Posted on 11/28/2006 8:05:55 AM PST by meg88
IMMIGRATION Colorado congressman calls Miami a 'Third World country' A critic of citizenship opportunities for illegal immigrants says 'Third World' Miami shows America's future if immigration isn't checked. BY LESLEY CLARK lclark@MiamiHerald.com
WASHINGTON - Rep. Tom Tancredo, the leader of the anti-illegal immigration faction in the U.S. House, spent a recent weekend at The Breakers in Palm Beach.
Ninety miles to the south, he found a symbol to bolster his belief that unfettered immigration is endangering the United States: Miami, he told a conservative online news site, ``has become a Third World country.''
In South Florida to attend Restoration Weekend, a gathering of conservative activists, the Colorado Republican, whose district includes suburbs of Denver, pointed to Miami as an example of how ''the nature of America can be changed by uncontrolled immigration,'' the story says.
''Look at what has happened to Miami,'' the WorldNetDaily quotes Tancredo as saying in an interview. ``It has become a Third World country. You just pick it up and take it and move it someplace. You would never know you're in the United States of America. You would certainly say you're in a Third World country.''
The remarks drew an instant rebuke from Miami Republican Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, who called Tancredo ''flat out wrong'' and extended an invitation for him to come and judge the city for himself.
''I invite my friend, Tom, to visit beautiful Miami, my hometown, and experience firsthand our hospitality,'' Ros-Lehtinen said. ``Come on down, Tom, the water's fine!''
Miami, Ros-Lehtinen said, is a ``world-class city where diversity is celebrated. Here people have the opportunity to meet folks from across the globe and honor different cultures. Miami-Dade County is home to many outstanding universities, is headquarters to international businesses and has a vibrant economy.''
Tancredo, who chairs the bipartisan House Immigration Reform Caucus and championed a fence along the border with Mexico, said Monday in an e-mail sent by his office that his comparison was based on crime statistics he believes ``are deeply rooted in the immigration debate.
''While a recent documentary comparison of Miami-Dade County to Baghdad was a bit of an overstatement,'' he wrote, referring to an Australian documentary, ``no one can argue that it is not one of America's most dangerous areas.''
He noted in the e-mail that the number of homicides in the county recently reached 200 for the year. The number is actually a decrease from the 1980s.
''Moreover, the sheer size and number of ethnic enclaves devoid of any English and dominated by foreign cultures is widespread,'' Tancredo said in the statement. ``Frankly, many of these areas could have been located in another country. And until America gets serious about demanding assimilation, this problem will continue to spread.''
Tancredo didn't visit Miami on the Nov. 18-19 trip, but has visited before, a spokesman said. And, if Ros-Lehtinen's invitation includes ''a stay at a five-star beachfront resort, he may be willing to look beyond the inherent dangers that he had cited and visit Miami again,'' his spokesman said.
Tancredo, who has been mentioned as a potential presidential contender, criticized President Bush in the interview for Bush's push for comprehensive immigration reform.
''He is going to do what he can to create a place where the idea of America is just that -- it's an idea,'' Tancredo said. ``It's not an actual place defined by borders. I mean this is where this guy is really going.''
This is what I was afraid of -- having lost the chance to actually affect the immigration bill with the House passing to Dim-RAT control, Tom has now chosen the path of demagogery.
This ensures that the pro-enforcement side is irreparably bound up in people's minds as some sort of frothing racist position, which *shouldn't* happen but will if this sort of thing keeps up.
Unfortunately, I predict a bill to be passed and signed in '07 that will make us wistful for the Bush-style plan; and I expect that when it happens it will be backed with popular support, because the side that's actually *right* will have demagogued itself into the margins.
This will do wonders for Tom personally; he can be a 'firebrand' and sell books and get re-elected, but it'll also mean the ->cause<- of stopping illegal immigration will fail.
First rule of politics: the losing side determines nothing. We don't want to be like the Dims who will say anything to win, and we don't have to, because our ideas are right -- but we won't win by emulating a Dean scream, either.
Wrong. it was Broward County. A Dem Stronghold.
Uh no , that would be Palm Beach County.
Anyway tancredo is a loud mouthed idiot, and I'm glad that many on FR are coming to that realiaztaion.
You don't have to look across the river, the third world has been here for some time.
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.
(see photos - http://www-apps.niehs.nih.gov/outreach-education/News/spotarch/spot0503.cfm)
Well, Third World might be a little strong, but it sure doesnt look like America.
Just like we have changed the meaning of poverty and poor in this country we have changed the meaning of regional conditions.
Being a native of Southern California, I have found Miami to be so much more dynamic and vibrant. It is much more libertarian than Victorian California.
Huh some on FR have been saying that for years, but were derided as OBL'ers.
I just lost all respect for this individual. I agree with tightning the immigration into this country, and we should put up a fence accross the entire southwest border.
But this Tancredo dude is nothing but a flat out bigot! He's completely off my list for any support from my end.
A politician who actually tells the truth! A brand-new concept for America, badly needed in this recent deceitful political climate.
He'll get my vote if he runs.
This bears repeating, the Cubans down here are CONSERVATIVE, and vote Republican. Sorry, but Tancredo is an idiot for popping off like this. He should have some handlers.
United States Representative
District: 17
County Kendrick B. Meek
(DEM) Eric Simpson
(WRI)
Broward 22,651 11
Miami-Dade 68,012 12
Total 90,663 23
% Votes 100.0% 0.0%
This guy is not ready for prime time. I doubt he could win a statewide race in Colorado. This shows he darn sure couldn't win a nationwide race - Republicans don't win these days without Florida.
"Uh no , that would be Palm Beach County. "
Also Miami -Dade see post #51 This supposedly Republican county elected a Dem Representative.
Who is your congressman?
I seem to recall some people making very similar comments about YOUR city.
Kendrick meek is in as safe a district as there is.
and a district that has East Miramar which is heavily black.
Post the results from lehtinin, and both Diaz-Balarts who happen to actually have Dade county districts.
Just curious.
If They vote conservative dowm there why did they elect a Dem US Representative?
I think she forgot her "sarcasm" tag.
What percentage of real estate property in Miami can be classified as shantytown?
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