I think you should point out that candidates are spending large sums to get elected, for the purpose of setting the priorities and making the budget cuts necessary to get New Mexico's fiscal affairs under control.

As soon as specific recommendations are made to the Legislature, you can expect to receive letters explaining why these proposals are foolish and amount to cruel and unusual punishment to be inflicted on New Mexico citizens.

Whatever final decisions may be, they will certainly anger large percentages of our population who have both intentionally or unintentionally structured their lives to be dependent on state government largesse.


Take money, please

Martha Romero's Aug. 28 commentary, "KSFR needs public support more than ever," brings into question the administration of their campaign for funds.

In 2008, I attempted to make a monthly pledge through withdrawals from my checking account. For that pledge, I received a copy of Ralph Nader's book Only the Super-Rich Can Save Us. Two months later, there had been no withdrawals. On three separate occasions, I called KSFR, and a voice-machine answered. Each time I left a message about my pledge. However, I never received a return call. Subsequently, I wrote them a letter repeating my desire to honor my pledge. To this date, I have not received a response.

I am a proponent of public radio and would like KSFR to remain a viable source of information in Santa Fe, but it seems as if either my pledge is not wanted, or there are serious administrative flaws.


Backed by Treasury

The Social Security Trust Fund contains $2.2 trillion in interest-bearing Treasury bonds. These bonds are not IOUs, which are informal documents acknowledging debt. All U.S. Treasury bonds are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. The fund is managed by a board of trustees consisting of four Cabinet members and two presidential appointees who are charged with maximizing the trust's resources for the fund's beneficiaries, i.e., people who are eligible for Social Security payments.

Government spending with money borrowed from Social Security adds to the budget deficit. Social Security payouts do not. They are fully funded by payroll taxes and, as needed, by the trust fund.

Privatization plans require wage earners to invest their Social Security payroll taxes in private securities. They do not call for eliminating payroll taxes. They do not relieve the government of its obligation to redeem trust fund Treasury bonds.


Get rid of grass

Is there any reason why the Santa Fe Plaza has to have grass at all? The silly "keep-off-the-grass" policy seems to be keeping the Plaza from living up to its potential. In most places, a plaza is a large, paved area surrounded by shops, restaurants, churches and other buildings. Grass would only get in the way of the people enjoying it. I understand that we all need a little green in our lives; I wouldn't suggest that we tear out the trees. There are parks, with grass, all around the Plaza: Cathedral Park one block away, the huge grassy areas in front of the main post office and around the Federal Courthouse two or so blocks away, Hillside Park four or five blocks away, and the beautifully landscaped paths alongside the Santa Fe River. They should satisfy anyone's yearning to feel the grass beneath their feet.

Meanwhile, a paved Plaza would require much less maintenance, and would make much more space available to the fairs and markets that bring so many people to Santa Fe.