Letter: Mexico needs right type of aid from U.S.

Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007 | 7:20 a.m.

In response to Dan Rather's Sept. 17 column in the Las Vegas Sun, "Better relations with Mexico may be near," the nature of U.S. aid requires more careful scrutiny.

Rep. Henry Cuellar's proposal of "hundreds of millions of dollars in aid over several years" implies another lucrative deal for U.S. arms exporters and more questionable training at the infamous School of the Americas/Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation in Fort Benning, Ga.

Rather writes, "The U.S. would supply equipment, technology and training to the various components of Mexico's criminal-justice system - police, prosecutors and the Mexican military. The aim: to stem the tide of drugs and drug violence that poses a threat to Mexico and the U.S. alike." A photo accompanying the column shows a military officer pulling marijuana plants out of the ground.

Why not invest some millions in researching the medicinal uses of marijuana and, perhaps, other valuable properties of this most disparaged plant form?

Why not work with the Mexican government and invest millions in education, nonexploitive industries, ecologically sound agricultural practices, living wages, affordable housing and sustainable lifestyles for the Mexican people - the same solutions needed for our poorest 30 percent to 40 percent in this country?

Wouldn't that do more to reduce crime, secure the border and promote good neighborliness between our countries than ever-increasing police forces on both sides of the border?

Midgene Spatz, Las Vegas