Many people do not like the health care bills now in Congress for various reasons: 1. They already have good insurance; 2. The plans are too expensive; 3. The means to pay are unacceptable; 4. People who don't have insurance can go to an emergency room; 5. The government shouldn't tell us how much insurance we need; 6. A 2,000-page bill can't be any good; 7. Extending Medicare to everyone is a better way; 8. Anything Obama wants cannot be supported.

Thus, they are willing once again to have reform defeated. Please don't let that happen or we will continue to have a system that ranks in effectiveness behind Costa Rica and just ahead of Cuba and will be increasingly difficult to pay for.



Let's face it: Financial reform and progressive taxation strike fear in the hearts of our wealthy who target communism, socialism and populism, probably in that order. And all this occurs as the rest of us continue to vote against our own common interests.



Regarding the Feb. 29 article "Legislature Analysis: Budget bill simmers on back burner": Legislative memorials do not just honor past political figures or simply declare special days for influential constituents. They also have the power to create far-reaching policy changes.

Some memorials enacted this session address the special needs of girls and women enmeshed in the criminal justice system. Others will help reduce barriers to housing and employment for ex-offenders; determine how juvenile offenders are treated when they reach age 18; help to create an independent oversight commission for our jails and prisons.

To learn more about these memorials, go to http://legis.state.nm.us/LCS/ and look-up HM 31, HM 47, HM 32 (Rep. G. Chasey); HM 40 (Rep. M. Stewart); and HM 29 (Rep. R. Miera).




As we come to the close of another special legislative session, I am completely sickened by the amount of money thoughtlessly spent by the wealthy in our fine city on their art, houses, events, causes and dining. To compound the nausea, they have the nerve to balk at the idea of paying their fair share of taxes; money that supports and gives back to the society that helped make them rich.

As a result, our public education system and, thus, the vast majority of our children (both of which are the foundation of our city and nation) continue to suffer. As a public school science teacher, I suggest that the fortunate minority re-evaluate their priorities. The ivory tower that the nation sat upon was toppled as a result of greed and short-sightedness, and the same poor qualities will only aid in digging our shallow graves.



On Feb. 21, a tragic accident occurred at Las Campanas. I would like to publicly thank the law enforcement professionals who assisted on that day. From the first responders from the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Department, Cpl. Richard Sisneros, Sgt. Linda Ortiz and Deputy Andrew Quintana, to those who remained hours later to secure and conclude their work at the scene of the accident, New Mexico State Police Officers Bryan Waller and William Cunningham, all involved performed their duties with efficiency, sensitivity and professionalism.

I would like to recognize members of the New Mexico State Police dive team, Lt. Jennie Pierce, Sgt. Kathleen Austin, Sgt. Jeff Burke and Officer Calvin Lucero, who performed their duties with particular compassion. There are too many instances where the actions of these brave civil professionals go unnoticed, and I wanted each of them to know that their behavior was especially noticed this time.



In response to Archbishop Sheehan's Feb. 27 commentary, "Church within First Amendment right": If the church wishes to invoke the First Amendment right to free speech, then it should pay its taxes as well — just like any other corporation.



Well, well, well. Look who's lecturing the community on respect. It's none other than Michael J. Sheehan. His and his church's stance on domestic partnership and gay marriage is about as disrespectful as it comes.