Senate leader writes off our rural folks, who have strong NM ties
I AM WRITING in response to (Sen. President Pro Tempore) Mimi Stewart’s reaction to the resolution on county secession. The Journal quotes her saying that those who dislike N.M. policy should just, “pack up your bags and move.” While I agree that secession is, at best, unattainable, I find disappointing Stewart’s deeming of the resolution as “silly.”
As a teacher, I understand that in Stewart’s career it is relatively easy to move. Our retirement goes with us and jobs are readily available. The population of the counties that might wish to secede do not have such a privilege. Most of them have lifetimes of investment in small businesses, farms, ranches, etc. To move is to leave (not) only social connections, but generations of family heritage and investment that are their retirement.
Perhaps people don’t matter to Stewart. Apparently, she doesn’t wish to see those counties leave our state. Perhaps she realizes their value: Most of them are not major users of state funding, yet contribute much to N.M. well-being. Oil and gas drilling is the state’s major revenue source. Agriculture may not pay as much in taxes, but the state benefits from local food supply. Farmers and ranchers also provide water for wildlife as well as fire and erosion control. If the farmers and drillers and grocery store owners all pack up and move, who will fill these roles? Urban dwellers like to vote on laws that affect these counties but have no effect on their own lives; are they going to magically transform these counties into something beneficial?
Most disheartening is the attitude in Stewart’s comments that the voices of minorities don’t matter. These counties are filled with people overriden in politics by a majority who live in cities and along the Rio Grande. Her comments imply that this minority has no right to campaign for their own well-being. Imagine if a poor neighborhood complained that city policies unfairly affected them. Would they be told to pack up and move? Certainly not. Then how can this senator have so little concern for those who wish to be heard?
REBECCA DOLPH Albuquerque