Letters to the Editor (Feb. 27, 2025)

Harmful Trump changes

Editor:

Back before Christmas I fell for a scam. A well-established clothing store advertised a going out of business sale — everything 90 percent off. I jumped at the chance to get another of their sweaters for only 10 percent.

Luckily, our credit union keeps a sharp eye on scams and sent us a warning. We didn’t lose any money, the famous company wasn’t going out of business, but I felt really stupid.

Unfortunately, the Trump administration’s orgy of firing federal government workers who actually know their jobs means we’ll all be scammed out of more than we can afford, but nobody is at greater risk than our farmers.

Trump’s promised mass deportations will eliminate about 40 percent of our farm labor force. Whoever farmers can hire to replace them will want much higher wages.

Unwise tariffs will raise food costs for all Americans, as well as steel and aluminum costs. Retaliatory tariffs from other nations will wreck markets for U.S. farm products.

Many farmers took advantage of USDA grants to reimburse them for spending money investing in clean energy projects, only to find that Trump has now blocked repayment for projects he thinks involve “Marxist equity, transgenderism, and green new deal social engineering (sic).”

The complete wrecking of the USAID program means the loss of huge food-buying programs from U.S. farms along with the end of U.S. “soft power” abroad. Currently, $500 million worth of food aid is sitting on docks and ships, much of it spoiling. (A recent Associated Press poll of American voters shows that most people assumed about 31 percent of the budget went to help foreign countries. The actual amount spent on all foreign aid is about 1 percent. “Helping foreigners” is not causing our budget woes.)

Once the recent California fires had been put out, Trump staged a publicity stunt ordering the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to release more than 2 billion gallons from Sierra Nevada dams. Local water managers and farmers said the water release came too early in the season to be useful for growers, and they may have less water for crops when they need it.

The list of harmful changes goes on and on. But what about Trump’s promise before the election to immediately lower grocery prices? Just campaign propaganda. He started wiggling out of that one as soon as he was elected.

So yes, farmers, who mostly voted for Trump, are being scammed, but what to do about it? Who knows? Contacting GOP legislators asking them to oppose Trump’s really bad ideas might help. So might massive protests, particularly those including tractors.

Laura F. Sanchez

Los Lunas

Hunters have rights

Editor:

My name is Gavin Chavez, and I am writing (a letter) regarding business law and how it is impacting hunters’ rights.

Hunters have increasingly faced efforts from government agencies and landowners to restrict access to public hunting lands. The question is, if it is legal to restrict this access and who has the authority to make these decisions?

In my (letter), I will be talking about one county’s ability to quickly ban hunting along a key stretch of river to please recreationalists and increase the city revenue. I also bring up how areas of landlocked public land are being leveraged to increase the earnings of private landowners.

We also must ask the question if private landowners have a right to the land because they believed it was theirs at the time of purchase. Who really is at fault, the landowner or the realtor for failing to disclose the information regarding public land?

Legislators have often used city ordinances to ban hunting, but no one ever talks about how the business side of the law is another factor pushing for this legislation.

With this (letter), I hope to inform the public on current challenges facing hunters’ rights and highlight the significant role business interests are playing in shaping these issues.

Gavin Chavez

Belen

Call a friend every day

Editor:

One of the emotions that keeps many of us in tune with each other is compassion and empathy. We hurt for others; we are heartsick when someone’s spouse or dad or child passes away; and we care when someone is mourning the loss of their beloved pet.

Folks rely on social media to keep up with other people. Many people get their news online, from sometimes questionable sources that want to sell you something. It’s instant, constant and we move along to the next profile without stopping long enough after sending thoughts and prayers to really hold space for our friend’s loss. We think clicking on a sad emoji is akin to human contact. We move on to the next person. The transaction is complete.

We get instant notifications about all these things because of our reliance on the grapevine: social media. Having so many friends who reach out that way is both a blessing and a curse. The very personal nature becomes impersonal and I’ve seen countless posts go sideways when somebody decides to make it about themselves instead of the original poster.

Suddenly, something that started out as informative and personal becomes a free for all, someone’s political stance or even an airing of dirty laundry. No bueno!

We’ve become removed from holding space for our friends, yet are overwhelmed with all that is going on around us, which unbalances our natural tendencies. I suggest we take a good hour every single day to meditate, pray and/or be mindful of how to be a friend.

A phone call or an invite to coffee is going to be more satisfying than any emoji and, I guarantee that looking into someone else’s eyes and having a face to face conversation will hone the human condition we all share.

In John 15:14, Jesus said, “You are my friends.” Call a friend today and give them your undivided attention.

We can support each other and walk each other home by holding space for each other, in real time and real settings. So, call a friend, friend.

Michelle Tafoya

Los Lunas

Operation Tiny Tots

Editor:

Many families in Valencia County with young children (newborn to 3 years old) are facing significant challenges in purchasing essential items such as diapers, clothing and formula. To support these families, the Daniel D. Fernandez VFW Post 9676 is proud to relaunch “Operation Tiny Tots.”

We kindly request the support of VFW members, local businesses and residents to assist these families in any way possible. Post 9676 is seeking donations of new or gently used infant clothing, infant care items, or cash contributions to the “Operation Tiny Tots Fund.” Donations can be made on the Post 9676 website, referring to “Operation Tiny Tots Donation” in the note.

March 2025 has been designated as “Operation Tiny Tots Month,” and post members will be collecting donations at our post home for the first four Saturdays in March from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Last year, the generosity of New Mexico VFW Posts and local community members resulted in donations valued at more than $5,000, which were distributed to needy families in Valencia County.

Post 9676 will once again distribute donated and purchased items directly to families through organizations that can assist in distribution within Valencia County.

If you have any questions regarding “Operation Tiny Tots,” please contact committee chairman Gabe Barela at 505-702-1528, Post Quartermaster Jack Lovato at 505-550-4076 or me directly at 505-414-0288.

Your support and donations are greatly appreciated. Thank you for your generosity.

Chet Pino

Post Commander