OPINION: BernCo defended Constitution and separation of powers

New Mexico made history last month. The Bernalillo County Commission debated and approved the resolution titled, “Defending our U.S. Constitution and Separation of Powers.” I was there as the first person to speak on its behalf, important to me because the citizens of Bernalillo County are being hurt by unconstitutional orders, illegal actions or willful misdeeds of the executive branch. Three others provided testimony to support the resolution, and about 10 more provided written comments of support.

People of all political viewpoints are affected by executive branch transgressions that have occurred without consulting Congress. Anyone can be hurt by the loss of federal funding in our county. For example, families and communities will suffer needless illness and death due to Medicaid cuts, loss of funding for medical research and the outbreak of diseases like measles. The question for all of us is: Will you be complicit, or will you raise your voice to speak the truth, to help inform others, and to offer solutions?

As a scientist with a doctorate degree, I am concerned about the impact of these decisions on our planet — our life support system — and on public health in general. This administration has sabotaged efforts to address the climate crisis by withdrawing from the Paris Climate Accords and weakening existing environmental regulations. This harms our county, state, country and world. While the discovery of vaccines is among the most important scientific advances in history to protect public health, this administration is anti-science and promotes disinformation. That is not OK with me.

I stand in defense of The Four Freedoms, first articulated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt: freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want and freedom from fear. Attacks on the free press, and withdrawing federal funding unless mentions of our diverse cultures are deleted from research grants denies our freedom of speech. Stating a goal that “anti-Christian bias” will be removed from our country, especially where none exists, is a denial of freedom of worship. Taking resources away from the most vulnerable people in our community denies freedom from want. That men in masks with no identification are allowed to essentially kidnap people off our streets, imprison them without due process or simply “disappear them” denies freedom from fear.

The resolution statement itself is simple: “THEREFORE, be it resolved by the Bernalillo County Board of Commissioners, the governing body of the County of Bernalillo, that the Bernalillo County Board of Commissioners:

1. Declares its support for the role of the United States Congress as a coequal partner of three in our constitutional Democratic Republic.

2. Supports and encourages the Congressional delegation of the State of New Mexico to continue to lead their colleagues to stand up and reclaim their Constitutional duty to be an equal partner in the administration of the U.S. government, to work hand-in-hand with the Judicial Branch to ensure that the US Constitution is not violated by the Executive Branch, and to ensure that illegal or unconstitutional actions that have occurred are overturned.

3. Directs the County Manager to provide this resolution to the office of each member of the New Mexico Congressional Delegation.”

In summary, denying our freedoms and ignoring our Constitution and the separation of powers is not what we the people want. It is our responsibility to use our voices to defend our rights, our Constitution our traditions, and the rule of law. By listening to our concerns and approving this resolution, the Bernalillo County Commission demonstrated their responsibility to uphold their sworn Oath of Office to defend the Constitution of the United States.