Letter writer was to the point and interesting
Editor:
Blooming like a petunia in an onion patch, Virginia Haley-Spiers’ letter of  Dec. 30 puts us all to shame.
Column after drudging column of clever word-smithing and literary fiddle faddle created to show ourselves persuasive about the “facts,” (as we think we know them) fall limp in the light of her economical, succinct passages. It was one of the best letters I’ve ever read.
Lacking better things to do, some writers work laboriously to convince readers of their superior intelligence, depth of research and more skillful writing talents.
These long winded efforts are often feeble when compared to the clear correctness of Ms. Spires’ work. I yield to her 90 years of experience, humility and rare, candid honesty. Her lack of word wasting, boring references to the dictionary and to the Internet are refreshing and instructive.
Her letter was pleasingly apolitical, inoffensive and hard to disagree with! Bravo Ms. Spires.

Howard Stansell
Los Lunas

Blaming Obama for the debt is unproductive
Editor:
Mr. James Crawford has not been paying attention, either in these pages or in the real world.
Blaming President Obama for the national debt of $12 trillion that he inherited on the day that he took office is typical Republican persiflage. Having no ability to devise any plan or program, the Republicans simply blame Obama for the gigantic mess created by Republican incompetence.
The Republican national debt, however, is actually $25 trillion, all racked up by Dubya and Republican predecessors at the behest of the oligarchy. (The last balanced budget and surplus was during Clinton’s second term.)
Today’s Republican national debt consists of:
• The official national debt, which has a ceiling of $12 trillion; it will soon be reached and then raised by congress
• The $5 trillion paid to rescue the banks involved in the Fannie Mae and  Freddie Mac debacles
• The $2 trillion for the Wall Street bailout
• The $1 trillion of the Detroit auto makers bailout
• The $3 trillion for maintenance not performed on America’s crumbling infrastructure during Dubya’s term — falling bridges, pot-holed roads, cracking dams and levees, etc.
• The $2 trillion that it will cost to bring our military home from the pseudo-war in the Middle East, for which necessity “Dubya” budgeted zero dollars
And then there are many trillion dollars that are necessary to fix the failed economy that was dumped in Barack Obama’s lap.
George “Dubya” Bush ran up the most debt of any person in the history of mankind, and the Republicans are responsible for paying that debt off.
Dividing by the (dwindling) number of Republicans, that comes out to $400,000 dollars for each and every Republican in Valencia County (and across the mation), and they — individually and as a group — have no political honor until that debt is paid.

G.E. Nordell
Belen

Transparency in local and state government
Editor:
Elias Barela began his “First Person” column in the recent News-Bulletin with these words, “More and more, the issue on the minds of New Mexicans in Valencia County and across the state seems to be the ethical conduct of our elected officials.”
Part of the political rhetoric these days is transparency and accessibility.  I believe the political activities of our elected officials must be open to public scrutiny.
However, it is naive to think that all negotiations and deal making is handled in public forums. Much behind -the-scenes work is done over meals, drinks and in private meetings. All citizens must have access to their elected officials, not just powerful lobbyists.
And, the content of these private conversations should become part of the public record when the issues are discussed publicly.
Republican or Democrat, liberal or conservative, no matter what we believe politically or  religiously, we all seem to all be upset with the lack of transparency in our local, state and national government.
We want to know that our elected officials represent us and our needs. We are shocked that so much of the power seems to rest with the rich and powerful. 
In spite of this, I do believe that our leaders are entitled to private lives. The personal and private decisions that affect their families need to be left to their conscience. We have become a nation fed by gossip and sensationalism. We all make good and bad decisions when living our lives. I want to know about the political activities of our leaders, not their personal lives.
I know that we are beginning a difficult session in our state legislature. I do not envy the men and women who have to make tough choices because of our financial situation.
I admire Elias and the legislators who are trying to be bring more ethical behavior to government.

George Moscona
Rio Communities

Will continue to be a watch dog for people
Editor:
For the past several years I have written letters to the editor, mostly in the News Bulletin and a few in the Albuquerque Journal. 
The topics of my letters have ostensibly addressed political and social issues.
It is my hope that my letters have served to shed light on what I feel are important matters of concern to all citizens of Valencia County.  Further, that through a domino effect, other local governments as well as state and national elected and appointed officials take notice and react accordingly.
There is no question that I have been tough on certain individuals as well as some organizations and institutions.  I am proud, however, to concomitantly state that I have only spoken the truth. 
Gracious and professional editors have been extremely helpful, and I thank them for their patience and assistance.
As well, I want to extend a sincere thanks to all those individuals who contributed in one way or another. Many of my letters were prompted by these individuals who were as disgusted as I was with what they saw happening to our political-social structures. 
Many others contributed knowledge and information, which helped me to develop the content of my writings.
I am well aware of the fact that I stepped on some toes, and that on occasion, I shed light on missteps, guilty individuals would’ve preferred to keep in the dark. 
I don’t apologize for those revelations. Now, if I unintentionally permitted flak to fall on innocent individuals who got caught in the crossfire, I apologize.
In 2010, the Lord willing, I will continue my mission. I will keep an eye on what our elected and appointed officials are doing or not doing, and how their behavior impacts our political and social institutions. 
I promise, however, to do it in a professional manner and with content supported by facts. If, at any time I write something that is deceptive or untrue, I urge readers to bring it to my attention. I will take whatever action is necessary to correct the matter.
In closing, permit me to say that in a less than perfect world run by imperfect mortals, there will always be fodder for those who choose to stay informed and to share their knowledge and thoughts with others. 
It is my sincere hope, however, that the number and magnitude of deliberate and harmful actions taken by humans are kept to a minimum; that we choose to be unselfish and to take care of each other, particularly the oppressed and downtrodden.

John Lopez
Bosque Farms

State making a big mistake with funds
Editor:
Highly paid bureaucrats from the New Mexico Department of Health and Human Services have recently proposed cutting programs for the state’s handicapped citizens by $9 million.
This will result in a loss of matching federal funds, at least $27 million.
In eliminating $36 million from the state budget, New Mexico stands to lose anywhere from $144 million to $252 million dollars of economics as it pertains to goods and services generated by this funding. This is based on the fact that every dollar put into the economy will produce the sale of goods and services.
Each dollar will turn over or generate economy by a multiple of four to seven times (depending upon which economist you believe), before leaving New Mexico.
Today, our federal government is spending a trillion dollars or more in an effort to save and stimulate our economy.
Our government in New Mexico should be making every effort to maximize funding for state programs that receive federal funds.
The federal matching funds will help to expand and improve the economy of New Mexico.
In conclusion, the State of New Mexico seems willing to sacrifice hundreds of millions of dollars in economic activity to save $9 million. 
Without a doubt, the proposals by our New Mexico state government as it relates to the handicapped are a committal to economic suicide.

Kenneth M. Cable
Peralta