We have serious problems in this state and New Mexicans need to realize that we all have a part to play in finding solutions. This discussion is meant to inform and not make blanket statements about political parties or the focus and intention of their members.
New Mexico is progressing rapidly in a direction vastly different from what most New Mexicans want. Ironically, that progress is led by ‘progressive’ elected officials. Wikipedia defines progressivism as “a left-leaning … reform movement that seeks to advance … through social reform.”
Traditional Democrats, like John F. Kennedy or Bill Clinton, are moderate and pragmatic. They often advocate incremental change, work within existing systems, and appeal to a broad base. They emphasize compromise and bipartisanship and don’t hate capitalism. This moderate approach represents most registered Democrats in the state.
Progressives, like Bernie Sanders or Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, are pushing for a systemic government overhaul. They are generally unwilling to compromise if they think it will dilute their vision to expand social programs and government control over most aspects of our lives. These priorities can overlap with socialist principles, emphasizing collective ownership, wealth redistribution, and government intervention to prioritize social welfare over capitalism. Unfortunately, the majority in Santa Fe are pushing this progressive agenda.
Wikipedia lists some of the top socialist countries as: The People's Republic of China, Republic of Cuba, and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. All three countries are ruled by the Communist Party, making it interesting to see how closely socialism and communism are related. Having visited this type of government-controlled country, I would not want to see any of it in New Mexico. Yet that is where New Mexico’s progressive control is aimed.
How did that control manifest in New Mexico?
The Republicans are so outnumbered in the legislature that they can do virtually nothing to shape state policy. Their bills are usually killed immediately or not heard at all, and they alone cannot stop legislation with which they disagree.
The progressives dominate the New Mexico Democratic party, the legislature, and many local governments. They do not share the values of the average New Mexico Democrat, and their policy positions reflect that.
During this legislative session, we are seeing a sprint to socialism. While most traditional Democrats see socialism as a liability and focus on pragmatism, progressives use socialist ideas to energize their base and shift discussions.
Countless bills have been introduced promoting unfettered government growth. Progressive policies that favor classes of people and provide handouts promote government dependence. Those not chosen to receive the handouts usually pay for them and are often hurt by those policies.
Bills the legislature is considering include HB 91, which will allow socialized electric and gas rates where ratepayers will subsidize low-income rates. HB 11 provides a $9,000 taxpayer gift to parents of a new child by birth or adoption, and a program that pays for up to 12 weeks of time off through a new tax on all employees and most employers and general tax revenue. HB 130 sets up a state-controlled bank and SB 216 allows the government to dictate how much residential rent can be charged.
The list goes on and on.
And while our crime-ridden state begs to have serious issues addressed, it is not happening. Tough-on-crime legislation, such as the bipartisan-sponsored HB 134, was killed in progressive-controlled committees. That bill would hold violent offenders in jail to keep us safer rather than releasing the criminals to re-offend.
On the day HB 134 was tabled, the House passed HB 255. This bill for juveniles would allow probation instead of incarceration and pay those convicted of a violent crime (even murder), $2,000 per month with free college until they are 26 years old!
This takes socialism to a different level. Progressives are not just looking to tax New Mexicans more during a time of economic surplus, they are pushing to incentivize violent criminals with no prison time and a monthly stipend.
Are Republicans and Democrats doing everything possible to remove the progressive stranglehold? Are progressives considering what their actions mean rather than simply pushing their ideals? And what are the voters doing to express their outrage over the current direction of our state and this legislative session?
Ultimately, the voters will decide whether this progressive control continues. In the meantime, please check on your state legislators’ work since being elected to serve you in Santa Fe. And act on some of the worst bills here: BTNM Action.
Carla Sonntag leads the New Mexico Business Coalition as well as Better Together New Mexico (BTNM) - a collective effort focused on family integrity, individual rights, and practical policies that help all New Mexicans.
