OPINION: Talk of the Town

GOP chairwoman owes voters an explanation 

Upon reading the article on the front page of the Journal on Jan. 17, “President Trump labels New Mexico elections ‘corrupt,’” I am dismayed by the comments from Amy Barela, chairwoman of the Republican Party of New Mexico. She stated that Trump’s comments are valid and that our secretary of state, Maggie Toulouse Oliver, “can’t even comply with the most basic federal election integrity laws.” 

More information please, Chairwoman Barela; exactly which basic federal election laws are not in compliance? She accuses but does not reveal the noncompliant laws. Her claim suggests disinformation — the intentional creation and spread of false information. The information she withheld is important to New Mexico voters. She accused, but did not provide evidence of the secretary’s noncompliance. 

What does she know that we don’t? Barela’s disinformation feeds her low-information voter base who won’t question her about the specifics of her claim. But, I am asking her to share with constituents the important information for which she claims e.g., the noncompliant federal election integrity laws that are not being followed by our secretary of state.

Rhonda Douville

Albuquerque 

RPNM puts Trump talking points over voters 

President Trump recently referred to New Mexico’s elections as “so corrupt it’s incredible,” claiming that “If they clean it up, we will win by a lot.” As usual, Trump makes a grandiose accusation while offering no evidence to back it up. For Trump, the only fair elections are ones that he wins, and it’s amazing that so many people go along with this. Besides, does anyone really believe that President Trump knows the slightest detail about New Mexico elections administration?

Amy Barela, chairwoman of the Republican Party of New Mexico, put out a statement falling right in line with President Trump’s accusation, going further by claiming that the New Mexico secretary of state “can’t even comply with the most basic federal election integrity laws we have in this country.” Like Trump, Barela makes a bold accusation without any independently verifiable evidence to back it up.

It would be useful if the actual evidence for corrupt elections was presented, so that people could be held accountable and solutions could be found for the benefit of New Mexicans. By this I mean evidence that could hold up in court, not accusations and innuendo floating around on social media or simply put out there by the president. In the absence of such evidence and problem-solving, RPNM is simply repeating talking points of a leader whose credibility is lacking.

Greg Valentine

Albuquerque 

NM has an outstanding election system

I have worked as a poll official for the Bernalillo County Board of Elections (BCBOE) every election for 12 years. I was shocked and disgusted to hear that President Trump characterized our state’s election system as “incredibly corrupt.” We have never turned away a voter. We work hard to locate in the system anyone who comes in and says he or she is a registered voter — and we allow them to vote provisionally to allow higher officials than us to determine whether the voter can legally vote in an election. Any important decision in the voting centers needs the agreement of a member of both political parties. And we send the results, tabulated by certified machines, to the BCBOE immediately after the election. In addition, we keep the paper ballots from every polling center until the secretary of state certifies the results after every vote is counted, so any errors in the results, real or imagined, can be checked by a thorough recount.

In the training sessions, in the training manuals and in all the conversations we have with the tireless employees of the BCBOE, there has never once been any bias toward members of any political party.

I have read that our board of elections ranks extremely high in comparisons to our peers across the country, but I know for a fact from the inside that we are absolutely fair and inclusive in our elections.

I cannot vouch one way or another regarding how our state’s officials behave once seated in their elective offices, but I know we have an outstanding electoral system in our state. I can only ask for proof, either from President Trump himself or local officials of the Republican Party, that our elections are in any way unfair.

Tom Baumgartel

Albuquerque

Outside groups give high marks to NM elections 

Recent claims by President Donald Trump and Amy Barela, chairperson of the Republican Party of New Mexico, that our state’s elections are “corrupt” are not only unfounded, but directly contradict the facts. New Mexico’s elections are consistently recognized for their integrity, transparency and efficiency. National organizations, including the nonpartisan MIT Election Data and Science Lab, have ranked New Mexico among the top states for election administration.

Further, our secretary of state, Maggie Toulouse Oliver, is highly respected by her peers across party lines for her commitment to secure and fair elections. New Mexico uses paper ballots, robust post-election audits and bipartisan oversight — all best practices recommended by election security experts.

Irresponsible accusations of “corruption” that are not fact-based do real harm. They erode public trust in our democratic process and discourage citizens from participating in future elections. Spreading disinformation undermines the hard work of thousands of nonpartisan poll workers and election officials who dedicate themselves to fairness and transparency.

New Mexico’s elections are secure, well run and worthy of confidence. We should all reject baseless claims that disparage the integrity of our democratic institutions.

Francis C. Harding

Albuquerque

Trump's tariffs are passed along to U.S. buyers, businesses

The Journal's Jan. 20 Business Outlook article "Americans bear nearly all Trump tariff costs" (page A5) is yet another confirmation of Trump's incompetence. The article states that an independent German think tank's study found that, “Foreign exporters did not meaningfully reduce their prices in response to U.S. tariff increases.” A recently released report by the Kiel Institute for the World Economy said, “The $200 billion surge in customs revenue represents $200 billion extracted from American businesses and households.” Also, "The study found that only about 4% of the tariff burden is shouldered by foreign firms, with a 'near-complete' pass-through of 96% to U.S. buyers that pay the levies and then must either absorb them or raise selling prices."

Trump touted the supposed benefits to Americans in his random and chaotic imposition of tariffs. The opposite is true. Tariffs are a tax on the American consumer. Facts don't lie but Trump does continually.

Brian Hill 

Albuquerque

Problem doctors should be held accountable

After reading the article in the Journal on Jan. 20 on the results of the Legislative Finance Committee survey on malpractice lawsuits in New Mexico, I am left wondering what the heck is going on in this state. Why are "about 94% of New Mexico physicians" paying the penalty for the "0.7% (who) were responsible for half the state's malpractice payments" for the years 1991-2024? 

Good grief, people, this isn't rocket science. Rotten apples, remember? Why are/were the physicians responsible for this travesty allowed to continue practicing instead of being removed from practice in the state to prevent spoiling it for the good ones? Upstream thinking proves that if you remove the pollution at the source, it prevents polluting the entire river downstream. Get smart and remove the rot.

Rebecca Sweet

Albuquerque

Bregman would hurt malpractice reform efforts

Do we really need medical malpractice reform in New Mexico? Are physicians really leaving New Mexico in droves? Yes, according to state legislators, physicians and other health care workers, health care analysts and a recent Legislative Finance Committee report to the Legislature. The report surveyed physicians, and the unfortunate responses show 65% are considering leaving the state and 83% of those cited medical malpractice as the reason.

For all of us who have called the physician's office for an appointment and heard, "sure we have openings, and we can get you in in three months," malpractice reform is a must. Unfortunately, there are at least two influential individuals who feel differently. Democratic Party candidate for governor and trial lawyer Sam Bregman is one. He refuses to publicly acknowledge the critical need for reform. Interestingly the other individual is Jon Lipshutz, Bregman's campaign manager. Who is Lipshutz, you might ask? Besides being Bregman's campaign manager, he has been the executive director of the nonprofit New Mexico Safety over Profit. Lipshutz's group has conducted an advertising campaign that lobbied against medical malpractice reform during last year's legislative session. Yes, Bregman's campaign manager endorses the idea that our doctors are not fleeing the state; they are just baby boomers dying off.

Yes we need medical malpractice reform and yes, physicians are leaving in doves. No, we don't need a governor who favors trial lawyer profits over the patient.

Jeffrey Paul 

Albuquerque

NMDOT should send messages to drivers, not pedestrians 

I was annoyed to read in the Journal Jan. 20 Road Warrior column that the New Mexico Department of Transportation is instructing pedestrians in ways to “keep themselves safe” because “everyone has a responsibility."

It is no secret that the overwhelming majority of traffic accidents are caused by motorists. Speeding and inattentive or aggressive driving have become the norm, and traffic laws are rarely enforced.

Prevailing upon pedestrians to protect themselves would be laughable if it weren't insulting. Motorized vehicles have a huge mechanical advantage over pedestrians and cyclists due to their massive weight and the laws of physics. People get hit by vehicles and often killed even in crosswalks. As for making eye contact with drivers, good luck; they are often on their phones and/or hiding behind tinted windows.

NMDOT’s advice to pedestrians is much like telling people to wear bulletproof vests at all times to protect themselves from shooters. NMDOT would do better to admonish motorists strongly and repeatedly to stick to the speed limit, stay off their phones, keep their eyes on the road and be on the lookout constantly for pedestrians and cyclists. Aggressive prosecution and punishment of speeders and impaired drivers by law enforcement and the courts would be a nice change of pace, too.

Janet Goldstein

Socorro 

Legislature should pass Clean Horizons Act

New Mexico has the opportunity to pass landmark legislation to protect our future. Senate President Pro Tem Mimi Stewart is sponsoring the Clear Horizons Act, which would gradually reduce our greenhouse gas emissions over 25 years.

As someone who loves the outdoors, stopping our climate crisis is personal. Beautiful outdoor spaces make New Mexico a wonderful and special place to live. I feel heartbroken when I see the cottonwoods in the bosque shedding limbs and dying, when I see evergreens in the mountains turn brown, when I don’t see birds like I once did.

It is also heartbreaking to see the effects of climate heating on my neighbors. Overheating has dried our forests, leading to horrendous, uncontrollable wildfires that destroy livelihoods, uproot families and cause billions of dollars of damage.

All of these things are happening because of our rapidly collapsing climate. However, New Mexico can set an example by passing the Clear Horizons Act and stopping heat-trapping pollution in our state. We must act now to guarantee a livable future for ourselves and our children.

Richard Barish

Albuquerque