Let the people lead and the leaders follow

Iapplaud Gerry Fairbrother (“New opportunity to protect and improve the Affordable Care Act,” Letters to the editor, April 2) in her call for continuation of the Affordable Care Act.

ACA has benefited millions of Americans. However, in some small states where the decision was made not to use federal dollars to extend care, many people are not covered. Our country is at a turning point; it is time for a single-payer system that would cover all our citizens. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders is sponsoring a bill that would provide Medicare for all. We, as citizens, are ready to join other developed countries in establishing a system that covers all citizens. “If the people lead, the leaders will follow.” Marion Seymour

Santa Fe

Downhill since

I was sorry to hear that the deal fell through between Santa Fe University of Art and Design and Raffles Education Corp. of Singapore (“Future of arts college in doubt after sale halted,” March 30). When the campus was the College Of Santa Fe, it was always a pleasure to hear guests such as actor and filmmaker Ron Howard speak at the theater. It’s been downhill ever since.

I have a suggestion for the city to recuperate its investment. Encourage Gov. Susana Martinez to pass legislation legalizing marijuana use and turn the campus into a retirement village. Mayor Javier Gonzales could call it “the old tokes home.” Nancy Tapp

Santa Fe

Governing by bullying

On the national scene, watching the death of Donald Trump’s health care plan was an interesting study in bullying. Final score: the House Freedom Caucus Bullies 1, The Trump Bullies 0. And bullying was the only visible behavior for both sides. Take a stance. Don’t budge. Threaten. Is that what the Republican Party has devolved to — bully vs. bully? Sad. Is that what people who supported Trump voted for — to be protected by a big, bad bully? Sad. There’s no future hoping to be rescued by a bully; supporters will become victims of their bully — it’s their nature.

A few Republicans in Congress seem to be decent people, but they are far outnumbered by the bullies. Is bullying a prerequisite for being a Republican today? When will bullying escalate to gang warfare? In gang vs. gang warfare, who gets killed? Mostly, members of the gangs. Erika Jones

Santa Fe

A Trumpster

Gov. Susana Martinez reveals herself as a Trumpster (“Gov.: Furloughs of state workers may start soon,” March 28), aligned with Donald Trump adviser Steve Bannon, who explicitly has said he wants to destroy existing political institutions.

“We have a tremendous opportunity right now to reduce the size of the government,” Martinez said.

Yeah, right — at the expense of the children, the teachers, all public services, the state’s credit rating, infrastructure, culture and all measures of public well-being in New Mexico. She is true to the right-wing vision of America — a corrupt plutocracy defended by militarized law enforcement as well as an inflated military, all at the expense of the people. And of justice.

“I will not let politicians bail out big government on the backs of New Mexicans” is a perfect Trump-style lie, with her rejection of the Legislature’s budget being an actual attack on New Mexicans. Hans von Briesen

Santa Fe

A Trump clone

Who knew there were so many drivers in Santa Fe who drive by feel rather than using their eyeballs? These must be the same people who rush through intersections, figuring if they weren’t hit by another car, the traffic light in their direction must have been green. Who knew the city’s waste management department was so clueless about recycling? In contrast to the department’s nifty calendar attached to our new recycling container, plastic bags can be recycled inside nearly every food market in town and even other stores like Kmart and Best Buy. Who knew any salient being could rationally consider 175 percent an acceptable payday loan rate? Who knew Gov. Susana Martinez, despite her early reticence toward the candidate, is actually a Donald Trump clone? She’s certainly learned. Her recent diatribes about legislative bills on her desk, although some passed by huge bipartisan votes, are right out of the Trump overkill blame-game playbook. Patricia Emerson Santa Fe

Start the impeachment

This character who was put in the office of president of the United States must be impeached before he sells us out to he Russians. He is a con man, according to former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg. The people must hurry and call their senators and congressional representatives to start this process, now. This fellow Donald Trump, in my opinion, is forming a dictatorship in this country. Lord help us all if his succeeds. The people and Congress must stop him. The U.S. and Europe went around the world kicking butt. Maybe it’s time to have ours kicked. Joe Gurulé Santa Fe