From: Mountain View Telegraph
newsroom: (505) 823-7101
Thursday, November 2, 2006
Guest View: Vote for Principles, Not the Party
By Margarita Hibbs
Nearly two months ago I was asked to become involved in a new organization, My Rural America, and I enthusiastically said yes. The whole concept of "common ground, common sense" appealed to me for so many reasons.
As many know, our involvement in our community is deeply rooted in our commitment to this "diamond in the rough" that my husband, Martin, has so often described as the Estancia Valley. The mission statement below clearly shows my reasons for optimism in this effort:
"My Rural America's mission is to create and nurture a nonpartisan and educational resource dedicated to mobilizing rural Americans, elected officials and public servants behind public policies that advance the quality of rural life and responsible, civic re-engagement."
Currently, approximately 60 million Americans live in rural America. That number is equivalent to the population of 15 of our largest cities. Thirty percent of that population produces a tremendous majority of the world's food supply, and yet there is little understanding between rural Americans and our public servants. An essential aspect of this organization is to provide straightforward, honest news and information via our Web site, community outreach and conventional media. In some cases, the information is likely to challenge conventional wisdom. In other cases, it may seem either too liberal or too conservative. One way or the other, you may count on My Rural America to be honest, bringing you the facts: who is for, who is against and why these legislative facts matter to Rural America.
In addition to this, My Rural America will shed light on any politicians not living up to promises made to their constituents, whether they be Republican, Democrat or Independent.
The obvious outcome of this will be the return to the fair and balanced political process that America's forefathers hoped to ensure when they wrote and adopted the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. It is very ironic that in our historical fight for independence from absolute control by royalty, by our indifference or apathy to the political process we have abdicated our civic engagement to political royalties, our public servants.
As the number of dead in Iraq now number 2,800 men and women, we must re-engage in our civic responsibilities, if for no other reason than out of respect for what they died preserving, our freedoms. Currently, our congressional public servants earn approximately $165,000 per year, and medical care for the rest of their lives, at taxpayer expense after serving only one term of office. Currently in Torrance County, there are fewer working families with health care. We are one of those families. We are both self-employed and make too much money for our children to qualify for the New Mexikids health care program.
In attending the many meetings throughout Torrance County, people have expressed concerns over quality of life sustainability, energy independence, land, water and energy resource management, drought aid relief for farmers and ranchers, small community and infrastructure development, job creation, immigration reform, reasonable health care for working families, methamphetamine drug abuse intervention/rehabilitation and discussion of Iraqi War withdrawal. These issues are not just national concerns; they are hard realities for people living in this county.
As of 2003, according to the New Mexico Department of Labor, the average per capita income in Torrance County was $20,190. The expression "getting by" takes on a whole new meaning for Torrance County residents. We are all connected and when one portion of the county is overwhelmed by hard realities, we are all affected. If a local pumpkin farmer loses an entire crop to hail, every business in his surrounding community feels the pinch. If county incarcerations due to drug arrests rise to the high levels that we have seen over the last few years, is there any doubt as to why our county road department cannot maintain county roads? If our public servants evade tough questions and do other than what they promise, we must hold them accountable and ultimately vote to retain or remove them. For example, because of our work with the Estancia Basin Resource Association, and the fact that New Mexico has suffered from severe drought conditions, I think it is very important for Congresswoman Heather Wilson to explain why she did not sign a discharge petition that would require a vote on agriculture disaster assistance in the House of Representatives. Will she reconsider her position regarding this issue if re-elected? Will Patricia Madrid support this effort if she is elected?
I encourage everyone to vote on principles and be less concerned with political party affiliations and control.
Together, we all can make a difference in our communities and our families. It has always been a proud legacy in rural America that in times of great need, like a barn burning to the ground, neighbors always came together to raise the next one. While our political process is not perfect, it is still one of the best in the world. We must regain working relationships with our public servants and force them to serve us as they promised. Please feel free to visit My Rural America at www.myruralamerica.org and thank you for your participation in this worthwhile effort.
Margarita Hibbs is an Estancia resident and New Mexico rural leadership coordinator for My Rural America.
Copyright Albuquerque Journal
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