http://www.nctimes.com

Escondido, CA Focus Campaign
http://www.alipac.us/modules.php?name=F ... c&p=207267

Escondido rental ban doesn't add up

By: BIM MCLEAN GANDER and CINDY ANN MURRAY - Commentary:

Let's all agree on a few things:

There are millions of illegal aliens residing in the United States. Some of these people live and work in Escondido.

This condition exists because of the inequality of economic opportunity on the south side of our border relative to this side. This situation is unlikely to change anytime soon.


The federal government has chosen not to enforce its immigration laws.

Now, given these irrefutable conditions, let's see why Councilwoman Marie Waldron's proposal to deny housing to illegal aliens residing in Escondido makes no sense at all:

1. Illegal aliens willing and able to pay rent are very likely to be gainfully employed. This is a fact that would be confirmed by a landlord in his own self-interest. After all, landlords prefer not to rent their investment property to criminals, gang members and drug dealers.

2. It is irrational to think that an illegal immigrant to the United States, seeking employment, with limited or no command of the English language, would comprehend the U.S. welfare system and its infinite bureaucracy well enough to exploit that system.

3. If approved, Waldron's proposal would force illegal renters (all of whom are earning wages from employers who hired them illegally) to become homeless, or to find other, illegal, jobs elsewhere.

4. Waldron's proposal flies in the face of five decades of progress in anti-discrimination law in providing housing. Her proposal would be both difficult and expensive to enforce. If illegal aliens can deceive willing employers, why couldn't they be equally adept at deceiving willing landlords?

Clearly, Waldron's proposal makes no economic or practical sense. It serves only to salve the frustration of many with our federal government's complete inability to confront the related problems of border control and terrorism in our land. It's time to find new leadership at that level with the courage and the vision to tackle those problems. Current leadership has failed miserably.

-- Bim McLean Gander and Cindy Ann Murray live in Escondido.