Davis and Prop. 187

* Gov. Gray Davis is being asked to reverse his position on Prop. 187 and break his pledge to the voters of California. In its March 26 editorial, “It’s Time to Let Prop. 187 Die,” The Times asked Davis to commit a dangerous breach of precedent by backing out of the people’s defense for Prop. 187, a law duly passed by the electorate.

Davis promised voters that he would not interfere with their decision on the initiative, which was carried by a landslide margin in 1994. He said that the matter should be resolved in the courts. But now he’s under political pressure from the opponents of the measure to drop the case before a final decision can be reached in the Court of Appeals.

The ACLU’s case was weakened by changes in federal laws which were specifically designed by Congress to aid in the implementation of Prop. 187. Those laws and a recent Supreme Court decision against illegal immigration have led the opponents of Prop. 187 to seek a back-room deal with the governor to prevent their defeat in court. Ironically, the ability of the people to pass their own laws through the initiative process was achieved in an effort to prevent back-room deals and the political corruption they involve. The supporters of Prop. 187 played by the rules and took their case to the voters; the voters agreed overwhelmingly. Davis should play by the rules too.

RON PRINCE

Chairman of Save Our State

Huntington Beach

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In your editorial you jump on Davis for wanting it both ways with 187--opposing it himself, but with a notion to let the Supreme Court decide. Since when has any opponent of 187 been a beacon of logic and consistency? Take The Times: You say 187 is unconstitutional, then righteously declare “illegal immigration obviously has to be controlled”!

Controlled where, at the border? You mean those caught at the border have no constitutional rights, but those who make it through do? What a country!

STEVEN FOSTER

Los Angeles

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The Times is wrong about Prop. 187. Discouraging illegal immigration is one way the voters would like to control rampant population growth. Such growth has poisoned a great deal of our natural habitat. We are powerless to do much else, when planners and politicians are bought and paid for by developers.

JEANNIE MAGEE

Solana Beach

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There is still a majority in favor of everything in 187. It is a sad commentary when the results in an initiative can simply be ignored because the governor has to pay his election debts. If the state will not appeal to the Supreme Court, then citizen groups should.

J.R. CARTER

Woodland Hills