OPINION: Speak Up!

Every member of Congress is responsible for 2 million active duty and reserve service members not being paid under the GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN. Meanwhile, they all continue to get paid for not doing their job. This is the most egregious betrayal perpetrated by both parties in recent history. RF

It seems a full SHUTDOWN of the federal government should act as a sort of mute button on Trump. We would be free of Trump’s mean-spirited gurgles and offensive Truth Social posts. In a just America, that’s what would happen. BH

This administration has fired thousands of government workers. They’ve been talking about firing thousands more before the SHUTDOWN. They are using the shutdown as an excuse to blame Democrats. Illegal immigrants don’t qualify for ACA, Medicaid and Medicare. Stop lying, grow a backbone and save our health care! DD

During the GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN, why are members of Congress getting paid for doing nothing while federal employees who actually work are not being paid? KS

I applaud SEN. HEINRICH and SEN. LUJÁN for taking a courageous stand against Republicans’ ruinous agenda. Democrats counteract the big ugly bill. POTUS runs the show. He could do the right thing, but rarely does. Partisan politics and a lack of common sense are hallmarks of the current regime. MY

A Speak Up writer suggested that New Mexicans would have to “hold their noses” and VOTE REPUBLICAN. Come, now — is it really so bad to vote for a party that advocates access to health care, tough-on-crime policies, lower taxes and other practical things? Leave the Democrat party line — you’ll enjoy our common sense! AN

Grandpa Don is demented, RFK is too. No HEALTH CARE unless you’re rich, bad for me and you. DZ

Anyone suggesting 25TH AMENDMENT action against the current president needs to take a good hard look in the mirror! Where was your concern during the last administration? Perhaps you are the one that needs help in recognizing reality. TS

The current president of the United States is MILITARIZING OUR STREETS, creating a police state, and demanding the imprisonment of state and local elected officials he doesn’t like. Tell me again he isn’t a fascist. Go ahead. New Mexico Republicans should pay a visit to the New Mexico Holocaust Museum. BF

In an absolutely unhinged speech to military commanders, Trump was clear about one thing. He intends to use TROOPS ON CITY STREETS, even though that is illegal. The question is — will they blindly obey? Their oath is to the Constitution, not the president. JH

In front of a room full of generals, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told them to ignore “stupid rules of engagement.” RULES OF ENGAGEMENT are directives governing how and when force can be used by the U.S. military. “No more politically correct and overbearing rules of engagement.” Frighteningly wrongheaded. EJG

The approval of the SANCTUARY CITY policy of not cooperating with federal immigration law says it all and explains why the city is deteriorating so fast. People either are not connecting the dots or they just do not care. The next mayor must change this or we lose it all. GH

Homeless is not local, it’s national. The TOP 1% and corporations have bought the U.S. Congress, including the Supreme Court. Trump is destroying the economy with tariffs and catering to the wealthy and corporations. It’s no wonder the lower and middle income are homeless. The rot starts at the top!

MDC hasn’t improved. APS fails. Area hospitals worry. CYFD horrifies. What’s the common thread? Could it be that BEHEMOTH BUREAUCRACIES waste resources, beleaguer workforces and are unworkable in this age of technology and innovation? Maybe everyone really is doing the best they can, and we need to strategically decentralize. MW

Regarding “‘We’re big losers’: Why are some of New Mexico’s best schools losing their funding?” (Sept. 30 Journal): Typical of New Mexico state government: Punish successful CHARTER SCHOOLS while spending millions more taxpayer dollars on institutions, schools, agencies and ideas that have been proven over and over again to be miserable failures. RJB

Regarding “‘We’re big losers’: Why are some of New Mexico’s best schools losing their funding?” (Sept. 30 Journal): CHARTER SCHOOLS no longer have an increased funding loophole. Their “at-risk students” now count like every other public school. Ironically, higher achieving traditional schools never received additional money or a choice in students they receive. Unless I’m missing something, what’s the problem? LAM

Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, a day of fasting and prayer. Yet, due to the rise of ANTI-SEMITISM in the world and the U.S., even Albuquerque synagogues had security to assure safety for their services. Isn’t that sad statement about our community? AF

We are now over nine months into this calendar year and I have still been unable to go even five days in a row without a bus skipped by ABQ RIDE. I really miss the days before zero fares. BF