An act of bureaucratic generosity that moves us to (crocodile) tears
In a movement that undoubtedly reminds us of the swift agility of a greyhound… well, rather, of the average public administration, the Body of Judicial Administration (OAJ) has decided to advance the distribution of the extraordinary compensation. Guess who for? For some 800 noble souls – judges, male and female magistrates – who, in an unprecedented outburst of modesty, kindly declined the opportunity to participate in the electoral circus last June. What a detail, right? Voluntarily giving up a selection process and then being rewarded for that resignation. It’s almost like they pay you not to go to work and then congratulate you on your commitment.
Through a statement that we must assume was written between tears of emotion, the OAJ announced that, after an exhaustive review (read: they realized that the calendar existed), the disbursements will be made by electronic transfer this Thursday, November 27. Because, of course, what better way to demonstrate transparency and efficiency than to move money directly to bank accounts, avoiding those annoying lines where people could… ask things?
The mathematics of rewarded abstention
The juicy economic compensation includes three months of salary plus 20 days for each year of service. A mathematical formula so moving that it almost makes us forget the million-dollar question: since when is not showing up for a call considered such a laudable work merit? The OAJ, in a display of adherence to legality that leaves us speechless, assures that all this disbursement is carried out “in accordance with the provisions of the Political Constitution.” Because we all know that the Mexican Magna Carta has always been especially generous with those who choose not to participate in democratic processes.
As a quaint detail, the statement includes a pearl of financial wisdom: it recommends that beneficiaries “consider the general provisions applicable to credit institutions regarding the transactional amounts in their respective accounts.” Or, in Christian: “I hope your bank doesn’t get scared by the amount of zeros they are going to see appear out of nowhere.”
The original plan that fortunately no one remembered
Originally, this single payment was scheduled for December 10, from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., at the OAJ headquarters. The initial procedure was as practical as asking an astronaut to buy bread with a full suit on: it required the physical presence of the owner, valid official identification, and even a witness (also identified, in case the judge suffered sudden amnesia about his own identity).
Thank goodness someone at the OAJ had the brilliant moment of lucidity and thought: “What if instead of this 19th century bureaucratic ritual, we just… transfer the money?” Revolutionary! This modernization measure not only saves time and paperwork, but also avoids the uncomfortable situation of seeing hundreds of jurists trained waiting for their reward for not having done something.
The organization, always attentive to the needs of its judicial staff, thus reaffirms its “commitment to the working base, the judges and the people of Mexico.” Because nothing better represents the spirit of service to the people than distributing compensation to those who voluntarily excluded themselves from a selection process. It is a lesson in civility that, without a doubt, will be recorded in the annals of Mexican justice.
Meanwhile, ordinary citizens can console ourselves by thinking that, at least, someone in this country receives financial compensation for abstaining. Perhaps we should propose that this model be extended to other areas: how about paying us not to vote in elections? Or for not complaining about public services? The possibilities are endless in this new paradigm where non-participation becomes the most profitable of national sports.
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