SpeakUp!: Come to the polls prepared and researched — maybe with a magnifying glass, too

I just viewed my sample ballot for the upcoming election. The two proposed amendments to the CITY CHARTER are vaguely worded, but they would mean big changes to the way the city is run. Do your homework, ABQ friends, to make sure you understand what you are voting for. ST

Tried to read the SAMPLE BALLOT without a magnifying glass. Give us old folks a break and create a print-friendly version that prints out in multiple 8-by-10 inch pages in at least a 12-point font. We do not need AI, we need readable intelligence. GT

Regarding “Gov. vows state will lead the way in education” (Oct. 8, Journal): So, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham says New Mexico will lead EDUCATION TRANSFORMATION. Surely others would like to replicate all of our successes. Let’s add crime, immigration, child welfare and electric vehicle mandates to her promotional tour. AH

GOV. MLG is going around the country campaigning for Vice President Kamala Harris. She must be looking for a job post-election. Is she still drawing her governor salary while doing this work? If she is, our “representatives” need to look at this and legislate forfeiture of pay for things like this. BM

Does Gov. MLG’s job description and pay include campaigning across the country for a political party? What about the other political party in New Mexico who expect her to do the job she was elected to do? She should be REMOVED FROM OFFICE immediately. DC

Maybe instead of spending so much time outside of New Mexico, our esteemed Gov. MLG should stay home and tend to the business of GOVERNING OUR STATE with all its problems. Campaigning for Vice President Kamala Harris is not a priority for N.M., but focusing on solving border incursions, crime and education are. HT

Regarding “The rich are already paying more than their FAIR SHARE of taxes” (Oct. 13 Sunday Journal): … Do Gates and Bezos need another tax break? I think not. NK

Regarding “The rich are already paying more than their fair share of taxes” (Oct. 13 Sunday Journal): 30.4% tax rate for the rich means nothing when they got all the deductions. The New York Times reported that Trump paid $750 in 2020 and also 2021. Eliminate ITEMIZED DEDUCTIONS. This will be fair and reduce our debt. GT

We must not confuse drug users with the mentally ill. A person on drugs can exhibit unusual behavior but that does not mean they are mentally ill. We must strive to help people get off their DRUG ADDICTION in order to determine their true mental state. GH

Thank you, state Rep. Rod Montoya, for pointing out the SMOKE SHOW THE DEMOCRATS are using to cover up their absolute abysmal record on real issues affecting New Mexico. Voters need to only look at the past performance and record on issues affecting everyday residents of our once great state. TS

Republican Senate candidate Nella Domenici should not complain about anyone questioning her POSITION ON ABORTION. Multiple Republicans have lied about abortion, even under oath. No Republican can be trusted with women’s health. Maternal infant mortality rates in states controlled by Republicans show why. MLL

Why do we need senators or representatives in this day and age? We all have internet access, so why have someone with their own agenda represent us when WE COULD VOTE on issues for city, state and national ourselves? A true government for and by the people. KP

Oct. 13 Sunday Journal’s Opinion pages made me realize that the “undecided” probably failed their civics classes or never read the Federalist Papers which explains why the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were clearly written. Just maybe they’d understand that “voting” is for a candidate’s representation and not just for a POLITICAL PARTY. HH

Kudos to Doug Fernandez and the KOAT team for the conducting a useful, and fair SENATE DEBATE. Too bad the national MSN can’t hide their incredible bias and do the same at the presidential level. TT

Only two weeks until ELECTION DAY, and likely the most important choice of your lifetime, a choice that will impact all other issues: Democracy or dictatorship. MW

Vice President Kamala Harris was interviewed ON “60 MINUTES,” but former President Donald Trump refused to do the same, breaking with 50 years of tradition. CS

For those thinking Vice President Kamala HARRIS’ POLICIES should not be associated with President Joe Biden’s, Biden said in his presser that he and Kamala have been in lockstep these past four years. On “The View,” Harris said, “nothing comes to mind” when asked if she would have done anything different from Biden. Case closed. NG

Former President Donald Trump promises to round up and then DEPORT ILLEGAL, and probably legal, immigrants, like in Springfield, Ohio. He is targeting Black and Hispanic people. Remember the Japanese internment during WWII? America’s shame could happen again if Donald Trump is reelected. DZ

If President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were truly interested in working for the good of America instead of their own political images, they would have brokered a contract between dockworkers and management rather than simply persuade the unions to postpone striking until AFTER THE ELECTION. TBW

To those of you who insist that Vice President Kamala Harris has no POLICY PLANS, apparently you are clearly not paying attention. She has explained them at every interview she’s attended. And if you truly want to her policy positions and plans, simply go to her website. It’s quite simple. JL

Regarding “Student loan forgiveness is the modern vote buying” (Oct. 15, Journal): Cal Thomas’ “opinion” on student loan debt is so biased. Middle income families with huge COLLEGE LOANS to repay is a drag as they tried to build wealth, and forgiving the debt allows them to move ahead to buy a home and build wealth. It’s not just cheap vote buying. EN

I am a retired firefighter and am incredibly disappointed in International Association of Fire Fighters not endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris. The IAFF CLAIM they are all for diversity and women in the profession, yet they have chosen to not endorse only in the years of 2016 and 2024. Yup, years women were and now are the candidates. TC

Regarding “Harris blathering on ‘60 Minutes’ did no good” (Oct. 12, Journal): Cal Thomas saying Vice President Kamala Harris did no good “blathering” in her “60 Minutes” interview was disrespectful hypocrisy. Thomas’ man, former President Donald Trump, was too cowardly to even show up, citing some apology needed based on yet another lie falling from him. Time for Cal to go. ML

PROJECT 2025 is not a plan to downsize the federal government. It totally overhauls every aspect of our government, giving the president massive powers and eliminating the checks and balances we have currently. It also replaces career civil servants, who have expertise, with former President Donald Trump loyalists. JH

Politicians took away America’s FIRST AMENDMENT with two words “hate speech.” Now they’re trying to take citizens’ Second Amendment with two words “assault rifle.” The Founding Fathers never dreamed in the future America would be so idiotic that we’d elect officials that steal our two most important freedoms — and want more. MM

Art and music provide different modalities for crossover learning in all subjects among students and for some these classes provide the incentive for COMING TO SCHOOL. Funding these programs is imperative for good education. RS

If WEEDS were a cash crop, businesses and homeowners would be rich. Businesses and homeowners do not have any pride in their property. It says a lot about you and your business. LA

I will vote for the UNMH LEVY, but they need to return the favor. Whenever I mail my UNMH payment, it goes to an address in Denver. UNMH needs to stop outsourcing those payment processing jobs to Colorado to save a few pennies on each transaction. Bring those jobs back. PW

I can hardly wait for Nov. 6, when pundits can start speculating about who will run for PRESIDENT IN 2028 and discuss it daily for the next four years. KR

Regarding LISTERIA CONTAMINATION of food: We should all be outraged, furious and incredulous at the amount of good protein that has to be discarded because of someone’s careless mishandling. Inconceivable and unbelievable. A waste of animals and a waste of resources. With all the hunger in the world, so sad. JMG

Vote for on Nov. 5 for the UNM Hospital MILL LEVY. It keeps the state-of-the-art cancer treatment center at UNMH running to provide advanced care to New Mexicans battling cancer. TH