PUBLIC FORUM.

DWP rate hike

Re "DWP wants new rate hike" (March 30):

The DWP has asked for another rate hike, and I think that is a little hard to swallow. However, if we want to end the financial bleeding at DWP and avoid rate increases, I suggest we ask the L.A. City Council to rescind the increase they added to the annual transfer from DWP to the city's coffers once a year. It seems some years back in the throes of a financial crunch, the council demanded a "raise," which amounts to a hidden tax on the ratepayers of DWP.

If the council needs more money then they need to ask the people directly, and not pretend they don't raise taxes when they secretly do.

- Rod Luedke

West Hills

First generation

Re "Biggest protest in city history hits tough immigration bill" (March 26):

I am a first-generation American of Mexican descent. My parents came here legally from Mexico for a better way of life. I sympathize with the people of Mexico who want a better way of life.

But what I see as wrong is that the protesters keep waving the Mexican flag, refusing to learn English and demanding the same rights as Americans after coming here illegally. If they want the same rights, put down the Mexican flag and fly the American flag and ask for the right to be able to work, live here and eventually become Americans and I will sympathize with you.

- Len Anthony

San Fernando 

Protest Mexico

Re "Immigration debate heats up" (March 28):

Corrupt foreign governments are responsible for the estimated 12 million people leaving their homelands and fleeing to this country every year. I would suggest to those protesters that disrupted our neighborhoods and freeways this past week to take their march to Mexico City, where their problems likely began.

- David DiMeglio

West Hills

Critical period

Re "Border wars" (Editorial, March 28):

I agree with your statement that this is "an issue of pressing national importance" and "one over which we are bitterly divided." We are in a critical period in our history when we the people and our elected representatives must decide if we want to be governed by rules of law or by mob rule.

We should have a system that provides legal status for all foreign workers but not citizenship for illegal immigrants, especially those waving Mexican and other foreign-country flags. Just remember that "United we stand, divided we fall" and the fall can be disastrous for all.

- Duane C. Buckle

Reseda

Serving the servants

Where did these politicos get the idea that illegal aliens are a bunch of avocado pickers? And where in their limousines did they arrive at the assumption that Americans won't get their hands dirty to make an honest buck? In order for contractors of any service to offer a competitive bid, they must compete with companies illegally hiring undocumented labor.

The half-million people who gathered quietly in California or the virulent crowd in France or even the wars all over the globe are directly linked to government corruption and even greater crimes against us all. Wake up and realize that whatever action our "servants" agree on will make them a hefty profit, and solve nothing.

- Bill Wambold

Winnetka

Fundamental right

Re "Medical-marijuana fight returns to court" (March 26):

The Bush administration claims, "There is no fundamental right to possess, cultivate or distribute marijuana." Actually, according to the preamble to the U.S. Constitution, there is a fundamental right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The fact that hemp, as Washington and Jefferson knew it, is not specifically mentioned in the Constitution does not mean we have no fundamental right to it. So George and Thomas "forgot" to include the right to bear hemp? We still have the right to possess, grow and distribute hemp. It's the government that is in violation of the law.

- Peter Wilson 

Simi Valley 

Giving it away

Re "Medical pot ban overturned" (March 29):

California voters passed a ballot amendment legalizing the medical use of marijuana, even though it comes into conflict with federal laws that make it illegal to possess, sell, transport, etc., marijuana. County supervisors evidently have decided Los Angeles County is a sovereign political entity, not affected by the U.S. Constitution's supremacy clause.

Now, the L.A. County Board of Supervisors has decided to establish and regulate dispensaries to give away "medical" marijuana. I am not surprised as it isn't any great leap for the county supervisors to go from aiding and abetting illegal aliens to thumbing their noses at federal narcotics laws. Drug users must represent more votes than nondrug users. Either that or the supervisors are tired of getting their marijuana from the streets.

- John R. Schlank

Granada Hills

If parents paid

Re "Too many schools fail their students" (Their Opinions, March 28):

There is not a single government-run organization that operates with any credibility, efficiency, honesty, fiscal responsibility, etc., so why does there seem to be so much discussion about how to improve our school system? As long as our school system functions in the same manner as welfare, it cannot be improved.

Since no one writes a check, school is free baby-sitting and there is no incentive for parents to insist that they get a return on their investment. Give each household back that amount of their taxes that goes to the schools and let them write a check each month and they may be a little more inclined to insist on getting something for their dollars.

- Patrick Weir

Chatsworth

Specialized pursuits

Re "Education is global concern" (Their Opinions, March 28):

K-12 science and advanced math are used by less than 1 percent of our nation's work force - and only by college-degreed scientists. Yet politicians herald these curriculums as the panacea to our nation's economic strength. These curriculums are best suited for very specialized college pursuits.

Eliminating K-12 advanced math, and reducing the science curriculum to a ungraded elective, would greatly enhance our educational systems - with no effect on our gross national product, our work force skills and salaries, or our nation's technological supremacy.

- Fred Coble 

North Hills

Goose is gone

Re "Wrong Country" (Their Opinions, March 28):

Hey, Irving Leemon, look closer. The golden goose is already dead. Question is, just how deep will we bury it? If I hear one more politician say we are a nation of laws, I will throw up. Nearly every law passed is a watered-down version of the original intent. If we the people vote for a law that passes, the courts throw it out. All these people from other lands that are breaking our borders are rushing into a giant grave site that they helped dig. Ironic, isn't it?

- Don Allen 

Canyon Country

Only hope

Re "Critics blast youth rally" (March 26):

As a pastor of 30 of the attendees of this Battle Cry Conference, I could not believe that the community leaders of San Francisco would attack youths who are committing themselves to lives of positive impact and purity. How shameful to have Assemblyman Mark Leno attack these students with words like "obnoxious" and "disgusting," saying they "should get out of San Francisco."

The mayor, the supervisors and their assemblyman have revealed in their resolutions and their public statements that they would fit better as leaders in Afghanistan than in the land of the free. These youths are truly our nation's only hope.

- Pastor Mark Schweitzer

Harvest Community Church

Palmdale