Mounce: The Evil Men Do: Down with Mexicans?

Mexico has a memorable dicho, or saying: “No Hay Mal que Dure Cien Anos, Ni Gente Quien lo Aguante.”

So many of the good folks in this Rio Grande Valley of Texas are bi-lingual and may need no translation. But, just in case: There is not an evil that can last 100 years, nor people who will put up with it.

The evil is all around us. It was here, in Germany, in the last century. Strategies to spread the evil: eliminate opposition; pump up racism; arrest on the streets, spreading a sense of universal dread (Laurence Reed, “The Nazi Mind,” Penguin Books). That sense is now in America. Oh, you don’t believe that? You don’t see it?

You may not be pulled off the streets. But your gardener might. The lady who cleans your home or minds your children might. Your friend or neighbor, who is not “legal” but has been here, working, paying taxes for 15 years might. The policies begun will soon have major social and economic effects.

It started with an election. He who was elected by less than a majority yet claimed a mandate (Michael Schaffer, Politico, 22 Nov 24). He who was sentenced by a judge and jury for running 34 fraudulent schemes (NBC, 13 Jan 23). He whom “hundreds allege he doesn’t pay for work done” (USA Today, 9 Jun 16). He whom “at least 16 women have publicly accused of rape, and groping” (Carter Sherman, The Guardian, 30 Mar 25). He who now claims he may ignore the Constitution and run for a 3^rd term, distracting the public and press from “SignalGate” scandals. The dread is palpable.

His minions gleefully do his bidding. Books on Martin Luther King, Jackie Robinson, even Einstein, are to be removed from the Naval Academy, allegedly due to their promotion of “diversity, or equality, or inclusiveness” (Christopher Rhodes, Blavity, 30 Mar 25). All are affected or soon will be. There is fear of “stagflation” — the economy collapsing, loss of jobs, but prices remaining high (Travis Gettys, “The Rich are Worried,” Raw Story, 31 Mar 25).

Not worried about your economic health? What of your physical health? He who must not be named has appointed Lee Zeldin as Head; he promises to “drive a stake” into climate change (“Environmental Protection Agency Under Assault,” Elizabeth Kalbert, New Yorker, 31 Mar 25). Will the courts save us? The White House has fired Department of Justice prosecutors, known for their long tradition of political party independence (AP, 31 Mar 25).

Not enough for worry? Musk, the billionaire who bankrolled the election, now “has gained access to the Federal payroll system, among other positions, not legal for an unelected citizen to hold (Jack Hobbs, Irish Star, 31 Mar 25). Perhaps his friends in his native country of South Africa will fill in the gaps left by other empty markets? “Canadian companies are turning away U.S. products,” (Siddharth Cavale, “Buy Canadian,” Reuters, 31 Mar 25).

Why? He—yes, that one—threatens to annex their country! Canada! America’s main trading partner. He votes with North Korea and Russia in the United Nations. His Vice-President—the person who will be President, when he passes from this Earth—insults democratic Denmark, threatening to annex some of their territory.

Here, locally, Marine Corps Sgt. Freddy Gonzalez, killed during Battle of Hue in Viet Nam, at 21 years of age, and dear to Edinburg family and residents, and to entire Rio Grande Valley, had his name removed by, yes, that man, from the military history website; “too Mexican”? (Gabriela Gonzalez, Valley Central, 1 Apr 25—and no, not “April Fool.”) Hegseth, Secretary of Defense, won’t defend Europe from Russia (Lauren Peacock, Express U.S., 31 Mar 25) but won’t “rule out invading Mexico” (Daily Beast, 4 Feb 25). On and on, the threats mount, the evil persists.

Mexico didn’t provide a solution to their hopeful, philosophical dicho about how long the evil of authoritarian rule could last. Their response was a major Revolution against the dictatorship of Porfirio DiMexico didn’t provide a solution to their hopeful, philosophical dicho about how long the evil of authoritarian rule could last. Their response was a major Revolution against the dictatorship of Porfirio DiMexico didn’t provide a solution to their hopeful, philosophical dicho about how long the evil of authoritarian rule could last. Their response was a major Revolution against the dictatorship of Porfirio Diáz.

Ours?

Reliance on our history, our belief in Democracy? Is that enough? Please give me reason to hope the majority of this country will soon be revulsed by the evil, and cry “No mas mal!” Reject the evil!

Editor’s Note: The above guest column was penned by writer Dr. Gary Joe Mounce, a professor emeritus (political science) at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. He can be reached by email via: gjmounce@gmail.com.

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