Accord? Think again.

Yesterday's jubilant headlines suggest that the political standoff in Honduras has come to an end. If you simply read the headlines yesterday you may be led to believe that Zelaya is already back in power, and that the November elections would be recognized by all of the world's governments. But there is still once hitch: according to the agreement both sides would let the National Congress decide whether Zelaya would be reinstated. The Congress, however, seems to have no intention of calling the emergency session for the vote. Al Jazeera is reporting this morning that since Congress members are busy campaigning all over the country, there is no time to vote.

The National Congress, Roberto Micheletti, and the entire de facto government has continually insulted the Honduran people's intelligence throughout this political crisis. They seem to think that they can do whatever they want without consequence, despite the fact that most Hondurans favor Zelaya's return and dissaprove of the coup. After four months of constant protesting, despite the repeal of Constitutional guarantees and the crackdown on "dissidents," they can be assured the Resistance will not stay quiet.

It is hard to be over dramatic about Honduras's economic situation resulting from the coup and the global financial crisis. A slew of factors are coming together to form the perfect storm that could do as much economic damage as Hurricane Mitch, or knock it down to the level of Haiti or sub-Saharan Africa. Unemployment has skyrocketed; due to a non-existent rainy season most farmers lost their crops and the water reserves going into the dry season are essentially empty; due to lack of rain and high temperatures (the average high in October is 79 degrees; yesterday was 90, and it was as hot as most days this month) the coming wildfire season will devastate the forests; the de facto government has racked up huge internal debt for which the new government will be responsible to pay. The list goes on and on. An economist from the organization FOSDEH told me two nights ago that the percentage of the population living in poverty will increase from 59 percent to 70 percent this year alone. He said the statistics were enough to turn him into an alcoholic.

With this in mind, consider that my organization, ASJ, has asked each presidential candidate for their plan on how they intend to confront these problems. Less than a month before the elections no one has anything. Unbelievable.