Media today must remain vigilant
President Donald Trump has stated that he is engaged in a running war with the media and described journalists as being “among the most dishonest people on Earth.” His chief White House strategist, Steve Bannon, has stated that “the media here [are] the opposition party. They don’t understand this country.” An objective media that accurately and responsibly informs the public with factual information that impacts our lives make up an invaluable and necessary component of our democracy. I certainly hope the media will continue to be vigilant in responsibly reporting verifiable facts and truths about decisions made by any presidential administration without undermining our national security. I firmly believe that a well-informed and knowledgeable citizenry, aided by truthful, free and independent media are essential guardians for the defense and preservation of our democracy, especially against the willful propagation of “fake news,” “alternative facts” and unsubstantiated propaganda. Timothy M. Johnson Los Alamos
Kids can’t wait
During the Iraq War, I was the dentist who said, “fight plaque, not Iraq.” Now it’s time to fight “truth decay” at home and away. The Trump attack on truth is terrifyingly brilliant, and it must receive intense pushback, from left and right.
Locally, we may have our own form of truth decay. When Santa Fe debated the living wage, Coca-Cola warned if the living wage passed, the bottling company would close, workers would lose their jobs and we would lose their taxes. Happily, Coca-Cola is still here. Now the city is debating a tax on “liquid candy” to fund much-needed prekindergarten for our kids, and Coca- Cola has the same warnings (“Council sets March 8 hearing on soda tax plan,” Feb. 9). I’ve seen enough tooth decay to encourage the city to adopt this plan, and Coke can figure it out. I support a vote this spring on expanded pre-K. Our kids can’t wait.
Leslie Lakind, D.D.S. Santa Fe
Bearing the brunt
So her “Betsyness” squeaks by with the approval of his “Penceiness” (“DeVos confirmed as education secretary after historic vote,” Feb. 8). I desperately fear that our nation’s children will bear the brunt of the absurdity of placing this person in a position of representing public education in the United States of America, which is everything she stands against, and something that he doesn’t begin to understand. Well, our eyes are on this one, as well as all the incompetents, put forth by this so-called president.
Mary Thomas Santa Fe
Healthy security
In these uncertain times, working families value the safety and security of health coverage more than ever. Some members of Congress are discussing making major changes to our core health system in the United States — including repealing the Affordable Care Act without a replacement and making major, damaging changes to Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program and Medicare.
Repealing the ACA alone would leave tens of millions of Americans — almost 30 million people — without the security of health coverage and affect millions more who have benefited greatly from the new law through improvements such as free pre- ventative care and people with pre-existing conditions no longer being denied coverage. To keep our families safe and our economy and communities healthy, we must have quality, affordable health care.
Natalie Miller Santa Fe
Don’t stifle solar
In a state that comes in last on many measures of success (income, education, child well-being), it’s astonishing that we would consider a bill that would restrict the ability of small businesses to operate in an industry fueled by a resource in which we rate near the top — amount of sunshine (“Much remains undone at Legislature’s halfway point,” Feb. 16). New Mexico consumers are amply protected by the Unfair Trade Practices Act, so it’s obvious that Public Service of New Mexico’s motive for proposing Senate Bill 210 and House Bill 199 is to maintain a monopoly as an energy provider, not to protect homeowners. It is, however, hard to see what would be in it for our state, citizens and small businesses. As we struggle with a budget crisis and stagnant population growth due in part to our economy, why would we want to inhibit an industry that could be a boon for our state and the environment with unnecessary regulations?
Nicole Pennebaker Albuquerque
Correction
A commentary that ran Sunday (“Beware the GOP health plans,” Feb. 19) incorrectly stated the number of weeks a baby spent in the neonatal intensive care unit, part of a story about the costs of medical care. The baby boy spent two weeks in the NICU after being born prematurely, not two months.