Mexican Xenophobia wrote on Apr 26, 2007 7:16 AM:Don't go to Mexico to protest! Mexico's constitution expressly forbids Americans from participating in Mexico's political affairs. Article 33 clearly states: 'Foreigners may not in any way participate in the political affairs of the country.' Americans are forbidden from participating in demonstrations or express opinions in public about politics while in Mexico. Article 9 states, 'The right to assemble or associate peaceably for any lawful purpose cannot be restricted; but only citizens of the Republic may do so to take part in the political affairs of the country.'

Not A 14th Amendment Violation wrote on Apr 26, 2007 8:31 AM:According to HUD (the US Dept of Housing and Urban Development) the Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, and familial status in most housing related transactions. However, the Act does not prohibit discrimination based solely on a person's citizenship status. Accordingly, asking housing applicants to provide documentation of their citizenship or immigration status during the screening process would not violate the Fair Housing Act. In fact, such measures have been in place for a number of years in screening applicants for federally-assisted housing. http://www.hud.gov/offices/fheo/library/sept11.cfm

Jim wrote on Apr 26, 2007 9:24 AM:A city without residents is no longer a city. Only a city council with a death wish would intentionally do everything to run off its residents. In the final analysis, it is an effort doomed to failure. The birth rate alone strongly favors the very city residents you are trying to expel!

Go To City Council Meetings wrote on Apr 26, 2007 10:20 AM:You will see that the City Council addresses numerous issues every week. Yesterday, the approved community block grants, housing funds, utility undergrounding designs, Hubbard hill amateur radio equipment improvements, bid award for the contruction of a fire station, design standard updates, traffic speed zone updates, mobile home rent reviews, and a notice of completion of Grove Park. If Jim was involved in the Jaycees, the East Valley Parkway Association, the Chamber of Commerce, and the similar community groups, he would know that this City Council is not a single issue group.

Importing Racism wrote on Apr 26, 2007 10:41 AM:First, immigration status is not a race. Second, according to a UC Davis Researcher, 'Much worse than U.S. natives, immigrants tend to have racist attitudes toward African-Americans. The U.S., by accepting large numbers of immigrants, is in effect importing racism.' If we want to stop increased racism, then stop illegal immigration!

Victims of Racism? wrote on Apr 26, 2007 10:54 AM:Yesterday a foreign national illegally crossed the border and took shelter in Escondido. Today that foreign aggressor lives far below the poverty line, and by law is denied equal employment opportunity in America! Many are outraged! Racism is claimed. America was once accused of impoverishing third world countries due to 'brain drain'. Now the foreign aggressors demand that America remedy the ills of their growing impoverished population of over 10 million who claim to be victims of racism! In my view, this recent wave of illegals are not good, decent, and respectful folks.

pablo wrote on Apr 26, 2007 1:08 PM:Hey Jim, if you took a minute to research information before you wrote an irrational column you may have found Escondido’s website where you can read about other cities rules for overnight parking. Delve a little deeper and even you would find that the average house/condo value in the cited California cities with the on-street overnight parking restrictions the council wants to emulate go up. In 2005 the average house/condo value for Escondido was $450,600, for San Gabriel $533,800, Pasadena $609,000 and Menlo Park $1,266,100. You know Jim higher real estate values for Escondido's homeowners means higher income people will move here. They might earn enough to purchase a new car. Sorry to burst your bubble Jim but residential overcrowding is what is killing Escondido's hospitals, schools, public utilities maintenance, etc. Our council members know that and are on the right track to solving Escondido’s most pressing problem. I originally wondered why you were so unreasonable. But then I remember from one of your past columns, you are the guy with the little car and the tiny garage who thinks you should be able to park wherever you please.

Read The Mission Park Survey wrote on Apr 26, 2007 3:46 PM:Trageser should read the Mission Park Survey paid for by the City of Escondido. http://www.ci.escondido.ca.us/depts/hns/neighborhood/Mission_Park_Survey.pdf Quotes from the study: "With an average federal poverty rate of 29%, the Mission Park area has been identified as having one of the most rapidly growing poverty rates in the State of California," page 14; "Immigration and Citizenship Status The Mission Park area is home, and often the 'first stop' for many new immigrants seeking better opportunities in the United States. Language is a barrier for many, with 44% speaking English less than ?very well?. Although the survey did not collect information about citizenship status, this seems to be key consideration for residents in this community." page 15; "Renters who are new immigrants and/or are exceeding the unit capacity are also less likely to complain or identify maintenance problems that could lead to unhealthy housing (mold, mildew, poor ventilation, lead, roach or rodent infestations, or other potential health hazards)." page 18; "Lack of information & fear: Fear of immigration/border patrol." page 25; "A large majority (85%) of survey participants were born outside of the United States. Most participants (81%) were born in Mexico, while fewer were born in other non-U.S. areas (Central America: 3%, ?Other?: 1%)." page 30. A reader of the Mission Park report can only conclude that illegal immigration from Mexico is a key factor causing growing poverty in the Mission Park area. Also, it is againt Federal law to provide local public benefits to illegal aliens. 8 USC 1621. Local public benefit means any loan, professional license, COMMERCIAL LICENSE, or an retirement, welfare, health, disability, public or ASSISTED HOUSING, postsecondary education, food assistance, unemployment benefit, or any other similar benefit provided by an agency of a state or local government. Given that legal constraint, how does the brilliant legal mind of Jim Traseger propose to address the rapidly growing poverty in Escondido, which poverty is growing faster than almost anywhere else in Southern California, without violating Federal law?!