Bush, Gallegly and Prop. 187

* Re “Bush Crosses Historic Lines in Local Stop,” Aug. 10.

George W. Bush must think the people of Oxnard can’t remember from one minute or election to the next.

Does he think we forgot or don’t care that Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-Simi Valley) coauthored Proposition 187? Does he think it unimportant that Gallegly bragged about supporting the proposition’s restrictions, which deny children born in the United States to immigrants unable to prove their legal status their right to attend public schools or receive any type of public health care?

The Republican presidential candidate, in his brief address at the Oxnard train stop touted as a pitch to minorities, introduced this congressman as an outstanding leader and as exemplary of his party in Ventura County.

Bush also leaned forward and declared in Spanish, “America’s children belong to everyone!”

Are the children that Gallegly and the California Republican Party are determined to turn out on the streets not America’s children?

Evidently Bush, who has extolled “character” as a prime ingredient for the presidency and has cited Jesus as his favorite political philosopher (Jesus must be strong on capital punishment), dismisses the locals as not recognizing hypocrisy when they hear it. Although some perhaps are unfamiliar with “The Prince,” and its author, Machiavelli, locals understand the transparent tactics, which are all too familiar.

MARY D. DODD

Oxnard