Election day...

At times like these, one can appreciate the social media and how it changes the dynamics in many situations.  I am following the action and it appears like there are lots of troops and police in the city and that gasoline is being delivered and sold.  The ballots have been delivered to 90 percent of the polling places and the election will proceed.

However, many people will boycott it.  Why?  Because the system is rigged and most everyone knows it.  So the election is an illusion.  It won't really make a difference.  The powers that run the place will continue to run the place.  It is really quite fascinating, but sad. 

I have been here for a few elections.  I remember one, about ten years ago, in which the opposition was winning late into the evening.  Then the electricity went off.  I went to bed and when I awoke, the results went the other way.  250,000 people marched in protest later in the day.

The previous governor was odious and despised.  People hoped the new governor would do better.  Sadly, it has not worked out that way.  Daily protests, blockades and the year long sit in in the zocalo have crippled the place.  The corruption is just so obvious.  It is there for all to see.  The government let things get worse and worse.  And somehow, people coped and continued their lives. 

So we come to this, with troops and police all over the place and teachers(!) running roughshod over parts of the country.  I don't think this is how a functioning state works.  It is a little scary, but this is how it is.  Yes, people have always been trying to voice their opinions and to make thngs better and they will continue to do so.  However, I don't see any great changes coming in the future.  Elections may matter, but it is hard to see that this one will.  The issues are far above mere mortals.