Views on Prop. 187

As an illegal immigrant from Mexico for eight years, I was asking myself, do we really get any credit at all?

As an illegal I pay taxes, pay a mortgage, car loan, and work every day.

I was thinking, what if all of us in the state stopped working for three days? Will this be an impact on the economy? How will politicians fix it? Will this show any reality for people who do not want to see it? Imagine nannies, housekeepers, drivers, field workers, waitresses and laborers all over the state stopping at once. Will you see a difference? Will you pay $3 for a head of lettuce? Will you eat an $8 hamburger, spend $20 for a car wash and so on? Will your income stretch that far? See reality.

DANIEL LARIOS

Los Angeles

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* I am a U.S. citizen. I came here 14 years ago legally from Vietnam. In order to become a citizen, I had to learn English and pass the Constitution test. The effort and hard work that I put in have been very rewarding.

I am neutral about Prop. 187 but I have two suggestions that might make a difference. First, I suggest that everybody who is illegal here now be granted amnesty and given the opportunity to become citizens within a certain period of time. Second, any illegal immigrants who are here now that do not take advantage of this amnesty time frame would not be eligible for benefits.

This country is made up of immigrants, and I think these suggestions would be fair for all.

JAMES MAO

Oxnard

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* As a manufacturing supervisor overseeing hundreds of immigrant workers, I am shocked at those who support Prop. 187. The proposition is a countermeasure to attack illegal immigrants already within the state that have bypassed our system and supposedly waste tax dollars.

Companies have prospered in Southern California due to hard-working, legal and illegal citizens. An immigrant’s No. 1 expectation is to lead a hard-working life, not state-funded public health or welfare benefits. Prop. 187 is trying to solve too many issues with one magic pill. The state must focus its limited resources on issues such as our inadequate border control system. Prop. 187 is missing the issue and is just another quick-fix scheme that will not work.

FRANK HSIEH

Irvine

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* Along with the television ministers, I also speak to God. After learning the results of Prop. 187, he confessed to me he blundered. Instead of instilling free will in our species, he should have implanted goodwill.

HERMAN GOLD

Beverly Hills