Posted on 09/23/2009 2:12:11 PM PDT by wolfcreek
"Twenty years after the state began to address the problems faced by colonias — a byword for poor communities that lack basic infrastructure — bad water and sewage issues continue to plague them. Roads are rutted, and some toilets are known to flush into backyards, even if a homeowner is lucky to have a septic tank instead of an outhouse. Quality drinking water can be iffy. Even as colonias along the border have received assistance from state and federal officials, colonias here — near Corpus Christi — and in other parts of the state have historically been left out by a trick of the odometer."
(Excerpt) Read more at statesman.com ...
Creating 3rd world conditions one crappy developement at a time.
Please ping the list ping.
Sounds like a wonderful opportunity for ACORN... oh! never mind.
You can bet they’ll be near-by.
States have laws and codes governing construction, septic tanks and wells, but people who don’t respect our laws have moved in and ignored them, happy to bring Third World culture here, but not happy enough to live in the squaller when tax dollars can bring them up to code.
In Texas in 1989, the Legislature established a program to provide grants and loans for water and sewer services to border counties. Texas voters approved a $100 million bond issue that year and another $150 million in 1991. The Texas Water Development Board has awarded more than $500 million in state and federal money to install water and wastewater services in colonias. In 2005, lawmakers expanded the program's eligibility to the entire state. And in 2007, voters approved another $250 million in general obligation bonds so the Texas Water Development Board could provide water and wastewater infrastructure through the Economically Distressed Areas Program.
Why is this happening? Toleration for illegal immigration. Why isn't it being stopped instead of encouraged? You get more of what you reward. Unscrupulous developers sell these illegals small patches of land with no water, no sewer, no drainage, no roads, no electricity, no gas, NO NOTHING. They set up their Third World cardboard shacks, and then a nice big government comes along and taxes other people to pay to provide them with water, sewer, drainage, roads, electricity and gas, conveniently allowing the developers to keep their ill-gotten gains. The developers return the favor by supporting the politicians who support these programs to "improve" colonias. And then idiots like this reporter come along and write about the poor, struggling colonia inhabitants.
La Lydia, you took the words out of my mouth. I was raised in the Rio Grande Valley, millions of dollars have been made by pols over this issue without any real improvements at all.
Another “tradition” in S. Texas is for one family to purchase one lot and then sell portions of that same lot to other extended family members or just anyone that can buy a portion; build several houses on one lot only meant for one dwelling, very common. As I said, I’ve yet to see any improvements with that situation. Dump money on one colonia and another pops up somewhere else, you said it better, with good data.
“Colonias - the third world in the USA’
This has been a long ignored tragedy for this nation. Few in this country even realize these colonias exist. I think of these diseased slums every time some politician proclaims how other ‘cultures’ enrich us! These are communities of ‘anchor babies’...which shows how WELL the second generation is assimilating....not! But they’re ripe pickings for the cartels!
Here’s a story on them. Please feel free to post the photos at the link, people need to realize what our immigration policies (or lack of them) have created. We are doing these people no favor, they can live like that in Mexico, etc. and we won’t have to pay for them.
http://towncriernews.blogspot.com/search?q=what+is+a+colonia
What is a Colonia? THE THIRD WORLD IN THE USA
Texas Secretary of State’s Definition:
The term “colonia,” in Spanish means a community or neighborhood. The Office of the Secretary of State defines a “colonia” as a residential area along the Texas-Mexico border (USA SIDE) that may lack some of the most basic living necessities, such as potable water and sewer systems, electricity, paved roads, and safe and sanitary housing.
In recent years the Texas-Mexico border region has experienced an explosion of growth in population and industrial activity. Although growth has resulted in economic opportunities, it has also intensified the environmental health and social challenges.
Among the border states, Texas has the largest number of colonias approximately 1,800 communities, with more than 500,000 residents. Sixty-five percent of all residents, and 85% of residents under the age of 18, were born in the United States. (aka Anchor babies) These Americans live in extreme poverty and often are unaware of the services that the United States and Texas can provide for them. Education is a key to addressing the problems faced by colonia residents, but reaching out to these communities poses unique challenges that require unique approaches.
Ninety-eight percent of the residents are Hispanic and speak little or no English.
This will be on tomorrow’s ping. BTW, you have mail.
More photos of Texas Colonias here:
http://geography.wr.usgs.gov/science/images/coloniasVan.jpg
http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2007/08/27/us/27colonias.xlarge1.jpg
http://www.redcounty.com/userfiles/image/colonias.jpg
http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2007/08/17/us/20colonias_mm.wide.jpg
http://www.usborderpatrol.com/TijuanaBorderHouse.jpg
http://www.county.org/resources/library/county_mag/county/114/img/Leg-Colonias.JPG
Believe me, I have seen them up close and in person.
I don’t envy you!
Ping!
If you want on, or off this S. Texas/Mexico ping list, please FReepMail me.
Colonia?
Hmmm, couldn’t be the root word for colonization could it?
Mexico is defacto occupying the United States. In time, the Western United States will be given to Mexico. There are now growing areas where people function 24/7/365 in Spanish.
Why we have allowed this is beyond me. Both parties cater to it and acquiesce to it. John McCain is chief among them.
:<(
squat·ter (skwät′ər)
noun 1. a person or animal that squats, or crouches 2. ☆ a person who settles on public or unoccupied land 3. a person who occupies illegally a vacant house, building, etc.
People just don't understand how easily a nation can be lost.
Your last paragraph describes exactly what happens. Texas has had a couple bond issues in the $500 million dollar range for colonias. This is how the Texas taxpayers is dragooned into paying for upgrading roads and utilities for these communities of peasant invaders
That would include the entire Democrat party these days.
Disgusting!
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