Opinion

In a speech from Athens, Secretary of State Marco Rubio invoked ancient Greece’s influence on American democracy, the Founders, and Western political thought. Cal Thomas praises Rubio’s eloquence and statesmanship while lamenting the decline of classical education and historical knowledge in today’s universities. He argues Rubio’s competence, character, and service make him presidential material.

New Mexico’s medical malpractice reforms and healthcare compacts face renewed political threats, the author argues, as trial lawyers and their allies influence Democratic candidates and legislative committees. The piece highlights reform champions Rep. Marian Matthews and Rep. Nicole Chavez, criticizes Lisa Curtis and Deb Haaland, and urges voters to protect doctor access and keep public pressure on lawmakers.

An opinion essay argues that prominent American critics of Israel, including Hasan Piker, Ilhan Omar, and Zohran Mamdani, apply charges of genocide, apartheid, colonialism, and war crimes selectively. It contrasts their rhetoric with the histories of Turkey, Somalia, and Uganda, urging them to acknowledge abuses associated with their homelands before condemning Israel or America.

Opponents (mostly Republicans) argue that it rewards lawmakers for not solving the state’s problems and prompts some candidates to run just for the paycheck.

An August 2026 poll conducted by BSP Polling found that 64% of New Mexico voters support paying legislators a salary—but only if legislators also have to comply with mandatory ethics reforms. (Nineteen percent of voters supported paying legislators a salary regardless of ethics reforms, while 17% opposed the salary even if ethics reforms were also enacted.)

The doors of the PRC should be opened wider, not narrowed. Because the people paying the bills deserve a seat at the table. The PRC Rules tightening access to the very important work the PRC does should be revisited.

New Mexico’s Legislature is said to be the only “unpaid” legislative body in the nation, but that’s not quite true. Our legislators receive a “per diem” (daily pay when they are in Santa Fe or at committee hearings of $247) which does not include mileage reimbursement.

These individuals are living proof that the American Dream is alive and flourishing and pose a stark contrast to what is being proselytized today.

New Mexicans disagree about plenty of things politically. But one frustration that crosses party lines and reaches from Albuquerque and Santa Fe to Las Cruces, Farmington, Roswell and our rural communities is that Washington is not working as well as Americans expect it to.

The New Mexico legislature is the only one in the country that does not receive an annual salary. Instead, it receives a daily per diem based on the IRS travel reimbursement rates for Santa Fe. Through September 2026, the amount is $247.

I do know that altruism isn’t even about the other person. It is about living with God. To act solely on the premise that your actions affect either just yourself or somebody else misses the point entirely.

Predictions of doomsdays by various means have gripped, even entertained the world for centuries. We are just getting over bogus predictions of “climate change” disasters and now comes artificial intelligence. AI insiders are telling TV interviewers that AI can potentially destroy the human race.