As I continue to sit in my house and forget what day it is, I begin to think about our set up of government as a whole. I understand we must have laws at the federal and state level that conform to some sort of unison standard so we don’t have chaos as we move around our own state and country. I served as a city councilor and am currently a Roosevelt County commissioner. I am beginning to wonder what is the role of local government. We at one time had some ability to govern. I’m beginning to think we are becoming a fiscal agent, for lack of a better term, to keep up our infrastructure as best as we can and hope it doesn’t come crumbling down. When I think about the governor’s current order, I question the last time she visited rural New Mexico. We are ALL essential in rural New Mexico.
I understand we are in uncharted territory within our world and precautions need to be taken. I understand we are dealing with a virus that the world has never seen. I understand that this virus can be much more devastating to those with underlying health problems. I understand that this virus could spike, putting our healthcare system in a dangerous position of not having enough medical equipment. But I also understand that local leadership is much more equipped to help drive this direction at a local level. I tire of the state and federal government believing that they have a one size fits all solution to all of our problems. I believe our local governing bodies can work together to make a plan that keeps all of our citizens safe without completely destroying our community. Our local businesses are going to be, if not already, completely devastated by this.
Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. Let’s try something new. Let’s let local officials lead.
Matthew Hunton
I agree with this gentleman completely, he presents a calm level headed case that contains a common sense approach to an un-precedented situation. As opposed to the idiotic power grabbing person who is slinging nothing but political rhetoric as espoused by her chosen party.
Well said, Matt! I just advocated for a more regional approach when it comes to restricting certain healthcare services. What makes sense in Albuquerque or Santa Fe does not make sense in Portales. I appreciate your lead on this for our community.
Before anyone pops a blood vessel in their head let me say I’m an independent. I don’t belong or bow to any specific politician or political party. Yes, I vote and have for half a century. I also talk to the public servants with input about things specific to my local community. Mostly about roads, safety, and water. Darn near everyone knows the difference between what is correct and not correct. So there is little need for municipal, county, state, federal, or a ‘change’ to control government. That said, we have what we have as far as government. Let me ask for the sake of asking. Do we stop at a traffic light because we fear a police officer will give us a ticket for running a red light? It’s probably because we fear getting hurt or killed in a collision. Do we not drink bleach because the warning label bullied us into not doing so? It’s probably because drinking bleach is a very stupid thing. Just like running a traffic red light this can hurt us too. Do we fear a total collapse of the economy due to a virus which is extremely lethal? Yes, we probably all do. Well, there are still a few individuals who still think this a hoax. These are the ones who drink things they ought not to and run red lights. Most of all this is just plain common courtesy and sense. Not to mention proper future planning by those who hold or have held public office. Remember to use common courtesy and sense for others in your community as you ‘muse’ over making ‘changes to control’ the opening of the economy back up. It’s literally, in the case of this virus, a life and death decision to make for others in a community.