Part 2: Incompetent or Insolent? Providing our Governess with Guidance
Originally published on Tuesday, April 14th, 2020 as Michelle Lujan Grisham cancelled Easter. It was the first time New Mexico had not celebrated Easter in 327 years.
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Please take the time to read this on this Black Friday. I will release part 3 tomorrow on what would be traditionally known as “Small Business Saturday”
My Dear New Mexicans,
When last I addressed you, a mere four days ago, calling attention to a deficit in our political leadership, perhaps I was too deferential. I largely refrained from calling our politicians to account by party affiliation or name. My hope was that speaking in generalities, exhibiting some restraint, and offering constructive suggestions on a less oppressive path forward, I might elicit a more measured and progressive approach to mitigating exposure to the COVID-19 virus. I suggested fostering a resumption of social and economic interactions is crucial to our ability to deal with this current manifestation of the virus. More importantly, though I didn’t state it explicitly, such a response would lay a foundation for our reaction should we face future outbreaks. Sadly, our Governor, Michelle Lujan Grisham – Democrat, is continuing to fail us.
As I pointed out last time, what is essential depends on your unique circumstances. If you are a rancher or farmer working outdoors, having appropriate clothing to protect you from the elements is essential. Without it, you risk exposure to multiple hazards, ranging from UV radiation to insects and unnecessary scratches and scrapes which expose you to potentially dangerous infectious agents. That MLG-D’s stormtroopers…excuse me, our State Police…could issue a cease and desist order to Bar G Western Wear in Portales, a small, independent store serving one of the more remote areas of our State, should elicit outrage from every New Mexican. Admittedly, State Representative, Gregg Schmedes – Republican, commented “MLG, you’re wrong. These are the good guys, and they are ESSENTIAL. #TooFar,” and Steve Pearce – Republican Party of New Mexico Chairman, noted, “mom and pop stores in New Mexico need to be spoken for.” While correct in concept, these tepid challenges arrive far too late and are completely inadequate to the level of incompetence being demonstrated by our Governor.
But, there I go again, being differential. In characterizing MLG-D’s actions as incompetent, I may be giving her too much credit. I’m assuming that she recognizes the State’s need for leadership, but simply lacks the skills and fortitude to supply it.
There are two darker possibilities. The first: living in the Democrat Party leadership cesspool…excuse me, bubble…MLG-D is completely ignorant of the needs of the vast majority of her constituents and thus incapable of recognizing where to lead us. The second: MLG-D recognizes our needs, but for personal and political gain she chooses to ignore them.
Regardless of the reason, it is we, the citizens of New Mexico, who are continuing to pay a heavy price.
We need to be the leadership for New Mexico. Therefore, I would like to direct you to the following website www.orangenm.com and visit the New Mexico Counties Infections tab. I have joined up with a Pathologist, Dr. Vann Schaffner as well as Darryl Dunlap, Founder of the New Mexico Patriots, to provide guidance to make a recommendation for our Governor to open up business for New Mexicans.
We have 33 counties and alongside President Donald Trump’s 3 phase “Opening Up America Again” there are certain counties that should never had a shelter in place order. For example, any county that has not had one single infection. They are the following: Guadalupe, De Baca, Union, Sierra, Mora, and Harding. Each of those counties needs to be opened up immediately.
We should also open up any county that has less than 1 in 25,000 infection ratio in their county. This is on a 7 day running average and is divided against the total population of that county. For example, Bernalillo County 1 in 30,302 people will be infected with the Corona Virus where McKinley County has a 1 in 2,998 people are infected on a 7 day running average. These are two distinctly different situations and should be treated as such.
Each of these counties where more than 1 in 25,000 are infected should continue along the same path we are currently on as a state. The counties are the following: Cibola, McKinley, Sandoval, San Juan, Socorro, and Torrance.
We need to continue to advocate for this data-driven decision on behalf of our citizens and business owners who desperately need to get back to business as usual. These recommendations also provide a goal for those who haven’t met these criteria and obviously rewards those counties which have achieved a level of containment we can all live with. Along with the President’s 3 Phase “Opening Up America Again” guidance we should be back to normal here in this beautiful state.
Eddy Aragon is the afternoon host of “The Rock of Talk” which airs on his radio station in Albuquerque, 93.7 FM/AM 1600 KIVA. He’s a graduate of the University of New Mexico with degrees in Political Science and Economics. He has been recognized by the Albuquerque Journal as Radio Personality of the Year every year since 2017. He has appeared on Fox News, CNN and over 40 radio shows throughout the country. Eddy is an 11th Generation New Mexican. He can be reached at: rockoftalk@me.com.
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The path of redress of grievances does not fall to just the NM Legislature as the voice of the people to rebuke the Governor. In New Mexico we have a a "plural executive" system of government, equal Executive Offices to the Governor.
Because of the poor education system of New Mexico, the public is misinformed of what should be demanded from our public servants in the executive branch. According to the Secretary of State 2015-2016 New Mexico Blue Book, pg 173 and 175 -
"New Mexico has a “Plural Executive.” This means that while the Governor heads the Executive Branch of New Mexico State Government, her powers are not absolute. She is not the only elected state official with executive powers.
Besides the Governor, New Mexicans elect other state executives. These officials include the Lieutenant Governor, elected on a slate with the Governor, and separately elected officials such as the Secretary of State, the State Auditor, the State Treasurer, the Attorney General, the Commissioner of Public Lands, as well as five Public Regulation Commissioners. Officials in the Executive Branch can serve two consecutive four-year terms.
The Governor is the state’s Chief Executive, but she shares the responsibility for administering
New Mexico’s State Government with other officials. In addition, a number of appointed
officials, primarily in the Governor’s Cabinet, operate in the Executive Branch. " - www.sos.state.nm.us/about-new-mexico/publications/blue-book/#
Given that we have plural executives for this state, those other executives offices have a DUTY to protect the civil rights and liberties of people of New Mexico from which "All political power is vested in and derived from the people: all government of right originates with the people, is founded upon their will and is instituted solely for their good." - NM Constitution, Article II, Sec. 2, www.sos.state.nm.us/about-new-mexico/publications/nm-constitution/#
All of these executive offices are liable for the harm caused to the people of NM by the Governor because they all have duty, first to both the NM and US Constitutions because of the oaths sworn. Because of these oaths, their duty lies in the guaranteed protection of these preexisting conditions of LIFE and LIBERTY without which there can be no pursuit of happiness.