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We need more fraud?

Just read the June 14 Sunday Journal on 鈥淗ow your congressional delegates voted.鈥� Democratic New Mexico Reps. Melanie Stansbury and Teresa Leger Fern谩ndez both voted against four bills that addressed fraud in our government. Now why would anyone be against preventing theft of taxpayers鈥� money, unless they are the ones perpetuating the fraud? And why do citizens continue to vote for this?

鈥淭he ignorance of one voter in a democracy impairs the security of all.鈥� (John F. Kennedy)

Ron Smith

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Litmus test on law enforcement

In the June 12 Journal, The Eddy County sheriff wrote in support of the Republican challenger to Rep. Gabe Vasquez in the 2nd Congressional District race based on the congressman鈥檚 acknowledgment of National Police Week issued two days after the beginning of the week. The sheriff said it should have been issued earlier in the week to show proper support of law enforcement. Pretty flimsy stuff.

I have a better question (litmus test) that should be asked of the sheriff and the candidate he supports; 鈥淒o you support President Trump鈥檚 pardon of Jan. 6 rioters who were convicted of assaulting police officers that day?鈥�

If the answer is 鈥渘o,鈥� then have the courage to come out and voice your opposition to the president鈥檚 outrageous support of criminals who beat and injured policemen with metal poles, baseball bats and other weapons. If you answer 鈥測es鈥� and support the president鈥檚 pardons, then the public ought to know that fact before the November elections so that you can be soundly defeated by the decent law-abiding people of this country.

The Journal should ask this litmus test question on law enforcement in its candidate questionnaires and publish the answers. The public has a right to know whether the person they send to Washington can be trusted to do the right thing, or whether they will serve as reliable presidential bootlickers.

Bob Carroll

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The safety net that became a trap

New Mexico politics harbors a profound irony: An establishment built on championing the underdog has engineered a system that cushions poverty while capping upward mobility.

The state spends billions annually on Medicaid, food stamps and cash assistance, yet our poverty rate remains among the nation鈥檚 highest. Our labor force participation rate hovers near 57%, leaving more than 42% of working-age adults outside the formal workforce. This detachment fuels crime and social breakdown. One stark measure: 8% of New Mexico children are being raised by grandparents or other kin, the highest rate in the country.

Even with recent expansions like universal childcare, benefit structures punish work. A single mother of two who takes a full-time job at the $12 minimum wage immediately loses her full $550 Temporary Assistance for Needy Families grant plus hundreds in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits and erasing nearly half her earnings on day one. An able-bodied single adult often faces a total cliff, losing both food assistance and Medicaid eligibility at once. Further, the benefit structure does not account for the entry-level worker commuting 40 miles into the city, where time and fuel costs can reduce real pay to roughly $10 an hour.

All of us would benefit by a greater workforce participation rate. Replacing cliffs with gradual, sliding-scale phaseouts and adopting regional economic flexibility would be more than a hand up. When working more hours reliably increases net income, effort is rewarded instead of penalized. That is the only durable path out of dependency.

Mark Raney

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ABQ needs a major landmark 

Most great cities have an identifying landmark. One that, when you see it, you instantly know the city involved, e.g., the Eiffel Tower, Paris; the Gateway Arch, St. Louis; the Empire State Building, New York; the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco. These not only identify the city on film but also are a great marketing tool to improve tourism.

There are two areas that might be ideal for such a landmark; the four roads leading into the Big-I, coming from north, south, east and west, and the top of Sandia Peak.

For a city in one of the poorest areas of the nation, I wouldn鈥檛 suggest something similar to Christ of the Andes or Our Lady of the Rockies near Butte, Montana. Both would be too expensive. However, a light display atop Sandia Peak could be relatively affordable, seen from miles away and instantly identifiable. I also wouldn鈥檛 suggest a lighted red and green chile pepper display. Instead, something that shows unity and heritage. Perhaps the image of a Native American woman and a classic western Hispanic male?

Four large welcoming statues placed as you enter the Big-I might also work well. They could be set on large pedestals to be easily seen, and lit at night. I鈥檇 suggest a female flamenco dancer, a Native American traditional dancer, an African American sax player (representing jazz) and a cowboy playing a guitar. These would promote the arts, entertainment, unity and culture.

Peter Christensen

Rio Rancho

Technology aids law enforcement

This year marks sa国际传媒官网网页入口 Crime Stoppers鈥� 50th anniversary. Many people might not know that it all started right here in sa国际传媒官网网页入口 in 1976, where the original Crime Stoppers organization was founded. Now, it has grown to include more than 1,200 programs nationwide and in some 24 countries.

As we reflect on 50 years of aiding law enforcement, we have a lot to be proud of. We鈥檙e excited as we look ahead to what the next 50 years of Crime Stoppers might look like; a time that will undoubtedly be marked by an increase in technology to help law enforcement keep our communities safe.

One piece of technology that is a proven way of keeping our communities safe is license plate recognition (LPR) technology. It has been used widely across the state for many years and helped solve everything from auto theft to missing persons cases. At the beginning of this year,  in an sa国际传媒官网网页入口 road rage incident. And in the last few months,  involved in a shooting, where a suspect was later arrested.

Crime in sa国际传媒官网网页入口, like in many cities, is a difficult reality. But technology can help bring justice to the loved ones of victims 鈥� and help prevent victimization before it starts. We at sa国际传媒官网网页入口 Crime Stoppers know all too well that mere minutes can make or break the ability to prevent or solve crime. Our work depends on the ability to receive and disseminate rapid information to help police. LPR technology accomplishes this same goal 鈥� helping law enforcement carry out its challenging but vital work every day.

Visit  for more information about our mission.

For crime tips, text ABQCS to 738477, or call the Tip Hotline at 505-843-STOP.

 Tim Sheahan

Chairman of sa国际传媒官网网页入口 Crime Stoppers