Back when I used to think I was competing with the big chainstores, before I realized I was a minnow swimming in an ocean of whales and sharks, I used to rail against the big, international corporations. (Well, I still do, but I don't expect anything to change.)

People used to respond with equal fervor, but after awhile I was began to realized that both conservatives and liberals hate big corporations, if not for the same reasons. It's a populous issue. So I'd find myself totally disagreeing with someone about almost every other issue we discussed, and I learned to probe a bit before I got into conversations I regretted.

I'm beginning to realize that Housing Bubble bloggers also cover a wide range of political views. Another populous issue.

What's making me uncomfortable is the bashing of Mexicans, which is sometimes coded as "Californians." To me, blaming Californicators has always been a bit of a joke. It's a state of mind, not a particular location or class of people, I object to. And as a code for "white flight", I'm completely uncomfortable.

My wife's store, the BookMark, is next to a Hispanic market.

They are up and running when we get there in the morning, and still at work when we leave at night. If there is a snowfall, they're out there clearing the snow immediately, sometimes doing our side, as well. They are constantly sweeping and spraying the parking lot. And I feel much better about them being there for the safety of my wife, they are in shouting distance, and as I said, they are always there.

They're great neighbors.

Enough with the bashing.