Opinion

For too long, New Mexico’s families have been told to accept being last. We are last in education. We are last in child well-being. However, our state budget has increased by more than 75 percent since the current governor took office, and still nothing has changed.

As a retired U.S. Marine Combat Veteran and U.S. Air Force Chaplain myself, I have seen firsthand how since this Administration took office, it has treated the VA like just another line item on its balance sheet, making reckless, deep cuts across the board that have impacted veterans’ care and threatened their benefits.

And there’s resentment of the rich and powerful. In one scene, Coyote deploys a Rube Goldberg device that imprisons Acme CEO Foghorn Leghorn and his slick corporate lawyer (John Cena). The lawyer shouts, “Do you know how much I’m worth?”

I can’t help but wonder where the Republican Party of New Mexico would be if we got rid of the excuses. It’s September, and excuses are about all we’ve got for an organization that’s supposed to represent roughly one in three voters in this state.

This opinion column argues that politically motivated renaming has created confusion and cultural double standards. It examines changes involving Lake Ontario, Lee Highway, military bases, holidays, sports teams, and food brands such as Aunt Jemima and Uncle Ben’s, while questioning evolving terminology for parents, immigrants, and formerly incarcerated people.

This opinion piece examines the enduring debate over Hiroshima and Nagasaki, challenging claims that the atomic bombs were “demonic” or unnecessary. It argues that U.S. leaders, facing Japan’s refusal to surrender and the prospect of catastrophic invasion casualties, believed the bombings could end the war swiftly and save lives, while acknowledging their lasting moral consequences.

This opinion argues that the Stop Insider Trading Act is a reasonable measure requiring greater financial transparency from members of Congress. It questions Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez’s opposition to the bill, highlights the growth of her disclosed net worth, and criticizes her positions on student debt, tuition, immigration and other liberal policies.

Drawing on generations of family visits and deep ties to New Mexico’s El Malpais National Monument, Sherry Robinson argues that America’s national parks are being neglected despite record visitation and economic benefits. With a $24 billion maintenance backlog, staffing cuts and worsening conditions, park fees and resources are being diverted to presidential “beautification” projects instead of protecting the parks.

In this opinion piece, Rio Grande Foundation president Paul Gessing challenges New Mexico’s universal childcare program, arguing it depends on oil-and-gas revenues, was created through executive action rather than legislation, and is facing major deficits. He also examines lawsuits from whistleblowers and warns the program’s creation sets a troubling precedent for gubernatorial power.

After his restaurant team is challenged to prepare increasingly large numbers of individually packaged meals, Javier Sanchez reflects on how pressure reveals unexpected capacity, purpose and peace. From 60 to 900 meals in one week, the experience breaks artificial belief limits and underscores the importance of perseverance, collaboration and self-belief, while honoring his mother.

New Mexico’s governor’s race has settled into an unusually quiet contest. Democrat Deb Haaland is avoiding public events while lieutenant governor candidate Stephanie Garcia Richard fills the gap. Republican Gregg Hull has struggled to define himself, stumbling over abortion-related comments and ties to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. Meanwhile, Haaland appears focused on running against Donald Trump rather than Hull.

Sheryl Williams Stapleton’s corruption conviction highlights how power, entitlement and weak ethics rules can enable self-dealing. Yet New Mexico’s unpaid legislators also make significant personal sacrifices, and most serve honorably. This opinion argues that both parties deflect blame while the party in power enjoys the greatest opportunity and cover for corruption—leaving taxpayers and residents to pay the price.