...if it weren't for you meddling Americans!

We just can't keep our hands out of the world's business, can we? Last Tuesday, there was word from Mexico (via AP newswire) that a drug decriminalization bill would be passing, and that Presidente Vicente Fox had pledged to sign it. The bill, aimed at reducing organized crime instead of targeting users (way to go, Mexico!) would eliminate criminal penalties for possession of small amounts of drugs. Any drugs. The measure passed through Mexico's Congress the Friday before.

That is, until the next day. On Tuesday, a spokesman for Fox called the bill “an advance,” but on Wednesday, his office issued a different statement. “Without underestimating the progress made on the issue, and with sensitivity toward the opinions expressed by various sectors of society, the administration has decided to suggest changes.” Fox said he will "ask Congress to make the needed corrections to make it absolutely clear in our country, the possession of drugs and their consumption are, and will continue to be, a criminal offense.”

So what happened? We did. Once again, we stuck our fingers into somebody else's pie. The United States weighed in with criticism of the measure. According to a statement by US Embassy Spokeswoman Judith Bryan, “U.S. officials ... urged Mexican representatives to review the legislation urgently, to avoid the perception that drug use would be tolerated in Mexico, and to prevent drug tourism.” So we're worried that drug use might increase among border visitors and tourists. College spring break might take on a whole new flavor. Would it increase drug use? Probably a little, for a little while. But I still don't understand the reason we had to get involved. We're so busy trying to keep drugs out or pretend they don't exist...what, are we jealous now that our friend to the south was going to allow them? Are we so intent on locking up drug users that we don't want anyone else to take the privilege from us? And do they think that there aren't already other places in the world for drug users to go to on vacation?

"If I don't have them, you don't get to have them either." The picture above pretty much sums up what happens in North America, and most of the rest of the world, for that matter. "Here, Vicente, why dontcha change that part right there, ok? Sign here, initial here."

End result: Hours after the US statement was issued, Fox refused to sign the bill. His office did not mention the statement from the US government in its reasoning. But come on, why else would he change his mind about something like that in a few hours?

This happens every time somebody tries to be progressive. When are we going to stop bullying the rest of the world into doing our bidding and actually listen to them? We're one of the younger nations in the world, and some of our older siblings might have a bit more wisdom in some areas than we do. Still, because we have the biggest guns, we think that makes it okay to push everyone else around, and insist on our way. Did you know that the US has DEA offices in Canada? Why do we need offices that can only enforce American policies on American citizens on Canadian soil, unless we were looking for a way to push Canadians around too? Oh wait, that's already happened with Marc Emery. (He's another story for another post.)

Mexico is pissed. Canada is pissed. Most of the world hates us, because we think we have a duty to tell the rest of the world what to do. Countries like England had great monarchies rise and fall before a bunch of dirty colonists spoke of freedom. China and India have histories thousands of years older than we do, yet we still think it's ok to push international policy our way. The thing we've failed to recognize for a long time is that the world isn't just a big schoolyard. Might doesn't make right, and just because you can make someone do something doesn't mean they do so willingly, or that they will like you for it. We have spent decades creating resentment between us and the rest of the world. If we don't start to get along soon, we're going to find ourselves on the uncomfortable end of the same sharp stick, although this time it'll be held at our backs.