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Mexico now lays claim to the richest person in the world, Carlos Slim. To some, he controls a telecommunications monopoly. For me, it is good to have the richest person in the world belong to Mexico. We need all the rich people we can get. We live in a society where some people think we should take away from the rich. A twisted philosophy that would lead to a poorer country than the one we live in.
I remember back in the 80s when I contracted my first telephone line. It cost 532 dollars at the time and took six months for the installation. Today, thanks to that giant telecommunications company, a new line cost 500 pesos and is installed and operating in less than 72 hours. In addition to that, a contract includes a landline, high-speed internet, 100 minutes of national long distance calling for a low price of 389 pesos or less than 30 dollars a month.
Telmex used to be a government owned and operated company. If people want to know what's wrong with Mexico part of the problem is government owned and operated companies where unions receive the majority of the money but do little for their workers. This telephone company is now a well-run and organized operation. Last year when they dismantled Luz y Fuerza in Mexico City and the state of Mexico, Mexicans finally put a face to corruption in the workplace. Imagine, almost 4 billion dollars a year in subsidies most of which went to the union and employee benefits. Don't worry about the poor employees. They all received severance packages that explain why they were so corrupt. Employees with 30 years of service received over 150,000 dollars plus rehire with the CFE.
Thank goodness we have some examples of what one can do with hard work, education and determination. If we could just get this message to our youth that their are alternatives and education is the best choice. A college degree is for life, it can't be taken away from you and you are only as limited as you want to be.
I remember back in the 80s when I contracted my first telephone line. It cost 532 dollars at the time and took six months for the installation. Today, thanks to that giant telecommunications company, a new line cost 500 pesos and is installed and operating in less than 72 hours. In addition to that, a contract includes a landline, high-speed internet, 100 minutes of national long distance calling for a low price of 389 pesos or less than 30 dollars a month.
Telmex used to be a government owned and operated company. If people want to know what's wrong with Mexico part of the problem is government owned and operated companies where unions receive the majority of the money but do little for their workers. This telephone company is now a well-run and organized operation. Last year when they dismantled Luz y Fuerza in Mexico City and the state of Mexico, Mexicans finally put a face to corruption in the workplace. Imagine, almost 4 billion dollars a year in subsidies most of which went to the union and employee benefits. Don't worry about the poor employees. They all received severance packages that explain why they were so corrupt. Employees with 30 years of service received over 150,000 dollars plus rehire with the CFE.
Thank goodness we have some examples of what one can do with hard work, education and determination. If we could just get this message to our youth that their are alternatives and education is the best choice. A college degree is for life, it can't be taken away from you and you are only as limited as you want to be.
Hi Chris. Angela and I are back state side in Palm Springs for a little rest before heading back to Canada for work. (spelled w o r k. I'll explain it to you sometime) Anyway, we also followed the privatization of Luz y Fuerza. Interesting process that will hopefully catch on.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you two are in almost full retirement mode and dealing with all the decisions that come with that. Everyday is the first day of the rest of your life.
There is a new Mexico RV forum up and running that is more directed at specifically mexico travel. As a result it will probably void of the negativity of the other while still dealing with the reality of Mexico travel.
http://www.mexicorvforums.com/
Take care guys.
Sorry I don't view Slim with the same compassionate eyes. My eyes see the old Robber Baron era of the USA with a single few controlling the wealth at the expense of the many. Maybe it will change as it did in USA. Of course USA could use some improvement at the moment.
ReplyDeleteYour comments are 'right on', I lived in 1967-69 in and about Guadalajara and Atemajac de Brizuela, if you wanted a phone back then you had to bribe someone and it was and probably still is the 2nd largest city in Mexico. In my wife pueblo there was no phone service. It was the good life back then but no job, wife and child we headed north back to state of my birth, California. Now I am an old man, too sick to live comfortably there. I remember driving from Guadalajara to Piedras Negras because the 15 was washed out in parts during rainy season. You are most fortunate man. Dios te vendiga.
ReplyDeleteA little more,
ReplyDeletehttp://www.aolnews.com/world/article/billionaire-in-our-midst-how-mexicans-see-carlos-slim/19397432