicians that talk the talk to stay in power. When you have ignorant masses voting for sleazebags you get corruption. The problem is that Mexico, as a country, failed to evolve. But that is changing. Poor policies on the part of the Mexican government caused Mexico to lag behind the rest of us (the industrialized world). Not America. If it wasn't for the USA, where would Mexicans go to improve their lives beyond their wildest imaginings? Canada? If it weren't for us, Canada wouldn't be shiznit either. "

whitemexican wrote on Aug 4, 2008 11:16 PM:

" I am mexican and I HATE AMERICANS! Why?? Because they always bad mouth my country and call us the enemy. Even before illegal immigration. The US media always makes us look bad. And not just with us. They make other countries look like the enemy.

I am upset as to what happened to Luis Ramirez who was murdered by three white teenagers with racist intimidation. "

mrland wrote on Aug 1, 2008 4:49 PM:

" "...the united states are giving billions for mexico to wage there war on drugs,instead of directly giving the country the money,why dont we try to trade this funding for 2.00 a gallon for truck fuels and 220 gallon for gasoline"

Because the oil companies prefer charging you $4.25/gl that's why! And the politicians wouldn't want their invetments in those companies to lose money. "

mrland wrote on Aug 1, 2008 4:36 PM:

" I am a U.S citizen and own property in Mexico (no, I am not Mexican). I own property in Ciudad Juarez also and am amazed at all the thousands of low income homes the government in conjuction with private enterprise build for it's people. I know of one man who only pays $80 dlls/month for his one bedroom townhome. I see new plazas and malls going up everywhere and many are better than those across the border in El Paso. Nevertheless, the U.S media uses every negative bit of information to make those in the U.S think that Mexico is poor as hell. Well is that were true why did three new Starbucks cafe's just open in Ciudad Juarez in the the last three months?

Last night I went to a new Walmart plaza and it looked and felt that I was in a gourmet supermarket in the U.S , the hallways had stained concrete and nice palm trees with sitting areas. I haven't seen one like that in the U.S yet.

The fact is that the media and politicians keep Americans in the dark so that they can control them and rob them which is why the U.S economy is where it is and on the path that it is going down.

As for illegal border crossers there are several reasons for that. But first, the U.S needs to tell the truth which is that many of illegal immigrants who cross the border are not even Mexican but come from other parts of S. America but transit through Mexico to reach the U.S. Second, the process of obtaining a visitor's visa to the U.S is not friendly, is inflexible, and far from easy. Then there ar ethose people who watch too much television and feel that the grass is always greener on the other side so there may always be some illegal immigration no matter what.

Anyway, with the U.S economy heading down the drain and the Mexican economy growing the lines to (legally) cross into the U.S are getting visibily shorter. "

mimi wrote on Jul 29, 2008 7:57 PM:

" remember the main topic is oil.
just yesterday they sustained a public poll about the initiative in Mexico about allowing private companys to contribute investments in Pemex.
Vox populis said NO.
They are losing the public rights over something consider as national assesment. No private (national or international) companys are to take part of it. PEMEX is the only company with superavit. It's not the only monopoly, we have electric and telephone services controlled by only two names CFE and Telmex.
Still the goverment is trying to make us believe we need foreing money but certainly PEMEX is the only company that recovers their own investment and more than 1,760% earnings. Daily we need 6.16 USD millions but we earn as much as 114.53 USD millions Daily.
Multinational companies in other countries keep up to 84% of the superavit. This is the main reason Hugo Chavez has been hated because he just recently expropiated Venezuela oil companies. (Mexico did it in 1938 with Lazaro Cardenas and he was labeled as socialist when all he did was as stated on the Mexican Constitution written on 1857)
Have you checked the prices of gas and diesel in Venezuela? Further more look at Kuwait, where the citizens receive a annual proportion of the oil companies profit. "

Land Man wrote on Jul 27, 2008 6:55 PM:

" People who say we should give our land back to Mexico miss the point...

With Mexico in control of that land, it would be worse off for Mexico. If there was no LA or San Franciso, or if LA or San Francisco was in the same shape that Tijuana is in, where would Mexicans find jobs??? Aren't you glad we created booming metropolis cities in that area so that now you guys can cross the border and find work?? I don't follow your logic...

You believe you have a right to work in LA and earn American wages, but you want Mexican to control LA? If Mexico controlled LA you could not make American wages there..... "

To Robert wrote on Jul 27, 2008 6:48 PM:

" If the U.S. needs to give its land back to Mexico and the Indians, then I guess Mexico should give it's land back to Spain -- who should then return it back to the indigenous population of Mexico.

So, there should be no Mexico and no US? "

Randolph wrote on Jul 27, 2008 12:56 PM:

" I lived in Cuernavaca for four years. I love both countries. Still, they are not equal.

http://www.transparency.org/policy_research/surveys_indices/cpi/2007

In terms of corruption, Transparency International, the most esteemed independent research organzation focused on global corruption, ranks Mexico at #72 and the US at #20....You would have to be delusional to believe that the US and Mexico are equal in terms of corruption. Corruption is what makes Mexico poorer than the US.

US politicians are corrupt in many ways, certainly. They are bought and sold by lobbyists, makes bad decisions based on industry pressure, and personally enrich themselves (i.e. receive houses from lobbyists illegally, etc). However, Mexico's politicians pilfer millions and billions out of state coffers and line their bank accounts with money that should be used to build infrastructure. Mexico has most expensive toll roads in the world due to this mismanagement...

"A politician who is poor is a poor politicians" - C. H. Gonzalez

A US politician could never get away with making this statement -- made by the architiect of the Mexican political system, Carlos Hank Gonzalez.

Mexico is where we were at the turn of the century. For Mexico, the 1980's was a period of robber barron's similar to New York City in 1900, etc...

Also, as someone else mentioned...the U.S. is an importer and Mexico is an exporter of oil. "

Robert wrote on Jul 26, 2008 8:26 PM:

" Mexico is a great country. Corruption is everywhere, more in the USA than Mexico. The American are now so arrogant towards the world as a whole. They wouldn't be so arrogant if they knew the truth about what America does to the rest of the world. The media in the USA is tainted. Try watching news from other countries and you will see why the world hates Americans and why the world is tired of America trying to impose their broken ways on the world. The American Way is not for everyone. Mexicans like Americans as people but, the government in the USA is soo corrupt that they can't do anything except add more laws and walls to protect itself from the people and countries that they have pissed off. Come on America, get some respect for the world, learn your lesson from 9/11, leave other countries with different ideas alone. This is not THE UNITED STATES OF THE WORLD. Build and fix America, not the world.

also, you might want to think about giving Mexico back the land you stole and the land you stole from the Indians. "

History lesson wrote on Jul 20, 2008 5:48 PM:

" Nancy:
Not everybody in mexico gets treated well, just like in the US. Your governement treast you in the worst manner I have seen in may countries in the world. They lie to you and keep you all numb with bread and circus while your children die to keep rich an elite of politicians and CEOs.
Who gets treated the worst? We could discus this over and over and still we couldn't deny the fact that your governement lies, cheast and steasl from you, in your face, and you love it!
As to coming and taking "America" from their rightful citizens. This sounds to me like you are one of those rednecks that believe in the "reconquista" theory? Opinions from people like youdo not concern me at all becauase all they do is show you ignorance and in tolerance.
We haven't taken your cuntry from you, but you sure did try to take ours from us 150 years ago, and if you had the chance you would still do it today.

Why the injustice keeps on perpetraing like this? I don't know. "

frank f wrote on Jul 18, 2008 7:36 AM:

" As an american living in Mexico- I see as far as petroleum is concerned that they have goten that part right--
they control the price of fuel to their people-and sell the excess on the world market-in tis case-wiser than we in the US-sorry guys "

mary wrote on Jul 17, 2008 10:33 AM:

" Nancy what are they taking from American's? Jobs you might say, but I don't think that you would want to pick cherries or apples or bending over for 8 hours in 105 degree weather like the migrant workers do in California. I think that you need to remember that unless you are native american, you ancestors immigrated here following the biggest illegal of them all Christopher Columbus! "

Nancy wrote on Jul 15, 2008 7:20 PM:

" Hahahahaha....lying mexicans. If you treat ur people so good, why do they come here to take America away from it's rightful citizens? "

Mr. Right wrote on Jul 11, 2008 1:02 PM:

" That was for Nancy by the way. "

Mr. Right wrote on Jul 11, 2008 1:01 PM:

" Wow you are worse than Pete Wilson

Well now. It sounds like you have a problem with your neighbors and just becasue they are hostile to your living environment, you assume (with ignorance) that all mexicans are the same.

Let me tell you something.

Just because a hill billy caucasian blew up a building in Oaklahoma (Oaklahoma City Bomber, Timathy Mc Veigh), two nutty white high school students shot their classmates in Colombine High (Littleton, Colorado) and a white monogamy amish community in Texas allowed old farts impregnate and abuse their cousins and nieces, that does not give me the privilage to think that all white americans are the same.

Or, when I see white homeless crack heads with carboard signs that read " will wok for food" instead of getting their a$$es to work, that does not mean that all white crack heads are the same.

Get real and get a life.

If it makes you feel better:
On behalf of all Mexicans, I apologize for the hostility you feel with your neighbors.

By the way.............. after a long day at the office. I also like to walk around my house barefoot. "

Robert wrote on Jul 4, 2008 8:23 PM:

" Mexico is no more corrupt than the USA. Don't be fooled by the corrupt news in the USA. The Mexican government cares about its people and does everything they can. the U.S. government has lost touch with its people "

A Mexican wrote on Jul 1, 2008 12:06 AM:

" Shell, Exxon and Texaco gets its from several countries where one is our country of Mexico:

http://www.goodmagazine.com/section/Marketplace/Getting_Gas

Also California wants to import natural gas from our Baja California, Mexico:

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN1636213320070717

And it is not enough that now they want to drive across the border to our country to buy cheaper gas.

Since programs like CNN, O'Reilly, Lou Dobbs have been putting down mexicans daily on their shows and they don't think about where they get their oil and natural gas from.

Since they hate us soo much, why doesn't Nancy who is originally from Germany get her people to sell oil to USA?? Or maybe get the Phillipines to sell oil to USA?? There are a lot of philipinos in USA that drive and use energy raising gas prices because there is not enough supply to meet demand. One particulare philipina named Michelle Malkin that talks trash about mexicans. Why doesn't she get the Phillipines to sell oil to USA that hypocrite. "

Bob Godde wrote on Jun 29, 2008 10:33 PM:

" You all have it wrong!! The mexican people still have FAMILY VALUES!!! Totally LOst in the U.S. They may have Mordida down here. It is just a different word for CAMPAIGN CONTRIBITIONS!! Nobody gives a candidate $100,000 because they like them. They expect a lot in return. Open your eyes!!! Maybe 1% of people in office in the U.S. ARE not corrupt. "

AFI wrote on Jun 28, 2008 5:26 PM:

" For Nancy,

Your probably someone making fun of Mexicans?? Mexicans treat wives with respect. And as an AFI agent we will protect our mexican woman from american sexual perverts that cross the border on their sex tourism. "

mary wrote on Jun 26, 2008 4:40 PM:

" Nancy
It is ignorant people like you who keep racism alive today. Of course every race has bad people. I don't know your race, but I can think of people from every race that are bad. Ted Bundy was white, intellegent, and yet a serial killer. You are very wrong by stating that all Mexicans are the same. I hope that if you have children that they are not learning to hate like you. My husband is Mexican and everything you have said is so far from the truth. I have lived in Mexico and the people are very friendly and courtious. Obviuslly you have done something to offend these people and by the way your comment sounds I don't blame them for being abusive to you! "

Latin American Oil wrote on Jun 26, 2008 12:17 AM:

" I guess the reason oil prices in USA are climbing is because there are sooo many people from Europe or Asia living in USA that use energy. But their countries don't sell oil to USA putting to much stress on the countries that do sell oil to USA. "

Vigilantes wrote on Jun 22, 2008 9:33 PM:

" Maybe we should have mexican vigilantes raid gas stations in Tijuana and deport americans.

Americans have their vigilantes called the minutman. "

Francisco Madero wrote on Jun 22, 2008 9:31 PM:

" Henry Lane Wilson is a criminal for conspiring to have Mexican President Francisco Madero assasinated in 1913. Wilson supported a dictator Huerta that executed a lot of mexican villagers due to Wilson's interest in mexican resources. Witnesses are still alive today that witnesssed and survived the executions.

Not to mention, the secret Free Masons (American Protestants in disguise), ordered the abolition of catholism in Mexico in 1927, causing hundreds of mexican catholics and priests to be executed during the catholic persecution era.

Wow! If americans hate mexicans so much, the go ask your friends in the phillipines to sell you some oil.

Shell, Exxon and Texaco gets their oil from Mexico. And they hate us?? "

joe blow wrote on Jun 22, 2008 8:06 PM:

" tell the american people what bush and cheney, how much money they're making.
they pocket about a $1.25 for each
gallon of fuel is sold. "

duh wrote on Jun 19, 2008 10:24 AM:

" mexico is corrupt, but cheney's energy task force was totally above board. well, then why did he need to invoke executive privilege to decline sharing the notes from those meetings? "

jorge wrote on Jun 18, 2008 1:41 PM:

" i-just-have-to-say-that-mexico-and-the-u.s.-are-closer-than-what-it-appears-to-be-they-both-need-each-other-to-be-successful. "

just making a comment wrote on Jun 17, 2008 12:46 PM:

" Okay, maybe Mexico's government is corrupt but don't judge without looking at yourself first. US gov. is not any different, the only difference is that theUS gov. know how to hide it very well. Another thing if Mexico is so corrupt why do so many Americans retire in Mexico? and why do so many go & take their vacations there? Maybe because just like the US gov enjoys taking advantage of it's people. The American people enjoy taking advantage of people from other countries. See that's the problem with Americans they think they're the best that's why they're alway in other people's business when they should be minding their own mess in their own back yard. Sky high gas Prices, homeless people, crime, drugs just a few to be mentioned. "

youwish wrote on Jun 16, 2008 3:00 PM:

" If mexico is so great why is there so many people tring to get into the us from there. Hmmm Really great "

Fer wrote on Jun 15, 2008 10:12 PM:

" I have to talk about some of you. Americans have always been offensive to mexicans, they dont realize how much they obtain of the cheap work of the latino force.
Force them out of USA and you will realize how out of order is your economy.
The comments here are racist and offensive.
Dont generalize. "

louie robinson wrote on Jun 15, 2008 7:56 AM:

" just a thought about mexico,being that i live in mexico,a thought came to my mind,we as the united states are giving billions for mexico to wage there war on drugs,instead of directly giving the country the money,why dont we try to trade this funding for 2.00 a gallon for truck fuels and 220 gallon for gasoline,lets stop giving our money away to fight worthless causes of george bush and take a stand aganist high fuel prices,im no expert,but if mexico wants our money to fight their war on drugs,then let them do their part by making some fuel deal with the united states ,doesnt this sound fare........george/ "

mariana wrote on Jun 14, 2008 10:39 PM:

" Just a little comment for butthead: Yes Mexico is a great country. I stay here and work for my country. "

mariana wrote on Jun 14, 2008 10:34 PM:

" I am mexican and proud to be. If my country is totall corrupt like Mercy sais it is because your country wants it to be like that. It is more easy to say that drugs get their way through Mexico, than to say that drugs arrive into your country because you're the biggest drug dealers in the world. "

ron wrote on Jun 10, 2008 11:52 AM:

" to everyone who discriminates mexicanos and americans. I am an american i have lived in mexico. there are many things. a lot cheaper in mexico fuel and medicines then in the U.S . reason corporate greed in the U.S yes mexican gov. maybe corrupt. but reason our gas prices are higher, this administration we have is just as corrupt , they always have thier hands in corporate pockets. my experience in mexico. some people will rip you off, but you just need be more resourceful and a lot smarter , especially when using taxi service at the airport. and those mexicanos that post negative comment here. you give the good people in mexico a bad reputation. and those americans who do the same . do not say anything or comment on mexico unless you have experience mexico living "

jerry wrote on Jun 9, 2008 10:11 AM:

" ****How the Oil Companies Make Their Billions****
They make it on the production side of the business. They are continually drilling and setting up wells The oil that comes from these wells they sell on the market(inflated global market price). This oil does not go back to their refineries. They don't won't it at the refineries. If they did the government would always be breathing down their back wondering why gasoline and diesel was so high. Like that oil was free. This would kill their profit!!!Fact; In Mexico(Pemex) brings their oil from the oil fields to their refineries and their diesel is 1.96/gallon. NO MARKET BS AND LOTS CHEAPER FUEL!!! Our oil companies buy their oil on the market for their refineries and pay market and just pass that cost on to us plus and additional 8% for profit on gasoline and diesel. As you can see the trick to making the billions is to PLAY THE MARKET!!! "

Montie wrote on Jun 8, 2008 9:58 AM:

" "There will never be $4.25 a gallon gas in Mexico because the government realizes it would ruin their economy, destroy their tourist industry and cause a huge increase in crime."

Never? The only reason why Mexico can afford to charge below market rates for gasoling in Mexico is because they are a net exporter of oil. Pemex makes a lot of money exporting oil and then uses those profits to subsidize domestic consumption. This cross subsidization arrangement is typical of net exporters (OPEC members) is impossible for net importers (USA). "

facts wrote on Jun 7, 2008 2:05 PM:

" 1) Corruption exists in every corner of the world.

You should think about were US gas comes from. all major gas stations in the US i.e Texaco, Shell Chevron etc... import their oil which we are paying trough our noses for >4.00/gal.... yet a big gas station ARCO and some other little know stations do not import their oil..... what are their prices??? >4.00/gal do you know who are the primary owners??? I'll leave that part for your research... NANCY>> hostility is more than what you see or hear emotional abuse is having to work +10hrs/day 6 days/week only to have enough to pay for your mortgage and gas. "

Benjamin wrote on Jun 6, 2008 6:55 PM:

" I don't get your comment at the end. Here is the full story. Gasoline is subsidized by the government of Mexico in order to maintain a stable economy and keep the families income power.
It has always been cheaper than in the US. It has always been slightly more expensive at the border in order to reduce the price differential compared to the US. You are welcome to fill your tank in our country. But always check your facts before writing something online. "

butthead wrote on Jun 5, 2008 4:39 PM:

" if mexico is so great you are welcome to stay there "

Rishayan wrote on Jun 5, 2008 1:17 PM:

" Racists like Nancy are typical of the growing anti-mexican racism that americans ignorant of the reality south of the border are embracing.Here in Mexico we have more laws and more enforcement of these laws than ever before protecting the rights of women and children.Unfortunately thanks to our fascist pro-american federal govt. we still suffer from a lack of educational resources particuraly in rural areas causing many poor and indigenous women not to be aware of their rights and therefore not prosicute the tiny minority of mexican men who violate these rights. Furthermore I have lived in many an american city and would find it very difficult to say that americans are nice or friendly peoples!! "

Stephanie wrote on Jun 4, 2008 1:48 PM:

" To Nancy,
I cant believe you are judging an entire race on a couple of people that you live near. Maybe they treat you that way because you deserve it thinking and talking the way you do. I am Mexican and I do not treat people different because of race. I treat people the way they need to be treated so check yourself!

Now about the story...the US government is profiting off gas somehow which is why the prices are only going up. Mexico may be corrupt but only when it has to do with the drug war. "

Pocho Bendahoe wrote on Jun 3, 2008 2:11 PM:

" I need gringos down here cuz we cant do shed else for a living. Viva cheapo fuel. "

Nancy wrote on Jun 1, 2008 2:41 PM:

" Mexicans are NOT nice people. They have been hostile and physically and emotionally abusive to me ever since they moved into my neighborhood a few years ago...they also think women should have no rights and be controlled by a man who keeps her barefoot and pregnant with his nasty spawn all the time. The posters obviously have never had to suffer living around them! "

Against and Arizona wrote on May 31, 2008 9:06 PM:

" Maybe we mexicans should pass a law to make it illegal for americans to buy gas in Mexico. Arizonians passed a proposition against mexicans remember? "

Swiftlearner wrote on May 27, 2008 5:57 PM:

" Mexico is mostly corrupted by the Drug dollar. They are nice folks, just like other places, by and large. However, their oil output is dropping because of lack of investment. May be they should get some greed Gringo into the business to get more oil out of the ground. "

Mercy wrote on May 25, 2008 4:16 PM:

" I don't get your comment at the end..that you have to remember Mexico is totall corrupt. If you are being scarcastic- and meaning that the US is more corrupt therefore the exhorbitant pricing on gasoline, then I agree. The oil companies are making MILLIONS of dollars in profit , caring less if it destroy the US economy. Mexico may have corruption - but as we say in Mexico " donde quiera se cuecen habas" Every where it is the same!!! Here , there, everywhere... "

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