OPINION: Speak Up!

It’s getting really hot in the Santa Fe area. We need to take all reasonable action on CLIMATE CHANGE. CH

I am so discouraged by the unrelenting heat, drought and mosquitos. CLIMATE CHANGE is causing major imbalances in the weather systems. We need to stop putting CO2 into the atmosphere. I fear for our future if we don’t act now. RS

I was enjoying a hike in the Corrales Bosque Preserve a few days ago, and was shocked to see that the coyote willows were already turning yellow, and the plants were perhaps dying. A few cottonwoods also. This is the result of our CHANGING CLIMATE; we need to act. RB

Where can one purchase nonplastic CLEAR BAGS now that they are required in so many venues? Another mandate not thought through. MB

Regarding “OPINION: New Mexico should use permanent funds to buy PNM” (Aug. 12 Sunday Journal): Electricity rates are rising, and SELLING PNM to private equity firm Blackstone will make things worse. Stephen Fischmann’s idea to use Permanent Funds to buy a controlling stake in PNM would protect rate payers and enrich the state. Let’s make this happen! It’s the best idea I’ve heard in years! ST

On Aug. 14, Trump publicly celebrated the 90th year of SOCIAL SECURITY. Seems the height of hypocrisy given that his nominee to head the Bureau of Labor Statistics has called for ending Social Security and his Treasury secretary has admitted that the $1,000 baby grant is a precursor to privatizing Social Security. AF

Regarding “OPINION: Putting patients and providers first: A common sense plan for better health care In New Mexico” (Aug. 17 Sunday Journal): Former House Speaker Brian Egolf is mistaken when he says corporation profiteering is the cause of NM HEALTH CARE PROBLEMS. The actual problem is runaway malpractice lawsuits. NM could become a health care leader by repealing “pain and suffering damages” and allowing only “actual damages.” Only the lawyers would hate it. JRM

Regarding “OPINION: Putting patients and providers first: A common sense plan for better health care In New Mexico” (Aug. 17 Sunday Journal): Brian Egolf is politics as usual. Leave it to a trial lawyer who specializes in MEDICAL MALPRACTICE LAWSUITS to write a column, as former speaker of the House, trying to convince us that it’s all the evil corporations. What a tired story. When will our elected representatives ever work for us? HW

Kudos to the State Ethics Commission for suing to expose the DARK MONEY contributors to the New Mexico Safety Over Profit organization. Turns out the donors are not concerned individuals and families as advertised, but rather trial lawyers paying legislators to kill malpractice reform and protect their multi-million-dollar contingency fees. CD

The governor is trying to fix a problem she created. Supporting illegal immigration also involves the importation of drugs which always contributes to CRIME. Supporting Mayor Keller’s implementation of Albuquerque’s sanctuary status only contributes to the problem. Government never solves problems, it only creates them in order to solve them. GH

Elections have consequences. If the voters of Albuquerque REELECT KELLER, then that says more about the voters than it does about the candidate. Anyone paying attention can see that Albuquerque is not doing better after two terms of the suave liberal. Voters should be more responsible than his politics. GH

How do you expect DEMOCRAT LEGISLATORS in Washington to work with POTUS and captive Republicans when they try to rig the game and treat them like the enemy? “Democrat bad” is bad policy for serving the American people well. It has to include all of us or fail. MY

If the mayor is serious about pedestrian safety, instead of taking away more traffic lanes on Central, wouldn’t it be safer to make sure the STREET LIGHTS are on? East Central and Central/Tramway — high population of homeless, yet darkest stretch of Central in ABQ. MG

Statistics say that crime is down but people aren’t feeling it. Juvenile crime feels like it is out of control with teens killing other teens and adults with guns. Deb Haaland may be a nicer person, but I’m supporting Sam Bregman for governor. Stopping JUVENILE VIOLENCE is his cornerstone issue. RS

The president’s authority to take over D.C.’S POLICE is limited to 30 days and only if certain conditions are met. The conditions part of the order was lied about. The fact is, crime is down to a 30-year low in D.C. Shall we start counting the days? JH

Remember the EPSTEIN issue that wouldn’t go away? In 10 days Trump manifested an impotent international confab and invaded D.C. What happened to the Epstein issue? He is masterful. He calls it the weave; I call it the dodge. JEL

The photograph of American soldiers taking a knee under the large letters reading “RUSSIA” to fix the RED CARPET FOR PUTIN — a war criminal. The government you elect is the government you deserve. BF

It’s nice to hear President Trump’s demand to stop MAIL IN VOTING since he believes we are the only nation that does so. He may want to check it out since 34 other countries have mail in voting. ECH