D.O.A.: the 2 % anti-poverty solution

Elections have consequences.  The new Chamber of Deputies is able to agree on some things… like opposing the PAN Administration.

The proposed two percent tax raise — spun as an anti-poverty measure — was an object of derision from its introduction by the Administration.

The entire left (PRI, PRD, Convergencia and PT), as well as the Greens and PAN’s quasi-ally, PANAL within the Chamber of Deputies (the lower house of the legislature) have stated their intentions to vote against the plan.

Ernesto Cordero Arroyo, the Secretary of Social Development (whose department manages federal welfare and anti-poverty programs) was criticised for overseeing a growth in the number of Mexicans in poverty during the Calderon Administration, as well as the department’s poor management

“It’s a shame that you are wasting resources, and condemning the children of this country to ersatz change and mediocrity,” PRI Deputy Cruz López Aguilar told the Secretary.

Speaking on behalf of his party, López complained that the anti-poverty funds were simply moved from employment and agricultural assistance programs.

Carlos Flores Rico, of the same party, added that the Calderon proposals did nothing to end poverty or social inequality,  but were at most a palliative.

Lizbeth García Coronado (PRD) and Juan Carlos Natale López (PVEM, the Greens) both questioned whether — as these programs would be administered by political apppointees, would not be used to influence voters — “clientage” being an old, and discredited common form of political corruption in this country.

But it was Teresa Guadalupe Reyes, of the PT (Workers’ Party) who landed the most blows on the Secretary.  She described the Department’s budget request as “a conglomeration of lovely phrases that no one believes in, with no critical evaluation.”  She went on to describe the entire administration budget as “benefiting only a gang for political manipulation, but isn’t able to control their spending.”

I guess you can say, the Secretary’s appearance before the Chamber of Deputies did not go well.