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| Bill Richardson horsing around |
© 2016 Michael Swickard, Ph.D. We are living in angry times. Anger
drives much of what we do. With the New Mexico Legislature in session there is
more anger than normal. The political animals realize they only have a small
amount of time to get what they want. So they spew anger to get their way.
It makes me think of what Aristotle
observed: "Anybody can become angry. That is easy. But to be angry with
the right person and to the right degree and at the right time and for the
right purpose, and in the right way... that is not within everybody's power and
is not easy."
There are big things driving anger in
this Legislature like the impasse caused by driver licenses. Some want a
driver's license for those who are in our country legally and another license
for those without legal status.
The anger has ratcheted up in the
dialog so that thinking people want nothing to do with the debate since the
flamers will scorch everyone who does not conform. That fight involves the
political bases of both parties.
Another flash point for anger is the
desire of political animals to have their way regardless of the rules and
regardless of any promises made earlier. Example: When Spaceport America was
first proposed the idea was to get the construction paid by Dona Ana and Sierra
County taxpayers. Those taxpayers stood to gain the most from an active and
vibrant Spaceport.
And I supported the idea of a Spaceport
since, at the time many years ago, this was going to be the first one and the
promises were rosy to say the least. Governor Bill Richardson, who was putting
together a presidential bid, was looking for high profile projects and this fit
the bill, er, the Bill.
About the same time presidential
candidate Bill Richardson unveiled the Richardson for President Rail Runner
Express Transit system from Belen to Santa Fe which proclaimed Richardson's
stature nationally that he understood mass transit.
The enabling legislation never
mentioned a rail project; it was aimed at New Mexico highways. That seemed a
good idea and then the political animals dashed in and sprung the Rail Runner
on New Mexico taxpayers without the taxpayers having any way to avoid the
financial consequences which are huge.
What do the Rail Runner and Spaceport
America have in common? Both started with a political push and both are now
mired in controversy about their financing. The Rail Runner is a deep hole in
the Earth into which New Mexico taxpayers must pour money.
I am not sure about the ultimate
fate of Spaceport America. But the leaders of the project are doing things that
anger New Mexico taxpayers and that is not good. The Spaceport is clearly not
going as we expected when it started and putting lipstick on the project with
cheerful press releases has not helped.
State Senator Lee Cotter (District
36) who represents Dona Ana County has Senate Bill 157 to stop Spaceport
America from paying salaries and other expenses with tax dollars intended to
pay off the facility debt.
Cotter has sponsored this bill
previously. The proponents of hijacking the dollars say they need the money. But
they don't want to come to the Legislature for those funds because they are
afraid the legislature will say no.
Senator Cotter said, "Dona Ana
and Sierra County taxpayers are hurt when their taxes are diverted and do not
go towards paying down the debt faster." Exactly. He points out that it is
all borrowed money. If New Mexico had the money to begin with that would be one
thing but both Rail Runner and Spaceport are with borrowed money.
With the Rail Runner there is a day
coming when many millions of dollars will be due. And it can only come from the
taxpayers. We always need to do these projects with the five rights: the right
people, to the right degree, at the right time, for the right purpose and in
the right way.
Hey, since the Iowa Caucus is now
done, can New Mexico lose the Ethanol mandate. Why give that money to the Iowa
farmers and take it away from New Mexicans? Why indeed.
Email: drswickard@comcast.net
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