Well,
I am mexican. I had visited many times and always had a blast!
All of you that choose not to go, well, it's your loss.
Mexico is a beautiful and friendly place.
Stay away from the border towns, where most of the cartels activities are.
The rest of the country is as safe as any third world country will be.
Don't let the exaggerations of the press fool you. They know that "horrible news" sell better than factual news.
As an example, I just visited Egypt while the news were showing images like if there was a revolution going there. I got there and I had a blast! Since there was very few tourist I was treated like a king by everybody and everybody went out of their way to make my stay enjoyable. There was a couple of gatherings of people protesting, but they were doing their thing and not bothering anybody. All my friends advised me against going, but fortunately I did not listen to them.
Sometimes you have to take risks to enjoy live. If you are so afraid-like many in this board seem to be-, you will be stuck in the same boring place all your life. Is that life worth living?
I say no!!! CARPE DIEM!!!