Editorials
Editorial content. Content posted here may or may not reflect the opinions of the Beat. They reflect the opinions of the author.
Federal government shouldn't dictate credit card fees
- Category: Editorials Editorials
- Published: 06 October 2023 06 October 2023
By Julie Wright
There is a legislative effort underway in Congress that, if passed, would impose federal price controls and routing mandates on the credit card industry. While some businesses believe they would benefit from a forced reduction in credit card fees, this legislation would have negative impacts on all New Mexicans, including those businesses.
As someone who manages a small business with a lot of credit card transactions myself, I understand the impact of credit card fees on my company's bottom line, but (like a vast majority of other businesses) I'd rather dramatically expand the number of customers I serve and make them happy than limit my company to cash and other forms of payment.
Why not ban cars?
- Category: Editorials Editorials
- Published: 24 September 2023 24 September 2023
Everyday I see news articles from around the Country about banning firearms or magazines or both. Recently Governor Grisham issued an illegal thirty (30) day ban on all firearms carried (on person) in Bernalillo County as a "Public Health Order."
Daily I also see news articles from around the Country about traffic crashes that kill someone. Some involve a person under the influence, some intentional, some disgruntled, some accidental, some sleepy/tired and some with no explanation known.
I went outside to my driveway. I set several of my firearms down on the ground next to my truck (Ford F-350). I observed both my truck and firearms all day. Neither tried to kill me or anybody else. You know why, they are both machines! Neither do anything, without SOMEBODY purposely following a set of operating mechanisms to make them work. On their own, they are pieces of metal, plastic and whatever else. I thought WOW, if a gun is responsible for a person's death why isn't a vehicle.
Gov's Disdain for Democracy Nothing New
- Category: Editorials Editorials
- Published: 12 September 2023 12 September 2023
By Paul J. Gessing
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham recently gained national headlines for her public health order which essentially banned carrying a gun in Bernalillo County, the State's largest county by population. Her justification for this dramatic action was a recent shooting outside Isotopes Park, but residents of Bernalillo County and Albuquerque face and have faced these issues for years.
Each time a criminal uses a gun to kill or steal it is frustrating and sad event. Both the causes and solutions are complicated and controversial. No matter the crisis one person (including the Gov.) cannot simply suspend the rule of law and the US Constitution.
Many New Mexicans like me believe Albuquerque's crime problem is the result of weak leadership at multiple levels: The City fails to enforce the law, Department of Justice policies further hamstring the police, "catch and release" judges that voters (sadly) keep electing, and an unwillingness of the Gov. and Legislature to pass laws addressing our serious crime problems. And those are just the public policy failures, not the societal ones.
Reduce Dropout Rate and Absenteeism by Making High School Relevant
- Category: Editorials Editorials
- Published: 12 September 2023 12 September 2023
By Mandi Torrez
To understand why students drop out of high school, researchers funded by the Gates Foundation hit upon a novel idea several years ago: why not just ask the dropouts?
So they did. Nearly half (47%) of the respondents reported dropping out because they were bored. Their top suggestion to help students stay: make school more engaging and enhance the connection between classroom and work. In other words, make the curriculum relevant.
Time for All-of-the-Above Approach to Education
- Category: Editorials Editorials
- Published: 25 August 2023 25 August 2023
By Paul J. Gessing
New Mexico should be in crisis mode. Our K-12 education system is certainly facing a crisis. Problems abound: recent reports highlight serious school attendance issues, the NAEP (known as the “Nation’s Report Card” test places New Mexico 52nd across ALL age groups and subjects studied, the Kids Count report shows New Mexico kids are losing ground, and no one seems to have a solution. Education spending has increased markedly in recent years with nothing to show for it.
With New Mexico already suffering from poor educational outcomes the COVID pandemic and lockdowns instigated by Gov. Lujan Grisham truly put our children into a crisis. Getting our children out of last place and into something resembling a functional, successful system that prepares them for future success should be THE issue that everyone in New Mexico is concerned with.
Protecting Consumer Benefits and the Economy: Congress Should Oppose the "Big Box Bill"
- Category: Editorials Editorials
- Published: 24 August 2023 24 August 2023
By Alonzo Baldonado, NM State Representative and small business owner
In an era marked by uncertainty and economic challenges, it is imperative that our lawmakers make informed decisions that prioritize the well-being of American citizens and the growth of our economy. The proposed "Big Box Bill," aiming to introduce credit card routing mandates akin to those enacted in 2011, raises substantial concerns about its potential repercussions.
While the bill may appear to target fairness and competition, a closer examination reveals that it could inadvertently favor large big box retailers at the expense of customers and the credit card benefits they cherish.
Plan to Use Herbicides in the Forest
- Category: Editorials Editorials
- Published: 07 August 2023 07 August 2023
Last week the Gila Forest Service offered a meeting with the public concerning its plan to use herbicides as part of an hazardous fuel reduction program to protect private property from fire. The public has until Aug 21 to comment on this plan. You can go here to see the plan: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=64491 To get to the info on herbicides - open "Scoping" folder at bottom of the page. Go to "Proposed action" pdf and on page 9 they describe the intended herbicide use.
For a database of herbicide toxicity studies you can go to Beyondpesticides.com
Here is the email for comments on the proposed forest service plan:
southwestern-gila-silver-city@usda.gov
Some thoughts in response to their plan:
Revised: Continue to be aware of scams
- Category: Editorials Editorials
- Published: 28 July 2023 28 July 2023
[Editor's Note: I just read an article about Amazon scams and have attached the link at the bottom, plus some additional information to help you detect scam emails.]
They come in all forms – phone calls, emails, text messages, social media.
If someone calls you telling you they are your grandchild or a long-lost uncle, for instance, make sure it is your grandchild or uncle before agreeing to send any money to anybody.
Hang up and call your grandchild or someone who knows if you have a long-lost uncle. If the grandchild answers, ask them if they are in trouble. Most likely they are not. If you call your cousin and he tells you there is no long-lost uncle, then you have saved a pile of money.