Letters to the Editor: Newport councilman’s position on paying petitioners by the signature betrays state history

Once again, Councilman Scott Peotter attempted to undermine the constitutional rights of Newport Beach residents. At the recent March 13 council meeting, Peotter brought forward a recommendation to endorse Senate Bill 1394, a proposal by Democrat Josh Newman of Fullerton to prohibit paying signature gatherers by the signature rather than by the hour.

Given the huge population growth in our state, the practical effect would be to substantially impair the constitutional rights of initiative, referendum and recall. Like Peotter, Newman was the subject of a recall, in his case due to his vote to increase the gas tax.

It’s important to note the history of citizen-initiated efforts that have used paid signature gatherers. These include Proposition 13, the Gann Spending Limitation, restoration of the death penalty, the recall of former Gov. Gray Davis and the pending effort to repeal the gas tax increase. Our liberal friends have their own list of important laws that have also used paid gatherers, including the California Coastal Act.

Peotter survived being recalled by a mere 106 signatures, and now he wants to put his own narrow political interest ahead of the longstanding rights of the people to take government into their own hands. His disrespect for the rights of residents, and his disdain and contempt for those who disagree with him, is a disgrace. To protect our rights to petition our government, Peotter must be removed from office.

Scott and Liddy Paulsen

Newport Beach

Los Alamitos votes in support of U.S. law

I support the Los Alamitos decision to challenge California’s sanctuary city law. I support its decision as being heroic and protective of our Constitution. I support legal, controlled immigration.

I look upon the sanctuary law, Senate Bill 54, to be comparable to when the Southern states succeeded from the United States; the move resulted in the Civil War. Any law, even a partial one like SB 54, that illegally separates and removes itself from the United States government, is unconstitutional.

The sanctuary law is illegal, unconstitutional and detrimental to the citizens of the United states. In fact, it undermines the citizens of the United States.

I did not serve in the United States Armed Forces to come home and preserve illegal immigration. We served to protect and preserve the Constitution of the United States of America.

I support the United States Constitution and legal immigration. We are a country of legal immigrants.

Larry Bales

Tustin

Los Alamitos vote was anti-immigrant

Now we stand on a precipice, the long fall from America, land of the free, to a despotic state, the lessons of our history forgotten.

Is Orange County the leader in the landslide of hate? Will Orange County win in the war of propaganda against the immigrant?

Is God on the side of the immigrant-hater? Will we tear down the Statue of Liberty like they tore down the statue of Josef Stalin, the statue of Saddam Hussein?

In that absurd, unbelievable move, will these despots of the past be laughing in their graves at the holier-than-thou Americans?

Stand by for more on this unless the Los Alamitos City Council, the Orange County Board of Supervisors and even the president unite to close down the media.

Mike Robbins

Anaheim

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