OPINION: Speak Up!

During the SHUTDOWN, much of New Mexico’s concern focuses on SNAP benefits running out, while little attention is given to government employees working hard without pay. This contrast reveals where our government’s priorities lie and raises important questions about who we truly support in times of crisis. BD

The GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN orchestrated by Trump and his administration with support from the GOP arm of Congress will have a devastating impact on Americans, especially in the areas of food security and health care. These GOP policies will disproportionately do harm to low-income and working Americans. Shameful! RF

New Mexico’s U.S. senators must put common sense ahead of partisan politics and end the GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN. Listen to your constituents and do the right thing! It’s time to apply the Heinrich maneuver and end the choking of New Mexico’s economy. JF

It’s hard to say who’s to blame for the GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN. Is it the party that voted to keep it open or the party that voted not to? KT

If the GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN has proven anything, it is this: There are too many people on taxpayer handouts. A systematic increase in dependency on government is not good for a republic such as ours. That failure is easy to achieve when people realize that they can vote themselves money. GH

After funding SNAP BENEFITS, NM governor stated, “We’re going to choose feeding families over politics in New Mexico.” Evidently the two Sens. Heinrich and Luján didn’t get her memo. As of Oct. 30, they still refuse to vote to open the federal government which would fund SNAP federally. TMP

Tone deaf. Absolutely tone deaf. In the face of the poorest Americans losing SNAP benefits, President Trump throws a lavish party at MAR-A-LAGO with a “Great Gatsby” theme for his high-roller buddies. I bet he’s never even read the book. I guess that the rich really are different. EJG

According to the NAIC, the top U.S. HEALTH INSURERS reap $41 billion annual profits; $1,200 per citizen. There are 60,000 insurance employees whose jobs are to limit and maximize health payments on each side of this equation. Better to spend this waste on better health outcomes. RM

King Charles stripped Andrew of his titles and evicted him from a royal residence for his relationship with sex-offender EPSTEIN. We ought to do the same thing with Trump. We all know that’s why the files aren’t opened up to expose him. Impeach and evict from the White House! CC

Regarding “OPINION: We must defend DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES” (Nov. 2 Journal): Many of my friends in Europe have echoed the same words that Ildiko Zold Logue wrote in his Sunday Local Column. “The real danger of a strongman isn’t his tactics; it’s how others, especially those with power, justify their acquiescence.” Why aren’t more people speaking out about this? PM

Rereading the PRESIDENTIAL OATH of office. Apparently the current president found an escape route in the words “to the best of my ability.” MB

President Trump again used his office to make money for himself and his family. He pardoned Changpeng Zhao, the head of crypto firm Binance, who had pleaded guilty to money laundering. The pardon comes after Binance helped set up and promote the TRUMP CRYPTO BUSINESSES. Some would call this corruption. FS

With all the jobs being replaced by AI TECHNOLOGY, who will be left with a job/income to buy the products produced in an AI environment? On the upside, it bodes well for blue-collar tradespeople because much of their work can’t be replaced by AI. AA

PRIVATE EQUITY FIRMS are today’s news. One bought Dreamstyle Remodeling, sucked out the profits, and shut it down, leaving 250 employees in the lurch. Now another firm wants to buy NM Gas Company, even though it has little experience in the energy sector. How could this be a good idea? ST

How many meals do you think the GOVERNOR’S boondoggle to Brazil could have provided? As usual, the elite are out of touch with us normal people. RS

The United States Coast Guard, the best in the world, is more than capable of taking down drug runners in the CARIBBEAN, something they have demonstrated over and over. No need to send an armada that could provoke war! JS

Oh dear, our district has again given us DAN LEWIS, whose claim to fame is being against everything and anything the mayor does. He likes to get press coverage for his negativity, because it gets his name in print and when people go to the poll they vote a familiar name. CE

NM STATE FAIRGROUNDS redevelopment: It should first be decided where the State Fair will relocate and how much that will cost. Or is the State Fair going away altogether? Paying for a plan before deciding what is being done is a waste of our tax dollars. ES

Once again, like so often with ABQ RIDE, my first bus was late and the second ran ahead of schedule so a commute supposed to take 40 minutes took 75 with a lot of time standing in the dark waiting. BV