P.J. O’Rourke, the political satirist and author, once stated that “giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys.” O’Rourke raises a central question addressed from many perspectives: Why are politicos unable to govern?
There are several reasons, but the best answer to any problem usually lies at the root: bureaucratic self-interest conflicts with the public interest. Anyone who has lived in Mexico for some time understands the inability of most politicians to govern properly. Consider the long lines outside every government building, with individuals waiting their turn to pay for utilities, licenses, taxes, and other services, only to have a government employee tell them to return early tomorrow to make their payment. We do not often see lines outside of restaurants or the many taco stands in the street. Most business owners have a sufficient number of employees to serve their customers’ needs. Even at the largest grocery store, the lines are seldom more than four deep. We rarely choose to wait in a long line, no matter the rewards. Time is of the essence to most.
Also, consider that when a government office cannot adequately serve the community and the lines become unmanageable, production and the subsequent collectable taxes decrease the government’s earnings due to the lack of labor in the lines. This methodology creates a paradoxical, no-win Catch-22 situation in which the solution to a problem is denied by the problem itself, often due to circular logic in rules and requirements. This impossible bind leads to a sense of helplessness and a lack of trust in government, and can only halt progress.
Most politicos have little or no real business experience in which customer experience is both expected and delivered, or the business fails. Even those politicos with business experience fail to use their learned behavior once in office. Government offices tend to take on a life of their own, catapulting into Groupthink or herd mentality.
For those who do not keep up with local news, the State of Morelos is in dire financial trouble. The local government is continuing to spend more money than it generates. Overspending has led to an ongoing accumulation of debt, resulting in an unsustainable situation.
According to the General Director of SAPAC, Arnoldo Heredia Romero, there are over 300 judgments against SAPAC dating back more than 20 years. He has repeatedly asked the city council for financial help in meeting the decisions. And he has sought support from federal programs to help meet SAPAC’s needs. And the director is requesting that the population assist SAPAC in meeting its responsibility to pay its bill within 24 hours of receiving its statement.
SAPAC has a debt of 800 million pesos and is required to pay 1,200,000 pesos monthly to settle its obligations, including IMSS and CFE. The debt to IMSS alone has now reached 250 million pesos, accumulated over more than 20 years. This led to a class-action lawsuit after the Mexican Federal Institute of Social Security (IMSS) seized the accounts for failure to pay the required employee pensions. The mayor of Cuernavaca, José Luis Urióstegui, acknowledged the problem and estimated that outstanding payments to pensioners could be returned in early February. Obviously, this is unattainable, as the pensioners cannot survive for five months without the payments. But the real question is, where will the money come from to meet that schedule?
Currently, the SAPAC pays about 1.2 million pesos to reduce costs, and at the same time, 30% of the colonies in Cuernavaca have a deficit in drinking water. And for the past 20+ years, the administration has blamed the water problems on poor infrastructure planning in the distribution system and urban settlements.
Apparently, SAPAC believes that another way to increase revenues was to stop giving INAPAM discounts. Beginning in late September, SAPAC ceased to give INAPAM discounts to pensioners. Given the large number of pensioners in Morelos, this could create a windfall of $82 million per month to boost SAPAC’s revenue. Xeroxed signs were posted at each SAPAC service center stating that INAPAM discounts would not be given in October and perhaps November. And, payments must be made at the Central Office at Av. José María Morelos 166.
The list demands the Original and a Xerox Copy of each of the following:
For Mexican Nationals
- The current SAPAC Billing + 2 copies
- INE Card + 2 copies
- INAPAM Card + 2 copies
- Retirement Credential + 2 copies
- Clave Única de Registro de Población (CURP Document) + 2 copies
For Foreign Residents
- The current SAPAC Billing + 2 copies
- Temporary or Permanent Residency Card + two copies
- INAPAM Card + 2 copies
- Retirement Credential + 2 copies
- Clave Única de Registro de Población (CURP Document) + 2 copies
- Passport + 2 copies
- Driver’s License + 2 copies
- Current Telephone Billing + 2 copies
INAPAM Program
The “INAPAM Program” is a benefit offered by the Instituto Nacional de las Personas Adultas Mayores (INAPAM), Mexico’s National Institute for Older Adults, aimed at improving the well-being of seniors. A central program is the INAPAM discount card, which provides benefits and discounts to elderly citizens. To enroll, non-national individuals must visit a local INAPAM office with the following documents:
- Two copies of a temporary or permanent residency card
- Two copies of your Clave Única de Registro de Población (CURP Document)
- Two copies of your passport
If you have a problem at SAPAC, you might consider asking to speak to Arnoldo Heredia Romero, the General Director of SAPAC Morelos, at 777.454.0555. While it is doubtful that he will personally answer your call, perhaps someone will respond to your demands. The author has been successful for the past two months to receive a discount by standing his ground.
