Author Archives: merilee

The Republican Party “represents about half the country,” according to a recent column by conservative commentator Rich Lowry. No, it doesn’t. Neither does the Democratic Party. Our two “major” parties are not so major these days. Each represents only about … Continue reading →

Note:  since this was written, the permanent fund legislation was amended to add another quarter percent.  I am reevaluating, not just because of the additional money but because of the last-minute introduction of the amendment. If now is not an … Continue reading →

NOTE:  It appears New Mexico readers agree with me on this topic.  I have received more comment on this article than on any of my other columns except those about horses. Classrooms do not need windows, the architect assured me. … Continue reading →

New Mexico Congress member Deb Haaland has been nominated to serve as US Secretary of Interior. Lots of New Mexicans are happy about this. I’m not. My concern is not with Haaland. I wish her all the best. I especially … Continue reading →

In a California hospital, patients who could barely breathe were crowded in a hallway because there was no room for them anywhere else.  This was in a TV news report in mid-December. That’s what it looks like, I thought. Around … Continue reading →

Could Brian Egolf really be that dumb? That was my first thought when the headline caught my eye, as I picked up the morning newspaper from my driveway. The headline implied that New Mexico House Speaker Egolf, a Democrat, was … Continue reading →

Too much of this recent election was about fear. The campaign messages you saw, on TV and social media, were designed to ramp up your anxiety beyond the boiling point. Too many of us, I suspect, voted not so much … Continue reading →

Every week or so, most likely, you engage in an action that demonstrates how much you count on government.  So do millions of Americans. You probably don’t even think about it. You drive your car to a gas station, insert … Continue reading →

If you are voting by mail, on the outer envelope of your ballot packet there’s a bar code. That bar code is one way New Mexico protects the integrity of elections. The code is unique to you. After you’ve mailed … Continue reading →

Hang on, voters. We have to deal with the Public Regulation Commission again – with yet another constitutional amendment on the election ballot. The PRC is the bane of New Mexico’s government. In addition to being lousy at its regulatory … Continue reading →