Proposition 187

* Re “Davis Won’t Appeal Prop. 187 Ruling, Ending Court Battles,” July 29: This is a black day for California’s justice system. The agreement filed as a result of the “mediation” for Proposition 187 has denied justice to the 60% of the electorate who supported Proposition 187. The governor was supposed to represent the voters but represented the views of the opponents of the measure. The proponents were denied a seat at the table.

Gov. Gray Davis created a bad precedent by requesting the court to mediate, which was a farce to begin with, rather than allowing the appeals process to take its course.

Future measures that do not meet the approval of the governor may utilize this method of negating the initiative process. This is why “justice denied” has created a black day for California’s future initiatives, as well as denying the electorate its day in court.

BYRON SLATER

San Diego

* Davis has restored a humane quality to the governorship of our state by renewing prenatal care for illegal immigrant mothers and by halting the appeal on Proposition 187.

SOL LONDE MD

Northridge

* With the ending of the appeals process for Proposition 187, an American citizen coming from another state to California to attend college will have to pay the out-of-state tuition rate, while an illegal immigrant in California will only pay the resident tuition rate, which is several times cheaper. This is one example of the blatant disregard for American citizens in the existing immigration laws. The government of California should be airlifted into Mexico, where it belongs.

MICHAEL TRUMAN

Orange

* Davis should be applauded for having the courage to do something to stop implementation of a bad law. It is a bad law because it is directed not at the solution of a problem (illegal immigration) but because it targets the people themselves (the illegal immigrants). It is a bad law because implementing it would not only negatively affect these persons but all of us. By withholding medical services and schooling, for example, all of us would suffer the consequences of ignorance and disease.

The good effect of Proposition 187 was to create awareness of the problem of illegal immigration and to cause some action to be taken by the federal government. This was done; now let’s put our resources and energies into long-term solutions and not into creating a police state--by having authorities turn in anyone they suspect of being “illegal” so they can be punished.

CHRISTA METZGER

Santa Monica

* Whether you agree with Proposition 187 or not, Davis’ decision not to take the appeal all the way to the Supreme Court is a slap in the face to the electorate. So much for the will of the people.

SEAN DOLAN

Long Beach

* Like the majority of California voters, I supported Proposition 187 and watched it pass by a landslide in 1994. After watching it die five years later, it seems ridiculous to me why so many people are puzzled by the declining voter turnout.

KENNETH J. RAMSEY

Cypress