Swickard: $howing Sufficient Re$pect

Michael and Conrad

NMPolitics - Many New Mexicans believe “pay for play” is our state motto. Nope, other states got that first. Ours is: “$howing $ufficient re$pect in the give-to-go Land of Enticement.” It is the way decisions are made by some leaders, though not all. And there is the rub. Average citizens find it is hard to figure out who is on the “give-to-go” and who is not. A general rule I use is that when lots and lots of money is given to someone elected who has a means to reward contributions, then it more than likely means something. From my four decades of watching New Mexico politicians I have several overarching perceptions. First, there are some politicians who cannot be bought, nor are they swayed in the least by money on the table. You will offend them if you even hint at scummy actions. They hate bad behavior, legal or not. Then there are other politicians who are open for business at all times. They get quite huffy when you do not understand which way the dollars have to flow for attention. They expect everyone to understand that money greases the wheels of their attention. News New Mexico

Swickard: $howing Sufficient Re$pect