NM still being kept down by the bad old culture

(WINTHROP) QUIGLEY’S column (“NM culture an economic hurdle,” Oct. 17) hits the nail right on the head!

He relates the story of meeting a businessman who moved here four years ago who is bedazzled by New Mexico’s beauty and wonderful people and horrified by the crime and poverty all around us.

I had the same experience last week. I met a young woman who moved to the East Mountains from Seattle four years ago because she loves our sunshine, beautiful scenery and wonderful people. She is so horrified by the poverty, disgraceful public education system and crime all around her that she is planning to return to Washington.

She is the kind of citizen that New Mexico should be proud of and keep working here.

I grew up here in the 1950s and, even as a 10-year-old boy, saw the workings of the patron culture — both gringo and Hispanic patrons — that keeps New Mexico a banana republic.

I retired here several years ago, loving the good things about New Mexico and hoping that the bad old culture had finally gone. The beauty is still all around us, but the old culture keeps New Mexico at the bottom of every “good” list and at the top of every “bad” list. It is horrible to race Louisiana to the bottom!

I will leave New Mexico loving the people and the land and so sad that it will never rise above the old sad ways.

ROBERT DUNLAP Tijeras