OT - The Tortilla Crisis

Couple of things this morning in the Los Angeles times. The main oil field in mexico is falling in production - like 10% / yr according to sources (not government). So that puts pressure on the guvmint to find more revenue sources for social programs. Also, more white corn is being grown in the US for the purpose of, you guessed it, export to mexico for tortilla production. Ain't life grand. Pat

Rex

Well, ya, kinda. The corn prices are not subsidized, but they do get a check for CRP ground if they happen to have some under contract.

Farmers don't get welfare checks. The get a guaranteed price on their product.

Yesterdays cornbread with milk and sugar is better than cake and ice cream.

Wes S

It is important to keep your head in a crisis.

Wes S

That, and building codes.

Jon

Most Mexicans currently cannot afford building codes. They have to live somewhere. Shanty towns mean shelter. With codes..its living in the open for a large portion of them.

Solve their economy..then....

Gunner

"Liberalism is a philosophy of consolation for Western civilization as it commits suicide"

- James Burnham

Back when I worked for a automotive interior trim manufacturer (head liners) the rule was to NEVER ship returnable containers to Mexico since the likely hood was that they would become part of someones hovel.

Wes S

Where do cardboard and automotive body panels fit into the building code? Gerry :-)} London, Canada

Right there next to old garage doors.

I frequently see trucks with Mexican names on the door (like "Miguel's Trucking, Sonora BC") and dual Mexican and California license plates headed south with a stack of old garage doors.

Add two layers of tar paper over a blue tarp or poly sheeting, and you have a roof. Use a few 2X4's for structural support and mineral roll roofing or asphalt shingles on top, and it's a mansion.

According to our Laborer/Assistant, there really aren't any building codes to speak of in Mexico, and for what there are you can easily buy a blind inspector. Their idea of Electrical Conduit is even thinner than that "Schedule 125" crap they try to pawn off on us as sprinkler pipe - there, they use Sched 125 for the water mains...

Same thing with plywood, lumber, nails, etc. Everything made as cheap as possible, no quality oversight in the marketplace.

He has learned well that you get what you pay for - every trip home, he takes a pile of Stuff with him. Two years ago it was a big bundle with about 3000' of assorted plastic pipe and conduit, all Sched 40 or better, and a few boxes of fittings and sweeps. Lumber and heavier materials get purchased in San Diego and imported by truck.

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