Question for those who have visited--Is South Texas part of the Third World or is it truly American any longer? What is it like in South Texas? Is it a view to the future of the USA? With George Dumbya Bush's advocacy of amnesty for illegal aliens, it looks as if large portions of the USA will resemble Third World squalor. Parts of Arlington and Bailey's Crossroads, Virginia look this way as does the Langley Park area of Maryland. Just fishing for opinions.

There was a very interesting article on Business Week last month.

The main point of the article was that the south border of the US was becoming quite "fuzzy", and a region completely different to the US or Mexico, with its own culture, cuisine and language.

Opposed to say, the border between France and Germany, where you can really see the difference between one country and the next, the US-Mexico border is like a shading. As you approach the south, specially in Texas, everything starts changing from US into "border town". After you cross the border, it starts changing again from "border town" into Mexico.

However, with your blatant far right position, I seriously doubt that you'll ever look beyond the border. Mexico is a beautiful place. It has its share of problems, like poverty and corruption, but it is certainly less third world than you may think.

Dear Mr. Should I,
I took Mexican history in college and received a very good grade for my schoolwork. I like Mexico. I just don't want half of the United States looking like Mexico.

Visit Corpus Christi just once and you will have your answer. It's not that it's bad......it just isn't somewhere you want to spend alot of time, if there are any decent hotels there they are few and far between, ditto for restaurants, etc. It depresses me to visit there and I have family who live there!

So I guess by "Third World Squalor", you mean there aren't as many white faces are you would like?? Nice attitude.

Now, I don't agree with Bush's proposal to legalize all of those legal immigrants. My husband did things the right way, and therefore has to pay taxes and all that fun stuff (BTW, he's not from Mexico, but Ireland).

You haven't visited any US Indian Reservations, have you? Compared to Pine Ridge, SD, South Texas is the Riviera when it comes to disposable income.

Dear Roger:

I am sorry to say, but I believe that there's little that can be done about it.

The migration process is something that is almost impossible to stop. It is a social phenomenon that goes beyond regulation, economic scenarios, and even xenophobia.

The southern US and northern Mexico are melting, and forming a different place altogether. Different from the US, and certainly different from Mexico. I would expect these differences to accentuate over the years, and become a place that is not either Mexico or the US.

It IS different. You may or may not like it, but it is. However, it is hardly "third world". It is a very rapidly developing area, with tremendous economic dynamism, job creation (on BOTH sides of the border) and increased cooperation.

You say you "like" Mexico. Your original post only reflects contempt.