TOP OF MIND: Should New Mexico disqualify former President Donald Trump from 2024 election ballots?

Top of Mind is a weekly question about an issue affecting New Mexicans.

LAST WEEK’S QUESTION

With New Mexico earning a record-breaking $2.75 billion from the oil and gas industry in 2023, are the people of New Mexico benefiting from this boom?

“New Mexicans used to benefit from the oil revenue, but with the governor leaning toward electric, oil revenue may be funneled to other areas to hide the fact that we are still benefiting from oil. We can have it both ways. Unless our state gets federal funding to go electric.”

— Robert Wayne Albuquerque

“I suspect that those benefiting the most from our record-breaking budget surpluses are not those that should be. With all this money flowing to the state, why are we at the bottom in education, child poverty and welfare, quality of life, etc? Welcome to N.M. Bring your electric vehicle.”

— David Coulie Albuquerque

Does anyone care about the lesser prairie chicken? This species has fared very, very badly in the last 20 years with the incursion of fossil fuel extraction sites into their homeland.

— Joanne Sanford Albuquerque

MORE ANSWERS FROM

PREVIOUS QUESTIONS:

Do you think local school districts in New Mexico should be allowed to continue four-day school weeks?

Absolutely! The school days in N.M. should be longer and include more content. N.M. students will be competing with students worldwide for future employment and positions in education, the arts, industry, technology and science. We need an educated workforce in N.M.

— Jacqueline Pauli Ritz Albuquerque

Research indicates that a longer school day improves academic performance, reduces absenteeism, and increases teacher-student relations. Also, generates family time, and extracurricular activities and reduces stress levels. The problem is that both parents working need to cover the no-school day. One size does not fit all, both options are possible.

— Patricio Rojas Albuquerque

Do you believe that N.M.’s high school students are wasting time learning advanced math because it’s unlikely they’ll use it in their lifetimes?

It is not possible to know too much about mathematics. Introductory algebra teaches problem solving, geometry teaches deductive reasoning, analytic geometry teaches spatial representations, and calculus teaches dynamics. Math is essential. How much would anyone use any high school subject if they never learned them? The STEM fields are grain, a lot of the other stuff is just chaff.

— Dr. Frank Fisher Rio Rancho

Every student should learn basic math. If a student wants more, they can request more advanced math classes. College is advanced learning after high school. College is not a requirement. Advanced math should not be a requirement. The students will know if they need/want advance courses.

— Robert Wayne Albuquerque

Yes, emphasize basic math skills, sufficient for the average person. Advanced math should be an elective for high school students who have an interest or need that knowledge. Other skills such as civics and critical thinking are important but neglected teachings. Don’t force advanced courses on students.

— Mark Yarnelle Albuquerque

NEXT WEEK'S QUESTION:

Should New Mexico disqualify President Donald Trump from 2024 election ballots?

Answers will be published in Sunday's Journal opinion section. To participate, send your thoughts in 50 words or less to abqjournal.com/opinion - At top right, go to Other Forms to find Top of Mind