Most of us are not rich. So how did we elect an administration that makes no bones about cutting benefits for us and handing them over to the already disgustingly wealthy? Are those of us concerned with social justice and disturbed about the cruelty of poverty and immigration really “communists”? Are these issues political or more about fundamental ethics and morality? Is money just being saved for the weekly presidential golf trips and upcoming parades? While we wait for most members of Congress to discover their backbones, an increasing number of us are out in the streets despite the risk of arrests for free speech.
Lucy R. Lippard
Galisteo
Families are solution
My daughter’s struggle with addiction, manipulated by a predatory individual, tested our family’s resilience. Our unwavering love helped her recover. Yet many families lack the resources to navigate this crisis.
New Mexico faces a severe drug epidemic: fifth in overdose deaths (50.6 per 100,000 in 2021), second in teenage drug use and third for teens offered drugs at school (Addiction Group, 2025). Families, rooted in the state’s cultural ties, are key to combating this crisis, but policies often hinder parental involvement.
To empower families:
u Fund family-centered treatment: Prioritize programs like multidimensional family therapy, especially in rural and tribal areas.
u Reform school policies: Encourage family engagement in addressing substance abuse, promoting parents as allies.
u Launch public campaigns: Highlight family support to foster communication.
u Increase treatment access: Expand affordable, family-inclusive rehab options.
u Families are the solution. Strengthening them can turn the tide against addiction.
Anne Doherty
Santa Fe
Support adoption
Since President Donald Trump and many of his MAGA followers are eager to boost the U.S. population by encouraging U.S. women (who they no doubt prefer to be white, Christian and Trump followers) to have more babies and are even considering paying them to do so, why don’t they instead promote and pay for people to adopt the many babies and children that are already in the world? And while they are at it, how about including some paid maternity/paternity leave as well as child care expenses and services.
They need to face the facts: There isn’t a shortage of babies or children in the world, but there is a shortage of folks who can afford to adopt them. Supporting adoption would be a win-win for everyone.
Shirley Cruse
Santa Fe
Not on Good Friday
I thought Good Friday was supposed to be a solemn day for prayer and penance. But apparently the civic leaders in Española do not think so. On Good Friday, they allowed 20,000 lowriders to clog the main street of their town from San Pedro to Ranchitos — a 5-mile stretch of road. That shows little respect for Good Friday. Why couldn’t they have waited 24 hours to hold this event Saturday instead of on Good Friday? Please show some respect.
