Proposed tax bill in Congress — watch out
As The New Mexican editorial pointed out (“Focus on taxes despite distractions,” Our View, Nov. 17), the tax bill that has already been passed by the House is being lost in the shuffle. Who wants to read about boring taxes? We do.
The tax bill is moving along without much attention. While we are caught up in more interesting topics, the House proceeded with major tax legislation that will have a heavy toll for middle-class and low income taxpayers. The corporate tax goes from 35 percent to 20 percent, while the top 1 percent of the financial pyramid eventually will get huge tax cuts. We are taking from the poor to give to the rich.
Not only that — this legislation is being voted on by some who are very rich and who will benefit. The Republican legislators in the House have done the bidding of the powerful millionaires and the well-funded lobbies. We do matter. Let your senators know how you feel, today. Dona McDermott
Santa Fe
Safer cycling
Forty percent of cycling accidents are rear-enders. Fifteen percent are caused by drivers turning right in front of a cyclist. That’s 55 percent of all cycling accidents. New Mexico drivers are the sixth-worst in the nation. (That’s improved from last year’s ranking of the second-worst in the country.) High-visibility cycling clothing and gear helps reduce the chance of being hit.
It boggles my mind that cyclists in Santa Fe ride the roads wearing dark clothing and have no front or rear lights. In the past year or so, it seems that black cycling jerseys have become cool. If you choose to wear camouflage clothing, then I urge you to display some bright color. You can buy neon color strips for a few dollars at most bike shops. High-visibility tail lights can be had for as little as $25. I’ve been riding the roads of New Mexico for 25 years, always wearing the brightest gear I can find. Sadly, there’s no absolute guarantee bright gear will keep you from being hit, but it is obvious to me that when drivers can see a rider from the farthest possible distance, the chances of remaining safe improve greatly. Jim Matthews
Santa Fe
Making a difference
Great feature article (“‘I thought it was too late,’ ” Nov. 20) by Robert Nott highlighting the problem of illiteracy in New Mexico. It’s shocking to think that almost half (46 percent) of adults in our state struggle to read and write. Equally disturbing is that New Mexico has more than double the national average. As Nott’s article noted, the inability to read and write creates huge problems that most of us can’t imagine: difficulty in obtaining decent jobs, inability to read to children or help them with school work, exposure to continuous embarrassment. It’s no wonder that many end up in jail as the article points out.
We are fortunate that here in Santa Fe there is a dynamic organization that has been dealing with this problem for more than 30 years. Last year, Literacy Volunteers of Santa Fe provided free tutoring to almost 400 adult students in basic reading, writing and mathematics as well as English as a second language. This was all done by a dedicated group of 224 volunteer tutors who work with their adult students on a one-to-one basis or in small groups.
In Santa Fe, go to www.lvsf.org or call 505-428-1353 to volunteer or donate. Your help could make a huge difference in the lives of people right here in our own community. It’s now more important than ever. Patrick Carr Santa Fe
Dare to dig
I disagree with the editorial (“No one is above the law,” Our View, Nov. 19) stating that no one is above the law. Each and every day, big banks, alleged trusts and “servicers” submit forged, fraudulent documents in foreclosure cases. Phaedra Haywood wrote an excellent article wherein our district attorneys admitted that his office is lacking the necessary resources to fight white-collar crime (“Drawn-out white-collar crime cases leave all sides in legal limbo,” Sept. 24).
Big banks are above the law with their consent orders and their nonprosecution agreements. These agreements help them avoid jail, avoid admitting guilt and allow these banks to continue their criminal ways. Yes, they pay fines, pennies on the dollar. White collar crime pays well in New Mexico as big banks have proven to be above the law. Evidence of the above is available — do you dare to see? Mark Coble Santa Fe